Austria Travel Guide

If you are what you eat, then Austria is its Sachertorte.  Like the famous Viennese chocolate cake, Austria consists of two dense, sweet layers that when combined leave a satisfying, lingering taste for the most diverse of travelers.  For the athletically gifted, Austria is a godsend – the Alps make for prime alpine skiing and most of the country is mountainous (the hills are alive!).  For the vertically challenged, great bikes, hikes, and baths abound in the gorgeous lake district of Salzkammergut.  The brisk air will bring out the ruddiness in your wan, travel-hungry cheeks in no time.  The culturally inclined need not worry, either– if you recall, Austria was not only the seat of the Holy Roman Emperor but of the musical greats, such as Mozart, Hayden, Schubert, and Straus!  Do as the holy Romans did and visit a spatown (Bad Ischl – chic then, historic now), catch one of the many concerts ,and check out the stunning palaces, cathedrals, and castles that adorn the streets of Vienna and Salzburg.  But before you go, make sure to turn off the beautifully paved streets and into the cobblestone alleys.  Find yourself a tiny coffeeshop and take an hour (or three) in proper tradition for a Viennese café, full with wiener schnitzel and dessert.  And with your first bite into that double decker torte, know that in Austria, you can have it all.