First Impressions 3knows this first-hand as she went
to Austria to study and returned
14 years later with her husband
for his job. It was almost as if
she experienced two different
worlds.) Single people will also
find their experiences differ
from those who arrive with their
family. (Julie is familiar with both
situations, having arrived on her own and later marrying an
Austrian and becoming part of an Austrian family.) Given all of
these variables, we can only provide you with our impressions
and highlight what we find to be worth knowing before going.
In essence, this is a book of opinions and generalisations and
just as people in your own country are not all exactly alike,
the people of Austria do not conform to a rigid interpretation.
We hope that this book will be of help to you as you begin
to make Austria your home.
There are several ways to arrive in Austria and numerous
stepping off points. Susan’s first trip to Austria took her to
Innsbruck. It was everything she had thought an Alpine
city would look like. Towering snow-covered mountains,
ski resorts, quaint streets lined with small shops, a palace,
baroque churches and monuments, delicious restaurants
and typical souvenir shops. In many ways, it resembled its
postcard image.
Many others have the same experience. A friend’s travels
took her to Salzburg. A city rich in history, all she could see
upon arrival was the fortress overlooking the city, Mirabell
Palace, Getreidegasse with its picturesque shops and Mozart’s
image everywhere. Inspired by The Sound of Music (many
people’s idea of Austria), she took a tour. More than finally
seeing where the movie was shot, she realised the rural
beauty of Austria. The beautiful lakes and small towns that
surround Salzburg opened her eyes to the fact that Austria
is much more than its cities.
The beauty of Europe is that you can travel by train, bus or
plane. Undoubtedly, travelling by plane is the least romantic.
As is true of most cities, airports lie on the outskirts, often in
Don’t be surprised if you tell
someone that you are moving
to Austria and they immediately
start to talk about ‘down
under’. Although worlds apart,
their similar names has led to
some confusion among the
geographically challenged. So
much so that you can find T-shirts
in Vienna stating that there are no
kangaroos in Austria.