Alicia Gough looks at Austria, Germany and Czech Republic in part one of our Central Europe update.
This feature also covers Central Europe’s potential as a summer holiday destination and the highlights of Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
Austria
Vienna’s imperial past blends seamlessly with its comfortable present. Visit Schonbrunn Castle, the Imperial Palace and Austrian Gallery, before a tour of the stylish coffee houses and cosy wine taverns.
Salzburg’s rich history is apparent at every turn – dominated by churches, castles, palaces, baroque buildings and art treasures. Visit Mozart’s birthplace, explore the cobbled streets and romantic courtyards and attend an opera or open-air concert.
Innsbruck, with its impressive Gothic and baroque architecture, is right in the centre of the Austrian Tyrol. Highlights include the Golden Roof, Ambras Castle and the Hofburg.
Austria is a land of lakes, from the serene turquoise waters of Lake Attersee to the water sports of Lake Hallstattersee. Some of the most reliable snow and liveliest après-ski is also found in Austria’s ski resorts.
Sell Austria to: High spenders, history buffs, outdoor adventurers and energetic families.
Sample package: Kuoni Travel offers seven nights’ bed-and- breakfast accommodation at the Ring Hotel, Vienna from £858 per person twin-share in July, including return flights with British Airways and transfers.
Germany
Berlin is a 24-hour city packed with culture and buzzing with more than 7,000 bars and 300 clubs.
Munich fuses old and new with its beer kellers and museums, Oktoberfest and opera.
With numerous theatres, concerts and galleries, Dusseldorf has earned a reputation as a centre of culture on the Rhine.
Stuttgart is famous for its architectural gems, including the medieval Old Palace and baroque New Palace.
The Black Forest, known for its cuckoo clocks and hats, is scattered with rejuvenating health spas and natural springs.
Seaside resorts line the Baltic coast, with gently shelving sandy beaches, secluded bays and dramatic cliffs.
Keen hikers and bikers will enjoy the Rennsteig – a 100-mile path from Eisenach on the River Werra to Blankenstein on the River Saale.
Active holidaymakers will also enjoy Berchtesgaden National Park, which has 81 square miles of stunning Alpine scenery.
Sell Germany to: Active families, outdoorsy types and beer enthusiasts.
Sample package: Page and Moy offers a seven-day Berlin, Dresden and the Elbe Valley tour, staying at the four-star Derag Hotel Grosser Kurfurst in Berlin and the four-star Mercure Newa Hotel, Dresden from £999 per person this June, including flights.
Czech Republic
Prague’s historic centre is famous for its winding lanes, Gothic cathedrals, and baroque and Renaissance palaces. Highlights include the medieval Prague Castle and 13th century Charles Bridge.
The Czech Republic boasts over 2,000 castles and chateaux – more per square mile than any other country in the world.
The National Park of Sumava is a 75-mile-long wooded mountain range marked by streams, lakes, valleys and scenic hiking trails. Sumava is also home to mountain resorts with excellent winter sports.
The mineral springs of West Bohemia have numerous curative effects; one of the most famous spa towns is Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) which has 13 large springs and hundreds of smaller ones.
Golfing holidays in the Czech Republic are also on the rise; there are around 70 courses to choose from.
Sell Czech Republic to: Partygoers and romantic city breakers. Themed holidays include spa retreats, golfing trips and hiking and biking tours.
Sample package: Thomas Cook offers seven nights’ bed-and- breakfast accommodation at the three-star Cloister Inn Hotel in Prague, from £290 per person based on two sharing in July, including flights.
- Central Europe:sell it for summer holidays as well as city breaks
- Central Europe:Hungary, Poland and Slovakia highlights
