Hungary & Austria: Musical Experience

Set in central Europe, Austria conjures up images of the picturesque Central Eastern Alps dotted with glamourous Alpine ski resorts surrounded by pristine pistes and aquamarine lakes. However, the country’s breathtaking nature only tells a small part of the story. With residents like Mozart, Freud, and other legendary figures playing an important role in developing the world we know today, the country is also blessed with a rich heritage. From the quaint, cobbled streets of timeless Innsbruck with its famous Golden Roof, to the enthralling Vienna Staatsoper, one of the most famous opera and ballet venues in the world, the historical choices are as diverse as they are seductive. The longstanding 'Kaffeehaus kultur' and the country’s delectable strudels, schnitzels and beer are enough reason to visit, alone. Chic, world-class cities are packed with spectacular modern and contemporary art galleries and a multitude of entertainment opportunities.

Currency

Austria uses the European monetary unit, the euro (€). Euro bills come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500; coins are worth 1 cent of a euro, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 euro, and 2 euros. Local merchants may refuse to accept €200 and €500 bills due to the prevalence of counterfeit bills.

Banking

Bank opening times differ from one bank to the next, with most open weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Some banks close for lunch from 1 to 2.30 pm especially in more rural areas. Most bank branches have cash machines (ATMs) that allow you to withdraw cash, transfer money and get bank statements 24 hours/day.

The ATMs in Austria will accept all major cards: Maestro, Mastercard, VISA and Cirrus so you can also draw money from your foreign account. However, you will be charged an extra fee for withdrawing from a foreign bank account.

Austria boasts an excellent road network. However, almost all of the bigger cities suffer from severe parking availability problems. Spaces are scarce and prohibitively expensive. If you do find a space, the time you are allowed to park for is usually around 90 minutes in central districts. One way streets and traffic jams also take enjoyment out of the journey.

If you do decide to drive your own car here to Austria you will need to purchase a Vignette which is a form of toll that allows you to drive on Austria's motorways. These vignettes can be purchased at gas stations, border crossings etc.

Drivers in Austria are also required to carry safety warning equipment, namely a reflective warning triangle to place on the road in the event of an accident, a first aid kit and a reflective vest. Failure to carry these items in your car will leave you liable to a fine.

Most large cities and towns feature some form of public transport, including underground systems, buses, tramlines and suburban railways which means getting around without a car is generally not a problem.

The public transport system in Austria is excellent. Austria's rail network is comfortable, reliable and fast. The main rail website offers excellent information on timetables, services and discounts. The quality of service offered by the rail network makes it far more appealing than bus links.

All of Austria's major cities including have their own international airports. Austrian Airlines, Austria's national carrier, serves all of these cities and connects Austria with many international destinations. There are now a range of low cost carriers which connect Vienna, Linz and Bratislava to a number of European destinations e.g. AirBerlin, FlyNiki, Ryanair, Sky Europe and German Wings.

Many Austrian cities and towns encourage cyclists through designated cycle lanes. There are many beautifully tended cycling routes throughout the country especially in areas of natural beauty such as along the Danube river.

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in Austria are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots.

Austrian food is distinctive and delicious, and is traditionally of the stodgy, hearty "meat and dumplings" variety. Wiener Schnitzel (a bread-crumbed and fried veal escalope) is something of a national dish, and Knödel are a kind of dumpling which can be made either sweet or savory according to taste. In Vienna the Tafelspitz (boiled beef with potatoes and horseradish) is traditionally served on Sundays, and is normally accompanied by clear broth with dumplings and herbs. Apart from these, Austria is renowned for its pastries and desserts, the most well-known of which is probably the Apfelstrudel.

Austria is famous for it's clean water so you can definitely drink it directly out of the tap. There are a few public taps in parks, etc. where they specifically mention 'No drinking water' on an attached signboard.

Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone with a Central European climate influenced by the Atlantic climate. The four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) each have typical temperature and climatic characteristics. Due to the topographical diversity and the relatively large west-east expanse, there are three quite different climatic regions:

East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence – low precipitation, hot summers but only moderately cold winters.

Alpine Region: Alpine climate - high precipitation (except inner Alpine valley regions such as the upper Inntal), short summers, long winters.

Remainder of the country: transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-east. Before starting your walk or hike in the mountains please research the weather conditions, danger of avalanches or route conditions. Warnings by locals should not be disregarded!

Austrians tend to wear clothing that is quite formal and stylish. Smart casual clothes are appropriate for sightseeing and for eating out.

Austrian women generally don't wear jeans, except perhaps in the evenings at an outside venue. By far the majority of women wear dresses and skirts. Cobbled streets abound, so avoid high heels in favor of comfortable stylish shoes or sandals.

Younger Austrian men do wear jeans and sneakers now and again but most other ages do not, so take some smarter pants and you will fit in. Opt for comfortable stylish shoes.

As in most other European countries, Internet connections are commonplace in Austria. You can either connect to the web at your hotel or visit an Internet café. Information centers and public libraries have recently also in many cases installed PCs connected to the Internet.

Electrical sockets in Austria are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The 'Type F'German style Schuko and the 'Type C' Europlug. Almost all sockets are Schuko, and while the Europlug socket may be found, it's rare. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter.

Electrical sockets in Austria supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. North American sockets supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts, far lower than in most of the rest of the world. Consequently, North American appliances are generally built for 110-120 volts and will need a voltage converter to be used in Austria.

More than 2000 years of turbulent history have resulted in a fascinating country that boasts a wealth of historical attractions within the Hungarian countryside and in its cosmopolitan capital, Budapest. No European tour would be complete with a trip to this sophisticated capital, a bohemian metropolis with an array of attractions in the form of museums, galleries, monuments, and historic buildings as well as a thriving nightlife and numerous gastronomic establishments that thrill food lovers with all manner of culinary delights. Beyond the cities, Hungary’s natural beauty unfolds in all its glorious splendour. The countryside is strewn with charming towns and villages adorned with medieval squares and picturesque castles. Visitors can take in the panoramic views of the vineyards around Eger, relax in the thermal mineral baths of Balatonfured, or stroll around the charming old-world towns of the gorgeous Danube Bend. Hungary's remarkable landscapes and its array of cultural delights make it a wonderful addition to any European holiday itinerary.

Currency

The Hungarian currency is the Forint (Ft, HUF), which has the following denominations: notes - 500Ft, 1,000Ft, 2,000Ft, 5,000Ft, 10,000Ft and 20,000Ft; coins - 5Ft, 10Ft, 20Ft, 50Ft and 100Ft. Prices, such as hotel rates, sightseeing tours, etc. are often quoted in Euros. Many businesses, even including some select supermarkets accept Euros. Don't forget to check their exchange rates, as you might be better off exchanging your currency first and paying in Forints.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Currency can be exchanged at hotels, banks, post offices, bureaux de change, airports, railway stations, travel agencies and some restaurants throughout the country. Automatic exchange machines are available in Budapest and other main tourist centres.

Banking

Banking hours: Mon - Fri 8am/9am - 1pm/4pm, some exchange offices in Budapest are open daily, also on Saturday and Sunday, until late at night.

Tourist areas and attractions in Hungary, as well as larger shops in cities, accept payment via major credit or debit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard or AMEX. Similarly to the rest of Europe, payment via Interac is not possible. Ensure your debit card is enabled for use on the Cirrus or Maestro networks before you depart.

The economy in more rural areas is still largely cash-based. However, it is not generally necessary (nor wise) to withdraw huge sums of cash while in Budapest for most visits into the countryside. Virtually all "towns" (as opposed to "villages") have ATMs now and most give a language option.

Travellers cheques are accepted in most post offices and banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros or US Dollars

There are currently no scheduled domestic flights within Hungary but getting around Hungary is no hassle at all. Public transport is both cheap and easy to use. Most of the major towns you’ll want to go to are just about a 3 and a half hour train journey from Budapest. Within the capital city you can use the subway, buses or trams – it’s a vast network.

The transport authorities are partial to young folk – there’s a 33% discount on train fares within Hungary for people under the age of 26. They also honour Eurail and Eastrail passes, though if you don’t have them you’re hardly likely to miss them. Rail fares here are dirt-cheap. Flash your student ID and utter the word diák (pronounced Dee-ak) and you could get a student’s concession even on buses.

International and local car hire firms are located in all of Hungary's main towns and at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. The minimum age for car rental is 21 years. Motorists can expect good roads and petrol pumps that are open all night! Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (50mph) on main roads, 110kph (62mph) on highways and 130kph (75mph) on motorways. Seat belts must be worn. Children of 16 years and under must sit in the rear and child seats are compulsory. It is obligatory to keep headlights dipped when driving, and the use of handheld mobile phones is prohibited. There is a zero tolerance policy concerning drink driving – it is illegal to have any level of alcohol in the bloodstream when driving. Pink format EU licences are accepted. An International Driving Permit is required if an EU licence is not held.

Taxis, which can be found in all major towns and cities, are reliable and reasonably priced.

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in Hungary are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots.

Hungarians will tell you that there are just three essential styles of cooking: French, Chinese and their own. That might be Magyar boasting, but Hungarian food has long been the bright spot among the cuisines of Central and Eastern Europe. And Magyars do have one thing in common with the French and Chinese: they are driven by food.

More and more restaurants have a greater selection of ‘real’ vegetarian meals (not just fried cheese and stuffed mushroom caps), and many are concentrating on wine – serious wine – like never before. A visit to Hungary, always a gastronomic discovery, has become more of an adventure than ever. Jo étvágyat (bon appétit)!

It should be noted that as it is the case of most European countries, in Hungary, it is safe to drink tap water anywhere, even 'remote' settings. Bottled waters are offered in a large selection, both the fizzy (blue bottle cap buborékos) and still (red/pink bottle cap) water and it is cheap (starts from less than 100 HUF for one and half liter). The only notable exception of the drinking water are trains where the tap water is not drinkable and other places where tap water is labeled as such.

Hungary has a mild continental climate. There are four distinct seasons, with a very warm summer from June to August where temperatures can rise to as high as 35°C (95°F). Spring and autumn are mild, while winters are very cold, as low as -10°C (14°F), and not a good time to visit rural areas – although city breaks are enjoyable at any time of year. The south of the country around Pécs is a little warmer on average, although the region still experiences snowfall in winter. Annual rainfall is an average of 6cm (23 inches) and is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, with snowfall common in winter.

Lightweights for summer, medium weight clothing for spring and heavier clothing is recommended for autumn and winter. Waterproofs can prove useful at any time of year. Long-sleeved shirts, trousers, boots and hats should be worn to protect exposed skin in forested, grassy and lakeside areas in summer to prevent bites from ticks.

Broadband internet is now widespread in Hungary. It is quite usual to find free WiFi access in many shopping centres, cafes, and pubs. You are even likely to find access in smaller towns. Look for the Wifi signs and you may have to ask for the access password.

Most types of accommodation offer Wifi (free or paid) in their business centres, rooms or restaurants.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Hungary are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" known as Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all three types.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Hungary usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.If your appliance is not compatible with 220-240 electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.