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January 11, 1997
Weather: Vienna, Austria
City Guides and Maps: Austria
(CNN) -- For some, the hills of Austria immediately invoke visions of Julie Andrews (the old Julie Andrews). For those in the know, however, Austria's rich cultural heritage -- from music to fine arts to architecture -- is one of its greatest assets.
Austria, located in the center of Europe, celebrated its millennium anniversary in 1996. Most visitors head to Vienna and Salzburg to delve into a bit of that history and to see some of its most widely recognized sights: the Vienna Boys Choir, the Lipizzan horses and the opera.
Vienna, the country's capital, is a treasure trove of beautiful architecture, numerous museums and imperial palaces. The city is divided by the Danube River, made famous and forever "blue" by the Johann Strauss waltz composed here.
Visitors should make time to see the historic Staatsoper, one of the world's leading opera houses, as well as the popular 2,000-room Schonbrunn Palace. This spectacular baroque palace welcomes more than one million visitors every year and has an adjacent 500-acre park, featuring formal gardens and Europe's oldest zoo.
After sightseeing, tourists can join native Austrians in a popular pastime with a break at one of the city's traditional coffee houses. Delicious Austrian pastries are the perfect complement for a cup of coffee, which costs about 35 Austrian schillings (or $3 U.S.).
Another major hub is Salzburg, often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in this remarkable setting and his influence remains prevalent. Two Mozart museums, one at his birthplace and one at his residence, are open for tours and sweet shops sell scrumptious confections bearing his name. Salzburg is also the location of the estate where, yes, the "Sound of Music" was filmed in 1964.
Just south of Salzburg, the Alps rise in magnificent wonder, reaching heights of some 3,000 meters (9,000 feet). Their snow-capped peaks and Alpine lakes make for beautiful photographs, and surround some of the world's most renowned skiing resorts. Kitzbuehel and the Arlberg Region have hundreds of miles of slopes suited for both beginning and advanced skiers or snow boarders.
The Alps and Austria's two most popular cities are not its only sight-worthy spots. East of Vienna, the Danube River created the Wachau Valley, home to one of the country's fine wine regions. The valley is filled with picturesque monasteries, medieval castles, and vineyards known for producing high-quality wines.
Another wine-producing region is the area around Lake Neusiedl, which lies in the most eastern part of the country close to the Hungarian border. The lake and the towns on its shores are symbolic of what Austria should be remembered for after a visit: a combination of culture, nature, sports and great meals.
Weather: Vienna, Austria
City Guides and Maps: Austria
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