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Austria is a country that is as well known for its scenic beauty as it is for its cultural activities. Situated in the Alps, it is a very popular place with skiers and hikers, but it is also a country that gave the world an important musical heritage, ranging from the classical composer Mozart to the Strauss waltzes and the Von Trapp family whose story was told in The Sound of Music. An overview of the best places to visit in Austria:

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Located in Hohe Tauern National Park, the spa town of Bad Gastein is well known for its Belle Époque buildings surrounded by mountains and fog-free air. At 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level, visitors flock to Bad Gastein to breathe the pure mountain air, soak in its hot springs and partake of spa treatments. Bad Gastein also is popular with outdoorsmen, who like to ski in the winter and hike or bike mountain trails in the summer.

See Also: Where to Stay in Bad Gastein

Carinthia’s biggest lake, Worthersee is one of Austria’s most famous summer destination. It appeals not only to those who want to canoe across the lake, but also spelunkers who will want to check out several caves, including Griffen Stalactite Cave, which is considered Austria’s most colorful cave. Those who enjoy visiting cathedrals won’t want to miss the Cathedral of Gurk, which dates back to the 12th century, while vintage car enthusiasts may enjoy a visit to Gmund, birthplace of the Porsche, or to the large Villach Automotive Museum with its collection of cars, motorcycles and more.

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Students will find a Mecca in Austria’s second largest city, Graz, which is known as a city of students, with its six universities enrolling more than 44,000 students. It also has one of the best preserved old towns in central Europe, which reflects the culture of the Balkan States and Italy. The city is filled with numerous museums, ranging from art to armory. Living up to its reputation as a City of Culinary Delights, Graz offers a wide variety of international cuisines. Cooks may want to bring home a bottle of pumpkin seed oil, a local product, after touring a summer farmer’s market.

See Also: Where to Stay in Graz

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St Anton am Arlberg is widely regarded as the leading ski resort destination in Austria.. Located in Tyrol, this village offers serious, legendary ski terrain that caters for a mixed level of abilities. Often attracting adventurous youths, St Anton is notorious for living up to the saying “work hard, play hard”. The vast landscape welcomes its loyal winter crowd, as well as its summer mountaineers, who come to trek the landscape each year.

See Also: Where to Stay in St Anton am Arlberg

With the Danube River running through it, the Wachau Valley is a popular tourist destination in southern Austria. The town of Dunstein is well known as the place where Duke Leopold V held the British king, Richard the Lion-Hearted, prisoner for several years in the late 12th century while the town of Melk is renowned for its beautiful Benedictine abbey. Wachau is also known for its wines, as well as fruits such as apricots. The valley has more than 500 historic monuments, so tourists are going to have to make some tough choices.

Zell am See, located in the state of Salzburg, is another well known tourist destination, famous for its mountains and lakes. Once governed by French troops back in the early 19th century, Zell am See has hosted several international skiing competitions. Off the ski slopes, one of its most famous attractions is the Romanesque St. Hippolyte’s Church, with an elevated walkway that dates back to the early 16th century. Zell am See is also a good starting point for the Grossglockner Alpine Road, a panoramic road famous for its high alpine scenery.

See Also: Where to Stay in Zell am See

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Innsbruck, with a name that translates as “bridge over the inn,” is an all-season tourist destination. It is internationally known for its winter sports, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. But this Tyrolean city offers more than just great skiing. It offers a good mix of cathedrals, such as Hofkirche, which houses the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I; the Schloss Ambras, which has a collection of paintings and armor; and the Bell Museum, a nod to 400 years of bell-making.

See Also: Where to Stay in Innsbruck

Salzkammergut is a beautiful resort area that starts with Salzburg and heads east into a land of lakes. Sparkling clean lakes, green hills, wonderful mountains, romantic towns like St.Wolfgang and Hallstatt make up this region. Travelers who have seen the movie The Sound Of Music will know what this lake region looks like, because that movie was filmed in and around the city of Salzburg and the neighboring Salzkammergut region. The resort area is popular with sunbathers as well as visitors who seek relaxing spa treatments. Visitors can join in the relaxed moods by donning the ever-popular resort wear, lederhosen for men and dirndl outfits for women.

See Also: Where to Stay in Salzkammergut

Situated in central Austria, near the German border, Salzburg is probably best known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Travelers come to Austria’s fourth-largest city to view the sights that inspired such unforgettable music. With its hill-topped medieval fortress, picturesque Altstadt old town and breath-taking Alpine scenery, Salzburg is one of the best places to visit in Austria. For those seeking to relive scenes from the movie “The Sound of Music”, must-see attractions include the 17th-century Baroque Mirabell Palace and Gardens and the von Trapp family home, which is now a hotel. Mozart aficionados can visit his birthplace as well as a reconstruction of his home

See Also: Where to Stay in Salzburg

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Elegant waltzes and Johann Strauss immediately come to mind when one thinks of Vienna, the capital of Austria and its largest city; the city still holds more than 0 balls each year. But the city also is known for other classical composers such as Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven and Schubert. Travelers can take a break from music by visiting the Hofburg, which houses the Hapsburg rulers’ imperial jewelry, and the Kunsthistorisches, a museum that has an outstanding collection of paintings by old masters. Vienna is also famous for its cafes where travelers can rest their weary feet while deciding which museum or park to visit next.

See Also: Where to Stay in Vienna

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With its thousands of islands and turquoise blue waters, Greece boasts some of the best beaches in the world. In addition, visitors, today, will find that prices are now at an all-time low due to Greece’s struggling economy. Of course, with so many beaches and a large number of seaside resorts in Greece, it can be difficult for travelers to choose the right accommodations for their next holiday. So to help travelers narrow down their choices, the following is a list of some of the best beach resorts that Greece has to offer. Most of the luxury beach resorts can be found on the islands of Crete, Kos and Rhodes.

This stunning beach resort is situated in Crete on the Cretan sea. It is also located close to a number of Crete’s most famous attractions, including the ruins of the Minoan palace of Malia and the Knossos palace. The Nana Beach Hotel is an all-inclusive facility that boasts a fun children’s area complete with a playground and a kiddie waterpark. In total, there are seven pools on Nana’s property. In addition, there are two open amphitheaters for entertainment, a full-service spa, volleyball courts and a health club.

Located near the historical town of Chania in Create, the Atlantica Kalliston Resort is a special retreat geared towards adults, especially those seeking a romantic getaway. This resort features a number of swim-up rooms where guests can enter the pool directly from their room’s terraces. In total, the Atlantica Kalliston Resort boasts three outdoor swimming pools, including one with hydro-massage, and one indoor swimming pool. Guests looking to give their bodies a treat can held over to the Atlantica Kalliston’s spa to indulge in a massage or treatment. Other features of this resort include a sauna, a fitness gym and a steam bath.

Set on the pretty sands of Vasilias beach, the Kassandra Bay Hotel and Resort is located on the island of Skiathos. Guests can enjoy splashing in two outdoor saltwater pools or head to the beach where they will be provided with free sun beds and umbrellas. There is also a children’s pool for the wee ones. Guests in need of a little TLC can head to Kassandra Bay Hotel’s tranquil spa, which offers a variety of treatments, including facials and massages. For guests looking for something to do outside of the resort, the old port of Skiathos is just a short water taxi trip away from the hotel.

This lovely seaside hotel is located on a pretty stretch of beach on the Aegean Sea in Kos. The Horizon Beach Resort features two swimming pools for adults and two pools designated for the younger generation. Fitness buffs can take advantage of the hotel’s fitness center or play tennis, basketball or volleyball. In addition to its standard double rooms, this hotel also offers family-style rooms that can accommodate up to four adults. The Horizon Beach Resort provides daily entertainment, such as comedy sketches and quizzes, for its guests.

This chic and modern beach resort is located on Kallithea beach in Rhodes. It boasts a lovely outdoor lagoon-style swimming pool as well as a separate Hydro-massage pool. For guests in need of their daily exercise fix, the Elysium Resort and Spa offers a fitness center, aerobic and water aerobics classes, mini-golf and a tennis court. Its full-service spa was included in an article that National Geographic Traveller ran about the best spa resorts in the world.

The Palazzo del Mare is a luxury hotel located on a private beach on the island of Kos. Guests who want to enjoy something a little different can choose swim-up accommodations, which will give them direct access to the resort’s outdoor swimming pool from their room’s terrace. In addition to the outdoor facility, the Palazzo del Mare also has an indoor heated pool and hot tub area. This resort also boasts a fitness room, two tennis courts, a full-service spa and a children’s playground area.

The Kontokali Bay Resort and Spa, which is located on the Isle of Corfu, sits on a wooded peninsula that juts into the Ionian Sea. Guests can enjoy lounging on either of the resort’s two sandy beaches or head to its beautiful outdoor seawater swimming pool. On days, when the weather isn’t cooperating or when guests wants to avoid the sun for a little while, the resort also offers an indoor heated pool. Children will be delighted to find their own pool in the resort’s Children’s Village, which also features a playground and playroom. The Kontokali Bay Resort also boasts a full-service, nine-treatment-room spa, a fitness center, a Jacuzzi and two saunas.

The Rodos Palladium is a truly stunning resort located on Kallithea Beach in Rhodes. Its many amenities include a gorgeous, island-style outdoor pool, an indoor pool, onsite entertainment and a full-service wellness spa where guests can soothe away their worries and cares. Staying in shape won’t be a problem at this hotel, which offers a fitness center, two tennis courts, a basketball court and even a mini-golf course. For an extra bonus, this hotel is located close to the second largest waterpark in Europe.

This beautiful hotel is located on a private beach close to Panormos on the island of Skopelos. The Adrina Beach Hotel boasts a saltwater swimming pool and, for the wee ones, a kiddie pool. For guests who prefer to spend their time by the ocean, this family-owned hotel provides them with free beach beds and umbrellas. In addition, guests can keep up with their exercise routines at the Adrina Beach Hotel’s fitness center. A delicious breakfast buffet is included in this hotel’s rates.

Porto Sani Village is a luxury resort located close to both Sea You Beach and to Sani Asterias Suites Beach as well as to the beautiful Sani Marina and all of its amenities, bars and restaurants. One of the top beach resorts in Greece, Porto Sani Village features a lovely lagoon-style pool, as well as a pool just for kids. There is also an adults-only pool for guests who prefer to swim without splashing children nearby. Guests in need of a little pampering can book treatments at the resort’s full-service spa.

Travelers looking for a beach vacation may want to consider the Turkish Riviera. There, guests are surrounded by luxury, not to mention a wide variety of water activities from waterslides to windsurfing to just lounging on the beach. Or they can relax with a spa treatment or traditional Turkish bath. In addition these resorts offer many international cuisines along with fitness centers to work off those calories. Most of the best beach resorts in Turkey can be found between Antalya and Alanya, with a few near Bodrum and Oludeniz.

The Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay near Bodrum is a luxurious relaxing resort with a private beach on the Aegean Sea. It offers activities not found at other Turkish Riviera resorts, such as a sailing school and diving classes. Guests also can take a catamaran ride, go windsurfing, or hike or bike in the surrounding hills. The Kempinski offers a kids club for when kids and parents want a much-needed break from each other. The hotel also pampers pets with their own beds and special treats.

Situated between Alanya and Side, the Gypsophila Holiday Village is an older property that has 404 rooms. It offers limited activities, but does have a swimming pool, fitness center and internet access. It has only one restaurant but it does one of the most extensive foot buffets on the Turkish Riviera. Rooms have balconies overlooking the pool or gardens.

Hilton Dalaman Resort And Spa is an award-winning resort just a 10-minute walk from downtown Sarigerme. The resort has its own private beach with cabanas for guests’ use a well as 10 indoor and outdoor swimming pools. A variety of water activities are offered, as well as a spa and business center. Guests should be prepared to make hard choices when it comes to eating as the Hilton Dalaman Resort And Spa boasts 23 restaurants and bars.

The Royal Wings Hotel, located 18 km (11 miles) from downtown Antalya, will keep guests so busy they won’t have time to go to town. Guests with children will love this hotel as it has nine waterslides. Located just a few minutes’ walk from the beach, the Royal Wings Hotel offers organized activities during the day and live shows at night. It is set on 18 acres of carefully landscaped grounds.

The Club Belcekiz Beach Hotel in Oludeniz is like a rainbow at night, with colored lights to be found everywhere from the dance floor to pool side throughout the resort. The resort boasts a peaceful garden setting, with guest rooms that have pool, mountain or garden views. The Club Belcekiz Beach Hotel has four restaurants, including one that serves buffet-style, as well as five bars and a nightclub with DJ nights. Free parking is available on-site.

Besides offering pools overlooking the waterfront, the D-Hotel Maris is a great place to go scuba diving and snorkeling. Landlubbers will enjoy being close to hiking and biking trails, or they may choose to go horseback riding in the hills surrounding the D-Hotel. The Marmaris Dolphinarium-Aquapark and Aqua Dream Water Park are also nearby. Air-conditioned guest rooms are simply but tastefully decorated and offer safes large enough to hold laptops. The resort also has four restaurants and a full-service spa. Free WiFi access is located throughout the resort.

The Calista Luxury Resort may be located an hour from the Antalya airport, but its amenities more than make up for the drive. An all-inclusive beach resort, the property offers five tennis courts that are lit for night-playing, soccer fields and a huge spa that offers a variety of relaxing treatments. Golfers will appreciate the 10 courses located within a four-mile radius. Dining here could be a challenge, however, as the resort has 10 restaurants serving a variety of international cuisines.

A Chinese-themed resort is about the last thing people might expect to see in Turkey, but that’s just what the Royal Dragon Hotel is. With a dragon gracing the entrance roof, this luxury resort combines traditional Chinese architecture with modern amenities such as water slides, a bowling alley and decked out fitness room. All rooms have private balconies for guests who prefer to do their lounging inside instead of poolside.

The Barut Lara Resort Spa & Suites is showcased in an awesome setting: ocean views and carefully tended green gardens. But this beachfront property, located 10 km (6 miles) from Antalya airport, offers much more. Guests can lounge by the beach, swim in indoor and outdoor pools, visit the spa or have a Turkish bath. With a well equipped fitness room for more active guests as well as a playroom for children this is one of the best beach resorts in Turkey.

Located just nine miles from downtown Antalya, the Delphin Diva Premiere offers plenty of activities to keep people at this luxury beachfront resort. Guests can frolic on the private beach or swim in a pool with its own waterslide. There’s also a tennis court and bowling alley for more active guests, who can dine in one of several international cuisine restaurants in between. All rooms have private balconies. Free parking is available for guests who arrive in their own cars.

Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Romania is a country of contrasts. The former Soviet Bloc country has, over the years, belonged to the Romans who gave the country its name, the Hungarians and the Ottomans. It is filled with quaint old towns, mountain resorts that offer great skiing, and a burgeoning art community. It’s most famous citizen, however, may be the vampire Dracula, a fictional character found in Transylvania. An overview of the best places to visit in Romania:

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The majority of the Danube Delta, Europe’s second largest river delta, lies in Romania. Originally part of the Black Sea, the Danube Delta is a good place to observe nature. It is home to many unique species of plants and animals in Europe, as well as contains 23 different ecosystems, including some of the world’s largest wetlands. Previous visitors rave about the spectacular sunsets and highly recommend taking a slow boat ride on the river.

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Home to the country’s largest university, Cluj-Napoca is considered the unofficial capital of the historical region of Transylvania. The city, which pre-dates the Roman colonization, is one of Romania’s arts and cultural centers. Home to a large Hungarian population, Cluj-Napoca features a statue honoring one Hungarian king. Built in the 14th century, the Gothic St. Michael’s Church has the tallest church tower in the country. The National Museum of Art, housed in a former palace, has a large collection of work by Romanian artists.

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Located on the Black Sea, Mamaia is Romania’s most popular seaside resort. Mamaia is small, however, situated on a strip of land that is about 8 km (5 miles) long. It has great white sand beaches, just made for sunning or people-watching. Mamaia has a water park, but activities are limited for small children. Adults, however, might enjoy a few lessons at the wind-surfing academy.

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Located in western Romania, Timisoara is one of the country’s largest cities, dating back to the early 13th century. Once part of the Ottoman Empire, it was the first European city to have electric street lamps. The city has bounced back after sustaining heavy bombing damage from both sides during World War II. Unlike many European cathedrals, the Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral was only built in the 20th century, but the central, notable for its 11 towers, houses many historic religious objects as well as vintage icon paintings.

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Bucharest is a city that combines the old with the new. Visitors might come across a centuries-old building, a modern high rise, and a Communist-style building all in the same block. This modernizing European capital boasts the largest Parliament building in the world with 3,100 rooms and 12 stories high. Tours of this impressive building, constructed in 1984, are given frequently throughout the day. Also not to be missed in Bucharest is the old town center with its narrow cobblestone streets and old buildings, including medieval churches.

See Also: Where to Stay in Bucharest

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Sinaia is a mountain resort town that grew up around a monastery that was named for Mount Sinai. The monastery, which contains a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania, is a popular site today with tourists, who enjoy hiking in the summer and some pretty tremendous downhill skiing in the winter. King Charles I built his summer home, known as Peles Castle, near here; it also is a popular tourist attraction. The town is noted for having pretty flowers, but visitors who pick them can find themselves in hot water, as this is not allowed.

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Among the most picturesque attractions of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina in the northeastern part of the country. Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell. The best-preserved are the monasteries in Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet.

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Located in central Romania, Brasov boasts everything from dynamic modern city life to old world charm and fascinating scenery. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, the city is considered a mountain resort, with skiing and ice skating facilities. A top sight is the Black Church, a Gothic cathedral so named because smoke from a huge 17th century fire blackened the stones. Visitors also may want to take a stroll down Rope Street, which is the narrowest street in the country.

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Sibiu, once part of Hungary, dates back to the early 12th century. The city is located in Transylvania, an area that is associated with vampires, including Dracula, but it’s highly unlikely that visitors will run across any in this day and age. Instead, travelers will find the Grand Square, in use since the 15th century, and Baroque buildings, including Brukenthal Palace, home to one of the oldest museums in the world. Visitors may also want to be on the lookout for remnants of old fortifications used to defend the city hundreds of years ago.

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Also located in Transylvania, Sighisoara is one of the best places to visit in Romania due to its beautiful preserved walled town. During the 12th century German craftsmen and merchants, The Transylvanian Saxons, were invited here by the King of Hungary to settle and defend the frontier. They established a thriving trading town here and the citadel visitors see today. It was later extended and enlarged in the 14th century. Every July a Medieval Festival takes place in the old citadel. The landmark of the city is The Clock Tower, a 64 meter (210 foot) high tower build in 1556.

See Also: Where to Stay in Sighisoara

South Africa has all of the features that travelers long for in a vacation destination: fine weather, gorgeous scenery, great beaches, modern accommodations and superb cuisine. The southern tip of Africa also offers an exotic array of once-in-a-lifetime adventures, from off-roading on a safari to diving with great white sharks. It’s hard to name another holiday destination that offers as much variety. An overview of the best places to visit in South Africa.

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Johannesburg, or Jo’burg, is the economic heart of Africa and the most common entry point into Southern Africa. With more than 3 million people it is also the second largest city on the continent. Historically it is where money is made and fortunes found. It has been stereotyped as a cruel, concrete jungle, plagued by crime, but residents defend it fiercely as a city of opportunity and raw energy. A visits to the infamous Soweto township is getting increasingly popular.

See Also: Where to Stay in Johannesburg

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Most of South Africa’s vineyards are located in the lush Boland Basin around 80 km (50 miles) to the northeast of Cape Town. The river valleys that flow into the basin are ideal for growing a number of varietals, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The Cape Winelands region is also home to five-star restaurants, exclusive boutiques and charming hotels. A trip to South Africa’s wine country is a journey of indulgence.

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Located in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, the Addo Elephant National Park is one of the country’s larger parks. The Park is famous for its elephant population that has a special, brownish skin color due to the red soil. Amongst the elephants other animals, like ostriches, antelopes and warthogs can be seen. As part of the park’s expansion, a group of lions and a group of spotted hyenas have been introduced to the park in 04.

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Located on the southern coast of Africa near the Garden Route, Hermanus is famous for its shore-based whale-watching. The sheltered, shallow waters attract southern right whales that migrate to the region each year to mate and breed. A 10 km (6 mile) long cliff-side walk with built-in telescopes and benches offers visitors plenty of opportunities to view these social animals as they raise their flukes in the sea breezes. Whale-watching boat tours are available as well.

See Also: Where to Stay in Hermanus

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South Africa’s second-largest city, Durban is located on South Africa’s eastern coast. Durban’s subtropical climate, scenic beaches and close proximity to Johannesburg have made the coastal city a popular vacation destination for South Africans. The English Colonial architecture that once dominated the city has been enlivened by a mix of Zulu murals, Islamic mosques, Hindu temples and Christian churches.

See Also: Where to Stay in Durban

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The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is located in the Kalahari regions of both Botswana and South Africa and came into being as the official merger of the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. The park offers a majestic and unending red dunes with migrating herds of wildebeest, gemsbok, springbok and eland, and predators like lion, cheetah and leopard.

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The Garden Route is a scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It extends from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The name comes from the diverse vegetation encountered here and the numerous lagoons and lakes dotted along the coast. It includes some of the best places to visit in South Africa including Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley.

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The Drakensberg is a mountainous region that forms the boundary between South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, and offers some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. The name ‘Drakensberg’ is derived from the Dutch, meaning “mountains of the dragon”, while the Zulu named it Quathlamba, meaning ‘Battlement of Spears’. The Zulu word is a more accurate description of the sheer escarpment but the Dutchname captures something of the Drakensberg’s otherworldly atmosphere.

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Covering a wide stretch of bush and savannah in the northern reaches of South Africa, Kruger National Park borders the countries of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. For its dense animal population and the variety of its flora and fauna, the park is considered the jewel of South Africa’s extensive park system. Numerous well-kept tarred and gravel roads have made the park a favorite choice for self-driving & self-catering expeditions.

See Also: Where to Stay in Kruger National Park

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Located on the southwest tip of South Africa’s Western Cape Province, Cape Town is the most popular tourist destination in all of Africa. The metropolis enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate, a well-developed infrastructure and a spectacular natural setting. Cape Town’s center is located in a relatively small area between Table Mountain and Table Bay. The city also serves as a home base for exploring nearby attractions, including the region’s many diverse beaches as well as the rolling hills and valleys of the Winelands.

See Also: Where to Stay in Cape Town

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