Currents
July 2017
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The Altes Rathaus (old Town Hall) anchors the pedes-
trian zone.
Maria Theresa (1717-1780) remains popular. The
last of the Habsburg rulers, she was its only female
ruler. Her empire comprised Austria, Hungary, Croa-
tia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Mantua, Milan, the Aus-
trian Netherlands, and other lands. During her forty-
year reign, and marriage to Francis I, she gave birth
to 16 children, 10 of whom reached adulthood.
The big draw to the Klagenfurt area is Lake
Wörther, with its pristine waters and schloss-lined
beaches. Even in pricey Europe, luxury is affordable
in these elegant castles/estates. Many hotels in
nearby resort towns have parquet floors, antique fur-
nishings, and offer sumptuous dining (fresh fish,
duck roasted with red cabbage, and peerless Aus-
trian desserts).
The Carinthian lake district has long been fashion-
able. Johannes Brahms composed his Violin Con-
certo and part of the Second Symphony during his
1878 and 1879 vacations in nearby Pörtschach.
Visitors to Austria are greeted by refined, but
warm, welcomes. There is no
cold hauteur here. Winters are
for skiers. Summers are for those
seeking repose amid all that is
pleasant in life. [See photo].
Austrian
charm
everywhere
exudes, but never intrudes, upon
one's privacy.
Start packing. The world is
waiting to meet you.
We Support Our Troops
[The text and photo represent
the actual travel experience of the
writer.]
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