Fairy-tale Villages

An alpine mountain for the backdrop, vast emerald fields, a few scattered houses complete with sloping roofs and chimneys, and a soaring church steeple amidst them all – visiting an Austrian village is like stepping back into time, and into your favourite fairy tale. Hallstatt, which is a convenient day-trip from Salzburg, is believed to be the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe. Its history dates back to the Iron Age (800-400 BC). The village is also home to the oldest salt mine in the world, which is still functional, and which you can tour for a fee. The 12th century Roman Catholic Church in the village has a spooky secret – the Beinhaus (bone house), which contains rows upon rows of skulls of the residents who had been buried in the church’s graveyard! Alpbach in Tyrol, Western Austria has been voted as the country’s most beautiful village and is also anointed as Europe’s most beautiful flower village. It’s perfect for a winter holiday with several cross-country skiing and hiking trails. Dürnstein in the Wachau region of Austria is a charming village on the banks of the Danube. The medieval castle that overlooks the village is where King Richard I (Lionheart) was held captive during the Third Crusade.