Landlocked in the heart of Europe, Austria may be small but it packs some serious cultural and scenic punch. It’s a travel destination to satisfy the culture buff, the gastro tourist and the nature-lover. Once the centre of the mighty Hapsburg Empire, it is not hard to conjure up an image of its romantic classical past, especially strolling the streets of the capital, Vienna, with its grand baroque-inspired buildings. Set against a backdrop of alpine gorgeousness, the beautiful town of Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and, more recently, home to the Sound of Music’s von Trapp family. Whether you find yourself eating in a small town inn or one of Vienna’s cosy coffee houses, Austria serves up some classic culinary delights: start with traditional hearty fare such as goulash or Wiener schnitzel, saving room for strudel or Sachertorte for dessert, washed down with a glass of locally brewed beer or homemade schnapps.
