When I think of Austria, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Austrian Alps. Maybe just about everyone knows that Austria is one of the best places to go during the winter. It has countless winter resorts with amazing surroundings, perfect ski tracks suitable for all ages and difficulties and many more sport facilities in case you are not into skiing. 

For the tired skier or just for everyone who would like to relax and have fun, there are many suitable places to do it – from big swimming pools to hot bath-tubs and restaurants with specialties from around the world. But if you think that Austria is only for the winter … think again! If you prefer taking a holiday especially for skiing, you can do so even in the summer with the help of the gorgeous Austrian glaciers. One of the most famous glaciers is the one in the Stubai Valley – the Stubai Glacier. It is visible even from the road and can be a remarkable view even for non-skiers. Other perfect places for skiing in the summer are the Kaprun Glacier and Pasterze Glacier, which unfortunately is decreasing in size in the last years. And if you are keen on the big things than the largest glacier in Austria is for you – the Hintertux glacier. 

In Austria there are also magnificent hiking trails, revealing a huge part of the country’s beauties. A beautiful place is Zell am See with its "Hohe Tauern" mountain range, the Zeller Lake and its belonging marked trails, suitable for both beginners and experts. There is also available biking, sailing and more. I am not going to give more examples of hiking trails because they are numerous in almost every resort in Austria and they surely bring the atmosphere of the amazing nature there. If you are a nature lover I can recommend here only a small fraction of the many nature reserves in Austria. One of them is located just north of the city Innsbruck – the Karwendel nature reserve. The Karwendel mountain range is part of the Alps and can reveal many breath-taking types of scenery. Another one is the Pürgschachener Moor Nature Reserve which is in Styria, near Irdning / Ennstal and offers wonderful moments in fresh air. 

One can also visit the National Park Nockberge – part of the oldest mountain regions in Austria. No matter where you are from, keep in mind while planning your holiday that nature is always perfect in every season. And I can assure you that one of the best places to go and see it is Austria. Whether you like skiing, hiking, looking from the top of a high mountain or just relaxing under the sun on the bank of a lake – it is all there just for you.

Ivaylo Yordanov is the author and can provide you with additional information about Austria's resorts, by using the Contact Us page of the site below. Additionally, more comprehensive information is available at Austria hotels trips and accommodation

From its stunning natural landscape and its rich musical heritage to its valuable artistic tradition, Austria is famous for a variety of tourist attractions; in fact, from Amadeus Mozart to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austria is home to a veritable choice of allurements. Should you choose to travel to Austria on your next holiday, why not choose to rent a car? Hiring a car extols many benefits over using public transport or private tour coaches and can provide a novel way of exploring this fascinating country - particularly if you're on holiday with your family.

If you decide to hire a car in Austria, you'll enjoy hassle-free access to the country's various ski resorts, swimming lakes and nature parks. If you're travelling with small children, your ease of movement will be made that much simpler in a car, as you won't have to rely on public transport in order to move from one place to another. Skiing, for example, is a particularly popular pastime in Austria, and the country's major ski areas hold plenty in store for every ski or snowboarding fan. By renting a car for travelling in Austria, you'll be able to enjoy the delights of different ski resorts in a cost-effective and hassle-free way. So, if you want to go skiing in the family ski resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis but would also like to enjoy the thrills of the Bregenzerwald ski resort, hiring a car will make it easier for you to do so.

Hiring a car and driving in Austria will also make it easier for you and your family to vary your holiday activities. For instance, if you're in Austria primarily on a skiing holiday, hiring a car will also make it possible for you to drive to nearby hiking trails or go rock climbing. Alternatively, you could drive to one of Austria's main cities, like Vienna, Innsbruck or Salzburg, and take pleasure in the range of musical, theatrical or artistic offerings in Austria's centres of culture.

Car hire in Austria is not difficult. Whether you choose to arrive at any of Austria's main airports such as Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck, or to a range of other airports in Austria, you'll find plenty of car rental opportunities available at your chosen airport. But if you do decide to hire a car on your vacation in Austria, it's important to be aware of the different driving regulations. For example, in Austria, it's compulsory to drive with your head-lights on during both the day and night-time. Furthermore, the permissible alcohol limit in Austria is 0.5, which is lower than the legal alcohol limit in Britain. So make sure you're fully aware of the differing rules of the road when driving in Austria in order to avoid any mishaps: you'll be well on your way to an unforgettable driving holiday in one of Europe's most naturally beautiful countries.