Page 340 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

338  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Even in Vienna you can
enjoy water sports –
along the Old Danube
many places hire out
water skis, and rowing or
sailing boats, without the
need to prove any
special expertise.
Lastly, the lakes and
rivers are perfect for
fishing. Local tourist
offices will be able to
advise you on where the
best spots are, and sell
you a licence.
Hang gliding – a spectacular sport, enjoyed
Horse Riding
in Stubaital
Horse riding, while not
Yachting marina in Mörbisch as popular as skiing, Tennis
also has many followers. Indoor tennis courts, which are
Water Sports
Lower Austria has a number of also open in winter, can be
Snow is not the only element studs which offer a variety of found in many of the larger
that attracts sports enthusiasts riding holidays. Some hotels, resorts and hotels; outdoor
to Austria – an abundance of too, own their own horses or courts are available in most
rivers and lakes offer much to have an arrange ment with cities. They are less common in
the summer visitor, whether it’s a local riding centre which the mountain resorts, which
in the form of relaxation or allows guests to use its facilities. specialize in other sports. Courts
active holidays. The lovely lakes In many resorts, riding lessons tend to be clay rather than grass.
in the Salzkammergut, can also be booked in indoor
especially, are worth exploring. arenas, which is especially useful
Austrian lakes come in all during bad weather or in the Extreme Sports
shapes and sizes, but most winter months. So­called extreme sports,
are suitable for swimming and Even if your visit only takes you such as rafting, canyoning,
sailing. The largest and most to Vienna, you don’t have to speed­boat racing, paragliding,
famous are Bodensee (Lake forego the pleasures of horse hang gliding, bungee jumping
Constance) and Neusiedler See. riding – the Prater funfair, once or free climbing, are all well
The latter, easily accessible from the favourite riding course of represented in Austria. New
Vienna, is a 40­km­ (25­mile­) the Empress Elisabeth, is open to companies open every day,
long lake on the Hungarian this day to lovers of the sport. offering equipment hire and
border, and the venue every Horse riding is one of the more organized events to tempt the
weekend for an Olympic­standard costly activities, but it is not exor­ adventurous who are seeking
regatta. There are sailing and bitant; in Tyrol, for example, an adrenaline kick. Bungee
windsurfing schools on many 1 hour’s riding in winter costs enthusiasts will enjoy Europe’s
Austrian lakes, and on the about €15 per person – about longest dive at the Europa
larger ones water­skiing and the same as you would have to bridge near Innsbruck, with
para­skiing are also on offer. pay for hiring a tennis court. a jump of 192 m (630 ft).
Scuba­diving is also possible
at certain times of the year
and in designated areas of
some lakes, particularly in the
Salzkammergut.
Many mountain rivers,
particularly those in the
western part of Austria, flow
through narrow ravines and
tumble down in numerous
waterfalls. Canoeing, kayaking
and rafting expeditions in
these regions are offered by
adventure firms. An especially
popular rafting event takes
place along a gorge, the Imster
Schlucht, in Tyrol. Horse riding along the shores of Neusiedler See

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
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Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm