9 Brilliant Reasons to Visit Austria on Your Next Vacation ...

One of the main reasons to visit Austria is for the beautiful scenery! How amazing are the Alps and the green pastures? Austria is alive with natural beauty. The snow-capped mountains and clear crystal lakes are a beautiful sight to behold. Along the Alps are a number of little villages that are full of culture, too!

Austria is home to a rich musical culture, filled with the sounds of Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss. Vienna has even been designated as the world’s Capital of Classical Music. Visit some of the best orchestras in the world, such as the Vienna Philharmonic. If you in Salzburg, make sure to visit to childhood home of Mozart. During the summer months, Salzburg hosts the Salzburg Festival, a huge cultural highlight and attraction. Won’t want to miss that!

The Sound of Music! If you love this musical as much I do, then you’ll love visiting Austria! You can retrace the steps of the Von Trapp family by visiting the village of St. Glen (where Maria sings for the first time) or the Mirabell Gardens where the Von Trapp children learn to sing Do-Re-Mi. Salzburg has a number of wonderful attractions to really make the Sound of Music come alive for fans.

Having authentic Austrian cuisine is of course a must! For a sweet tooth, try the apfelstrudel (apple strudel) or the famous Sacher Torte, which is one of the best chocolate cakes in the world! For a more savory taste, the Tafelspitz, or boiled veal, is king of the beef dishes.

To go along with all the wonderful tastes of Austria, you can’t forget the drinks! Vienna is known as the wine capital, but Austria is also known for its Mostviertal, or cider region. They have Europe’s largest continuous area of pear orchards. Here’s a quick tip: Take a ride along the 200km winding panoramic Cider Route for many themed stops along its way. Along with their wine and cider, try the beer. For non-alcoholic drinks, Austrian coffee and hot chocolate are a must!

Whether you're beginning, intermediate or advanced, Austria has just the slope for you and is a two time home of the Winter Olympics. Seefeld is a staple skiing center for all skiers alike. Its location on a stunning nature reserve makes it a great place to hike or walk leisurely in warmer-weather. Make sure to bundle up!

One of the most breathtaking architectural structures in Austria, and perhaps even the world! The State Opera House is famous for its operas and ballets, both classical and modern. The orchestra is among the most renowned in the world. This is definitely picture worthy.

Named the "city’s stomach" by locals, the Naschmarkt is a food and flea market. The market has existed since the 18th century and has become Vienna’s largest inner city open market. You can stroll, admire, and sample while it is open, Monday through Saturday.

Located in Vienna, the Palace serves as the official residence of the President of Austria. The Imperial Palace seated the kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire from the 1400s up to the 1800s. Certain parts of the Hofburg are now open to the public, including the Festival Hall, the Ceremonial Hall, Privy Council Room and the Knight’s Hall. Make sure to pay a visit on your trip!

Hope I have convinced you now! Austria is a wonderful place to visit with attractions for everyone. Convince a family or friend to go with you the next time you are planning a getaway trip. What is you favorite place in Austria? Do you have a favorite attraction in Austria? Feel free to share them with me!