Page 332 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

330  Tr a vellers ’ needs

ENTERTAINMENT IN AUSTRIA

Witty, fun loving and charming, the austrians lederhosen-lined folk dance in an
manage to defy pretty much every cliché old-world village, to extreme sports on
of what it means to be Germanic. Their mountain tops, to a classical music concert
sense of Gemütlichkeit, or good times, beneath the stars, it’s a variety show of
comes alive in the music, festivals, cafés amusements. against the setting of breath-
and bars that pulse across the country. taking lakes and mountains, an array of
The Sound of Music may now be one of entertainment choices await, both formal
its most renowned attractions, but you and informal. Inevitably, excellent regional
are sure to find more than a few of your cuisine, wine and the ubiquitous beer are
favourite things in austria. From a also 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 Most large concert halls and
theatres have reserved areas for
Information Sources Booking Tickets wheelchairs and seats for people
Austria is an information- All the big music festivals with mobility problems. These
friendly destination. Each offer online booking for seats. must be reserved in advance
province, city and indeed nearly Some of them, like the Salzburg when booking. Many music
every village of any size boasts a Festival, sell out months in and theatre venues also provide
full-service tourist bureau at the advance. It is also possible to help for those with hearing
ready for walk-in and online buy tickets, sometimes last difficulties. Be sure to make
information. Here you can find minute, from ticket agencies. your needs very clear when
events calendars and Money-saving discount cards booking tickets.
background information on are available for sightseeing and You will find information on
anything and everything taking public transport in all the major barrier-free access on the
place in the way of music, cities, including Innsbruck, Linz, Austria National Tourist Office
theatre, festivals and holiday Salzburg and Vienna. For a
events. Posters announcing small price, these cards offer
current events from concerts to significant discounts, or in some
exhibi tions are widely displayed cases completely free access to
in town squares and café public transport, sightseeing,
windows. The events listing shopping, dining, and museums.
magazine Falter is widely The cards can be purchased
available across the country. 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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