The sound is music and the sights are manifold. With varied and magnificant architecture, top class museums, mountains to die for and possibly on, pedestrian-friendly paths in cities and out, Austria is clean, modern, safe, efficient, culturally interesting and physically attractive.

History and culture have pervaded this European nexus since Charlemagne's took control in 803 AD. The relatively enlightened Hapsburgs reigned sweetly from 1278 -1914, then Hitler lost it in the 1940's but now Austria is back in an era of sweetness, light and everpresent music.

The Hapsburgs were largely responsible for developing Austria's passion for music, encouraging and sponsoring many of the world's most famous composers: Beethoven, Brahms, Hayden, Mahler, Mozart, Schubert, Schönberg and Strauss all lived in Vienna at times under royal patronage and classical music is still the focus of many social occasions in Austria today. The Sound of Music is for tourists.

Outdoor activities, however, are not neglected. Austria's stunning mountains and lakes bring walkers out in thousands in the summer and skiers in the winter. Even watersports freaks - lacking saltwater to play on - make full use of the lakes and rivers.
No question, this is one of Europe's top tourist destinations and here are some photos to give you an idea of what'savailable.

Austria Pictures by Julian Loader, Denzil Watson, Katerina Govorushchenko and Austria Tourism

Images of nearby countries: Czech Republic | Italy | Switzerland | Hungary