Austria, situated in the heart of Europe, is surrounded by seven neighboring countries: Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the west, Italy and Yugoslavia in the south, and Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the east. Present-day Austria is just about the size of the state of Maine but it has not always been that small. Austria has been a cultural leader and involved in world events throughout history. Austria's capital, Vienna, continues to be a truly international city. From its role as the host city of the 1815 Congress of Vienna, which decided the fate of Napoleon, to its position today as the site of important international meetings and the home of international agencies, Vienna continues to be in the center of things.

Not unlike the old monarchy's motto, "the sun never sets in Austria," the seasons never really seem to end in Austria. In winter, Austria offers some of the best skiing in the world. in spring, the Austrian landscape unfolds to a scenic beauty rarely equaled elsewhere. In summer, the sound of music is heard across Austria in a variety of festivals and concerts. And in fall, sports activities such as hiking, bicycling and hunting are in full swing. Visitors need not stay in imperial palaces to experience Austria's delightful lifestyle and to feel at home. Many smaller hotels in Vienna and other cities offer comfortable surroundings and attentive service. In Vienna, see the Prater amusement park and ride the giant Ferris wheel. The delightful coffee houses in Vienna and Salzburg are the spots for animated discussions about the arts, world affairs and which city has the better coffee houses.

Climate - The climate is moderate and generally agreeable. Temperatures depend largely on altitude. The long-term average maximum and minimum temperatures for Salzburg (1,427 feet) are good examples: 35F'-22F' in January, 58F'-39F' in April, 57F'-55F' in July 57F'-40F' in October. Summer days can be hot. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed over the entire year, but May, September and the first half of October tend to be the driest and April and November the wettest periods. From June through August, rain usually comes in the form of thunderstorms. The winter snow cover lasts from late December through March in the valleys, from November through May at about 6,000 feet, and is permanent above about 8,500 feet.

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Check our "Rhapsodies" for quick city visits' rates. Rhapsodies are 2 or 3 nights program in major cities with hotel accommodation selected by central location and value. usually, a city tour is also included. Use them as they are for a single city visit or combine them for a more complete program. To check rates, select the date of your stay from the calendar that will appear.