Page 292 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

290  Tr a vellers ’ Needs

a picturesque hut stands on
the banks of the old Danube at
155 m (509 ft); however it is
reserved exclusively for groups.
Lower Austria has a large
number of hostels, some at
relatively low altitudes. Travellers
can find numerous huts or
shelters in the high Alps.
These usually have rooms for
two or three and sometimes
more on a sharing basis; people
sleep on simple mattresses.
Higher in the mountains and in
more remote regions, the huts
Traditional chalet-style country hotel surrounded by towering peaks are basic. If you’re planning to
hike for several days, book huts
Inexpensive Vollpension (full-board). The through the Österreichischer
Accommodation number of rooms available in Alpenverein (ÖAV) well in
Relatively inexpensive a Bauernhof, and the prices advance. Hostels can provide
accommodation can often charged, vary but the rooms information on the local hiking
be found in private homes. are of a perfectly acceptable trails, current climbing conditions
In attractive tourist areas, it is standard. For children from and the weather forecasts.
common for owners of larger towns and cities it is an ideal Depending on the popularity
villas and private houses to rent opportunity to observe the of an area and the season,
rooms to visitors. Vacancies are daily workings of a farm and hostels will be open either all
generally indicated by the to have contact with farm year round or only during the
sign Fremden zimmer or animals. There may also be summer months, usually until
Zimmer frei (rooms available). the opportunity to go horse- the end of September or
The standard of furnishing riding, or hire a bike, boat or October. Some open only at the
varies; some have en-suite fishing tackle, so that a full weekend, even in summer, or by
rooms, others come with programme of outdoor appointment. Some hostels are
shared bathrooms. Breakfast activities can be enjoyed by closed one day in the week, on
may or may not be included the whole family. the Ruhetag (rest day). The ÖAV
in the room price. Information on Bauernhof or the local tourist bureau will
There are plenty of back- holidays with pictures, detailed be able to advise on timings.
packer-friendly hostels and descriptions and price lists
Jugendherbergen (youth hostels) can be obtained from tourist Camping
throughout Austria. Many of offices. In many provinces
them offer double rooms and such tourist centres also Travelling with a camping trailer,
family rooms as well as simple send out free brochures to camper van or just a tent is
bunk beds in dorms. Most have interested holidaymakers. popular in Austria, and there are
high standards, and some are dedicated campsites in all the
located in old castles, beautiful Mountain Hostels larger towns and popular
villas or other historic buildings. resorts. Generally of a high
Further details are available and Shelters standard, sites are equipped
from Österreichischer Mountain hostels and shelters with washrooms and kitchens,
Jugendherbergsverband can be found along all the and they allow caravan owners
(ÖJHV). major walking trails. In Vienna, to exchange gas bottles and use

Farm Stays
In rural Austria, most holiday
accommodation takes the form
of rooms in working Bauernhöfe
(farms), offering high service
standards in traditional and
rustic surroundings. Some
provide self-catering facilities,
in others meals are provided by
the farmer, on a similar basis as
in pensions, offering Zimmer mit
Frühstück (bed and breakfast),
Halbpension (half-board) or A caravan site on the shores of Ossiacher See in Carinthia

288-291_EW_Austria.indd 290 03/09/15 5:44 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm