Travel ideas for Austria - unique sights, worth Guinness records

One of the main attractions of Vienna is Prater Tower chairoplane; the height of its central column is 117 meters, which is comparable with a 33-storey building. The base has a 12-pointed star form, where 12 double seats are attached, so at the same time 24 people can ride this flip-flap. Every day hundreds of thrill-seekers choose this ride to immerse them in a pleasant atmosphere of the coast. The chairoplane starts to rotate at a speed of 60 km/h and gradually raises seats to a height of 95 meters.
Prater Tower is very popular among people of all ages. Importantly, the attraction isn't available to children under 6 years, as well as for those less than 120 centimeters. Those who dare to experience the carousel in action, have to consider several important tips. Before the flight, it's better to take everything out of pockets, otherwise that stuff would be lost. Wind is getting much stronger when lifting and rotating, so people, who are sensitive to drafts, are recommended to protect their nose, throat and ears. After taking these security measures, the flight at high speed and at great height will bring positive emotions. ... Complete sights collection

Dachstein Sky Walk was built for admiring the amazing Alpine scenery in Austria. The location of the site is Dachstein glacier, or rather, the edge of Hunerkogel cliff being 300 meters high. The viewing platform is 2700 meters above sea level; its original design provides an opportunity to enjoy views of four corners of the world. In clear weather you can see not only the surrounding mountains in all their glory, but also the territory of neighboring states, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
Many travelers know this observation deck as 'balcony of the Alps.' It's worth noting that this balcony isn’t protected from the wind, making a tour to it even more realistic and memorable. The construction is armed with a steel platform, so the observation deck is very durable and resistant to wind gusts. It's surrounded by metal railings for safety. It’s very convenient to hold them, while watching miniature objects on the bottom of the abyss. ... Complete sights collection

The largest ice cave in the world is Eisriesenwelt also known as ‘Residence of ice giants’. It’s situated in Austria, its entrance is located on Hohkogel hillside. The depth of this amazing cave is more than 40 kilometers. About 200,000 travelers from all over the world come to admire this amazing site every year. Despite the enormous size of the cave and its promising title, only 1/40 part is completely covered with ice.
Even one kilometer ice-covered walls would be enough to make the cave a world leader in scale. Rapid flow of the Salzak River contributed to cave formation. Large ice outgrowths appeared because of melting of snow on the slopes. Ice doesn’t melt in the cave all year round, even in midsummer low temperature is kept there. Coolness is felt just at the entrance.
The discoverer of the cave was Australian naturalist Anton Posselt; he has made this unique discovery in 1879. The cave is open to visit only from early May to late October. Even in summer, visitors have to wear a winter outfit. The cave is equipped with comfortable wooden walkways and platforms from which you can admire the picturesque view over ice sculptures. Before entering the cave visitors are warned that nobody can take pictures inside, but some neat-handed tourists still manage to make some spectacular photos of this amazing place. ... Complete sights collection

The Austrian town of Hallstatt can boast not only one of the most mysterious and frightening mines in the world, but also a unique natural attraction, the largest underground lake in Europe. The lake and the mine wear one name – Zeegrotte. This unique object was created by man and irresistible forces of nature, so it deserves attention of all tourists without exception. Development of mines began in the 19th century, there was an active mining of gypsum.
After 60 years, when the field of the mine was flooded, an amazingly beautiful lake of impressive scale has eventually formed there. During the World War II, the abandoned mine was used to store precious historical relics, so locals had to pump all the water out of the caves. However, they couldn’t overcome the forces of nature and eventually mines were flooded again. Every year, this amazing attraction is visited by more than 250,000 people. Tourists are offered to stroll through the maze of tunnels and have a wonderful boat ride along the huge underground lake.
The upper tiers of the mine have been converted into a museum; they store a very interesting exhibition about the life and work of miners. Lower tiers outside of the flood zone have retained their dark charm, so they’re not recommended to people who are afraid of the dark. Shimmering light gives special mystique and mystery to mines, and in some areas it’s almost absent, so visitors will have an opportunity to plunge into total darkness for a few minutes. ... Complete sights collection

The Arlberg Tunnel was driven in the Austrian Alps in 1978. Over the years the tunnel has remained one of the world’s leaders in scale and equipment. It’s Austrian longest road tunnel with a length of 10240 metres whose construction has been lasting more than four years. The tunnel has no any original design, technical equipment of high quality is its main distinctive feature.
There are more than forty cameras for traffic monitoring inside the tunnel in order to ensure maximum safety of the drivers. So exceeding speed limits or making dangerous manoeuvers on the road is just useless, it will definitely be fixed. The Arlberg tunnel is a Toll Road. It costs about 9 euros. Tolls for both directions are collected at the exits, which makes the payment process simple and convenient.
Arlberg Road Tunnel is one of the outstanding attractions of the country. It is used by over 18 million people annually. The Arlberg road tunnel and the Arlberg railway tunnel is one single complex, though the railway tunnel was built much earlier, in the late 19th century. The tunnels are interconnected by lots of cross-connections, the minimum distance between them is 150 metres. ... Complete sights collection

In the 19th century the scientists around the world were astonished at the discovery of the famous physicist Friedrich Adolf Gurlt. In 1885 he discovered 'the strange metal meteorite' with the shape of the parallelepiped. The meteorite was distinguished by its very unusual form; On four sides of the parallelepiped were the deep sections.
The fossil meteorite of the unusual regular shape was discovered by a local factory worker in the lignite patch. The artifact with the weight of 785 grams was immediately handed over to the scientists. According to the first assumptions, the researchers have proposed a theory on meteorite land treatment. It has not been possible to clarify who and what the regular edges have applied to the meteorite.
The version on his extraterrestrial origin was first explained in 1919 by Charles Fort, the wealthy collector of unusual items. A few decades ago the mysterious meteorite of the Frederick's sons was given to the Heimathaus Museum, which is located in the Austrian town of Vöcklabruck. The copy of the meteorite is presented at the Linz Museum Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseen. There is a guess that the real Salzburger parallelepiped was lost in 1910 and the exhibits presented in the modern museums are the counterfeits. ... Complete sights collection

Misunderstandings and conflicts can sometimes occur between the houses. The confirmation is the building you can see in Vienna. The architectural complex 'House Attack' is the project by Erwin Wurm. This is a strict gray building, the main construction of which is the upper construction. In the roof of the large building is another smaller house, as if it had fallen on the large building from the sky.
The original house was built in 2006 and is a location of the Museum of Contemporary Art. The author of the project, Erwin Wurm, has the original sense of humor that has reflected in this strange project. The architectural project in Vienna is incredibly complicated from a technical point of view. In order to strengthen the small house with a red roof on the roof of the larger building, the architects and the construction workers had to take a lot of effort. To make the construction easier and make it safer, the complicated steel structure was fixed within the tiny building.
The MUMOK Museum, housed in 'House Attack', presents the visitor more than 7,000 unique works of art, the authors of which are the talented young painters of the 19th and 20th centuries. The building, which fully reflects the particularity of the talented sculptor's style, is also a masterpiece of modern architecture. ... Complete sights collection

The unique sight of the world is located in the Austrian city of Graz. Here the only bridge restaurant extends across the Mur River 'Aiola Island' across the Mur River. The restaurant has long been a favorite place for the city dwellers and is considered an attractive attraction for the tourists. In the middle of this modern pedestrian bridge, which connects two banks of the river, is the beautiful glazed pavilion.
It is a location of the popular restaurant, as well as the excellent viewing platforms and even the special beach areas, where you can sunbathe in the warm weather, for the visitors on the bridge. The strange bridge at the river Mur was opened in 2003. The author of her design was the architect from New York Vito Acconci.
Apart from the great functional importance, the bridge Aiola Island has a huge cultural value. The restaurant on its island is used for ceremonial banquets. Particularly popular is this unusual resort with the newlyweds. Many travelers and locals strive to walk on the romantic pedestrian bridge in the evening when lit with the beautiful illumination. It must be noted that the bridge was opened on Mur River on the occasion of an important event for the city. In 2003, Graz was declared the cultural capital of Europe. ... Complete sights collection

The Mozarthaus, located in Vienna, is one of the most visited urban sights. During several years of life in the Austrian capital, the outstanding composer has changed dozens of apartments. The original furniture was only available until our days only in the apartments under the address Domgasse 5. Mozart has been living here since 1784 to 1787, working on his greatest work - 'Figaro's wedding' - in these magnificent six-room apartments.
The unique historical apartments in which the composer lived are located on the ground floor of the building. Later, the entire three-storey historical house was rebuilt into the museum, dedicated to the work of Mozart and the history of Vienna. On the first floor, the exhibition is dedicated to the work of the composer. On the last floor you can see a collection of interesting historical exhibits. The last major reconstruction of the museum was carried out in 2006. In the historical apartments, the atmosphere of the luxury that existed here in the end of the 18th century was restored. The general area of ​​the museum after the last reconstruction is 1,000 square meters.
For many years, Mozart's House Museum has served as a permanent venue for interesting exhibitions and music concerts. In the museum the exciting excursions for the children are performed, so it is worth seeing for the whole family. In contrast to many other museums, photo and video recording is allowed in the museum of Mozart, which is a pleasant addition to the excursion. ... Complete sights collection

In the tiny Austrian town of Tal is the house, where the famous Hollywood actor, sportsman and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger spent the first 18 years of his life. For relatively little money, about 6 euros, all interested can walk through the old farmhouse and look at the collection of the personal belongings, which once belonged to 'Mister Olympia'. The old dumbbells, the prop of shooting locations and even the legendary motorbike, went with the Terminator - in the museum you can see many interesting things connected with the life and work of Schwarznegger.
It must be noted that the museum was opened under the direction of the actor. As he himself has explained, he has decided to open the museum in his own house, not to become even more famous, but to show his own real origin to the general public. The fact that he was born and grown in the ordinary peasant family is, according to the theorist, to give his fans more self-confidence and show that everything is possible in this world.
The museum was opened in 2011. His director is Peter Urdl, Arnold's companion. According to the unofficial information, the school friend of the actor has come to found the museum devoted to Arnold. The actor took an active part in his education. For example, he has almost completely rebuilt the kitchen after the child's memories, as well as handed over the most important and memorable things to the museum. The old family photos, the first dumbbells of the big bodybuilder, the incredibly realistic wax figures and the cozy kitchen with an old metal stove - the house in which Schwarznegger spent his childhood is full of valuable and unique exhibits. ... Complete sights collection