Austria
Austria (the official name of the Republic of Austria) - a country in Central Europe with the capital - Vienna. The five largest cities in the country, except in Vienna, as part of Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck. Area of the country - 83 871 km ², population - 8,404,252 people (2011).
It has borders with the Czech Republic in the north-east - with Slovakia in the east - with Hungary, in the south - with Slovenia and Italy to the west - with Liechtenstein and Switzerland, in the north-west - with Germany.
Austria - a parliamentary republic led by the federal president, elected for a term of 6 years. Geographically, Austria consists of nine federal states: Burgenland, Vienna, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Styria.
In Austria speak German, which both lexically and grammatically different from the German language in Germany. Furthermore, it is difficult to understand the many dialects spoken in the Alpine regions.
Austrian flag - one of the oldest symbols of statehood in the world. According to legend, it was created with a light hand Leopold V of Austria in 1191 during one of the battles of the Third Crusade.
The name of the country comes from the word drevnenemetskogo Ostarrichi - «Eastern country", and Austria as a proper name was first mentioned in chronicles in 996 years.
Austria by 70% - a mountainous country which is, on average, at 900 meters altitude above the sea level. Most of the country is occupied by the Eastern Alps, which, in turn, are divided into the Northern Alps of Tyrol and Salzburg Alps in the north, and the Zillertal Alps Kar nikskie the south. Highest point - Mount Grossglockner (3,797 m), with one of Europe's largest glacier - Pastures.
Despite its relatively small size, this European country - a popular tourist destination. Austria is required to attend all self-respecting amateur skiers and other winter sports, fans of active tourism and eco-tourists, because the country has a large number of national parks.
Customs regulations
Personal items needed during the journey, can be imported duty-free. Persons under 18 years of age may bring in duty-free for personal use, 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco), and 2 liters of wine or 3 liters of beer and an additional 1 liter spirits.
Major holidays
January 6 - The Day of the Three Hierarchs
May 1 - Easter Monday (a public holiday)
August 15 - Ascension, Whit Monday, Assumption
October 26 - National Day
November 1 - All Saints Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
How to get there
By air
The main international airport - Vienna. In ski season organized charter flights to Salzburg and Innsbruck. In addition, you can use the airports of neighboring Schengen countries - Munich, Milan or Venice.
The preferred almost any city in Austria to fly aircrafts Austrian Airlines, which operates flights from several cities of Russia - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov and Sochi. How to get to Vienna, you can read here.
By train
Thro train from Moscow 33 hours traveling through Poland and the Czech Republic. With the transplant can go through Slovakia and Hungary. Also, you can drive with a transfer through Poland and Germany in the area of Salzburg and Innsbruck, but such a move would not be cheaper flight.
By car
Distance from Vienna on the highway Moscow - 1950 km, Berlin - 635 km, Paris - 1265 km, Zürich - 765 km, Prague - 280 km, Munich - 445 km, Bratislava - 65 km, Budapest - 245 km.
Climate
It came together just two climate zones. In the west, wet weather prevails in the south and south-east - the continental. So fans bask in the sun is best to go to Austria in May or June. Although the Austrians consider the best time of the year the autumn, when there is no heat and cold to far away. They occur only in January, and the cold weather they can be called only conditionally: below -2 ° C are rarely, except in mountain areas
Ski resorts in Austria
To date, Austria is one of the leading incoming tourists, skiers and snowboarders. Components of success are simple: short flight, great slopes and a lot of accommodation options - from luxury five-star hotel with a spa and hot springs to budget apartments. Thus, this alpine country can meet the needs of different categories of tourists who love the mountains. More information about ski resorts in Austria, you can read our article "Review of the ski resorts in Austria." And below, we list the most interesting regions of skiing in the country