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Out with the old

A nation once known for being at the cultural avant garde is reasserting its revolutionary status.
Leading lights

An unlikely coalition government has put Austria on a new path. And even with an illustrious history to maintain, it is moving with the times.
Empire strikes back

Georg von Habsburg, son of the last crown prince of Austria-Hungary, still identifies as a Central European. And he believes that his family’s legacy is vital to the region.
Flexible friends

Change is coming to Central Europe as liberal-leaning mayors challenge their more autocratic-minded national governments. And Budapest’s Gergely Karacsony is looking to Vienna for inspiration.
Growth area

In the small province of Vorarlberg, 26,000 businesses power Austria’s economy. We visit three that flourish among the mountain scenery.
Fresh start

Tyrol’s capital Innsbruck is synonymous with idyllic alpine charm but its enterprising mindset makes it fertile ground for budding businesses and energetic entrepreneurs too.
Having a ball

Vienna’s world-famous party season has been a feature of life in Austria’s capital for two centuries. We meet the businesses keeping the tradition alive.
Radio royalty

Its role is changing but Vienna's Funkhaus remains an icon for broadcasting culture and tradition.
Leader of the pack

Transcending the worlds of fashion and music, DJ Wolfram Eckert is bringing Austrian music back into the spotlight. He tells us about his globetrotting adventures.
Object lesson

From makers who continually hone their craft to curators who amplify their work, Austria is a world leader in practical and elegant design.
Sweet spot

Vienna’s Kaffeekultur is world famous and so are its teeming cake counters. We meet the folk behind the city’s best Mehlspeisen and ask how the capital cornered all things confectionery.
Case studies

Austria’s fresh, lower-alcohol wines are at last winning global acclaim. We meet five wine-makers across the nation and offer some suggestions on the best bottles to bring home.
Dressing the nation

We always have a little room in our wardrobes for Trachten and Dirndls – but there’s more to Austrian fashion than initially meets the eye. We visit three brands that are putting a new spin on age-old manufacturing traditions.
Worth its salt

Crowd-pleasing Salzburg is a city so toothsome that we’re singing its praises too.

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What to buy / Austria

Top of the shops

Too many nations have lost touch with their craft and manufacturing heritage, but Austria’s hands-on culture is clear from its products. Here we eye up a few highlights and tasteful takehomes, from ceramics to Styrian gin.

Writer: Hester Underhill

Photography: Trisha Ward

Tea towel Übelhör for Österreichische Werkstätten oew.at

Salt and pepper shakers Österreichische Werkstätten oew.at

Casserole pot Riess riess.at

Cushion David Fussenegger davidfussenegger.com

Coffee Bieder & Maier biedermaier.com

Jug Keramik Barbara Wihann keramik-wihann.at; diesellerie.com

Wafers Manner manner.com

Chocolates Demel demel.com

Soap Lederhaas lederhaas-cosmetics.com

Salt  and  pepper  shakers Österreichische Werkstätten oew.at

Vase Die  Sellerie diesellerie.com

Tea Be My Friend besoapmyfriend.com

Chocolates Demel demel.com

Wallet Sagan  Vienna sagan-vienna.com

Glasses Riedel riedel.com; selfridges.com

Body scrub Saint Charles Apothecary saint-charles.eu

Wine glass Riedel riedel.com

Vase and cup Andrea Kollar andreakollar.at

Blanket David Fussenegger davidfussenegger.com

Backpack Kamarg kamarg.net

Book Metroverlag theviennastore.at

Pouches Said the Fox saidthefox.at

Blanket Die Sellerie diesellerie.com

Eau de parfum Wienerblut wienerblut.at

Grüner Veltliner wine Christoph Edelbauer weingut-edelbauer.at; newcomerwines.com

Märzen-Zwickl beer Trumer trumer.at

Pilsner beer Trumer trumer.at

Wine Jutta Ambrositsch jutta-ambrositsch.at; newcomerwines.com

Ginger ale 1404 Gin gin1404.at

Herbal liqueur Kalê kale.at

Gin Aeijst aeijst.at

Pinot noir wine Claus Preisinger clauspreisinger.at; newcomerwines.com

Cold-brew coffee Kaffeetschi kaffeetschi.co

Ice tea Makava makava.at

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