The Austrian countryside, with its awesome range of mountains and beautiful lakes, will make an impression on you that you'll never forget. Although a comparatively small country, Austria has a huge potential for summer and winter tourism offering numerous leisure activities whatever the weather. Most of the lakes are of drinking quality water; especially the lakes in our Salzkammergut region. The picturesque mountain ranges boast excellent ski regions and are perfect for any other outdoor activity.

Austria is also synonymous with cafés, the typical Austrian "Gosthof" and its cuisine, which ranks amongst the best in the world as a result of its fine traditional recipes - of which you must include Apfelstrudel and, of course, Wiener Schnitzel. Locally there are a number of distinguished chefs: Eselböck from Taubenkobel in Burgenland, Johanna Maier from Hotel Hubertus in Filzmoos and Lorenz Pesendorfer from Klosterstube in Traunkirchen).

The cultural scene keeps up with current trends while at the same time taking exemplary care of its precious heritage and endearing customs and traditions. It has been the birthplace of many famous composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss. Other famous Austrians include Gustav Klimt, Otto Wagner and psychologist Sigmund Freud. Then we have some world renowned institutions such as the incomparable Spanish Riding School of Vienna, the Vienna Boy's Choir and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Finally this is also home to the Sound of Music, the Blue Danube River and the Hahnenkamm.

The Republic of Austria is a parliamentary representative democracy in Central Europe. It consists of nine federal states (Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Carinthia, the Tyrol and Vorarlberg) and is one of six European countries that have declared permanent neutrality.

Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955 and joined the European Union in 1995. It borders on Germany and the Czech Republic in the north, on Slovakia and Hungary in the east, on Slovenia and Italy in the south and on Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the west. Its capital city is Vienna and its official language is German. Austria has a well developed economy and a high standard of living at reasonably low cost (according to recent EU studies).

As for crime, according to a recent survey by the Lausanne Institute in Switzerland, Austria is one of the safest countries to live or visit in the whole world.

All in all, Austria is a country that can guarantee the highest quality of living possible.

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