Austria
Capital: Vienna 
Political device: Federal parliamentary republic with the presidential form of rule.
Time zone: local time falls behind from Kiev only on 1 hour
State holiday: Day of passing an act about permanent neutrality (on October, 26).
Currency: euro.
Geography
Climate
Entry Requirements
Currency and Tipping
Transport
Taxi
Communications
Business Hours
National Cuisine
Geography
Austria is a country in Central Europe.
It borders with Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Germany. Thanks to favorable geographical position a lot of European cultures mixed up here. Great number of sig
htseeing’s assembled in Austria.
The biggest area is the Austrian Alps, which constitute 62% of Austria's total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 11% of its area. The Austrian portion of the Vienna basin comprises the remaining 5%.The high mountain plateaus amount to about 10% of the total landmass. The Danube(1,771 miles) (2,850 km), is the most significant river in the country. It's the second longest river in Europe, and a vital waterway for commerce. It flows across North Austria from west to east.Additional rivers of size include the Drau, Enns, Inn, Mur, Raab and Traun.
Climate
Austria has a temperate continental climate, with warm, sunny summers and cold winters. The average temperature range in January is between -1°C to -5°C, while in July temperatures range between 15°C -18°C and in the south 25°C-27°C. The Austrian ski season starts in December and runs until the end of May.
Entry Requirements
Visitors from non-European Union countries over the age of 17 can import up to the designated amounts of the following non-commercial items (items of personal or family use or items intended as presents) duty-free:200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 1 liter of spirits over 22 percent volume or 2 liters of fortified wine or sparkling wine or 2 liters of still wine
Currency and Tipping
The euro (€) is the official currency of Austria. Euro coins have been minted in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent denominations, as well as full one and two euro coins. Euro bank notes are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro notes.
Credit cards and travelers checks are most often accepted in larger cities and towns, however, they may not be as widely accepted in provincial areas. Currency exchanges may charge exorbitant fees (sometimes as high as 13 percent). The exception is American Express travelers’ checks, which can be exchanged commission-free with Amex agents. ATMs are located in most major tourist centers.
A 10-15% service charge is normally added to hotel and restaurant bills, but it is customary to leave
another 5% if satisfied with the service. It is common to give the money to the waiter rather than leave it on the table, but leaving small change for other service personnel is fine. Taxis expect a 10% tip.
Transport
The public bus transportation network in Austria includes more than 2,800 scheduled routes.
Almost all places relevant to tourism can be reached by bus. Central Bus Information, phone 1/711 01
Taxi
It is better to call taxi by phone from hotel or café. The taxis in the larger cities are provided with an officially controlled meter (basic fee in Vienna is € 2.-/daytime and € 2.1/night). The rate is calculated according to kilometres driven, as well as time. In Vienna, no additional fee is charged for luggage.
For taxi rides from Vienna to the airport (please indicate 'taxi to airport' when ordering) the sum of about € 11.- is added to the fare to cover the return journey.
Communications
The Austrian telephone system is modern and efficient. Public telephones are widely available in urban centers and can be operated using credit cards or phone cards (Telefon-Wertkarte), which may be purchased at tobacco stores and news kiosks.
International calls are cheaper at working days from 6 pm till 8 am and holidays from 6 pm of Friday till 8 am of Monday. To make an international call from Austria, dial 00 + country code + area code + local number.
To reach international information, dial 09. Local information may be reached by dialing 1611.
Business Hours
Banking hours in Austria vary, but in general, banks are open 0800 to 1500 - Monday through Friday - with an hour closure for lunch (typically 1230 to 1330) Some banks offer extended hours on Thursdays. Shops and stores are generally open from 0800 to 1800 Monday through Friday. Many stores will close for one or two hours for lunch, especially outside large urban areas. Business hours are typically shorter on Saturdays, when many shops and stores will close for the day at 1300 (except for the first Saturday of the month, when most stores will remain open until 1700).
National Cuisine
Over the years, Austria has become a real haven for gourmets.
If you thought Austrian food was limited to Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, think again. While
traditional food is one of the highlights of visiting Austria, those in the know look for backstube platter – medallions of pork in garlic, with rosti (grated and cooked) potato, or kaiserschmarren – a sort of omelette with raisins and plum compote. And for those who aren’t watching their waistlines, there’s mohr im hemd, a delicious chocolate pudding in a chocolate sauce.
Traditionally renowned for its hearty fare, Austrian cuisine can be surprisingly delicate with Italian influences in the south and Hungarian to the north, and a range of mouth-wateringly good local cheeses.
And it’s not just Austrian cuisine for which visitors have developed a taste, while the best-known Austrian drink may be beer, Austrian wine is fast developing its own fine reputation. In Austria, wine lovers can now find a range of world-class white wines principally from Riesling and the indigenous Austrian Grüner Veltliner, but also from other Austrian white varieties such as Neuberger and Gelber Muskateller. There are also some excellent reds made from the more obscure indigenous grapes such as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler. From the connoisseur to those who just like to enjoy wine with a meal, choosing an Austrian wine will complement the food perfectly.
Eating out, in the sophisticated city restaurants or the more traditional Gasthaus (a homely inn), you can expect nothing less than excellent, seasonal ingredients, often organic and locally sourced, beautifully cooked and served.
[Tags: Tours to Austria]
Туры в Австрию (Russian version)
Political device: Federal parliamentary republic with the presidential form of rule.
Time zone: local time falls behind from Kiev only on 1 hour
State holiday: Day of passing an act about permanent neutrality (on October, 26).
Currency: euro.
Geography
Climate
Entry Requirements
Currency and Tipping
Transport
Taxi
Communications
Business Hours
National Cuisine
Geography
Austria is a country in Central Europe.
It borders with Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Germany. Thanks to favorable geographical position a lot of European cultures mixed up here. Great number of sig
htseeing’s assembled in Austria. The biggest area is the Austrian Alps, which constitute 62% of Austria's total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 11% of its area. The Austrian portion of the Vienna basin comprises the remaining 5%.The high mountain plateaus amount to about 10% of the total landmass. The Danube(1,771 miles) (2,850 km), is the most significant river in the country. It's the second longest river in Europe, and a vital waterway for commerce. It flows across North Austria from west to east.Additional rivers of size include the Drau, Enns, Inn, Mur, Raab and Traun.
Climate
Austria has a temperate continental climate, with warm, sunny summers and cold winters. The average temperature range in January is between -1°C to -5°C, while in July temperatures range between 15°C -18°C and in the south 25°C-27°C. The Austrian ski season starts in December and runs until the end of May.
Entry Requirements
Visitors from non-European Union countries over the age of 17 can import up to the designated amounts of the following non-commercial items (items of personal or family use or items intended as presents) duty-free:200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 1 liter of spirits over 22 percent volume or 2 liters of fortified wine or sparkling wine or 2 liters of still wine
Currency and Tipping
The euro (€) is the official currency of Austria. Euro coins have been minted in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent denominations, as well as full one and two euro coins. Euro bank notes are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro notes.
Credit cards and travelers checks are most often accepted in larger cities and towns, however, they may not be as widely accepted in provincial areas. Currency exchanges may charge exorbitant fees (sometimes as high as 13 percent). The exception is American Express travelers’ checks, which can be exchanged commission-free with Amex agents. ATMs are located in most major tourist centers.
A 10-15% service charge is normally added to hotel and restaurant bills, but it is customary to leave
another 5% if satisfied with the service. It is common to give the money to the waiter rather than leave it on the table, but leaving small change for other service personnel is fine. Taxis expect a 10% tip.Transport
The public bus transportation network in Austria includes more than 2,800 scheduled routes.
Almost all places relevant to tourism can be reached by bus. Central Bus Information, phone 1/711 01
Taxi
It is better to call taxi by phone from hotel or café. The taxis in the larger cities are provided with an officially controlled meter (basic fee in Vienna is € 2.-/daytime and € 2.1/night). The rate is calculated according to kilometres driven, as well as time. In Vienna, no additional fee is charged for luggage.
For taxi rides from Vienna to the airport (please indicate 'taxi to airport' when ordering) the sum of about € 11.- is added to the fare to cover the return journey.
Communications
The Austrian telephone system is modern and efficient. Public telephones are widely available in urban centers and can be operated using credit cards or phone cards (Telefon-Wertkarte), which may be purchased at tobacco stores and news kiosks.
International calls are cheaper at working days from 6 pm till 8 am and holidays from 6 pm of Friday till 8 am of Monday. To make an international call from Austria, dial 00 + country code + area code + local number.
To reach international information, dial 09. Local information may be reached by dialing 1611.
Business Hours
Banking hours in Austria vary, but in general, banks are open 0800 to 1500 - Monday through Friday - with an hour closure for lunch (typically 1230 to 1330) Some banks offer extended hours on Thursdays. Shops and stores are generally open from 0800 to 1800 Monday through Friday. Many stores will close for one or two hours for lunch, especially outside large urban areas. Business hours are typically shorter on Saturdays, when many shops and stores will close for the day at 1300 (except for the first Saturday of the month, when most stores will remain open until 1700).
National Cuisine
Over the years, Austria has become a real haven for gourmets.
If you thought Austrian food was limited to Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel, think again. While
traditional food is one of the highlights of visiting Austria, those in the know look for backstube platter – medallions of pork in garlic, with rosti (grated and cooked) potato, or kaiserschmarren – a sort of omelette with raisins and plum compote. And for those who aren’t watching their waistlines, there’s mohr im hemd, a delicious chocolate pudding in a chocolate sauce.Traditionally renowned for its hearty fare, Austrian cuisine can be surprisingly delicate with Italian influences in the south and Hungarian to the north, and a range of mouth-wateringly good local cheeses.
And it’s not just Austrian cuisine for which visitors have developed a taste, while the best-known Austrian drink may be beer, Austrian wine is fast developing its own fine reputation. In Austria, wine lovers can now find a range of world-class white wines principally from Riesling and the indigenous Austrian Grüner Veltliner, but also from other Austrian white varieties such as Neuberger and Gelber Muskateller. There are also some excellent reds made from the more obscure indigenous grapes such as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler. From the connoisseur to those who just like to enjoy wine with a meal, choosing an Austrian wine will complement the food perfectly.
Eating out, in the sophisticated city restaurants or the more traditional Gasthaus (a homely inn), you can expect nothing less than excellent, seasonal ingredients, often organic and locally sourced, beautifully cooked and served.
[Tags: Tours to Austria]
Туры в Австрию (Russian version)
