Austria. Media News.

Dear friends of Austria and fellow travelers,

Christmas has come early this year for the Austrian Alps, which made National Geographic's "Best of the World" list for 2023. Check out the collection of Mountaineering Villages that has particularly caught the editors' attention.

Also in this newsletter: Christmas markets will pop up in virtually every Austrian town and village over the coming weeks. We will tell you how to navigate these charming markets like a local and get the most out of the experience. 

With warmest regards,
Sigrid Pichler & Helen Bitschnau

Managers of Public Relations
Austrian Tourist Office New York City
sigrid.pichler@austria.info
helen.bitschnau@austria.info 
tel 212 575 7723 x 119 or x 112
www.austria.info 

According to National Geographic's Editor-in-Chief, Nathan Lump, “‘Best of the World’ is Nat Geo’s annual love letter to the most incredible places in the world.” Which makes us especially proud to announce that the Austrian Alps were selected for the 2023 list as part of the "Adventure" category.

In particular, the team of editors and experts at National Geographic focused on a group of remote mountain villages called Bergsteigerdörfer, most of which are located in Austria's western provinces including Tirol and Carinthia, but also include villages in Switzerland, Italy and Germany. The "Mountaineering Villages" are committed to sustainable development within the Alpine region, as mountains and mountaineering activities are an integral part of the cultural consciousness of locals and visitors alike.

Surrounded by untouched nature, yet comparatively easy to access, these villages are hidden gems that have not been developed for mainstream tourism and now build on their authenticity as an asset for the future. Villages like Vent in Tirol, the Villgratental in Osttirol or Johnsbach in the Gesäuse National Park in Styria shy away from larger developments in favor of protecting their authentic lifestyle and the natural surroundings that make them unique in the first place. 

Johnsbach, for example, is located in the heart of the Gesäuse National Park, which is well known among mountaineers for its stunning views and challenging trails and climbing routes. Paths such as the Copper Path Johnsbach also touch upon local history as a mining region. In the Villgratental, outdoor enthusiasts can stay at local farm houses and inns such as the Gannerhof in Innervilgraten, a stunning farmhouse which dates back to 1719 and houses a restaurant with two Gault Millau Toques. Local businesses support each other by sourcing materials and ingredients from the region wherever possible, resulting in a resurgence of local crafts and traditions, which, in addition to the numerous outdoor sports possibilities, makes for a memorable Alpine experience. 

Starting in mid-November, charming Christmas Markets will pop up in front of castles, city halls and on village squares all over Austria. One might think that these markets are mainly held for tourists, but they are in fact one of many beloved Christmas traditions locals look forward to every year. To get the most out of your Christmas Market experience, here are a few tips that will help you figure out where to go and what to look for:

Choose the right Christmas Market for you. Austria's big cities have a dizzying number of Christmas Markets to choose from, but there are also numerous fairy-tale like markets in rural areas, from the Alps to the steppe-like regions of the Neusiedlersee. To make the search easier, here is a list of the best markets all over the country. Culture lovers will enjoy the spectacular setting for Christmas Markets in the historic city centers of Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Innsbruck. There are also numerous castles and palaces which hold popular Christmas Markets in their courtyard, such as Schloss Hof in Lower Austria or Hellbrunn Castle in Salzburg. Some markets have a special focus on art and local crafts or culinary specialties. To avoid crowds, look for Christmas Markets away from the main squares, or in smaller towns and villages. If you are spending your Christmas Holiday in the mountains, you won't miss out on the Christmas Market experience either. Some of the most famous markets are held in villages such as Seefeld in Tirol, the Salzburg Mountain Advent in the Grossarl Valley, or the charming towns of Vorarlberg. 

When to go: While Christmas Markets in larger towns are open daily from morning to evening, those in rural areas and smaller villages are often held on weekends only. If you are planning your trip around Christmas Markets, be sure to check opening times and dates. The most magical time of day to visit a Christmas market is, of course, late afternoon, when the sun sets and Christmas lights begin to sparkle. However, there are advantages of going during the day, such as fun children's programs, music performances and caroling. Sometimes just stopping by a market on your way to the next museum is a lovely opportunity to take a little break, warm up your hands with a steaming mug of mulled wine or apple cider and soak up the Christmas magic. 

What to eat: You'll always find a wealth of local specialties on offer at the Christmas Markets. Some vary by region, but you'll always find roasted chestnuts, Christmas cookies and Kaiserschmarrn. Locals love to debate which stands offer the best mulled wine and apple cider, which are a big draw on cold winter nights and responsible for the delicious aromas of cinnamon and other spices that are part of the Christmas Market experience. There is usually little room for seating so people gather around small standing tables or find a bench somewhere to enjoy their Kaiserschmarrn (a very popular sweet dish somewhere between a soufflé and a pancake), sausage or Groestl (a beloved Tirolean potato/onion/bacon hash). 

What to buy: First and foremost, Christmas Markets are and excellent source of all kinds of decorations for your own tree and your home. Look for hand-painted pewter ornaments, traditional straw ornaments and wood carvings, all of which are easy to pack and bring home. Of course, there are also all kinds of other crafts on display such as beeswax candles and ornaments, wooden toys and local textiles. Another lovely souvenir would be local delicacies such as sweet treats, chocolates, oils and vinegars or spice mixes. If you love crafts, there are some Christmas Markets that focus on local traditional crafts, such as the Altwiener Christmas Market on the Freyung in Vienna, or the Handicrafts Market on the Faerberplatz in Graz, Stryia.