Alpine, landlocked Austria is like a smaller, more refined version of Germany, one where the grandeur of the imperial past is still very present. The heritage of the Austro-Hungarian empire is particularly visible in the majestic architecture of Vienna, especially within the Ring, the road circling the capital’s historic centre, where quaint churches and ornate buildings line the streets. Winter is a particularly good season to visit the capital, when balls, complete with Sissi-like ball gowns, horse-drawn carriages and Christmas markets create a fairy-tale atmosphere. The city of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and home to a summer musical festival, is also worth a visit.

Yet mountainous Austria is not all opera, ballet and highbrow culture, it is also an excellent, family-friendly outdoors destination, thanks to its location in the middle of the Alps. Dozens of resorts are open for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, while summer hiking takes you through thick forests and alongside lovely lakes, in chocolate-box settings. Travelers looking for wellness will enjoy the many spas and thermal pools, like in the exclusive town of Baden, where the more moneyed Viennese come to bathe and try their luck in the casino.

Lat but not least, Austrian wining and dining is first-class. While vineyards produce mostly light white wines, the elegant poultry and veal dishes with dumplings will satisfy all palates. And of course, your trip to Austria is not complete if you do not sit down at least once in a beautiful café to sip a creamy coffee or a rich hot chocolate while nibbling a strudel or other fruity pastry.

Travel in and around Austria is very easy, since everything runs with Germanic efficiency: trains and buses run on time, tourist information centers are staffed by multilingual employees and maps are readily available.

Highlights of Austria:

Vienna. Take in art from every century in the Museumsquartier, dip into Sigmund Freud’s world, marvel at the curvy, multi-colored Hundertwasserhaus and read spiked newspapers in high-ceilinged cafés.

Salzburg. Stroll through the Baroque old city, visit the birthplace of Mozart while choosing from Mozart paraphernalia, including marzipan-stuffed Mozartkugeln chocolates. Enjoy the Salzburg music and drama festival which takes place every summer.

Tyrol. Celebrate carnival in the Oberland region, where villages like Tarrenz or Imst hold “witches and violinists” festivities.

The Danube. Sail down Europe’s longest waterway, or swim in its blue waters in the summer.