Pentecost Monday

📣 Traveler notes

Austria is a landlocked, German-speaking Central European country known for its historic cities, villages, and the Alps. It is a popular destination for both winter and summer tourists, attracting millions of visitors annually.

• Nazi symbols, including material questioning Nazi crimes, are illegal and carry severe penalties. Foreigners are not exempt.
• Smoking is generally prohibited in indoor venues, hotels, and public transport.
• Respect for formal titles (e.g., Prof., Dr.) is expected, especially by older generations.
• Austrians do not identify as 'Germans'; they are their own distinct culture.
• While bathing suits are required in public pools, nudity is accepted in designated wild river/lake bathing areas and at FKK beaches.
• In formal business settings, communication tends to be reserved and formal.
• Always use formal greetings (like 'Grüß Gott') when entering or leaving public places. When meeting people, shake hands and make eye contact. When toasting drinks, make eye contact and say 'prost.' Remove shoes when entering most households. When speaking, use 'Sie' (formal you) with strangers or older people, reserving 'Du' (informal you) for friends and family.