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For centuries Austria played an important role in the history of Europe as a Dual Monarchy and is today on oft the most popular destinations in Europe. In over 200 photos, this book illustrates its diverse scenery from Bregenz to the Viennese Forest, from the Salzkammergut to Styria: snow-capped mountains interspersed with wooden hillsides, serene lakes and riverine valleys stretching as far as the plateau of the Burgenland. In winter the ski resorts guarantee snow for winter sports and in summer Carinthia's expansive lakes and an impressive network of Alpine hiking routes promise relaxation. Master builders have bequeathed to Austria al legacy of churches and monasteries from the Romanesque to the baroque rivalled by almost none other. Magnificent buildings such as Melk Monastery and a whole range of splendid castles and palaces mirror the country's turbulent history. Also an intricate part of Austrian culture are the many customs still practised here, with many variations on the traditional national costume and a whole calendar of merry festivities.Major attractions which draw numerous visitors each year are the Festspiele in Mozart's native Salzburg and the Danube metropolis of Vienna with its palaces and art collections at the border between eastern and western Europe. The city where Sigmund Freud once analysed, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms once celebrated their great musical triumphs still has a strong aura of historical importance. The proverbial charm of the Viennese and the jovial atmosphere of the wine tavern form a charming contrast to the morbidity of the muncipal cementery and old quarters of the inner city.
About the author
Martin Siepmann, geb: 1962 in München, ist seit 1990 freier Fotograf mit den Schwerpunktthemen Reise und Natur. Er ist Autor zahlreicher Bildbände zu internationalen und regionalen Reisezielen. Seine Reportagen und Bildbeiträge erscheinen unter anderem in Reisemagazinen wie Merian, GLOBO und GEO Saison sowie in den Büchern des 'World Wildlife Fund' (WWF).
Walter Herdrich, geboren 1950, lebt im Pfaffenwinkel. Er ist als freier Autor und Lektor tätig und mit zahlreichen Arbeiten zu Reisethemen hervorgetreten.
