Austria

Vienna's mood of gentle charm owes as much to the bonhomie of its residents as the faded imperial elegance of its Baroque buildings. Dominating the skyline, the gothic spire of St Stephen's Cathedral looms over the cafes, musicians and fire-breathers in the square below. Close by is the fashionable district of Graben with fine Viennese wares in the elegant shop fronts. It is also the place for lovers of sweets. Look out for the infamous 'metre of love', one metre of miniature sweets.

Trite though it sounds, Austria is a country full of history, culture and old world charm. It's little surprise that this rich environment has spawned generations of famous writers, painters, psychiatrists, and, of course, musicians.

The fact that Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart is impossible to ignore. Mozart's name and face are festooned on everything from chocolates and liqueurs to museums and squares. Battle your way through the paraphernalia, and you'll end up at his childhood home on the pedestrian thoroughfare of Getreidegasse. This is now also the main shopping stretch, and lined with expensive boutiques.

After excessive amounts of shopping, and exploring the musical and cultural side of the city, take a trip to the glacier-sculpted lakes of Salzkammergut to the east. You can also head for the fairytale winter sports capital of Innsbruck. Dwarfed by the snowy peaks of the Alps, Innsbruck offers more than hiking, skiing and majestic scenery, as a stroll through the cobbled streets will prove.