Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
Click here
)
in Carinthia, Achensee (
Click here
)
in Tyrol and the vast Bodensee (
Click
Kitesurfing
(
www.kitesurfing.at
)
For the low-down on kitesurfing on Neusiedler See.
Österreichischer Segelverband
(Austrian Sailing Federation;
www.segelverband.at
) Can provide a list of clubs and
locations in the country.
Segelkurs
(
www.segelkurs.at
) Has contact details for sailing schools in Austria.
Swimming & Diving
Bath-warm or invigoratingly cold? Alpine or palm-fringed? Much of Austria is pristine
lake country and there are scores of swimming sports to choose from. Carinthia is famed
for its pure waters, which can heat up to a pleasantly warm 28°C in summer; Millstätter
See (
Click here
)
and Wörthersee (
Click here
)
offer open-water swimming and scuba
diving with great visibility. You can also make a splash in lakes such as Hallstätter See
(
Click here
)
and Attersee (
Click here
)
in Salzkammergut, and Bodensee (
Click here
)
in
Vorarlberg.
Paragliding
Wherever there's a mountain and a steady breeze, you'll find paragliding and hang-glid-
ing in Austria. On a bright day in the Alps, look up to see the sky dotted with people
catching thermals to soar above peaks and forests. In many alpine resorts, you can hire
the gear, get a lesson or go as a passenger on a tandem flight; prices for the latter start at
around €100. Most people fly in summer, but a crystal-clear winter's day can be equally
beautiful.
Tyrol is traditionally a centre for paragliding, with narrow valleys and plenty of cable
cars. A good place to head is Zell am Ziller (
Click here
)
. Another scenic paragliding base
is Zell am See (
Click here
)
in the rugged Hohe Tauern National Park.
Find the best place to spread your wings at
www.flugschulen.at
,
giving a regional run-
down of flight schools offering paragliding and hang-gliding.
Canyoning
For a buzz, little beats scrambling down a ravine and abseiling down a waterfall while
canyoning. This wet, wild sport has become one of the most popular activities in the Aus-
trian Alps. Guided tours costing between €50 and €80 for half a day abound. Most com-
