Landlocked in the heart of Europe, Austria runs from the Alps in the west down to Vienna and the Danube in the east. For six centuries it was the heart of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, which at its peak included what is now Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic along with much of Romania, Bulgaria and the Balkans. The country's imperial inheritance is particularly striking in the grand buildings and cultural institutions of the Baroque-flavoured capital, Vienna, resplendent with palaces and captivating churches, cosy coffeehouses and inns, and grand ballrooms where Strauss waltzes still draw dancers onto the floor.

Another of the great classical composers spawned by Austria was Mozart, born in Salzburg, a beautiful historic city where stunning Baroque churches rise up against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps. The Alps stretch west to Switzerland and in winter skiers come from all continents to carve the slopes and experience the charm of the alpine villages and their welcoming inhabitants.

The charm of Austria may lie in its preservation of a romantic classical past, but this does not mean modern Austria has stood back from development. Behind the stunning scenery and antique architecture a vibrant industrial and commercial society goes about its business in the cities and towns. Austrians work hard, but they also know how to play hard. Austrian hospitality and cuisine are legendary. From a cruise on the magnificent Danube River to a cycle tour through the Alpine meadows or a breath-taking day's sightseeing in busy Vienna, visitors to Austria find it impossible to fit in a dull moment.

Hofburg

Address: Innerer Burghof 1, Kaisertor Vienna

Admission: EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6.50 (children 6-18); other concessions available. Daily 9am to 5:30pm (until 6pm in July and August).

Telephone: (0)1 533 7570

Spanish Riding School

Address: Michaelerplatz 1 Vienna

Admission: Prices vary according to season, attraction and seating options; see website for details. Daily 9am to 4pm. Performances Fridays 9am to 7pm.

Telephone: (0)1 533 9031

Karlskirche

Address: Kreuzherrengasse 1 Vienna

Admission: EUR6 (adults), free for children under 10yrs. Concessions available. Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 6pm.

Schönbrunn Palace

Address: Schönbrunner Schloss Strasse 13 Vienna

Admission: Grand Tour: EUR15.50 (adults), EUR11 (children 6-18). Various other tour options available. Palace: daily 8:30am to 5pm (April to June, September, October); 8:30am to 6pm (July, August); 8:30am to 4:30pm (November to March). Park: daily at 6am (6:30am from November to March), closing times vary according to the season, between 5:30pm and 9pm.

Telephone: (0)1 8111 3239

Giant Wheel

Address: Prater 90 Vienna

Admission: EUR8.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children 3-14), concessions available. Open daily but hours vary seasonally, see website for details.

Telephone: (0)1 729 5430

Belvedere

Address: 27 Prinz Eugen Street Vienna

Admission: EUR14 (adult), Children free. Concessions available. Daily 10am to 6pm; lower Belvedere and the Orangery open until 9pm Wednesdays.

Telephone: (0)1 795 570, or (0)1 79 557 134

Vienna State Opera

Address: Opernring 2 Vienna

Admission: Guided tour: EUR5 (adults), EUR2 (children). Opera tour and Opera museum combination ticket: EUR6.50 (adults), EUR3.50 (children). Other combinations and concessions available. Guided tours are offered Tuesday to Sunday; check dates and times online or via telephone

Telephone: (0)1 51444 2250

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Address: Mönchsberg 34 Salzburg

Admission: Fortress Card EUR10.50 (adults), EUR6 (children 6-14 years); other concessions available. Open daily 9:30am to 5pm (October to April), 9am to 7pm (May to September).

Telephone: (0)662 842 430-11

St Peter's Abbey

Address: Salzburg

Admission: Free Open daily 6:30am to 7pm (April to September), 6:30am to 6pm (October to March)

Telephone: (0)662 844 576

St Stephen's Cathedral

Address: Stephansplatz Vienna

Admission: Free admission to the cathedral. Cathedral Tour: EUR14.50 (adults), EUR12.50 (children). Other packages and concessions available. Daily 6am to 10pm (from 7am on Sundays). Various guided tours take place daily.

Telephone: Guided tours: (0)1 5155 23526

The Albertina

Address: Albertinaplatz 1 Vienna

Admission: EUR9.50 (adults), concessions available. Children under 19 free. Daily 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Wednesdays).

Telephone: (0)1 53483 525

Imperial Treasury

Address: Schweizer Hof Vienna

Admission: EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions), children under 19 free. Wednesday to Monday 9:30am to 6pm

Telephone: (0)1 52524

Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)

Address: Maria-Theresian Platz Vienna

Admission: EUR12 (adults), EUR9 (concessions); children under 19 free. Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm (until 9pm on Thursdays).

Telephone: (0)1 52524

Haus der Musik

Address: Seilerstätte 30 Vienna

Admission: EUR11 (adults), EUR5.50 (children 3-12); other concessions available. Daily 10am to 10pm

Telephone: (0)1 51648

Austrian National Library

Address: Josefplatz 1 Vienna

Telephone: (0)1 53410-444

Natural History Museum

Address: Maria-Theresien Platz Vienna

Admission: EUR10 (adults), children under 19 free. Thursday to Monday 9am to 6.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 9pm

Telephone: (0)1 521770

Mozart's Birthplace

Address: Getreidegasse 9 Salzburg

Admission: EUR7 (adult) and EUR3 (child) September to June, 9am to 6pm; July to August, 9am to 8pm.

Telephone: (0)662 844 313

Salzkammergut Lakes

Address: Salzburg

Schloss Kleßheim Palace

Address: 2.5 miles (4km) west of Salzburg in Wals-Siezenheim Salzburg

Telephone: (0)662 854 455

Wiener Prater

Address: Wurstelprater 9 Vienna

Vienna Woods

Address: Vienna

Minopolis – City of Children

Address: Wagramer Straße 2 Vienna

Admission: Fridays: EUR4 (adults); EUR8 (children). Other: EUR6 (adults); EUR15 (children) Open Fridays from 2pm – 7pm. Saturday, Sunday, Public and School Holidays from 10am - 6pm

Telephone: 0810 970 270

House of the Sea

Address: Esterházypark Vienna

Admission: EUR12.90 (adults); EUR5.90 (children) Open daily 9am-6pm. Thursdays 9am-9pm.

Telephone: 587 14 17

BOGI Park

Address: Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse 17 Vienna

Admission: EUR3.50 (ages 1 – 3 years); EUR8.90 (children 3 – 16 years); EUR4 (adults). Prices differ in the evening. Open daily 10am–7pm

Telephone: 01 23 000 00

Freud Museum

Address: Berggasse 19 Vienna

Admission: EUR7 adults, EUR2.50 children 12-18; other concessions available. Daily 9am to 5pm (closes 6pm from July to September). Guided tours from 10am to 4pm.

Telephone: +43 (1) 319 159

Swarovski Crystal World

Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 39 Innsbruck

Admission: Closed for renovations until August 2011.

Skiing

Wedding and Honeymoon

Hietzinger Bräu

Address: 1130 Wien, Auhofstraße 1 Vienna

Food Type: Local

Café Central

Address: Herrengasse 14 Vienna

Food Type: Café

Altwienerhof

Address: Herklotzgasse 6 Vienna

Food Type: French

Wiener Rathauskeller

Address: Rathausplatz 1 Vienna

Food Type: Local

Café Demel

Address: Kohlmarkt 14 Vienna

Food Type: Café

Restaurant Imperial

Address: Kärntner Ring 16 Vienna

Food Type: International

Motto

Address: Schonbrunnerstr 30 Vienna

Food Type: Fusion

Wollzeile

Address: Wollzeile 5 (St Stephansplatz) Vienna

Food Type: Local

Steirereck

Address: Rasumofskygasse 2 Vienna

Food Type: Local

DO & CO

Address: Stephansplatz 12 Vienna

Food Type: International