The broad valleys are dotted with idyllic villages and framed by jagged peaks that reach high into the sky, while the slopes are criss-crossed with inviting trails, and as such are like one giant playground in both summer and winter. And then there are the lakes – sparkling, blue and fjord-like, around which gentle cycleways and footpaths wind.

Austria is also blessed with more than its fair share of fascinating cities: Vienna – all imperial charm and gleaming coffee houses; Innsbruck, with its dramatic Alpine backdrop; and Salzburg, a true Baroque gem.