Linz is the capital city of Upper Austria and is situated on the famous Danube River. It is Austria’s second largest city and was originally a Roman settlement. Linz is home to the Ars Electronica fair each year and the Brucnker Festival. Due it it’s ideal location and the Danube River, Linz has always been an important centre point between traders. Linz is considered mostly an industrial city thanks to it’s steel, glass, furniture and tobacco factories which is a thriving economic factor. Linz is a beautiful city and I find that there is a closer community feeling here then most other cities in Austria.

Upper Austria is the top winter destinations for all of you who want have some winter fun! Upper Austria totally transforms itself in winter and becomes a paradise covered in snow. There are some fantastic snow slopes for the skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. If you are visiting Upper Austria during Christmas time, make sure to visit the advent market which is very mystifying and brings out the Christmas spirit in everyone. If you are tired from all the shopping and skiing, here you will find several spas and thermal springs which will rejuvenate you and relax you.

Whilst in Linz, take some time to visit the main street which is called the Lanstrasse to get a feel for this city. Here you will find the symbolic monument which was built in remembrance of the people who died due to the plague. In Linz you will also find many historical structures which date back to the Roman Empire such as the Church of St. Martin, City Hall and the Baroque Bishop’s Palace. Linz is also linked to composer Anton Bruckner who spent 13 years composing in this city and Amadeus Mozart also composed a symphony to be played in Linz which is now referred to as the Linz Symphony.

Also a recent beautiful landmark for Linz is the modern Lentos Art Museum, which is a modern building situated on the River Danube. This building is normally lit in different colours such as blue, red, pink and violet during the evenings which adds vibrancy to this city.

For those of you who visit Linz during the winter months and are after some winter Austrian fun, make sure you go up to the mountains for a ski or a snowboarding experience. The locals like to go to the mountain which they refer to as the ‘Cheese Mountain’, here you will find less tourists and the skiing conditions are superb!

For nightlife, the locals enjoy going down to the city centre where you will find some lively pubs such as the one I used to go to which is called the Karthause which is normally bustling with people and stays open till the wee hours of the morning.Vienna is a very romantic tourist destination and most of it’s important tourist locations are clustered within short distance from each other, making Vienna a very famous weekend break destination.

Vienna has also been famously linked to the world’s finest composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss for hundreds of years, in fact in 2006 Vienna will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. Even more contemporary, Vienna keeps it’s musical tradition thanks to the Vienna Boy’s Choir and the Wiener Philharmoniker which is one of the world’s best orchestras. You will find music at every corner, with band stands in the middle of parks and gardens and people playing some instrument in the middle of a square.

Vienna is a picture perfect city thanks to it’s beautiful architecture and harmonious structures it will surely get everyone camera happy!

Whilst in Vienna, make sure you visit the beautiful Stephansplatz which is named after one of Vienna’s heart and soul – Stephansdom. This church attracts travelers from all over the world who gather infront of the church taking pictures or just simply admiring the large tower which was built in the 13th Century. Stephansdom is also charecterised by the colourful tiles which dominate the roof top. Many famous people got married and buried such as Mozart himself.

Schloss Schonbrunn Palace is also another one of Vienna’s landmarks. There are 1,411 rooms in this palace, however, only 40 are open to the public. The palace gardens are also another spectacular manifestation of colour and perfection, it is always a pleasure to have a stroll around the gardens. The palace and gardens are listed in the UNESCO world heritage list. Within the palace one can also find one of the world’s oldest zoo which was commissioned in 1752 to be used for amusement purposes. There are daily tours around the 40 rooms.

The prater park is a very famous attraction for the locals and tourists alike, many of you must have already seen pictures of the giant Ferris wheel which is symbolic to Vienna. The prater park is a fun fair which hosts amusements, sports stadium, swimming pool and many more attractions.

The Belvedere Palace which dates back to 1723, it is a remarkably beautiful baroque palace and is also very symbolic to Vienna. Belvedere is split into two palaces; the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere, both of which are now museums and art galleries.

Vienna’s cafes contribute to an important part of the Austrian’s everyday way of life. In fact there is a myth that if you are in Stephansplatz, one should sit at a café and the person of their dreams will show up. Whilst in Vienna make sure you go for a coffee in one of the many Kaffeehaus, you will be spoilt for choice with the different choices of different coffees, however, a definite must is the apple strudel with cream for a taste of the real Vienna. I cannot mention the strudels without also mentioning the world famous Mozart chocolates. You will note many shops selling the endless types of Mozart chocolates which are delicious and a good souvenir to take back home.