Landlocked in
the heart of Europe, Austria runs
from the Alps in the west down to
Vienna and the Danube in the east.
For six centuries it was the heart
of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, which
at its peak included what is now
Poland, Hungary and the Czech
Republic along with much of Romania,
Bulgaria and the Balkans. The
country's imperial inheritance is
particularly striking in the grand
buildings and cultural institutions
of the Baroque-flavoured capital,
Vienna, resplendent with palaces and
captivating churches, cosy
coffeehouses and inns, and grand
ballrooms where Strauss waltzes
still draw dancers onto the floor.
Another of the
great classical composers spawned by
Austria was Mozart, born in
Salzburg, a beautiful historic city
where stunning Baroque churches rise
up against the backdrop of the
Austrian Alps. The Alps stretch west
to Switzerland and in winter skiers
come from all continents to carve
the slopes and experience the charm
of the alpine villages and their
welcoming inhabitants.
The charm of
Austria may lie in its preservation
of a romantic classical past, but
this does not mean modern Austria
has stood back from development.
Behind the stunning scenery and
antique architecture a vibrant
industrial and commercial society
goes about its business in the
cities and towns. Austrians work
hard, but they also know how to play
hard. Austrian hospitality and
cuisine are legendary. From a cruise
on the magnificent Danube River to a
cycle tour through the Alpine
meadows or a breath-taking day's
sightseeing in busy Vienna, visitors
to Austria find it impossible to fit
in a dull moment.
Basics
Time:
GMT +1
(GMT +2
from the
last
Sunday
in March
to the
last
Sunday
in
October).
Electricity:
Electrical
current
is 220
volts,
50Hz.
The
European
round
2-pin
plugs
are
standard.
Money:
The unit
of
currency
is the
Euro (EUR),
which is
divided
into 100
cents.
Currency
can be
exchanged
at banks
and
bureaux
de
change
available
in all
towns,
but it
may be
easier
to use
the
ATMs.
Banks
are
closed
on
Saturdays
and
Sundays,
but
exchange
offices
at
airports
and
major
city
rail
terminals
are open
seven
days a
week.
Major
credit
and
debit
cards
are
widely
accepted
though
some
small
hotels
and
restaurants
may only
accept
cash.
Travellers
cheques
are also
accepted.
Currency Exchange Rates
EUR 1=
US$ 1.30
£ 0.67
C$ 1.53
A$ 1.67
R 9.42
EUR 1.00
NZ$ 1.88
Note:
This is
not
updated
daily
and
should
be used
as a
guide
only.
Language:
The
official
language
is
German.
Entry
Requirements
for
Americans:
US
passport
holders
do not
require
a visa
for
travel
to
Austria
providing
they
stay no
longer
than
three
months.
A
passport
is
required.
Entry
Requirements
for UK
nationals:
UK
passport
holders
require
a visa
for
travel
to
Austria,
but
those
with
passports
designated
British
Citizen
or
British
Overseas
Citizen
do not
require
a visa.
A
passport
is
required.
Entry
Requirements
for
Canadians:
Canadian
passport
holders
do not
require
a visa
for
travel
to
Austria
providing
they
stay no
longer
than
three
months.
A
passport
is
required.
Entry
Requirements
for
Australians:
Australian
passport
holders
do not
require
a visa
for
travel
to
Austria
providing
they
stay no
longer
than
three
months.
A
passport
is
required.
Entry
Requirements
for
South
Africans:
South
African
nationals
require
a
passport
and a
Schengen
visa for
travel
to
Austria.
Entry
Requirements
for
Irish
nationals:
Irish
nationals
do not
require
a visa,
but a
passport
must be
shown.
Health:
No
vaccinations
are
necessary
for
business
visits
or
general
tourism.
There
is,
however,
a risk
of
tick-borne
encephalitis
for
long-term
visitors
who
expect
to be
visiting
rural or
forested
areas in
spring
or
summer.
These
travellers
should
consider
vaccination
and
ensure
they
take
precautions
against
tick
infestation.
Water
and food
are
safe.
Medical
facilities
are
excellent.
Medical
insurance
is
advised
unless
from the
UK -
citizens
of EU
countries
can get
free
emergency
medical
treatment
at
public
hospitals
in
Austria
on
production
of a
European
Health
Insurance
Card (EHIC).
Bird flu
was
found in
dead
swans in
the
southern
province
of
Styria
in
February
2006 and
stringent
measures
are
being
taken to
contain
the
outbreak.
The risk
is very
low for
travellers,
but all
close
contact
with
wild,
domestic
and
caged
birds
should
be
avoided,
and all
poultry
and egg
dishes
well
cooked
as a
precaution.
Tipping:
A 10-15%
service
charge
is
automatically
added to
hotel
and
restaurant
bills,
but it
is usual
to leave
another
5% if
satisfied
with the
service.
It is
customary
to give
the
money to
the
waiter
rather
than
leave it
on the
table.
It is
usual to
leave
small
change
for most
service
personnel.
Taxis
expect a
10% tip.
Safety:
Travel
to
Austria
is
generally
trouble-free,
however
visitors
are
advised
to take
sensible
safety
precautions
particularly
in
larger
cities.
Customs:
From 15
November
2005 it
is
compulsory
that
vehicles
are
driven
with
their
lights
on
throughout
the
year.
Wearing
of
military
or other
uniforms
of
foreign
countries
is not
allowed,
unless
in
transit
or with
a
special
permit
obtained
from
Austrian
diplomatic
representation
abroad.
Business:
Business
protocol
is very
important
in
Austria
and
business
is
formal,
structured
and
conservative,
more so
than
many
other
Western
European
countries;
all
correspondence
such as
faxes
and
emails
should
also be
formal.
Dress is
conservative,
yet
elegant;
Austrians
take
great
pride in
their
appearance
and a
good
quality,
well-fitting
suit for
men and
women
should
be worn
to make
a good
first
impression.
Austrians
are also
very
title-conscious;
always
use last
names
with a
preceding
title
such as
Herr (Mr),
Frau (Mrs)
or
Fräulein
(Miss),
along
with
their
professional
or
academic
title
where
applicable
(e.g.
Herr
Professor
Kaufmann).
It is
vital to
arrive
punctually
for
meetings
and to
be
thoroughly
prepared,
as
meetings
are
brief
and to
the
point.
Be
prepared
to
engage
in
preliminary
small
talk,
including
a
knowledge
of
current
affairs,
before
getting
down to
business.
English
is
widely
spoken
in
business,
but
printed
literature
should
be in
German
if
possible.
Offices
open at
8am and
close
promptly
at 5pm
Monday
to
Friday.
Communications:
The
international
access
code for
Austria
is +43.
The
outgoing
code is
00
followed
by the
relevant
country
code
(e.g.
0044 for
the
United
Kingdom).
The area
code for
Vienna
is (0)1.
Public
telephone
boxes
can be
used for
direct
dial
calls
within
the
country
and
overseas.
Austria's
mobile
network
operates
on the
900 and
1800
bands
for GSM.
Internet
cafes
are
widely
available.
Duty
Free:
Travellers
from
non-EU
countries
over 17
years
are
allowed
to bring
in the
following
items
without
paying
customs
duty:
200
cigarettes,
or 100
cigarillos,
or 50
cigars,
or 250g
of
smoking
tobacco,
or a
proportional
mix of
these
products;
2 litres
wine, or
1 litre
of
spirits
with
alcohol
content
more
than
22%, or
2 litres
of
alcohol
volume
less
than
22%; 50g
perfume
and
250ml
eau de
toilette;
and
other
goods to
a total
value of
EUR175.
Restricted
items
include
pornographic
material
and
fresh
foodstuffs
such as
meat and
dairy
products.
Travellers
must
have a
European
Firearms
Pass if
travelling
with
firearms.
Activities
Austrian
National
Tourist
Office,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
588 660
or
www.austria.info
Austrian
Embassy,
Washington
DC,
United
States:
+1 202
895
6700.
Austrian
Embassy,
London,
United
Kingdom:
+44
(0)20
7344
3250.
Austrian
Embassy,
Ottawa,
Canada:
+1 613
789
1444.
Austrian
Embassy,
Canberra,
Australia:
+61 (0)2
6295
1533.
Austrian
Embassy,
Pretoria,
South
Africa:
+27
(0)12
452
9155.
Austrian
Embassy,
Dublin,
Ireland:
+353
(0)1 269
4577.
Consulate
of
Austria,
Auckland,
New
Zealand:
+64 (0)9
489
8249.
United
States
Embassy,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
313 390.
British
Embassy,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
716 130.
Canadian
Embassy,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
531 383
000.
Australian
Embassy,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
506 740.
South
African
Embassy,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
320
6493.
Embassy
of
Ireland,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
715
4246.
New
Zealand
Consulate-General,
Vienna:
+43 (0)1
318
8505.
Emergencies:
112 or
122
Activities
Skiing
The Tirol region offers some of the
world's best skiing and unlike many
French and Swiss resorts in the
alps, most resorts in Austria are
friendly and welcoming villages with
traditional looking chalets perched
among ancient, domed churches. Ski
season runs from December to April.
To guarantee reliable snowfall and
good skiing it is best to head for
the western edges of the Tirol, to
the world class St Anton, or its
neighbours Lech or Zürs, which all
have extensive skiing.
Hop Tours and Travels
Pvt Ltd (Mumbai, India) Egypt Destination Specialist
512-A, Corporate Avenue,
Sonawala Cross Road,
Next to Udyog Bhavan,
Goregaon (E), Mumbai - 400 063,
India
Tel. :
+91-22-40582000/02/04/06, Fax :
+91-22-67255210
