Our Dirndl Ambassadors, men and women dressed in traditional Dirndl and Lederhosen, charmed Sydney in summer 2013 - they appeared at various public places, interacted and "flirted" with Sydneysiders, spread the word about Austria and had fun along the way. Join in the Dirndl fun, watch videos from the group outings, find out about the Dirndl in Austria today, thriving traditions and outstanding regions in Austria.
Austria. Dirndl Temptation Sydney 2013With her fresh, flirtatious interpretation of retro looks, young Austrian designer Lena Hoschek has ruled the Fashion Week runways in recent years. With her devotion to flattering the female form, Lena is a huge fan of the dirndl and includes her dazzling take on the traditional dress in her cutting-edge collections.
Find out more about Lena HoschekThe Salzkammergut, or Lake District, is famous for its unparalleled natural beauty. Seven thousand years of cultural history add to the mystical aura exuded by the region’s pristine lakes and majestic mountains. It is also a region where traditions are held high and the Dirndl still represents a unique way of life.
Find out more about the Lake DistrictWhat is a Dirndl? If you have seen the movie “The Sound of Music,” you already know the basic elements that make up a Dirndl: skirt, bodice, apron and blouse. Simple, right? Far from it! There is a veritable science to Dirndl cuts, fabric patterns, colors and embroidery.
Find out more about Dirndl basics2013 brings a lot of exciting and new attractions to Vienna. Here are just a few ideas what to do and see.
MoreLinz is a cosmopolitan city of culture and arts. The many small historic cities like Bad Ischl and Hallstatt are treasure troves of splendid buildings. Countless tremendous abbeys and monasteries can be found throughout the province. A day in Upper Austria can turn out to be very short if one wants to experience all of its architectural gems.
Architectural Highlights in Upper Austria...28.06.2013 - Spanish Riding School
Annually around 3,000 people waltz in the beautiful setting of the Spanish Riding School.
More30.05.2013 - 02.06.2013 - Ausseerland
The beautiful Narcissus flower that grows in abundance in the lovely Ausseerland area is commonly called "Poet's Narcissus". The colourful pageantry that has come to symbolize the annual Narcissus Festival draws thousands of visitors to the region each year.
More about the Narcissus FestivalWith so many different styles to choose from, where do you start your own quest for the perfect Dirndl? Where to find authentic, traditional styles, and which Dirndl designers are known for fun and tasteful modern versions? Here is a list of our favorite Dirndl stores in Salzburg, the nearby Lake District and Vienna:
Find out more about where to buy a DirndlWhether you want to know where you can wear your newly acquired Dirndl, or just want to experience this unique Austrian tradition first-hand, we have put together a list of events where Dirndl and Lederhosen are practically required attire.
Find out more about Dirndl events in Austria11.07.2012 - 26.08.2012 - St. Margarethen
An old Roman quarry is the setting for this exciting summer festival. The main opera of 2012 will be Carmen by Georges Bizet.
More about the Opera Festival01.07.2013 - 06.08.2013 - Reichenau
A top-ranking theatre festival among the Austrian summer cultural events. Only 70 miles south of Vienna, situated in a scenic mountainous setting, Reichenau has been a traditional summer resort for the Viennese high society since the late 19th century.
More about the Reichenau Festival10.05.2013 - 16.06.2013 - Vienna
This festival is a firmly-established high-point of the cultural calender in Vienna, offering exciting theatre productions as well as a great number of orchestra concerts, recitals and chamber music performances.
More about the Wiener FestwochenNothing is as inspiring and invigorating as new discoveries. Our selection of extraordinary travel experiences throughout Austria will make your trip even more special. Find "off the beaten path" wine taverns, attend world class concerts or explore the best scenic hiking trails...
Find out more about Austria's Moments of BlissHe was the speaker and organizer of the Jugendstil art movement. He was a promoter of young, up-and-coming talent. He created some of the most famous Art nouveau paintings worldwide.
Find out more about Gustav Klimt and the JugendstilSalzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is dominated by churches, castles and palaces. Its picturesque old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Find out more about SalzburgPast and future meet in the heart of the Alps, where Innsbruck’s world-famous sights, which testify to the Tirol province’s great past, stand alongside post-modern international architecture to create a fascinating blend.
Find out more about InnsbruckFor summer vacations Klagenfurt is ideally located near Lake Wörthersee, one of Europe’s largest and warmest Alpine lakes. The city is enjoyable throughout the year with its Mediterranean climate, sunny winter days, colorful autumn and a mild spring.
Find out more about KlagenfurtAustria’s capital offers a unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm.
Find out more about ViennaNo other Austrian city has changed as dramatically as Linz has in recent decades. What's emerged is a modern urban centre with a flourishing economy, a city where the quality of life is exceptional.
Find out more about LinzFor five weeks each year, thousands of professional dancers, choreographers, and students from around the globe turn Vienna into the dance capital of the world.
ImPuls International Dance Festival in ViennaWhen for two weeks during the summer the stalls and boxes fill with exuberant music lovers, the annual Jazz Fest Wien has once again taken over the venerable Vienna State Opera.
Jazz Fest ViennaA step toward overcoming barriers: every summer at the beginning of August, Graz becomes one huge stage for a festival of street and puppet theatre.
Street festival "La Strada" in GrazAustria's diverse cultural offerings include over 200 festivals, stretching from world scale events to small regional gatherings. Many of them make use of Austria's beautiful surroundings and most of them offer an outstanding culinary menu to accompany the cultural experience.
Find out more about Austrian festivalsOrder your free personal copy of the popular "Destination Austria" Holiday Journal now! This compact travel manual includes all Australian tour operators with a detailed description of their Austrian products - everything from city breaks and cultural packages, to activity programs and country stays.
Read more about the "Destination Austria" holiday journalWhen you visit Austria’s major cities, there's an easy way to save money on sightseeing and public transportation.
Find out more about City discount cardsThe Leopold Museum in the Viennese MuseumsQuartier presents Austrian paintings of the 19th and 20th century, including the world’s biggest Schiele collection in its spacious, light-flooded rooms.
Find out more about the Leopold MuseumAustria today offers some of the world's most important and stunning collections of modern and contemporary art.
Find out more about Museums in AustriaVienna’s MuseumsQuartier numbers among the ten largest cultural parks in the world.
Find out more about the MuseumsQuartierHaus der Musik is a modern interactive experimental museum in the historic city center of Vienna as well as the location where the Vienna Philharmonic was founded. Six floors are dedicated to the presentation of the fascinating world of music and sound. Send your ears on a discovery trip!
Find out more about the House of SoundThanks to the acquisitions by and the patronage of the House of Habsburg, the gallery has an unrivaled collection of old masters. Check out room X, which contains a vast collection of works by Peter Breughel the Elder...
Find out more about the Museum of Fine ArtsEver dreamed about dancing the waltz at one of Vienna's many famous balls? There are hundreds of balls to choose from - the highlights of this year's Viennese ball season you will find here.
Find your own ball experience hereAustria's 'great' sons and daughters have left their mark all across the centuries in politics, art, science and sport: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gustav Mahler, Gustav Klimt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christoph Waltz to name just a few...
Find out more about famous AustriansAustria’s wine regions are both beautiful and easy to visit. In fact, once you step off the plane in Vienna, you have already arrived in one of the world’s most unique wine region. Vienna. Then about one hour south east of Vienna lies the Burgenland, and one hour west of Vienna is the region of Lower Austria with many beautiful valleys. Many of them along the Danube.
Find out more about your trip to AustriaLooking for great authentic travel experiences? Just move the "slider" to your travel preference and we'll show where we think you should go. You most likely will encounter unexpected like the "Poppy village ".
Find out more about Austria "off the beaten path"On the riverbanks of the Danube in the historic city center of Krems and the medieval old town of Stein, the Art Mile Krems trains its focus on a variety of highlights.
Find out more about the Art MileDaniel Spoerri, artist of “nouveau realisme” stemming from Rumania, made an impact with Eat-Art Events and Object Art Works.
Find out more about EAT.ART & AB.ARTAt the epicenter of the stupendous mountain world of the Grossglockner,modern architecture interfaces with enjoyment and culture.
Find out more about the AdlerloungeThe Swarovski Crystal Worlds, created by Andre Heller, is a pure invitation to dream. Only a 20 minutes drive away from Innsbruck this sparkling fantasy world is definitely worth a visit.
Find out more about the Swarovski Crystal WorldsWith the Grafenegg International Music Festival Austria has gained a very special new event.
Find out more about Schloss GrafeneggTour throughout Austria and download a listing on Austrian and European packages offered by Australian and New Zealand tour operators.
Download your essential listingExperience the magical atmosphere of Austria's culture and music performances and download a listing on classical music and cultural tours offered by Australian and New Zealand tour operators.
Download your essential listingIn the Schilcherland with its vineyards and wine taverns is situated an entire piece of art: At the Rauch-Hof you are welcome to lounge idyllic, enjoy outstanding food and discover unusual culture.
Go to Rauch-HofAustria's most unusual school can be found high on a mountain pasture. Visitors can learn about the bread and butter of life in a centuries-old farmhouse.
The Kalchkendlalm - A school on the mountainA jewel of the Baroque era meets contemporary art. 70.000 restored books, ceiling frescoes and sculptures in the magnificent library meet creations of Erwin Wurm, Rudi Molacek and Lois Renner.
More on Admont MonasteryThe world-famous artist Daniel Spoerri has purchased two Baroque style houses and developed those in a complete piece of art providing enjoyment and culture.
Go to Ab.Art & Eat.ArtMysteriously hidden in the wild and romantic landscape of the Feistritzklamm is located one of Austria’s most famous castles: Castle Herberstein
More on Castle HerbersteinYou know Vienna for it's music and culture, for the coffee houses (yes, we did have coffee houses 300 years before Starbucks, or at least that’s what tradition tells us), for the Opera and for the Imperial history that the city still showcases everywhere.
Find out more about Vienna for gay travellersA trip to Austria would not be the same without a visit to the opera or a concert. Get tickets ahead of time to ensure entry to the concert or festival of your dreams
Find out more how to get your ticketsThe time from late November to the end of the year hold a very special meaning in Austria. Visit Austria's Christmas markets, try some Glühwein and enjoy the spirit of Christmas...
Find out more about Christmas traditions in AustriaWhether you start the New Year in style at the New Years ball at the Imperial Palace or celebrate it on the streets of Vienna – the choice is all yours.
Find out more about how to start the New Year in StyleSoak up a bit of urban atmosphere during a winter holiday in Austrians cities. Spend a day in one of the numerous museums, ice skate in front of Vienna’s town hall or indulge in the “sweet things of life” in one of the famous coffee houses.
Find out more about Winter in Austrian CitiesAustria’s cities fascinate with their monumental buildings spanning all major epochs from Gothic to Renaissance, from Baroque to Jugendstil, and Post Modernism. Historic settings for modern events, leisurely shopping tours and wonderful culinary experiences. Let yourself be charmed!
Find out more on Austria's top citiesIn Austria you can expect a first-class musical experience, whether it's a concert in the rooms of a Baroque palace, at the Opera House or at one of the many festivals.
Find out more about Music in AustriaThe hills are still alive when you travel through Austria's countryside. Follow the footsteps of the van Trapp family and experience "The Sound of Music". We suggest taking a tour and see the movie locations.
Find out more about the Sound of MusicAustrian artists, architects and designers have long moved beyond the traditional boundaries of their genres. They are and always have been world travelers, connoisseurs - and at times, provocateurs.
Find out more about Art, Architecture & Design in AustriaA new work is added every year, forming its own dialogue with the baroque heritage of the Mozart city and the juxtaposition always creates lively debate.
Find out more about Modern Art in SalzburgA region which straddles the banks of the Danube, rich in history, blessed with a mild climate and outstanding white wines, the UNESCO cultural heritage site of Wachau is a magical land in every season.
Find out more about WachauThe Viennese singer songwriter scene comes together every year with international guests to perform at a small but highly acclaimed festival.
More about Blue Bird FestivalAt first is sounds improbable: Vorarlberg - a small, mostly rural state in the middle of the Alps - has become one of Europe's leading regions for modern art and architecture.
Find out more about Modern Architecture in the AlpsThe amorphous, glowing glass structure is one of the stations on the Nordkettenbahn, designed by architect Zaha Hadid. The 100-year-old mountain railway, which now has four uniquely designed stops...
Find our more about Modern Architecture in TirolThe gardens of the Kamptal have been especially blessed by nature and 19 unique oases of green can be visited in one of the most beautiful valleys in Lower Austria.
Find out more about Kamptal GardensThe most unusual hotel in Linz: rooms are located all over the city and can be found in former workshops, shops and even on a barge.
Find out more about Pixel HotelLooking for an upscale dining experience? We have compiled a list of restaurants, that will enhance you travel experience. This list is in no way complete since there are so many of them throughout Austria.
Find out more about Austrians unforgettable RestaurantsAccommodates one of the largest and most precious graphic art collections in the world. Today, it comprises nearly 50,000 drawings and one million prints dating from all major epochs: from Late Gothic to contemporary art.
Find out more about the AlbertinaThe building, designed by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, has an organic shape with a skin made of iridescent blue acrylic panels. One of the most unusual museums you'll ever visit...
Find out more about the Kunsthaus GrazModern art and architecture fuse at Kunsthaus Bregenz. Designed by the Pritzker-prize winning architect Peter Zumthor, the building’s primary object is to be a place where people can indulge their passion for art.
Find out more about the Kunsthaus Bregenz