Hi All,
Sorry I have been quiet, I have finally had a well deserved holiday. I have been in Austria for the past 2 weeks, traveling from Salzburg, to Gallspach (in the middle of th country) through to Filzmoos. I had never been to Austria before, one of the only EU countries I had left to discover and I can honestly say it is right up there with my favorites. So, for a quick welcome back post, I thought I would share my guide to the beautiful country of Austria with you and hope that you take a trip their one day, if you haven’t already.
Pack for the time of year
When I arrived in Salzburg, I was unsure of what to expect from the weather. I had heard that is gets hot in the summer, but I was also told that it was very similar to British heat. Due to this I had packed numerous long sleeved cardigans, jumpers and jeans. I did have a limited amount of summer clothing, but certainly not as much as was needed. To my surprise, when we arrived the temperature was already in the mid 20′s and this was 6 in the morning!
We were very fortunate that this weather continued throughout our stay, having only one day where the thunderstorms rolled in. Even with the rain, it was still very very warm. Ok, so it is obvious that before you travel anywhere you will check te weather forecast, but you can’t always 100% believe these. My advice for packing for an Austrian adventure in the summer months, is to take a lot of summer clothing, light and floaty for the 30 degree heat. Also take a couple of jumpers and long leggings as it does cool down quickly in the evenings.
Learn some German before you arrive
One of the things I found really humbling about Austria is that all the locals speak German as their first language and many don’t know any English. Now I know that it is easier for us if everyone spoke English, but why should they bend to us whilst we are in their country? I love the fact that they keep their own language alive and the culture that come with it.
Saying this is easy though, the issue comes when you only know very limited German. Trying to sign language where the toilets are or ordering food can be very tricky. I was lucky as I had an understanding of the language on a basic level before arriving in Austria, but I could have done with a little more insight. My advice – get yourself a phrase book and learn the basics, such as counting, ordering food and rinks and have basic conversations. Luckily, it is one of the easiest languages to learn, in my opinion.
Walk everywhere if you can
One of my favorite things about Austria is the scenery and small, traditional towns scattered amongst it. I love to walk, as you have probably guessed from previous posts. I saw and discovered so many wonderful things during my holiday simply from walking everywhere. There were times when you need a hire car, unless you are an avid hiker with the fitness levels to match. This is especially true within the small towns were every corner and side street holds beautiful and unique cafes and shops. Oh some of the shops were simply stunning, full of handmade and eco friendly gifts and clothing.
As with any town, the high streets, although pretty, do have the convenience shops and high street brands, so when you are walking you have the opportunity to head off the beaten track and find those interesting hidden gems. Plus you get seriously fit – i have lost weight on holiday – bizarre when all I did was eat and drink.
Finally – mix your stay between hotels and traditional Austrian chalets. Some of the best are the Ibis hotels in the larger towns and cities. They are comfortable and easily located for exploring the neighborhoods. For chalets, head to the ski resorts, like Fillzmoos. They are picturesque and offer great value for money.
