Lower Austria

Lower Austria is one of the nine states or Bundeslander in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria (since 1986) is Sankt Polten — the most recent capital town in Austria. Prior to 1986, the capital of Lower Austria was Vienna, even though Vienna is not properly part of Lower Austria.

Zwettlis a district of the state of Lower Austria in Austria. Wien-Umgebung is a district of the state of Lower Austria in Austria. Vienna International Airport and the headquarters of Austrian Airlines are in the district.

The unique variety of nature and culture is also reflected in Lower Austria's tourism offer. Active holidays at hiking, cycling, golf or trend sport experts, wellness days in spa centres, culture tasting in small towns or mighty convents, pleasureful holidays at the wine grower or local host, nature experience in the national parks or at the farm - the selection of ideas for your holidays is nearly endless.

One of Lower Austria's most celebrated districts is the Waldviertel-Weinviertel (a Viertel is a traditional division of Lower Austria). In this case, the Viertels are the woods (Wald) and wine (Wein) areas. They contain thousands of miles of marked hiking paths and many mellow old wine cellars.

Some 60% of Austria's grape harvest is produced in Lower Austria, from the rolling hillsides of the Wienerwald to the terraces of the Wachau. Many visitors like to take a "wine route" through the province, stopping often at cozy taverns to sample the local vintages of Krems, Klosterneuburg, Dürnstein, Langenlois, Retz, Gumpoldskirchen, Poysdorf, and other towns.

Lower Austria is also home to more than a dozen spa resorts, including Baden, the most frequented. Innkeepers welcome families with children at these resorts, which can be an inviting retreat from the city. Most hotels accommodate children up to 6 years old free; children ages 7 to 12 stay for half price. Many towns and villages have attractions designed especially for kids. Some hotels have only a postal code for an address, as they do not lie on a street plan. (If you're writing to them, this postal code is their complete address.) When you reach one of these small towns, finding a hotel isn't a problem because they're signposted at the various approaches to the resort or village. Parking is rarely a problem in these places, and, unless otherwise noted, you park for free.