Page 186 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Great Places to Stay in Europe

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18 6 AUS TRIA

AUSTRIA
OR VISITORS to Austria, establishments range
one of the most from simple mountain
F striking things about inns and smart winter
the country is the sheer sports hotels to lake-
number of small hotels side hostelries, plush
which have been run by the city-centre hotels and
same family for generations: a fact imposing castles. The heart
reflected in the warm welcome and of most Austrian lodgings is the Stube,
friendly atmosphere you encounter in a room which is usually wood-
so many of our entries. The hotels are panelled, with huge tables and bench
as diverse as the countryside and you seats and warmed by a stove – an
can find something to suit every taste; informal setting for a drink and a chat.
some lovely hotels in
the famous Vienna
woods – still popular
with the Viennese for
a day out – and a
wide variety of inns
and castle hotels.
Vienna itself has
plenty of smart
hotels, but there is
no shortage of less
expensive pensions.
As you would expect,
any establishment
outside the city centre
(the area bounded
by the Ringstrasse)
will be cheaper.
Eastern Austria
Burgenland is the
least typical state in
the country – it was
part of Hungary until
1921. It has a pleas-
antly mild climate,
Spielmann Hotel, Ehrwald, page 191, a text-book Tyrolean chalet suitable for vines and
fruit trees, which you
AUSTRIA REGION Some of the simpler hotels will see in abundance.
BY REGION may strike you as surprisingly Accommodation here is
inexpensive for such a cheaper and simpler than in
A USTRIA IS not a large sought-after area. the rest of Austria. Goose with
U
country, but it divides
Historic Salzburgland has
red cabbage is the ubiquitous
neatly into five regions: some charming town hotels, (and filling) local dish.
with marvellous lakes and
Western Austria mountains within easy reach. Southern Austria
This comprises the states of Kärnten is a popular tourist
Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Salz- Northwestern Austria region and the hotels are of a
burgland. Vorarlberg is the Known as Oberösterreich, this particularly high standard. The
classic Alpine province, prac- is the home of the dumpling. Tauern mountains and clean,
tically cut off from the rest of It has a varied landscape, with warm lowland lakes provide
the country by the Arlberg mountains, lush valleys and plenty of outdoor life.
mountains. As you would ex- lakes, and has some very Steiermark, the second
pect, it has fine skiing hotels, attractive hotels in its largest state, has diverse
but they brush shoulders with medieval towns as well as country with fine skiing on
delightful family-run inns. some lovely country ones. the Dachstein range, gentle
The Tyrol, with its dramatic vine-covered hills in the
mountains and picture-postcard Northeastern Austria south, and flat plains in the
villages, has many a country Known as Niederösterreich, east. There are lakeside and
hotel set amidst breathtaking this includes Vienna, the castle hotels, and many
lake or mountain scenery. capital of Austria. There are attractive small inns.