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Europe is experiencing a travel boom this fall, with Americans looking to escape their hectic work schedules and enjoy Europe’s majestic fall landscapes.
While countries like Croatia and Portugal are seeing record numbers of international visitors, in tranquil Austria you can enjoy charming Alpine vistas, picturesque castles, incredible wines and some of Europe’s most beautiful train lines.
With all the natural beauty, history and culture you would expect from a Central European destination with fewer tourists and excellent infrastructure, This year Austria is perfect for an unforgettable autumn holiday.
Here are 5 reasons why you should make Austria your European destination this fall:
Enjoy one of the largest autumn color shows in Europe
Located next to the towering snow-capped Alps and picturesque lakes, rivers and forests, Austria is a nature lover’s paradise.
During autumn, you can expect a bright burst of red, yellow and orange radiating from the landscape. Seeing this exciting display of color in such a naturally diverse and mountainous country is like walking into a dream.
Destinations such as the lakeside village of Hallstatt and the Wachau-Danube Valley still feature on Europe’s most beautiful lists, with autumn being the most romantic time to visit.
From mid-October until well into November, Austria’s autumn colors begin in the high Alps and pass through the lowland valleys, vineyards and towns.
Incredible scenic railways
This year, Lonely Planet rated Austria’s Semmering Railway as one of Europe’s ten best tourist railways.
If you want to make the most of autumn this year, try booking a seat on the world’s first railway line to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s not just the Semmering; Austria has several scenic railway lines that run through the mountainous terrain, giving you unbeatable views of the dramatic landscape and autumn foliage.
This year, the Austrian government gave train travelers perhaps one of the most unconventional train deals in history. If passengers get a tattoo of the word “Climate ticket”, they ride for free.
The controversial Klimaticket campaign was aimed at encouraging travelers to use the more environmentally friendly public train system this year.
Autumn festivals
As temperatures cool and the leaves turn color, people around the world get into party mode, and Austria is no exception. From mountain music festivals to night-time parties in vineyards and castles, Austria is the place to party this fall.
For film lovers, nothing beats the Vienna International Film Festival during the last two weeks of October. During this event you can celebrate the world’s best independent films in Vienna’s famous theaters and spend the night at one of the festival’s after-parties.
Visit the Wien Modern Festival to experience Austria’s world-famous modern art, electronic and new-age classical music scene. This is one of the world’s most celebrated series of avant-garde performances, spanning electronica, philharmonic and dance.
Autumn is also time to explore Vienna’s smaller electronic music parties in spaces such as the Danube riverfront or the eclectic all-night castle disco event aptly named Techno Castle in Cobenzl.
For something a little quieter, head to the country’s mountain towns to see the colorful and festive cattle parades known as the Almabtrieb processions, or enjoy three evenings of Indie Folk music at the Blue Bird Festival in Vienna.
World-class wine
Some of Europe’s most celebrated vineyards surround Austria’s towns and villages, and autumn is harvest time.
Around Vienna are the famous wine taverns with vineyards, known as heurige. You can take a stroll through the vineyards around the city, grab a table and cozy up with a plate of traditional comfort food and wine.
Vienna is also home to the world’s only celebration of orange wine, that is, any white wine that remains in contact with the skins, turning it orange. During this festival you can taste the best orange wines in Europe and meet the winemakers themselves.
For the ultimate grape harvesting adventure outside Vienna, head to the state of Styria. Here you can celebrate the harvest at one of the region’s famous vineyards and then relax at one of the state’s popular natural spas.
Fewer tourists and digital nomads
Europe is experiencing some of the highest numbers of international tourists in history, and many countries are now hotspots for digital nomads.
Although Austria has so much to offer, including some of the best tourism infrastructure in Europe, many American travelers choose to go elsewhere.
While places like Lisbon and Dubrovnik fill up this season, you can enjoy this romantic country in all its autumnal beauty relatively free of crowds.
This, combined with the stunning sights and experiences, makes Austria the perfect autumn getaway this year.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
