Austrian Destinations

To say that France is a cultivated country would be an understatement. For artistic genius, culinary flair and historical interest, it is hard to beat. Famously, the galleries of Paris are home to innumerable masterpieces, including those of the French Impressionists. But there are also gems elsewhere, such as the Matisse and Chagall museums in Nice. For a culinary experience, head to Lyon, the country’s acknowledged food capital. You can find Michelin-starred restaurants, homely brasseries and wonderful open markets to browse. But to satisfy a more spiritual appetite, seek out France’s spectacular medieval cathedrals. Chartres, with its stunning rose window, is among the finest.

Germany is an industrial powerhouse, and for many people around the world it is synonymous with premium automotive brands. You can immerse yourself in the world of Porsche or Mercedes-Benz by visiting its museums in Stuttgart; likewise the BMW museum in Munich. But there is more to Germany than industrial might. The River Rhine winds its way past vineyards and Romantic castles. Berlin, by contrast, is often considered Europe's capital of cool, with a cutting-edge dance scene and delightful urban beaches. You should also visit some of the quaint small towns with their half-timbered buildings. Bamberg is a fine example.

The beauty of Italy's historic towns and cities is legendary. The country has some of the most instantly recognisable skylines in the world: the elegant dome of Florence Cathedral floating above a sea of terracotta roofs, the medieval hilltowns of Umbria perching on tcraggy summits, the strange towers of San Gimignano asserting the power of dynasties, long gone. But Italy is doubly fortunate. Its natural beauty and diversity is also astonishing. From the sublime peaks of the Dolomites to the vine-loaded hills of Tuscany, and from the perfect beaches of the Adriatic coast to the majestic lakes of the north, it has long been a subject for poets and painters.

Get yourself enchanted by the abundant natural beauty of Switzerland. The alpine state is a great destination all year round. Whether you want to go skiing in the Alps in winter, go hiking or mountain climbing in the summer or make an inspiring city holiday, Switzerland won’t let you down. Get inspired by the picturesque Old Town of Zurich, find the secret of the Swiss watchmakers in Geneva, make a pilgrimage to the famous Jazz Festival Montreux or enjoy Mediterranean flair in Lugano at the southern rim of the Alps. Going to Switzerland and not buying chocolate? Impossible, get as much as possible for your loved ones at home.

Explore with Austrian the diversity of Great Britain. In England’s capital London, there is something for everybody, for art aficionados, shopping fans, party people and history buffs. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Hyde Park are quite near to each other and can be seen in a short walk. Visit the south of England with the old seaside towns of Brighton and Bath. The venerable university cities of Cambridge and Oxford are just an hour away from London. Go hiking in the Lake District or visit the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen in Wales, a yearly festival of Welsh literature, music and singing. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness in Scotland are worth a weekend trip, as are the grand Highlands and the serene majesty of Loch Ness.

Austrian Airlines flies to the Iranian cities of Tehran and Esfahan. The two could not be more different. The capital, Tehran, is nestled in the foothills of the Alborz mountains, with ski resorts within easy reach. The season lasts from mid November to mid May. The city itself is modern, bustling and full of lively cafés and restaurants. By contrast, Esfahan reflects the glories of Iran’s past. One of the highlights is the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, with its exquisitely tiled dome, façade and interior. But Iran is a country of surprises, and in Esfahan you will also find a Zoroastrian temple and two historic churches.

Austrian Airlines flies into Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan. Here, the Kurdish language is spoken, but in the rest of Iraq, Arabic is the main language. This turbulent country has many holy places, which attract millions of pilgrims every year - both Shia and Sunni. But there is also a wealth of historical gems in Iraq. Samarra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its ancient ruins cover an area around 20 miles long, and the Great Mosque, built in the 9th century, has a beautiful spiralling minaret. The country's capital, Baghdad, is home to the Museum of Iraq. This amazing collection casts a light on 8000 years of Iraqi civilisation.

Tel Aviv is the location of Israel's international airport. The coastal city of Tel Aviv began life in 1909 as a small settlement outside the ancient port town of Jaffa. These days, it is a large and vibrant city with a dynamic business culture and a fondness for partying. The bars and restaurants that line the seafront make for a lively night out. There is even a selection of nightspots on the beach itself. But if you are more interested in visiting the holy places, you will find it easy to reach Jerusalem by train or bus. In fact, the views en route are spectacular.

One of the most iconic sights in Jordan is the ancient city of Petra. Carved from the red sandstone of the desert, its temples and tombs have appeared in many movies and TV shows. More than 1,000 years after Petra’s heyday, Crusader forces were building equally impressive castles in the region now known as Jordan. One of the most imposing is Kerak, which was captured by Saladin in 1189. But if you are looking for a wilderness experience, join a tour heading for Wadi Rum. This spectacular valley was the location of Lawrence of Arabia’s camp. You could even sleep under the stars in this magical setting.

The Great Wall of China may not be visible from space, as some people suggest, but it is certainly an overwhelming sight when you view it from the ground. Imagine the effort that went into building such a mighty fortification 5,500 miles long! China is still astonishing the world today. Its explosive economic growth over recent years has given many of its cities spectacular skylines. The Shanghai Tower is the world’s second tallest building, but has the world’s highest viewing platform, at 561 meters. For a more grounded experience, visit one of the city’s traditional teahouses. Some are in beautiful old buildings that contribute to their atmosphere of calm.

For the dedicated sun seeker, Red Sea resorts such as Hurghada in Egypt offer some of the most reliable tanning weather in the world. The water is also a pleasant temperature for swimming, and crystal clear. After a relaxing day on the beach, why not head into town and sample some delicious cuisine? Perhaps a seafood platter with a glass of wine. If your itinerary takes you to Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are a must. It is easy to see why the largest of these pyramids is considered a wonder of the ancient world.

The Hong Kong skyline is one of the most photogenic in the world. The best way to enjoy it is by taking a boat trip out into the harbor. At night, the view is particularly spectacular. There are even floating restaurants that will let you take in the scenery while enjoying some fantastic local cuisine. Hong Kong may be a powerful force on the global scene these days, but down at street level, you can still enjoy the traditional life of the city. There are many markets to explore, each with its own specialty – clothes, seafood, electronics, antiques and so on. Be sure to visit the Temple Street Market, which takes place at night.

Enjoy your Austrian flight to Japan and find yourself in a country of dazzling contrast between futuristic Hi-Tec and a many century’s old culture. In Japans capital Tokyo, the largest metropolitan area in the world, you can dive deep into the crazy Japanese pop culture in the Akihabara quarter, where manga, anime, cosplay and maid cafes are celebrated. A shopping trip to Shibuya for the latest gadgets and a party night in Roppongi are also part of the Tokyo experience. After a visit to the Emperors Palace and the Meiji Shrine, take the famous bullet train Shinkansen and a ferry to Okinawa in the south, a tropical pacific island. Here is the earliest start of the cherry blossom festival, the Hanami. You can follow the spring from south to north and visit Osaka and the old capital Kyoto, both full of historical sights, temples, shrines and castles that made it onto the UNESCO world heritage list. For grandiose landscapes go to the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park with the holy Mount Fuji at its centre. Be sure to enjoy the Japanese kitchen in all its traditional glory that goes far beyond Sushi and Ramen. Visit a traditional Japanese spa, called onsen, which uses only naturally hot water from geothermally heated springs. Enjoy your stay in Japan!

The Maldives are an archipelago of thousands of tiny coral islands. Some of them are only 200 meters across, and just a few meters above sea level. Lying on one of the many perfect white beaches, you could imagine yourself stranded on a desert island, except that you can request a cool drink at any time, or go for a scuba diving lesson in the bright blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives are an excellent destination for water sports, so why not try a spot of paddle boarding while you're there? It's great exercise and a lot of fun.

With palm-fringed white beaches and a clear blue ocean, Mauritius is many people’s idea of an island paradise. You can explore the lush, forested interior by taking a guided hike in the Black River Gorges National Park. Stunning views and abundant wildlife make this a must-do experience. Mauritius is a volcanic island, and many visitors take a trip to see the crater of Trou Aux Cerfs. Naturally, it's extinct these days, so it makes a great location for a picnic. If you are looking for a lively night out, the most popular spot for locals and tourists alike is Grand-Baie, a coastal village where you will find bars, restaurants and dancing.

A must-see on any visit to Sri Lanka is the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This famous institution rescues young elephants that are found wandering in the island’s forests. You can even help to wash them. Sri Lanka is a perfect destination for animal lovers. The south-east of the island has no fewer than six national parks and three sanctuaries. The Yala sanctuary is home to Sri Lankan leopards. There are also many great spots for whale and dolphin watching around the coast. But if you like to spend your time in a more relaxed fashion, Sri Lanka has plenty of gorgeous beaches to choose from.

Phuket Island, in the south of Thailand, is a vacation paradise. White beaches, fishing villages on stilts, boat trips to secluded bays and snorkeling in crystal-clear water are the ingredients of an unforgettable stay. Be sure to visit the ‘Big Buddha’ – a 45-meter-high statue that gazes down from a scenic viewpoint in the hills. The Thais are a deeply Buddhist people, and Bangkok is the focus of their faith. The many gorgeous temples are some of the finest sights in the city. You should also make a point of seeing the floating market, which is a short boat ride away from the center of Bangkok.

Austrian Airlines flies to ten destinations across Canada, so isn’t it about time you gave yourself an adventure? Maybe a spot of whale watching in Vancouver? Or trekking in the mountains of Alberta? And then there’s the Calgary Stampede – it’s billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", so why not give it a try? If culture is more your thing, head for Montreal. It’s Canada’s entertainment capital and has a definite old-world charm. Both Montreal and Quebec have the added attraction of being in the French-speaking part of Canada, which means excellent food! Whatever it is you have in mind, it is possible in Canada.

Think you know all about vacationing in the USA? Well, think again. There's a whole country of hidden gems out there. Why not check out the harvest festivals of Louisiana? Get moving to some Cajun bands, then refuel on gumbo and go dance some more. Or you could take a tour of Chicago’s brewpubs. There are hundreds in the city, each selling its own distinctive beer. Even Miami has some hidden gems. The Villa Vizcaya is a luxurious mansion built by 1920s industrialist James Deering. It includes a large Italian Renaissance garden and a cavernous underground pool.