Austria is east of Switzerland, to Italy's north. It is the country where Adolf Hitler was born, and he annexed Austria to Germany during World War II. Soviet soldiers took the city of Vienna in 1945, and Austria was divided into British, French, Soviet, and American zones. It did not emerge as a sovereign nation until 1955. The country's background made it less enviable as a Western-friendly travel destination than, say, England or France for many years, but today Austria is a full-fledged member of the European Union with the concept of neutrality written right into its constitution.

As a tourist location, the city of Vienna beckons, especially to anyone interested in classical music or opera. Austria also offers opportunities to explore the Danube River.

Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria, both politically and culturally — and the culture of Vienna is decidedly musical in nature. Austria's roster of native-born composers includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, and Johann Strauss, who are world-renowned for works that, in many cases, were first performed in Vienna.

Wiener Staatsoper, the Vienna State Opera, was built in the late 1800s as the city's first opera house. Mozart's Don Giovanni was the first performance, and many other performances were held to public acclaim until 1945, when American World War II bombardments destroyed the auditorium, stage, props for more than 100 productions, and more than 150,000 costumes. The opera was rebuilt, and today serves as the breeding ground for artists who become members of the Vienna Philharmonic. Some fifty to sixty operas are performed at the Vienna State Opera each year, many of them intended to lure tourists interested in seeing a Mozart or Strauss work performed in the city.

Interestingly, the Vienna State Opera also puts on performances specifically tailored to children, including regular performances of Mozart's The Magic Flute, with seats available for free to nine- and ten-year-old children. You can learn more about these, as well as all of the upcoming performances at Wiener Staatsoper, online in English at www.staatsoper.at.

Danube River Cruises

The Danube River runs from southern Germany eastward across Europe and into the Black Sea, crossing through Austria's northeastern section, which includes Vienna. Since trains can get you from Italy to Vienna, the city is a natural launching point for a Danube River cruise (especially if you can catch a performance of Strauss's Blue Danube waltz before you depart).

Countless options are available for Danube River cruises that last from an afternoon to nearly a month, depending on whether you want a sunset tour or a full-length exploration. One typical itinerary is offered by www.rivercruisetours.com, which begins an eight-day journey called “Danube Explorer” in Vienna. You cruise westward from there to a final destination of Nuremberg, in the German state of Bavaria, where the historic Nuremberg Trials were held following the Holocaust. Along the way, stops include multiple towns as well as an optional day trip to Mozart's birthplace. Any travel agent can help you determine the best Danube River cruise given the time you have available.