If you've ever seen The Sound of Music, you'll know that
Austria is a land of gorgeous palaces, culture and stunning mountain
scenery. In fact, it's a country that is perfect for a road trip.
About Austria
Austria was once at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which
covered most of Central Europe. Today this land-locked country still
shows many signs of its illustrious past, with cities rich in baroque
architecture and culture, but it's also a modern, forward-thinking
nation. It's the country that gave the world Mozart and the Viennese
waltz but it's also the country of Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.
Most of Austria is covered by the Alps but in the east, the mountains
make way for large plains. Like its diverse scenery, Austria's
population is diverse too, with a German-speaking majority and
significant communities of Eastern European descent as well as people
with Turkish ancestry.
The must-sees of Austria
One of the main attractions in Austria is its mountains, which have
made this country a skiing mecca. However, there is plenty to do during
the summer months too. Austria has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
including the historic centres of Vienna, Graz and Salzburg. These
cities are definite must-sees for their museums, palaces and café
culture. However, throughout the country you'll also find almost too
many charming villages to mention, as well as the scenic outdoors.
A suggested road trip through Austria
A good place to start any road trip through Austria is Vienna, the
capital. Let Rent.it arrange a rental car for you, which they can have
waiting at the airport or bring to your hotel. In Vienna, explore the
historic centre as well as another World Heritage Site, the Palace and
Gardens of Schönbrunn. Indulge in Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte or
snack on sausages as you watch the Danube flow by.
From Vienna, drive the 200 km southwest to Graz. See the city's
famous clock tower, explore the museums and the historic centre and
enjoy the views from Schloßberg. Then travel northwest to Salzburg,
about 136 km away. This beautiful city was the birthplace of Mozart and
was made famous as one of the major filming locations for The Sound of Music. Near
Salzburg, also explore the city's scenic lake district, the
Salzkammergut. Then drive almost 400 km via Innsbruck and the Alps to
Bregenz on the shores of Lake Constance in the west. The lake is shared
with Switzerland and Germany and apart from boat cruises, breath-taking
scenery and water sports, this is also the setting for the Bregenz
Festival. The highlight of this summer arts festival is the opera
production, which features a spectacular floating stage that blends the
best of modern Austrian design with the country's glorious musical
heritage.