Summer in Austria – well, where do you start? It is the classic ‘Lakes & Mountains’ holiday destination. We work with a selection of respected tour operators who have been looking after guests in many of the Austrian villages for upwards of 40 years. Each village offers something different. However, what they all have in common is incredible scenery, and numerous paths and trails designed to suit walkers and ramblers of all standards and levels of fitness – from the gentle ambler to the serious hiker. The local Tourist Offices in the villages organise their own progammes of guided walks and other activities, and many resorts now have their own ‘alpine schools’, where you can find professional guides and advice, especially if you are looking to be really adventurous, and fancy an overnight stay in one of the many ‘mountain huts’ that are dotted throughout the peaks.
Of course, you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to get the most out of the mountains. All you need is a pair of sensible shoes, a selection of clothes that enables you to cope with the changeable alpine weather conditions, and some suntan cream, as you’ll need to make sure that your skin is protected whether you are walking in the bright sunshine or even in the rain. All the resorts open their extensive lift systems throughout the summer months, giving you easy access to the peaks and walking paths by cable-car and chair-lifts, and with the mountain restaurants also open, you won’t go short on delicious food and drink either.
Austria in the summer months is not just a paradise for walkers and climbers, there are extensive opportunities for mountain-biking, or less vigorous cycling, horse-riding and lots more. Getting about couldn’t be easier either. There are spectacular roads to drive if you are travelling by car. Alternatively, there is the option of using the wonderful Postbus service or rail services, some of which, such as the Ziller Valley steam trains, and the ‘rack and pinion’ train up to the Achensee from Jenbach, only operate in the summer months.
And then there are the lakes – and there are many of them. Some, such as the Wörthersee or Wolfgangsee are seriously large bodies of water – many kilometres long, wide and several hundreds’ of metres deep – and best negotiated by using the regular boat services that connect the towns and communities around the lakes. Others are smaller lakes and reservoirs, fed by the melt-waters of the winter snows, and they are just perfect for walking around, sailing on or just lazing by.
Throughout Austria during the summer months, virtually every weekend you can be assured that there will be a Fest somewhere, celebrating something. It could be Dorffest, or village party, a Seefest – a lake party -, a Waldfest, or party in the forest, or often the most raucous of the lot, a Feuerwehrfest, where the local firemen throw a party at the Fire Station, and everyone is invited. Whatever the excuse, you can be certain that the Fest will be a lot of fun, with music, dancing, traditional food, and maybe the occasional schnapps will be downed, but only in moderation, of course. Enjoy in and you’ll make friends for life!
The start of the summer is marked by the sudden bursting into bloom of the meadow flowers, as the snows disappear, and these form the basis for the wonderful grazing that will see the herds of cattle making their way up from the barns in the villages where they will over-winter, to the high alpine pastures where they will spend the summer months. Then, as the first frosts of Autumn arrive, the cows, goats, sheep and, of course the farm-boys and girls who look after them, return to the villages, and are welcomed with the annual Almabtrieb celebration. If you are planning to holiday in September or October, check with us, and we’ll let you know where an Almabtriebfest is taking place near you – you won’t want to miss it.
Summer holidays in Austria – perfect whether you are looking to be active, or relax just taking in the views, or somewhere in-between.
The Experience Austria Travel office is open Monday - Friday between 9.30am and 5pm, and on Saturdays between 9.30am and 1.00pm. We are closed on Sundays.
If you are a client travelling overseas, and need to contact us in an emergency situation, you can call our 24-hour Duty Officer Telephone Number: +44 (0)7766 406759 for information and advice.