Page 330 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

328  Tr A veller S ’ need S

What to Buy in Austria

The range of souvenirs worth buying in Austria is vast, Sissi Figurines
ranging from the unashamedly kitsch to the exquisite The Austrian people’s
love for “Sissi”,
and delicate. The most typical purchases are chocolates Emperor Franz
and all kinds of alcoholic drinks which are often attractively Joseph’s unhappy
packaged. Quality purchases include Tyrolean costumes wife, knows no
bounds. It is evident
and warm winter coats made of loden as well as attractive to this day from the
porcelain or glassware made in Austria, including the many statuettes of
stunning Swarovski crystal chandeliers. the Empress Elisabeth,
on sale all over
the country.
Souvenirs Glass
In a country as reliant Snow storms
on tourism as Austria, Glass
the souvenir industry snowstorms
naturally plays an imp or­ with swirling
tant role, with market snowflakes may
be considered
stalls, shops and motor way as kitsch by some,
service stations all offering yet they remain
an enormous selection very popular
of Andenken (souvenirs) with tourists, and
designed to help you children are particularly
remember your stay in keen on them. Inside, you can see
one of Austria’s provinces – any number of famous Austrian Wanderhut
and hopefully make you landmarks such as the Big Wheel The Tyrolean “walker’s hat” is
come back for more. in the Prater, a symbol of Vienna. popular with mountain walkers.
In winter it protects against
the cold; in summer it provides
shade from the sun, which
Augarten Figurines can be surprisingly fierce in
An attractive souvenir the mountains.
from the Augarten
porcelain makers are the Bells
delicate, hand-finished In the autumn, the
porcelain figurines cattle of Tyrol and
of the famous Vorarlberg are
white Lipizzaner driven down from
stal lions and the Alm, the
riders from summer mountain
the Spanish pastures, and the
Riding School bells around their
in Vienna. necks have always
fascinated visitors.
The bells come in
all shapes and sizes,
often highly
decorated. They
make, of course, a
great souvenir.

Handicrafts
and Folk Art
Austria is deservedly proud
of its local crafts traditions.
Saddles In specialist shops or
One of the more unusual gifts you can find markets you can find
are intricately made miniature horses with delicate embroidery and
tack and saddles, often copies of items seen lacework or great wood
in the collections of armouries and arsenals. carvings, such as this mask.

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