AUSTRIA

Republic of Austria - a country in Central Europe. Capital - Vienna, one of the mostbeautiful cities in the world. Austria shares borders with several European countries. This is the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein and
 Switzerland.
In Austria, several large cities: Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg - romantic town, birthplace ofMozart and Innsbruck, famous for its sports facilities. In the cities there are about 30% of the population. Vienna, capital of the country with a long history, is also recognized as a cultural,
 musical and tourist European center. This beautiful city lies on the banks of the Danube and its suburbs fit close to the legendary Vienna Woods. Vienna is full of beautiful old parks and palaces, monuments and modern museums and concert halls.


GEOGRAPHY
Austria is located in the heart of Europe, an area of ​​83,871 km ², and a large part, about 70% of the territory occupied by the Alps. Country "elevated" above the sea level by an average of 900 m highest point in the country - Mount Grossglockner, 3797 m, ther
e is a giant glacier Pastertse.
Determine the Alps and the climate and flora of Austria. Forests cover about 46% of the country, with up to 500 meters of beech and oak, above - spruce and beech, and at an altitude of 1,200 m begins the kingdom of coniferous: spruce, larch and pine. In the foothills of the forest changed to pasture - "Alma." In Austria, there is also a heathsteppe, deciduous forests and numerous lakes and water that you can drink - just cleanit unique! Some lakes are perfect warm summer, and their banks are built hotels for tourists.
Forest residents Austria - charming deer and roe deer, hares and foxes, badgers and squirrels, pheasants and partridges. In the Pannonian lowlands, prairies, home to rare species of birds.

CLIMATE
There are three climatic zones: the Pannonian steppes of moderate continental climate, the Alpine region with a gorgeous snowy winters and long duration of the remainder,which affect the climate of the Atlantic and the continental climate of the south-eastAustria.
The average annual temperature is +7 ° C to +9 ° C in winter, the country
 is -1-7 ° C, while in the mountains even colder. In summer the temperature rises up to +18-24 ° C, and on the southern slopes noticeably warmer. The snow stays on the plains from one to six months of the year, in winter in the valleys there are fogs and snow-covered slopes of the Alps in the winter months are excellent ski resorts.

AUSTRIA TODAY
History of Austria began with the conquest by the Romans the Celtic tribes that inhabited this territory in 15 BC. Oe.With 788, the Austrian lands were part of Charlemagne's empire. In the XIV century.started a real flowering of the Austrian state. In 1804 the country became the Habsburg Empire, and from 1867 to 1918. became known as Austria-Hungary. After the colla
pse of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1918 was founded the Republic of Austria, who had hoped to reunite with Germany. The union took place in 1938, when Germany had already been in power for the Nazis. Results of the Second World War, nearly cost her the independence of Austria, which was completely rebuilt after 1955. Since Austria is neutral.Austria - advanced agricultural and industrial country and one of the tourist centers of Western Europe. There are a lot of skilled labor, advanced electrical equipment, textiles, woodworking and other industries. Tourism brings the country a lot of profit. Natural resources are limited, and Austria imported fuel and other raw materials. Thanks to the investment deve
lops the production of telecommunications equipment and other high-tech industry. The living standard of the country ahead of France, Germany, Great Britain.Art, Music and Literature in Austria occupy a worthy place among the colorful cultural mosaic of Western Europe. The famous music festivals, theaters, universities, great architectural monuments make this country very attractive for those who appreciate the cultural dimension of life. Austria is an interesting and certainly the direction of an elite international tourism - the nature of the country's birth like a fairy tale scenery with snow-covered peaks, green meadows and clear lakes .

CURRENCY
Official currency - the euro. Office of the monetary system and credit policy, the Austrianbank carries out the Austrian National Bank, founded in 1922 in Austria about 50 banks.To travel it is best to bring the amount in euros. We accept credit cards.

VISA REGIME
For entry into Austria, citizens of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and other CIS countries require a visa. Austrian Embassy in Moscow issues visas, valid for the countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement. This is currently Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Malta. A visa is issued for a stay of up to 90 days per semester, beginning with the first entry into Austria, if Austria is the country where the applicant will be more during their stay.


KITCHEN
Austrian cuisine is based primarily on the traditions of the so-called "peasant" food, Hofküche, they constitute the basis for meat dishes of pork and beef, cooked simply, but very appetizing. This is a satisfying and enjoyable meal - well-known Viennese Schnitzel in, a variety of sausages and a great ham. In Austria, a lot of clean rivers and lakes, and th
e Austrians happy to prepare a river fish. In the hunting season you can try venison and vegetarian cafe there in any variety of vegetable casseroles, crepes, pancakes and omelets with mushrooms. Austrians like to cook cakes with all sorts of fillings.Confectionery in Austria has made an art to the world treasury of some great recipes known to any self-respecting cook. Yet a truly original dishes you can taste only in Austria - in fact, many recipes are kept secret for centuries and passed down from generation to generation. Traditional Austrian sweets - a delicate donuts with apricot jam and the famous hand-made fruit strudels and cakes with whipped cream.Austrian cuisine is partly absorbed the traditions of the Italian, Balkan and Hungarian cuisine. It is brewed great beer, the Austrians are very fond of this drink. All you need rustic restaurants offer traditional Tyrolean schnapps - infused with herbs, fruit or a strong alcoholic beverage.

TRANSPORT
The country has well-developed transportation system. The railways stretching over 6,000 km. Austrian Railways - is an example of order and precision in the schedule.Many ski resorts are connected with each other a good bus network. The state bus network in Austria Bundesbus features the same order, cleanliness and precision, and railway transport.Austria - a country with a right-hand traffic and a developed network of ro
ads that are maintained in perfect condition. Some mountain roads are complex, but an experienced driver can easily take the car to rent and make some fun traveling around the country.Austria is very pleasant to fans of cycling - in this country there are bikes on each of the 160 railway stations. You can, for example, take a bike at one station and return it to the other. Interesting bike trails run along the Danube River and from the Black Forest in Germany up to the Austrian capital of Vienna.Used at ski resorts chairlifts, ski lifts, cable cars and chair lifts rope.


HOTEL

Austrian hotels all over the match and have the international classification of stars from 1 * to 5 *. This certification takes place on a regular basis, and each property must meet certain requirements. In Austria, as there are local varieties place: it's like "FP" ("fruehstueckspensionen" - guesthouses with breakfast) and "GH" ("gasthof" & "gaestehaus" - and gasthofy gestehausy, small hotels with Service Level 2 * or 3 * .) As a rule, the key to your room is also the key to the front door. Austria has taken to close the main entrance to the hotels and boarding houses in which there is no non-stop reception, after 22:0

0. If you would like to come back later and easily enter into your room, your best bet is to take the room key with you. Sauna in Austrian hotels are often the joint (male and female), and the entrance to the bathing suits and swimming trunks forbidden, made use of towels, which can be wrapped up. To store all sports equipment - skis, snowboards, ski boots in every hotel room is equipped with special. Store sports equipment, skis, sports shoes in the rooms is not permitted. 

UnOfficial Map 

Austria - this is the heart of the Alps. Snowy mountain peaks and picturesque valleys,alpine meadows, cold and clear lakes and fast rivers form the landscapes of these places. In the valleys and on hillsides scattered small resort towns and cities where you can spend wonderful winter vacation. The capital of Tyrol mountain area is the famous ski resort of Innsbruck. Cities such as Kitzbühel, Zolden, Ischgl, Seefeld, Neustift, St Anton -it is well known and very presentable ski resorts in Austria, which you will want to visitagain and again, should you find yourself at least once in the Tyrol.