Feel the love in Slovenia.

Innsbruck banner at ACTB

Salzkammergut presentation

Slovenia's Adriatic cities of Piran and Portoroz had a special presence at ACTB this year.

A series of presentations at ACTB by a variety of local and regional tourism entities from across Austria has given insight into the country's attractions and appeal.  One of the lesser-known of these regions for Australians is Carinthia, Austria's southernmost state.  Though the main cities of Klagenfurt and Villach have their appeal as do the medieval towns of Gmünd and Friesach, the state is dotted with historic monasteries and castles across the natural landscape that serves as Carinthia's main attraction, with Wörthersee one of the most elegant of Austria's lakeside resort towns both in summer and in winter.  That year 'round appeal is typical of Austria, where the beautiful mountains attract skiers in the northern winter and everyone else in summer when the warmer weather brings a plethora of festivals to the country as well as fresh landscapes to explore by bike or on foot; cycling and hiking are wildly popular activities for those not mesmerised by the numerous concerts of classical and contemporary music as well as the wide variety of other cultural activities that take place in summer, such as the unique Bregenz Festival Opera On The Lake, where actors perform on stage as it floats on scenic Lake Constance.

At this time of year, though, the ski season is in full swing.  More than a few Australians and New Zealanders make their way to the Alpine slopes across Austria, which will host the 2013 World Alpine Skiing Championships in Schladming-Dachstein, the state of Styria's premier ski resort. 

As evidenced by the fact that it has its own tourism commission, the Danube River, known as the Donau in German, is one of Austria's major attractions, with river cruising enormously popular among international visitors, growing further in numbers each year.  Australian interest in Danube cruising is booming, with more than 60,000 Australians taking a cruise on the Danube in 2011.

While that number is impressive, the ones for Salzburg are even more so.  Australians are #8 among Salzburg's top ten inbound markets—a phenomenal figure given the distance involved and the closer markets that Australia has surpassed in reaching this lofty position.  It's not surprising, though; Salzburg offers everything a traveller could possibly wish for in a European holiday—gorgeous scenery, historic atmosphere, excellent restaurants, fine hotels, and easy transport connections both into and out of the city and within the city itself.

Further west is Innsbruck, one of the most charming cities in Europe, small of scale but large in style, culture, and scenery.  Few visitors will leave without being impressed with the Tyrolean capital's location on the floor of the Inn Valley between soaring mountain peaks.  With an Imperial Palace and opera house of its own, Innsbruck offers similar attractions to Vienna, albeit on a much more intimate scale.  Innsbruck is surrounded by holiday villages tucked away in the mountains where hiking and just breathing the mountain air are popular in summer, as are snow sports in winter.  Villages around Innsbruck are among the most popular ski destinations in Austria, if not the world; the Sonnenplateau Mieming region in Tirol Mitte is especially scenic both in summer and winter.  With decades of experience welcoming visitors, Tyrol has perfected the art of hospitality and supported it with an efficient infrastructure to winter sports here a pleasure. 

At the western tip of Austria, in the Vorarlberg region's town of Dornbirn on the Austria-Swiss border, is a big surprise for automobile aficionados.  The world's biggest Rolls-Royce museum is found here, and not only are the cars on display, they are also available for rides—a wonderful activity for business visitors using the museum's seminar and meeting rooms for work functions.

Closer to Vienna is the Salzkammergut region, less famous than the others but no less appealing.  Traditional crafts are one of the Salzkammergut's biggest draws; among the fine products are Goiserer shoes, made by hand with painstaking workmanship.  Far from being tourist souvenirs alone, local residents constitute the largest portion of Goiserer customers; they know the 18-month delivery date for perfect shoes that last for years is well worth the wait.

For those who prefer to stay closer to Vienna, the natural attractions and the wine regions of Burgenland are only a daytrip away, as is the famous Melk .  Burgenland is also the region that is home to the beautiful Esterházy Castle.  North of Vienna, towns along the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley in Lower Austria such as picturesque Krems are appealing, as is the region's most famous sight, Melk Abbey.  Closer still is the impressive Klosterneuburg monastery immediately north of Vienna.

More information about Austria's attractive regions is available on the Austrian National Tourist Office website at www.austria.info/au.  Visit the website and gain a chance to win a trip for two to spend a luxurious New Year's Eve in Vienna.

With all the many attractions in Austria, it is easy to overlook the other countries present here at ACTB.  Among them is Slovenia, home to the city of Maribor, this year a European Capital Of Culture, as well as the Adriatic resorts of Piran and Portoroz, lovely Lake Bled, and the pulsating city of Ljubljana.