Page 333 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

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website, as well as on each of of games of chances – from
the regional tourism authority traditional roulette, blackjack
websites. For more information and baccara – to modern day
on facilities and information for Texas Hold ‘em. The minimum
disabled travellers see pp344–5. age for entrance is 18 years.
Blackjack, poker, even slot
machine tournaments are
Religious Celebrations
held regularly. The elegant
A predominantly Catholic and atmospheric architecture
country, Austrian religious in Bad Gastein and Baden
celebrations are pageants of add a distinctly James Bond
colour which everyone can Local brass band playing at an Austrian element to the thrill.
join in. Starting at the end of beer festival
November through to Christmas Nightlife
Day, Christmas markets spring performed both professionally
up in towns and cities, offering and at private celebrations. Austrian nightlife does not
handicrafts, seasonal foods, start and stop in Vienna by any
mulled wine and heaps of Salzburg Festival means. The provincial capitals
atmosphere. On 5 or 6 December, certainly hold their own in the
you may see St Nikolaus Each summer, since 1920, the party department. There is a
wandering the streets weaving cobblestone streets of wide choice of relaxed pubs,
accompanied by a scary devil Salzburg swell with the thousands trendy bars, discos and
figure, Krampus, who threatens attending the Salzburg Festival. nightclubs that stay open till
to beat naughty children. No less than 220,000 spectators 4am. For world­class clubbing,
Austria’s biggest Krampus festival arrive to enjoy the 170 perfor­ DJs Kruder & Dorfmeister have
is held in Schladming, Styria, mances of classical music, opera put Austrian electronic music
each November. and drama. on the map.
Fasching is the Austrian version The main festival halls are Linz boasts some 80
of Carnival, and is a let­loose party located in a prime location in night spots open until well
that takes place just before Lent the old town. From Shakespeare after midnight; its “Bermuda
with masked balls and socially and Molière, to Mozart and Triangle” bars stay open until
sanctioned outrageousness. Beethoven, the Salzburg Festival the small hours. University
At Easter, real eggs are hand­ represents the non plus ultra of towns like Innsbruck and Graz
painted and hung on plants or high culture in Austria. Booking have a young vibrant feel.
twigs called Palmskatzerln. ahead is imperative, and that In the countryside there is
At Palm Sunday processions, includes accommodation. action, especially in summer,
children carry tall sticks decorated at the discos and bars round
with streamers and pretzels. Austria’s lakes. All the best late
Casinos nights culminate in a snack at
A dozen casinos across the a Würstlstand, where the party
Traditional Music country, from Bad Gastein to crowd congregate alongside
and Dance
Vienna, offer an assortment late­night truck drivers.
When your neighbour lives
on the next mountaintop,
communicating is a challenge –
hence the rise of yodelling
as an art form. The melodic
throat singing relies on echo
and yips and yells, which are
impressive performed solo,
and mesmerising when sung
en masse.
Traditional folk celebrations
often include the Schuhplattler,
a lively Austro­Bavarian men’s
dance with plenty of stamping
and clapping.
The Ländler, an adaptation
of which was performed in
The Sound of Music, is danced by
couples amid much clapping
and spinning. The Polka and,
ever the pride of Vienna, the
Waltz, are classic dances Viennese Christmas Market, capturing the essence of Christmas spirit

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