A motorhome tour through Austria
Austria is home to approximately 9.2 million people, occupying an area of approximately 83,800 km², 70% of which is covered by mountains. Over 690 mountain peaks in Austria are over 3,000 meters high, and almost half of the country (48%) is covered in forests. This landlocked Central European country borders Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Austria can be divided into two climatic regions: the east is characterized by a Pannonian climate with warm to hot summers, relatively low precipitation, and cold winters. The alpine regions are influenced by the Alpine climate, with more precipitation in summer than in the east and long, snowy winters.
Vienna – the city of dreams
Vienna is the capital of Austria and is located on the Danube River in the east. Just over one-fifth of Austria's total population lives in Vienna, and with over 2 million inhabitants, it is the fifth-largest city in the European Union. There's plenty to see along the way in the old imperial city, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna's landmark, Schönbrunn Palace with its gardens and the oldest zoo in the world, the Hofburg Palace with its Spanish Riding School, and the legacy of Beethoven, Sigmund Freud, and Mozart.
Graz
By motorhome, you can reach the next attraction in about 2.5 hours from Vienna: Graz – also known as "Little Vienna." The capital of the southern Austrian state of Styria offers much more besides its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, such as the Graz Clock Tower. The city's landmark is located on the Schlossberg hill above the old town and offers a phenomenal view. How about the Schlossberg slide, the world's highest indoor slide? At 64 meters high and 170 meters long, you can whizz down slide mats at speeds of up to 25 km/h. Or how about a snack at the Kaiser Josef Market, the most popular farmers' market in Graz?
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
After another leisurely, almost two-hour drive, you'll reach Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, the capital of the southern Austrian state of Carinthia. The Klagenfurt am Wörthersee campsite is located directly on the lake and is a paradise for water lovers. Lake Wörthersee is the largest lake in Carinthia and one of the warmest Alpine lakes. The Maria Loretto peninsula is located in Klagenfurt's eastern bay, and from the castle of the same name, built in 1652, you can enjoy magnificent sunsets with a view of Lake Wörthersee. A small highlight is the Pyramidenkogel observation tower, at 100 meters high, the tallest wooden observation tower in the world!
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
How about a panoramic drive along the famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road? This 48-kilometer-long high-alpine road, one of the most beautiful scenic routes in the world, leads into the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, up to Austria's highest mountain: the Grossglockner. Mighty cliffs, eternal ice, fragrant mountain forests, and blooming alpine meadows are constant companions on this journey. The Gamsgrubenweg trail leads into the heart of the mountain, and the Pasterze Glacier Trail leads to the largest remaining glacier in the Eastern Alps.
Salzburg
At the foot of the Eastern Alps lies Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The city of Salzburg has several campsites close to the city with top-notch infrastructure. Europe's oldest restaurant is located in Salzburg: the St. Peter Stiftskeller, founded in 803, which treats visitors to Tafelspitz (boiled beef) accompanied by Mozart music in a Baroque setting. The old town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites you to linger and delights with a unique mixture of culture, nature and history.