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Austria |
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| Language(s) | German | |
| Currency | Euro | |
| Phone Code | +43 | |
| Population | 8,316,487 | |
| Area | 83,872 sq km | |
| Capital | Vienna | |
| GDP | $307.07 billion | |
Bregenz lies amid hilly terrain on the easternmost shore of the Bodensee or, in English, Lake Constance. Other than its lake, however, Bregenz boasts no extraordinary recreational sites; and other than its old town, Bregenz boasts no extraordinary historical sites. Nonetheless, culture-hounding tourists adore the city – for its artsy aspirations, its gutsy experimental architecture, and its fabulous lakeside festival.
Innsbruck is both the political capital and the cultural core of the Tyrol – a dynamic university town at once stirred by student energy and entrenched in traditional conservatism. With 15 Alpine resorts on its doorstep and two Olympic Winter Games under its belt, it’s also the most athletically active city in the Alps. More than any other city, Innsbruck offers an ideal combination of city sightseeing and Alpine adventures.
Ischgl, once a mildly prosperous mining town, is a place where both “hard rock” and “gold” have taken on entirely different meanings. In the wintertime Ischgl is especially noted for its young, party-hearty spirit, its famed on-mountain concerts, and its trendy, pricey façade. The town lies largely dormant during its summer recuperation, although expanded summer lift service and a growing following among hard-core mountain bikers promise to change all that.
Kitzbühel’s medieval old town seduces with a flourish of fairytale charm. Brightly painted façades front cobblestone alleys, elegant boutiques beckon, and ancient town walls give an air of seclusion. Cozy as it may be, however, it’s also a snobby, hobnobing sort of place where furs prove more fashionable than ski wear. Nonetheless, stock your wallet well and join the promenading crowd; you’ll soon discover the allure that makes Kitzbühel a place worth lingering.
Salzburg occupies a valley in the north of the Salzburgerland, just a few km from the border of Germany. Beautifully sited along the Salzach River, the city lies just north of a magnificent stretch of Alps and just south of a region of rolling hills and small lakes. The Salzkammergut lake region stretches to the east. The region was the historical crossroads of several trade routes, and today is well-served by autobahns: the A10 toward Tauern, the A8 to Munich, and the A1 to Vienna converge just south of town.
