A visit to Austria is an incomparable European experience. The towns are crammed with unspoiled historic buildings, the towns and villages are very civilized, the society is polite and the ever present mountains help you feel revitalized and ever so small and human.

Austria has played a giant role in the history of Europe and many of the things we hold dear as part of our European identity were born here at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that was. This was an empire that had a great love of an extravagantly classic style of art, an empire with a distinct definition of class and, most probably had too much money.

Yes indeed, Austrian heritage makes us feel a little envious. However unpleasant the likes of Franz Ferdinand and other royal Habsburgs were, they certainly had an eye and an ear for the arts and sciences. They viewed the arts and education as an essential part of civilization and invested a great deal of time and money encouraging it. Mozart, Schubert, Sigmund Freud, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Gustav Klimt are all names that have benefited from their reign.

But the proud Austrian history has been left behind and the people don’t carry the arrogance of past greatness with them, in fact the modern and forward thinking Austrians make great hosts. Having travelled the world, I personally am convinced that this is the country that is the most pleasant to visit, but perhaps I just love the mountains.

And the mountains for me mean that you don’t have to actually visit the cities to enjoy yourselves. Where there are mountains there are lakes and with the both of them together you find fantastic views. And when you return to the valley you’ll easily find some fine accommodation (I don’t think that there are any run down villages in Austria) and a warm welcome.

On the down side, however, a week in Austria is a pricey holiday.