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World Eye Reports on Austria |
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The many years contributing to Vienna's grandeur are especially evident in its architecture. St. Stephens Cathedral rises 136 meters above Vienna's central district. St. Stephen's was built over the remains of a 12th century church and was later rebuilt in its present-day gothic style in 1359. Visitors can climb 343 steps to enjoy an unprecedented view of Vienna's sprawling skyline and the Danube valley.
An evening at the opera is a must for anyone wishing to fully savor the city's elegant splendor. The two main opera houses are the Staatsoper and the Volksoper. Viennese residents dress up for the occasion to bask in the truly sophisticated atmosphere of the operas, operettas and concerts. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the Musikverein, and vocal perfection can be appreciated at performancess of the Vienna Boys' Choir. Travelers to Austria invariably look forward to relaxing in one of Vienna's countless quaint cafes. Sit down to a cappuccino with a slice of apfelstrudel. The coffee in this country is taken very seriously, and you're likely to enjoy one of the best cups of your life. Austrian food is particularly hearty. Local specialties include the famous "tafelspitz," one of the country's most renowned dishes. It is a generous cut of tender beef boiled with savory spices and herbs and beautifully presented with Austrian-style potatoes and a side of garlic spinach. Pastries in Vienna, as in all of Austria, are refined to perfection. The most popular solution for a sweet tooth is the famous Sacher Torte. With a tradition dating back hundreds of years, this pastry can only be savored in two restaurants in Vienna, each carefully guarding the secret recipe for the indulgent chocolate masterpiece
Among the outstanding highlights of the hotel are the castle chapel and frequent castle concerts on the Garden-Terrace Apollo or in the Castle-Cafe Maria Theresia. Hotel Schloss Munchstein is known as the Urban Sanctuary of the World. Service at the hotel is at the point of perfection under the trained eye of Hubert Hirz, the director. One last element of the Hotel Schloss Munchstein that may be noteworthy for romantically inclined Japanese is its commitment to being the best place in Austria to tie the knot. The hotel is the most magical place to make a vow to a loved one. Hirz and his high-caliber staff make all the arrangements, including services tailored to guests' own traditions, and they provide all the other essentials to make a truly fairy tale wedding come true. For further information, call the Hotel Schloss Munchstein at (0662) 848-5550. The address is A-5020 Salzburg, City Center, Austria. A Salzburg standout Another Salzburg standout is the four-star Hotel Hohenstauffen. Beautiful spacious rooms conveniently located in Salzburg's city center are offered here with flair. The staff is courteous, extremely helpful and never obtrusive. A family-run hotel since 1902, Hotel Hohenstauffen features four-poster beds, a staff that speaks virtually any language necessary to accommodate their guests with style, along with a quiet, peaceful setting perfect for anyone looking to spend the night in relaxed and luxurious style. To contact the Hotel Hohenstauffen, phone (0662) 87-7669. The address is A-5020 Salzburg, Austria, Elisabethstrasse 19.
After accommodations and dining arrangements are taken care of, one can begin investigating the countless attractions Austria has to offer. All of the larger cities, such as Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Linz, are sure to please even the most exacting cultural connoisseurs.. In Austria, excellence is embodied in the brilliantly shining Swarovski crystal. Located just five minutes from Innsbruck by car, the birthplace of this most famous and beautiful crystal welcomes visitors. One can't speak of Austria without recognizing the No. 1 pastime of Austrians, skiing. Whether it is a quick trip from Vienna to one of the high quality yet smaller resorts nearby, or a full-scale ski trip around Salzburg or Innsbruck, the Alps of Austria are guaranteed to satisfy skiers of all levels.Enchanting is a word that sums up the experience that travelers will feel in Austria. The claims of a good life in this beautiful country are well substantiated, with something for everyone at any time of year. Austria's new start-up culture The start-up business culture of today is one of the greatest driving forces in the development of the new economy. This culture breeds dynamism and innovation. It also preaches freedom in the workplace. No longer an exclusive standard for Internet firms, this dynamic new business culture is also found to a significant extent in other fields of industry in Austria. Intercell, a pioneer in the field of biotechnology, has embraced this new entrepreneurial culture and is quickly developing into one of the most exciting Austrian start-ups to date. The brainchild of Prof. Dr. Alexander von Gabain and Prof. Dr. Max Birnstiel, Intercell is the first spin-off company to emerge from the Vienna Bio Center, a center of excellence in basic research located in Vienna. From its very beginnings, Gabain and Birnstiel intended Intercell to be a mix of highly motivated people, novel technologies and excellent resources. Gabain emphasized, "I have always pushed to create this positive environment here at Intercell, where we have an interesting mix of atmospheres, both industrial and academic. This has given us a strong intellectual basis. Because of this mix, all the young scientists working at Intercell enjoy a very stimulating climate." Intercell is a research-oriented biotechnology company devoted to the development of chemically defined vaccines for the treatment of human diseases. Through its multiple platform approach, where the company applies its Cistem screening technology to identify vaccine candidate molecules and then uses these molecules in its Transvax platform, Intercell has made discoveries in the field of vaccines for the treatment of such diseases as cancer and chronic infections caused by various pathogens. Intercell vaccines are expected to offer the immune system a helping hand in combating a broad spectrum of difficult-to-treat diseases. By dealing directly with the immune system, Intercell's technology provides a means of developing and producing vaccines in a more cost-effective way, making these vaccines available for even the poorest nations, where such diseases as tuberculosis and hepatitis C are still common. The start-up culture that has evolved at Intercell stems from a mix of passion for scientific discovery, humanitarian ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. These ideals drive this small venture business to pursue, develop and bring its technology to the world. In today's globalized world, where size often matters most, some exceptions just have to be made.
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Hotel Schloss Monchstein, known as the urban sanctuary of the world, sits on a hilltop overlooking Salzburg.
Skiing in the Austrian Alps draws tourists from all
Solace in the mountains: Hikers relax at