Österreich in der Vorweihnachtszeit entdecken!

About the destination: Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria. It is a beautiful romantic city and famous for its coffee culture and cafes, classical music and concert halls, historical buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and its charming streets. There is a rich cultural diversity in Vienna, and its location at the very heart of Europe makes it also an excellent starting point for travelling around Europe. Vienna an impressing city to visit, the city is dominated by the Ringstrasse, a four kilometer long boulevard which encircles the center of the city. The city is filled with modern conveniences and attractions but blanketed as well with reminders of a great historical and cultural heritage. Excellent museums, palaces, gardens, architectural triumphs, remnants of ancient inhabitants, statuary, and grand cafes blend with trendy shops, excellent restaurants, accessible musical venues, modern museums and sculpture, and upscale hotels to make Vienna a very attractive. The extensive pedestrianized streets of the old city are a delight, lined by beautiful old buildings, populated by the young and old, filled with local shops, boutiques and cafes, and with the unexpected around every turn. The center city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vienna is history and music, poetry and culture, modernism and tradition, nostalgia and grandeur.

About the destination: Graz, Austria's second biggest city, is a pretty Central European town where various architectural styles and artistic movements have blended since the Middle Ages. Partly surrounded by the Alps, at the ford of the river Mur, with the Schlossberg, the castle hill, in the centre, Graz is a perfectly located city. The hike up the Schlossberg takes less than 30 minutes and rewards walkers with excellent views. At the top there is an open-air theatre, a small military museum and the bell tower which dates from 1588. Graz's Hauptplatz is a wonderful square where you can find Graz's town hall, a bustling market and a lovely fountain. There are many ornate buildings next to the square. Graz's position as European Capital of Culture in 2003 brought contrast between the very old and the ultra-modern to the city’s architecture. Two examples of great modern design are the Kunsthaus, a futuristic exhibition centre located on the banks of the River Mur dubbed the "Friendly Alien", and the Mur Insel, an artificial island on the Mur River made of metal and glass. Grazers love to hang out at any time, meet friends and chat in the cosy ambience of the many city cafes. Nice and sunny days will fill the streets with people. Every cafe and pastry shop has a small street terrace, especially those located in a city squares. The large student population helps propel the nightlife and vibrant arts scene, creating a pleasant, active and liveable city.

About the destination: Lying on both sides of the famous Danube, the city of Linz is Austria's third largest city and a busy Danube port. Not only is the city one of Austria's most important industrial centre, it is also a city full of history, art, technological advances and many cultural gems. The city's roots stretch back to before the time of the Romans. Within the city, the attractive historic part of town has preserved its mostly Baroque appearance and Biedermeier facades, and as a result, it's a perfect place to just meander through the many side streets and explore the huge Hauptplatz, the city’s main square, which is the largest enclosed square in Austria. In the centre of the square is the trinity column, carved in white marble and built in 1723. The architecture of the buildings that surround the square reflect the Renaissance, Baroque, and Rocco periods. The Rathus on the right side of the square was built in 1513. The large church on the square is the Alter Dom, the old cathedral, built for the Jesuits in 1669. On the north side of the square is the Mozarthaus where Mozart wrote the "Linz symphony" in 1783. Also great is just relaxing at one of the many cafés! Outside the city centre, you find many things to see as well. The area surrounding Linz has many historic sites, excellent trails for hiking and biking, and countless towns with cultural treasures of their own. As the capital of the Upper Austrian province, it serves as an administrative centre. While an administrative centre and industrious city may not sound like the ideal places to visit, Linz makes up for it greatly by being at the forefront of new art and new technology as well as preserving its historical wealth. It is truly a lovely city on the Danube and well worth a visit.