Celebrating Austrian National Day: That’s why we love Austria!

There are many reason why we love Austria. Living overseas we see our beloved country from a different perspective. Sometimes more critical, sometimes more sentimental but end of the day we love Austria because our roots are there and will ever be!

We would love to show what makes Austria so special however we only can point out some of the highlights otherwise it would become an almost never ending series.

Today it’s : SALZBURG, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a genius musician and composer. But Mozart is only one of many besides Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert , Strauss and Mahler to name a few.

It was one Hollywood movie that finally put Salzburg on international travel itinerraries,

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC”. Needless to say that there are organized 'Sound of Music Tours’ to show visitors some of the sites used in the movie.

Frohnburg Castle, when Maria arrived at Villa von Trapp.

The glasshouse (which was actually shipped from Hollywood to Salzburg). You can find it in the park of Schloss Hellbrunn, just a few miles outside of Salzburg.

Below is Nonnberg Abbey, the actual abbey where the real Maria von Trapp was a novice  as well as where the abbey scenes in the movie were filmed.

Of course everyone remembers the dramatic scene where the Von Trapps had to flee from the Nazis during the singing competition. It was the Cemetery of St. Peter

Of course Mozart and The Sound of Music sites aren’t all they are to see in Salzburg. There are also a bunch of castles, fortresses and churches.
And then there is the city of Salzburg

Getreidegasse

and not to forget the “Christkindlmarkt” (christmas market) in Dezember

The picture of Salzburg wouldn’t be complete without the picturesque surrounding mountains, lakes and villages such as St. Wolfgang or Hallstatt which are worth spending your time exploring.

Ice skating on Lake St. Wolfgang

Hallstatt in province Upper Austria about an hours away from Salzburg

And this concludes our trip to Salzburg.
Come back to see more of Austria’s beauty.

  

"Sound Of Music" country more than a movie scenery! Get a property there.

Ever dreamed of living surrounded by one of the most beautiful scenery's in the world: The Austrian Alps, featured in hundred of movies besides "The Sound of Music"? Picturesque mountain peaks, mind blowing waterfalls and the rolling hills, that seem to be alive.

In the Austrian state of Salzburg close to the city of Salzburg inexpensive properties are waiting for buyers.

You can full fill your dreams and and get ready for summer activities on 7,200 kilometres (4,500 mi) of hiking paths or ride your bike on : 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of marked cycle paths and 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) of mountain bike trails (including cross-border routes) or swing your clubs on scenic fairways of 13 golf courses.

If your a winter freak as well you will be pleased by 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi) of ski slopes and 2,220 kilometres (1,380 mi) cross-country ski trails as well as 14 night slopes and 2,500 kilometres (1,600 mi) winter hiking paths!

But if you just want to relax you can enjoy magnificent views of the alps with it's highest mountain peak: Grossvenediger — elevation 3,666 metres (12,030 ft) and a national park.

Whatever your desire most of your dreams can become true in this magnificent mountain region. Get your property there for a vacation home or even for retirement.

Check out your future on this website: Wohnen im Lungau (available in English, German and Russian) for more information.

MM Lee Kuan Yew: "A for Austria"

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the 'builder' of Singapore's success, renown genius statesman has always been a man with taste and foresight which helped in developing Singapore from a 'kampung' into a first world country.

Despite his 84 years he's still being invited from governments, financial institution, universities, etc. all over the world to seek his views and thoughts on economics and politics in our region.

MM Lee set the foundation for tiny ( 650 km2; 4 Million people) Singapore's thriving economy in a most competitive world of competition for capital, technology and markets.

Singapore recently finished No.2, behind Hong Kong, for the 14th straight year in a ranking of the world's freest economies in business and labour freedom (Published by 'The Wall Street Journal and American conservative think-tank 'The Heritage Foundation').

Speaking at an anniversary dinner of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies last week about how Singapore should develop in the next ten years MM Lee mentioned Austria (especially Vienna with his heritage, culture, arts and nature) and Italy as an example what it should aspire to become.

These remarks make us proud again of being Austrians living in Singapore. Our small country is hardly mentioned from its positive side in this region mostly if some things went wrong, although we have so many things to be proud of and we are famous for. It's not only the Hollywood movie "Sound of Music" or Arnold Schwarzenegger Austria can offer.

We got a good economy, quite a few successful inventions, good education system, culture, art, great homegrown food from our still intact nature and a most beautiful countryside with gorgeous mountain ranges and lakes.

Thank you MM Lee for making the small Austrian colony in Singapore feel proud and remind us of our beautiful country.

Our secret anthem which says it all is: "I am from Austria" by our famous singer/writer Rainhard Fendrich. Go visit Erich's Wuerstelstand and ask for it. He will be more than happy to play it for you.