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    Celebrate Advent like Austrians

    All throughout Austria, from Burgenland in the east to the westernmost province Vorarlberg, the time before Christmas is very special. An important part of the festive period are Advent calendars, the tradition of opening one window each day to either reveal little gifts or sweets. This year we would like to bring a bit of virtual Christmas cheer to your home.

    Swipe your finger over the map and tap a number to open it!
    Start now!
    Christmas Calendar
    Preparation of Vanillekipferl Biscuits
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    Vanillekipferl

    One of Austria's great Christmas traditions is baking cookies. Here is one of our favourites: Vanillekipferl. All you need is butter, ground almonds, sugar, eggs, and flour. Start baking!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    #ASG22
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    Austria Ski Game

    Time to start a breathtaking winter season on your smartphone or desktop. Barrel down the ski slopes and race to beat the best times of your friends with the Austrian Ski Game #ASG22.

    Play now!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Skiing in Ischgl
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    History of Skiing in Austria

    Skiing used to be a cumbersome way of getting around. Today, it’s one of the most passion-filled experiences. Austria plays a leading role in the success story. Find out more about our country's love affair with skiing.

    Read more!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Mulled wine
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    Hot Spiced Punch

    This warming drink is absolutely ideal for cosy winter evenings in a hut (or your home), is easy to make, and tastes delicious.

    Get the recipe!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Gingerbread
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    Lebkuchen Biscuits

    Gingerbread is a beloved snack in Austria during the festive period. It comes in all shapes and sizes and makes a great present, too. Check out our recipe!

    Start baking!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Santa Claus and Krampus at the Salzburg Christmas Market
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    Nikolaus & Krampus

    During Advent time, folkloristic figures may suddenly knock on your front door. Friendly St. Nicholas and his sinister companion Krampus will come to your home to ask which children have been good this year.

    Learn more!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Preparation of „Kokosbusserl“ - Coconut Kisses Biscuits
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    Kokosbusserl Cookies

    Kokosbusserl (Coconut Kisses) rank among the most popular Austrian festive treats. And the good news is, they are really easy to make, too! All you need are eggs, sugar, coconut flakes, and some lemon juice.

    Check out the recipe!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Silent Night Chapel
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    Silent Night Carol

    The Christmas carol “Silent Night, Holy Night!” is famous throughout the world and touches people from all nations and cultures. It is an expression of the deepest reflection and spiritual longing for peace.

    Read more!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    horse drawn sleigh Saalbach Hinterglemm
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    Horse- and Dogsledding

    Love animals? A romantic ride through the countryside on a horse-drawn sleigh or an action-packed dogsledding adventure might be just right up your alley. Check out what Austria has to offer!

    Get inspired!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!

    Glühwein

    Glühwein (Mulled wine) is a classic at Austrian Christmas markets and mountain huts but you can easily make it at home, too. It's best enjoyed together with friends - and Christmas cookies!

    Let's make Glühwein!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Belvedere Vienna _ Klimt _ Kiss
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    Virtual Austria

    Fancy a quick trip to Austria? From Belvedere Palace to Mozart's Salzburg and Europe's largest ice caves, here are 10 places in Austria you can visit right now - virtually.

    Go sightseeing!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Finding the Winter Light - ice swimming in the region of Altenmarkt-Zauchensee
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    Ice Bathing

    Diving into a frozen lake in winter may sound insane at first glance. But ice bathing actually has a lot of of physical and mental health benefits. An American expat living in Austria explains its appeal.

    Read the story!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Advent in Klagenfurt
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    Christmas Markets

    Glistening lights, seasonal treats, the smell of Glühwein & chestnuts and snow-covered roofs make for a magical experience at Austria's Christmas markets.

    Explore the markets!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Weihnachtsstube_Illu
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    Colouring Sheets

    Colouring is a fun leisure activity for both children and adults. So, why not make it Christmassy? Get creative and decorate your house with festive pictures.

    Download the template!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Preparation of Linzer Cookies
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    Linzer Cookies

    Even people who haven't been to Upper Austria's capital Linz rave about its signature cookies, the so-called Linzer Augen (Linzer Eyes). The festive treats with jam are not to be missed and make a great Christmas snack.

    Start baking!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!

    Fasnacht & Tirolean Mask Carvers

    In Tirol, the processions marking “Fasnacht” (the Shrovetide carnival) tend to get so wild that these traditional events are only staged every 3, 4, or even 5 years. Masks are so delicately carved that it takes months and sometimes an entire village to set up the event.

    Learn more about this Alpine tradition!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Christmas cot, Achenkirch/Achensee
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    Nativity Scene

    Every year starting December 24 the nativity scene is being displayed in people's homes, churches and public places. Carvers in SalzburgerLand and other regions open their doors to the public, presenting their artistically-made family nativity scenes. It is also tradition to lovingly make and continuously build “community nativity scenes” where the biblical story of the birth of Christ is embedded in regional surroundings.

    Read on!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Cosy break with hot Jagatee at the Sennhütte Falzthurn in the Karwendel Nature Park
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    Jägertee

    One of the most popular après-ski drinks, this mix certainly won't fail to warm you, no matter if you are on the slopes or at home. We think making Jägertee from scratch (and sampling it along the way) is half the fun, so follow the recipe below.

    Check it out!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Ice nativity scene in the Landhaus courtyard in Graz
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    Ice Nativity in Graz

    Ice sculptures, light and the Landhaus courtyard’s beautiful surroundings create a magical atmosphere in Graz every year that is sure to leave all visitors in awe. 35 tons of crystal-clear ice are being used to create the amazing – but short-lived! – nativity scene again and again.

    Find out more!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Christkindl Lantern
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    Austrian Christmas Songs

    In Austria, we love traditional Christmas carols. Curious about our all-time favourites? Our Austrian Christmas Playlist on Spotify will instantly get you in a festive mood!

    Get the playlist!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Preparation of Zimtsterne - "Cinnamon stars"
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    Zimtsterne Biscuits

    Zimtsterne - literally "cinnamon stars" - are typical Austrian Christmas biscuits with a glaze of sugar and lemon. We can't get enough of them and we are sure you will love them, too!

    Try Zimtsterne!

     

     

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    City of Kitzbühel
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    Alfons Walde: Painter of Snow

    Few artists are as connected with a specific location as Alfons Walde (1891–1958) was with the ski village of Kitzbühel. His subjects were the snow-covered mountains of Tirol and remote mountain huts. He was especially fascinated with the dashing skiers of the time, as they were making their way down the slopes. Walde himself was an enthusiastic fan of this new sport, and used every opportunity to leave his own tracks on the powdered slopes.

    Meet Alfons Walde!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    City of Kitzbühel
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    Romantic Adventures à la James Bond

    Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, stayed in Kitzbühel from 1927 to 1930, where he learned a lot about love and the art of skiing.

    Read Ian Fleming's story!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!
    Christmas decorations
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    Christmas Eve Traditions

    The Christmas tree plays a central role, and every town sets up its own. A traditional tree is decorated with gold and silver ornaments, stars made out of straw, sweets, and candy wrapped in tinfoil, gilded nuts, decorated gingerbread cookies etc. Shops close at around 6 p.m. and there are no movie or theatre performances and no concerts. That evening, the tree is lit for the first time and the whole family gathers to sing Christmas carols. “Silent Night”, written and performed for the first time on December 24, 1818, by Josef Mohr and Franz Gruber in the Austrian village of Oberndorf, is still a favourite.

    Celebrate Christmas the Austrian way!

    The Advent Calendar only starts on 1 December. Please come back later!

    More about Christmas in Austria

    • Vienna Christmas market
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      Christmas in Austria

      The time from late November to the end of the year has a very special meaning in Austria. Visit Austria's Christmas markets, try some Glühwein, and enjoy the spirit of Christmas...
      Merry Christmas - the Austrian way
    • Christmas market in Bregenz / Bregenz
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      Christmas Markets in Austria

      From the middle of November until the end of the year, Austria is the place to find romantic Christmas markets. Glistening lights, seasonal treats, and snow-covered roofs make for a magical experience in Austria's cities and towns.
      Read more
    • Wiener Schnitzel, Plachutta Restaurant
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      Favourite Austrian Recipes

      Craving a taste of Austria? Why not don your apron and recreate your favourite regional specialities at home? Here is a list of some of Austria's most delicious all-time classics.
      Taste the Yummm!
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    Sponsored
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