Austria

Why Choose an Escorted Holiday to Austria?

Austria is a country that reveals itself slowly. You can see the obvious things - the Schönbrunn Palace, the Sound of Music scenery around Salzburg, the Hallstatt lakeside - and feel satisfied. But the best of Austria sits underneath: the coffee house culture, the Imperial history that shaped a continent, the particular way the Alps meet human civilisation in small market towns. A guided holiday gives you the framework to understand what you are actually looking at.

Logistics in Austria are smooth enough, but the country rewards the kind of context that a knowledgeable tour manager provides. Our Austrian itineraries tend to move at a comfortable pace, with time built in to sit, absorb and not rush. For British-Indian passengers, Austria is an appealing central European addition to a broader tour taking in neighbouring Switzerland or Germany - and works well as a standalone discovery for first-time visitors to the region.

Indian-Friendly Features on Our Austria Tours

• Indian dinners included on most multi-day departures, typically three or more evenings per tour
• Vegetarian options available throughout and confirmed in advance
• No beef or pork compulsory in any included meals
• Midlands, Leicester and London pick-up points for all UK departures
• Hindi-speaking representatives on selected departures - confirm at time of booking

Best Time to Visit Austria

April and May bring mild temperatures, wildflowers in the Alpine valleys and far fewer visitors than summer. An excellent time for scenic drives and town walks.

June to August is the peak season. The lakes warm up for swimming, the mountains are at their greenest, and Salzburg hosts its famous music festival in July and August - book well ahead for summer departures.

September and October are arguably the most rewarding months: harvests, quieter sites and the countryside turning gold and amber across the foothills.

December transforms Austria into something special. Christmas markets in Vienna and Salzburg are among the finest in Europe, and the Alps see early snowfall from November onwards.

Popular Destinations Within Austria

Vienna - the Imperial capital. The Hofburg and Schönbrunn palaces, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Vienna State Opera, and a coffee house culture that has been UNESCO-listed. A city built for lingering.

Salzburg - birthplace of Mozart and the real-world setting for The Sound of Music. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, compact and walkable, with the fortress of Hohensalzburg watching over it.

Hallstatt - possibly the most photographed village in Europe. Set on a narrow strip between a mountain and a lake in the Salzkammergut region. It earns the attention.

Innsbruck - the Tyrolean capital, ringed by peaks. The old town with its Golden Roof is excellent, and the cable car to the Nordkette mountain is a short ride from the city centre.

The Wachau Valley - a stretch of the Danube between Krems and Melk, lined with vineyards, medieval towns and the spectacular Melk Abbey perched above the river. Often paired with Vienna on our itineraries.

Graz - Austria's second city, often overlooked. A beautifully preserved Renaissance old town and a more relaxed pace than Vienna.

Practical Information

• Currency: Euro (€)
• Language: German; English spoken in tourist areas and hotels
• Time zone: Central European Time (GMT+1 in winter, GMT+2 in summer)
• Electricity: Type F plugs (230V). A European adapter is needed for UK devices.
• Tipping: Included in your Star Tours holiday price
• India bookings: Call our India line free on 1800 123 181 181 (10am-7pm)
• ABTA & ATOL: All our Austria holidays are fully protected