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Cash
Austria compares favourably to destinations like the UK regarding
expense, which is slightly more expensive than other parts
of mainland Europe like Spain, Germany and France. Austria
has recently introduced the Euro as its national currency
from 2002.
Vienna is not a particularly cheap city, but there
are budget options if you look carefully. Staying in one of
Vienna's hostels and living a budget existence will probably
cost you around EUR80 per day. To be totally comfortable with
moderate accommodation, calculate around EUR200 per day.
US $1 = 1.12 EURO
GBP £1 = 1.62 EURO
Please check with your local exchange bureau for up to date
currency conversions.
Food
Austrians eat their main meal at lunchtime, and food in general
is reasonably priced - from $10, to about $30 a head for dinner
at a quality restaurant. Austrians love their meat,
and it can be difficult to find vegetarian friendly places.
Sausages are practically a national staple with hundreds
of varieties available, some of which are infused with cheese.
Ham and cheese are common breakfast staples found
in hotels. Austrian cuisine is hearty and filling. Don't miss
out on the fantastic soups like Frittatensuppe - a
clear broth with shreds of pancakes, or the creamy beetroot
Borscht. Goulash and dumpling stews are
also popular and tasty, as is the famous Wiener Schnitzel
- cutlet covered in a coating of egg and breadcrumbs and
fried. Pork and veal are common meats, or if
you're feeling more adventurous you can tuck into some Beuschel
- calf's lungs and heart. Try a shot of fiery Schnapps
as an after dinner treat and for dessert, don't resist one
of the many varieties of strudel (hot pastry and fruit
cake) made. Tourism has brought demand for a wider range of
healthy options and vegetarian dishes so now most eating houses
will have something to keep everyone happy.
Language
The main language of Austria is German, though there
are regional dialect variations to be found. Croatian
and Slovene is a first language for as many as 30,000
people in Austria. The Austrians are a highly educated people,
and English is widely spoken, particularly in the bigger
cities. Most young people speak it fluently, though attempting
to communicate in German will be appreciated!
People
You will not find a great cultural diversity in Austria,
even in the larger cities. Native Austrians are largely of
white Germanic origin, though recent years have seen
influxes of war refugees from former Yugoslavia, as
well as people from Turkey, Poland and the Czech
Republic. It is not unusual to see old men and women walking
around smaller villages still wearing traditional dress such
as lederhosen (leather shorts), peaked green caps and
long socks, though most Austrians now reserve dressing up
for festivals and dancing. Though Austrians have a reputation
for being remote and austere, this is in fact far from the
truth. Just about everywhere you go, you will find the people
to be very friendly and helpful, greeting you with 'Gruss
Gott' ('God's Grace').
Dress
The Viennese are a conservative people so the pink-haired
should expect some strange looks but no more than this. Remember
to cover shoulders when visiting the Stephansdom and other
religious establishments. If you're planning skiing or other
outdoor snow sports be properly equipped. The alpine breezes
can be exceptionally cold in the heart of winter despite the
glaring sun, so many layers of clothing included thermals
are advisable.
Travel
Train is a popular way of getting around and is,
as you would expect, clean and efficient, though it can be
expensive. Invest in one of the many different rail passes
you can purchase in the country. Or you can travel by the
distinctive Austrian postbus - a yellow bus run by
the post office - clean and efficient, though somewhat frightening
when travelling around hairpin curves!
Visas
Visas are not required by those travelling from the EU, USA,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Visitors from the Middle
East, South Africa and Third World countries require a visa,
which is valid for up to 3 months. Once in the country, you
can stay in Austria for up to three months, 6 if you are Japanese.
All EU and Swiss passport holders can stay indefinitely.
Health
Austria is a very safe place to visit, with no major diseases
and the tap water is drinkable. |
