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Austria

© Salzkammergut Tourismus

Lake Almsee

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Austria

Austria's hills are alive with the sound of music - literally. Composers throughout Europe were drawn to the country in the 18th and 19th centuries by the generous patronage of the Hapsburg's. Visiting the country that inspired Mozart, Beethoven and Frank Lloyd Wright will leave a lasting impression and wonderful memories. Art enthusiasts will fall in love with Vienna's numerous museums and art galleries. What more romantic spot could there be for a honeymoon?

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Highlights
There's so much to do in Austria, from exploring historic castles and palaces to skiing some of the world's finest alpine slopes. Austria has few peers as a year-round holiday destination, with plenty of winter sports in the Schwarzenegger-sized Alps, some of the most impressive and overblown architecture in Europe and an unrivaled musical tradition that even The Sound of Music couldn't sully.
Geography/Environment
Austria is a pipe-shaped, landlocked country lying in the bosom of Europe. It extends 560km from east to west, 280km north to south, and is surrounded by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. The Alps occupy the southern and western portions of the country.
Activities

All Austrians seem able to ski effortlessly which is wonderful the beginner learning on the slopes. Vorarlberg and Tirol are the most popular areas, but there is also skiing in Salzburg province, Upper Austria and Carinthia. Kitzbhel and Lech are the jet-set resorts. Those with less money, distaste for crowds and fine leg definition may find cross-country skiing more rewarding. This takes place just about anywhere where there's sufficient snow and a shortage of buildings. There are thousands of kilometers (km) of well-signposted hiking trails to explore in the Alps. The Kaisergebirge mountains in northern Tirol are a favorite with mountaineers, though make sure you never climb on your own or without proper equipment and consult locals about weather conditions and avalanche warnings. Paragliding and hang-gliding are both popular, and you can hire gear and get tuition at most ski resorts. Ballooning is also taking off (so to speak), despite the high costs. The lakes in Salzkammergut and Carinthia offer water-skiing, sailing and windsurfing. River cruises on the Danube are a must, especially for Strauss lovers.

For those more interested in an urban trip, Vienna is a world-class city with old world charm. Museum lovers will love the Kunst Haus, Belvedere, House of Music and so much more. A shoppers paradise lies within the Ringstrasse. Here you find small and large shops from the most glamorous internationally known designers to the trends within the the Vinenese style. The Vienna Opera House is also a must for anyone with an ear for music.

Climate and Weather
Most of Austria has a moderate central European climate though the eastern part of the country is blessed with a Continental Pannonian climate, which sounds impressive but really only means that average temperatures in July are above 19ºC and annual rainfall is less than 80 cm.

Other Important Information
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Destination Wedding Information
  • Only civil marriage is legal for your wedding in Austria, although you may follow with a religious ceremony.
  • Civil marriages are performed at the Registrar's Office (Standesamt). You can apply in person or by mail.
  • You will need to submit the following documents to the Registrar's Office (Standesamt).
  • Documents needed:
    • Birth certificate
    • Marriage certificate of parents
    • Proof of citizenship
    • Proof of residence
    • Certificate of single status or, if previously married, the marriage certificate of previous marriage and the final divorce decree or death certificate of spouse.
  • All documents are to be in German, or be accompanied by a certified German translation.
  • If either party is an Austrian citizen or resides in Austria (regardless of citizenship), the application for marriage must be lodged at the Standesamt in the locality of residence. If both parties to the marriage are non-Austrians and non-residents, the application should be filed at the Standesamt in Vienna:
    Standesamt Wien-Innere Stadt
    Schlesingerplatz 4
    A-1080 Vienna, Austria
    Tel: + 43 (0)1 401 34 08591
    Fax: + 43 (0)1 401 99 08580
  • Email: wec@m61.magwein.gv.at
  • If neither of you live in Austria, in some circumstances the Registrar will waiver this requirement however, it would be advisable that this has been agreed to before you continue on with your plans for arranging the wedding in Austria.
  • Information on specific requirements can be obtained from Standesamt.
Austria Reviews
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Romantic Austria, Germany & Switzerland
by Judy Faust last updated on 03/30/2009
My whole life has been involved in all things German. My grandparents spoke fluent German and instilled the German culture in our family life. This influenced me to major in foreign languages in college (German and French). My travels have taken me to...
Vienna, Austria's capital
by Jennefer Blinstrub last updated on 07/25/2008
Vienna is one of Europe’s easiest cities to explore, with a compact city center that is surrounded by the Ringstrasse (ring road), and like Paris it has boroughs or districts that circle out from there. In the city center proper you’ll find such treasures...