Page 332 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

330  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

ENTERTAINMENT IN AUSTRIA

Witty, fun-loving and charming, the Austrians dance in an old-world village, to extreme
manage to defy pretty much every cliché sports on mountain tops, to a classical
of what it means to be Germanic. Their music concert beneath the stars, or the
sense of Gemütlichkeit, or good times, spectacle of a grand opera. Against
comes alive in the music, festivals, cafés the setting of breath taking lakes and
and bars that pulse across the country. mountains, a wide choice of entertainment
The Sound of Music may be one of the awaits, both formal and informal.
country’s icons, but you are sure to find Inevitably, excellent regional cuisine,
more than a few of your favourite things wine and the ubiquitous beer are also
in Austria, from a lederhosen-lined folk part of the experience.

offering a wealth of great
architecture, art and history at
no cost whatsoever. Attending
an organ recital or choir-led
mass at one of the country’s
many Baroque cathedrals is
an unforgettable experience.
Many churches also offer
complimentary guided tours;
a small tip for the guide at the
end of the tour is customary.
Facilities for the Disabled
Mozart’s opera Apollo Et Hyacinthus, performed at the Salzburg Festival By law, all of Austria’s
entertainment venues must
Information Sources Booking Tickets be accessible to those with
Austria is an information- All the big music festivals mobility problems. Many music
friendly destination. Each offer online booking for seats. and theatre venues also provide
province, city and indeed nearly Some of them, like the Salzburg help for those with hearing
every village of any size boasts a Festival, sell out months in difficulties. To access special
full-service tourist bureau at the advance. It is also possible to facilities and zones, including
ready for walk-in and online buy tickets, sometimes last those for people with hearing
information. Here you can find minute, from ticket agencies. problems, it is essential to book
events calendars and back- Money-saving discount cards in advance.
ground information on anything are available for sightseeing and You will find information on
and everything taking place in public transport in all the major barrier-free access on the
the way of music, theatre, cities, including Innsbruck, Linz, Austria National Tourist Office
festivals and holiday events. Salzburg and Vienna. For a
Posters announcing current small price, these cards offer
events from concerts to exhibi- significant discounts, or in some
tions are widely displayed in cases completely free access
town squares and café windows. to public transport, sights,
For any kind of event in and shopping, dining, and museums.
around Vienna the online guide The cards can be purchased
eventful is comprehensive. upon arrival at your destination,
For personalized tours, Austria’s and if you are planning to travel
superb network of pro fessionally around a lot and take in many
accredited English-speaking tour of the sights, they can prove to
guides, austriaguides, is highly be very economical.
recommended. Before travelling,
be sure to look at www.austria. Free Events
info, the website of the Austrian
National Tourist Office. The While particular museum and
website is packed with useful gallery exhibits may charge an
information, including listings of entrance fee, access to most
free events and suggestions for churches, markets and galleries Guided tour of Salzburg Cathedral, with its
saving money. in Austria is free of charge, fine Baroque architecture

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