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Austria imposes new ban on direct flights from UK

Austria imposed a new ban on flights from the UK on Tuesday June 1st due to concerns over the increased spread of the so-called Indian variant of Covid-19 in the country.

Published: 25 May 2021 10:38 CEST
Updated: 1 June 2021 14:39 CEST
Austria imposes ban on direct flights from UK.(Photo by ALEXANDER KLEIN / AFP)
An Airbus A 320 airplane of British Airways prepares for take off at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, in Schwechat some 20km south east of Vienna. AFP PHOTO/ ALEXANDER KLEIN (Photo by ALEXANDER KLEIN / AFP)
From June 1st aircraft from the United Kingdom will no longer be allowed to land in Austria, according to a regulation by Austria’s Ministry of Health.
 
In addition, the UK has been added to the list of virus variant countries.
 
Only Austrian citizens and residents allowed to visit Austria

This means entry from the United Kingdom to Austria will only be possible for certain passengers and those travellers must have a negative PCR test before boarding.

Only Austrian citizens and residents will be allowed to enter the country, apart from certain groups. 

The Austrian government announced on Saturday that entry from virus variant states would be permitted for humanitarian workers, persons who have been summoned by the courts and people traveling to an international organisation on business, provided they can provide evidence of a negative PCR test result.

Other “virus variant” states include Brazil, India and South Africa. The ordinance banning aircraft from these countries from landing was recently extended up to and including June 6th The flight ban for the UK is in place until June 20th 2021.

READ MORE: Explained: The new rules for entering Austria

Germany also recently banned travellers from the UK from entering the country and France has barred all non-essential travel from the UKL and imposed a 7 day mandatory quarantine.

READ MORE: Germany bans travel from UK over covid Indian variant.

Earlier ban over so-called British virus variant

Flights from the UK were also banned from landing in Austria between December and March because of the so-called British virus variant. However, on March 21st, flights between the two countries resumed. 

Recently the B.1.617.2  variant of the coronavirus, which was first discovered in India, has spread widely in the UK. This virus variant is considered to be particularly contagious and is believed to be the reason the number of infections in India have exploded in recent months.

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Ten unforgettable places to stay in Austria

Talk about a land of contrasts: Between alpine chalets, imposing fortress and, well, sewage pipes, there’s no shortage of unusual and unforgettable plays to stay in Austria.

Published: 22 February 2024 16:46 CET
Ten unforgettable places to stay in Austria

Here are ten of the most spectacular, historic, unique or just plain weird places to stay on an Austrian getaway. 

Steirisch Ursprung Erlebnishotel – Relive the good old days

Eggersdorf by Graz, Styria

Let’s start our list by taking one giant step back… in time. The Erlebnishotel’ Steirisch Ursprung‘ (Styrian Origin Experience Hotel) has been designed to celebrate Styrian culture, folk art and cuisine of the 19th century, with rooms themed those of a typical farmer, as well as a wedding suite…

…and an ‘erotic room’ full of spicy paintings and carvings for those seeking a romantic getaway.

If you fancy a drop, you’re lucky – the hotel has its own brewery and pub, where you can sample the local beer in two-hundred-year-old surroundings. 

Hotel Schafbergspitze – Spectacular views from Austria’s first mountain hotel

St Wolfgang in Salzkammergut, Upper Austria

If you love a good view – and have no fear of heights – the Hotel Schafbergspitze is your destination. 

Austria’s first mountain hotel was opened in 1864, with guests travelling to the hotel by a cog railway that climbs around 1190 metres over almost six kilometres. 

The hotel features 17 rooms and a restaurant serving hearty local cuisine, which you can walk off exploring the Schafbergspitze’s summit, with stunning vistas in every direction. 

Dasparkhotel – Stay in a sewage pipe, anyone?

Ottensheim, Upper Austria

You may not want to gaze across the Alps from your double bed. You may want to stay in a sewer pipe instead. Fortunately, Austria’s dasparkhotel covers you, in the charming market town of Ottensheim, near Linz. 

Three stylishly appointed cabins have been constructed from repurposed sewer pipe, with comfy bedding, electrical outlets and storage space. 

Doesn’t sound very appealing? How about this – staying at dasparkhotel is free, although donations are welcome. 

Hotel Schloss Matzen – Live the high life

Reith im Alpbachtal, Tyrol

The hill on which Hotel Schloss Matzen sits has been desirable real estate since Roman times when it was a fort defending trade routes through the region. Since the castle was built in the 12th century, it’s passed through the hands of some of Austria’s oldest and most renowned families – each who left a mark as stewards of the region. 

Since 2007, it has been home to a gorgeous luxury hotel, where each room evokes past grandeur within the eight-hundred-year-old structure. 

It’s a common location for weddings, with the castle’s beautiful gardens and striking silhouette as a gorgeous backdrop for photos. 

Hotel Burg Bernstein – Red knights, white ladies and stunning vintages

Bernstein, Burgenland

We continue the castle theme with Hotel Burg Bernstein, once a fortress protecting Austria’s eastern borders. Consequently, it has a long and bloody history. 

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the castle has a reputation for being haunted by not one but two resident ghosts: ‘Red Ivan’, a furious 13th-century knight who has a habit of appearing to children, and the ‘White Lady of Bernstein’, a veiled figure who may be a 15th-century murder victim.

If that’s not your thing, be of good cheer: The castle also offers wine courses showcasing the region’s vintages. 

Historical tours are also available that explore the lives of previous tenants, including Lazlo Almasy – the explorer whose exploits helped inspire the novel and film, ‘The English Patient’.  

Hotel Rogner Bad Blumau – Soak in the surroundings

Bad Blumau, Styria

Looking like a technicolour Hobbiton, the Hotel Rogner Bad Blumau was designed by famed Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser in the nineties to take advantage of the thermal springs discovered on the site twenty years prior. 

When you’re done soaking and admiring the lively design of the place and eating extraordinarily well in the restaurant, there’s a ‘geomantic’ path designed by artist Marko Pogacnik to balance your energy levels. 

Gästehaus Benediktinerstift Göttweig – Simple pleasures in a House of God 

Furth bei Göttweig, Lower Austria

You may want to nourish your soul in more holy surroundings. 

Gottweig Abbey has been looking over the town of Furth bei Göttweig for over a thousand years. 

Reaching a golden age in the 18th century, the abbey is an artistic treasure house, with plenty to explore throughout its buildings and grounds. 

As is the trend with many monasteries, Benediktinerstift Gottweig has opened its doors to visitors seeking a little solace, with simple, but comfortable rooms and a restaurant with regional dishes based on local produce. 

Iglu-Dorf Innsbruck Kühtai

Kühtai, Tyrol

One of four ‘igloo village’ hotels across the DACH region, Iglu-Dorf Kühtai offers several lodgings for couples, families and groups. Cool temperatures and warm blankets make for a great night’s sleep; many of the igloos are far more spacious than you’d think.

Outside the igloos, there’s a bar, winter sports close by and frequent events to keep you entertained during your snowy excursion. 

Hotel Sacher – An Austrian Icon

Vienna

You knew we’d need to mention the Hotel Sacher to get through this list. 

The Vienna icon first opened its doors in 1876 by restauranteur Eduard Sacher. 

While he – and the hotel – are known for the world-famous Sachertorte he created, we can’t forget Anna Sacher, Eduard’s widow, who single-handedly transformed the hotel with her iron will and charisma into the Vienna stalwart it is today.

Today, run by the equally impressive Gürtler family, it’s Vienna’s only privately-owned luxury hotel. While the restaurant is a giant tourist magnet, the luxurious rooms with their belle epoque style are a more exclusive highlight. 

Honey Farm – Bzz Bzz

Himmelberg, Carinthia

We end with simple pleasures – and a little natural sweetness. 

For several years, Arno Kronhofer and his family have opened their farm at Himmelberg in the country’s south to visitors, where guests can watch and experience raising bees, harvesting honey, and enjoy a country vacation!

In tribute, many of the rooms in the renovated barn feature designs inspired by beehives, with wood, linen and honey-coloured accents filling rooms with golden light.

Have any recommendations for unusual or unforgettable hotel stays in Austria? Let us know in the comments! 

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