214 CultureShock! Austria
for the more daring. Some attractions open year-round, but
most close between November and March. The rides operate
from morning until midnight. The Hauptallee is a pedestrian-
only street full of people walking, rollerblading and cycling.
The large park is great for picnicking or sports.River Cruises
An exciting way to see Vienna, Lower Austria and some of the
neighbouring countries is to take a cruise along the Danube.
The Vienna cruise is short and not particularly captivating.
A longer, more delightful journey takes you through the
Wachau valley. A river trip allows you to see the castles that
line the Danube the way they were meant to be seen. You
can travel from Vienna to Tulln, Dürnstein, or all the way
to Melk and back. Alternatively, drive to Krems (where the
Wachau begins) and travel by boat between Krems and Melk.
You can even take your bicycle and explore the area that
way. If you feel adventurous, take a Schnellboot (fast boat) to
Bratislava or Budapest—Bratislava for the day, Budapest for
the weekend. The trips take 1½ hours and 5½ to 6½ hours
respectively. None of these journeys can be made during
the winter.Winter Sports
Skiing
Austrians revel in the approach of winter because they
know how to take full advantage of the season with skiing,
snowboarding, ice skating, sledding and Alpine style curling.
So don’t hide out in your heated home, but bundle up and
venture out for some fun in the snow.
Skiing is second nature to Austrians, who grow up skiing
and are among the best in the sport—not surprisingly,
as Alpine skiing was first developed in Tyrol. On winter
weekends, cities empty as everyone flocks to nearby resorts.
If you ski, you’ll be anxious to hit the slopes too, but keep in
mind that some consider the runs here more challenging than
those in the United States. Runs are categorised by colour
according to difficulty: beginners blue, intermediates red and
advanced black. Ski lessons are available for first timers and