Austria is a gem. Think about it as Switzerland without the outrageous expense; Germany without that slight sense of smugness; Italy with a modicum of organisation; France without the French.

Schloss Wallsee, east of Linz

Four lesser known highlights of central Austria:
1: Freistadt: a near perfect walled town, close to the Czech border
2: Wallsee: just a village east of Linz, situated high above the Danube and centred around a mysterious, privately owned castle
3: Admont: a beautiful monastery complex, with small town attached, in the stunning scenery of the Gesause National Park
4: St Veit an der Glan: a thriving Carinthian town with a lively main square and a couple of wacky hotels
1: Freistadt: a near perfect walled town, close to the Czech border
2: Wallsee: just a village east of Linz, situated high above the Danube and centred around a mysterious, privately owned castle
3: Admont: a beautiful monastery complex, with small town attached, in the stunning scenery of the Gesause National Park
4: St Veit an der Glan: a thriving Carinthian town with a lively main square and a couple of wacky hotels