The sights and sounds of Austrian cities

Whether its walking in the hills, skiing on the slopes or taking in the culture and history of a country, a holiday in Austria is sure to give you food for thought.

Found in the heart of Europe and boasting one of the oldest European capital cities in the shape of Vienna, Austria is attracting more and more tourists looking for that perfect holiday break. There are a number of cities in the country, including Vienna, that can keep even the hardest to please tourist entertained. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and was made even more famous through the musical film The Sound of Music. Its alpine setting and baroque architecture makes Austria's fourth largest city a popular destination.

Graz is Austria's second largest city and is in the south east of the country. Its Uhrturm, or watchtower, is a magnificent building housing one of the oldest bells in the country. It also has a more famous use among Austrians, as it is a popular location for locals to have their first kiss.

A great way to see Austria is by taking one of the many tours available in the country. The Romantic Tour takes you between Salzburg and Vienna and includes the Wachau Valley, while the Fairytale Castle route takes in 11 enchanting worlds in Waldviertel and one in Perchtoldsdorf.

Innsbruck is world-renowned for its snow sports, and has become known as the ultimate location for snowboarding in Europe among enthusiasts. Its prestige comes from the role it has played in the Winter Olympics, as it has hosted the games twice, in 1964 and 1976. Innsbruck also has many must-see sights, including Europe's oldest museum Ambras Castle and the Imperial Palace, which is undergoing renovation but still open to the public.

Linz, a traditionally industrial city, is the second largest city in Austria, and has been named as the European Capital of Culture for 2009. It is being touted as the model of the modern European city, where technology and knowledge meet with an ecologically-orientated quality of life. Numerous projects are planned and are indeed already underway in the city, and it will most certainly become even more popular with tourists and holidaymakers than it is today.

In all these cities you will find fantastic restaurants showcasing fine cuisine. Austrian food has a reputation for being heavy, but this is not always the case. Austrian cuisine is diverse, taking its influence from Hungary and Italy, and countryside taverns are the ideal places to sample the local dishes.

Experienced guides can be found in all major cities in Austria, and most tourist information centres will be able to give you advice on the best ones to choose. These are ideal ways to see the best of the country, and find out about the stories behind the magnificent buildings, castles and monuments.

So for skiing, culture, fine foods, historical cities and majestic architecture, Austria is the ideal place to spend a holiday.