The state (or land) of Salzburg is a region in the central west of Austria. Although it is the most northerly of the regions in this part of Austria, it is not as northerly as the regions in the east of the country. Salzburg has a border with Germany and a small border with Italy. Internally, it is bordered by the Austrian regions of Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, East Tyrol and Tyrol.

Salzburg is of course known for the city of Salzburg itself, which has a quaint, medieval old town, a magnificent cathedral (the Salzburger Dom) and a fantastically powerful castle, dominating the city from its position on a hill in Hohen Salzburg. There are countless other historic buildings here in this elegant and cultural city, which is also the birthplace of Mozart. Or, if you just can't resist it, you can indulge yourself in a little 'Sound of Music' nostalgia - the scenery really is every bit as beautiful as in the film!

The Salzburg regions shares part of the Austrian Lake District, known as the Salzkammergut, an area of lakes flanked by lovely alpine mountains. Popular places to visit are Hallstatt and St Gilgen. And, if you just can't resist it, you can indulge yourself in a little 'Sound of Music' nostalgia - the scenery really is every bit as beautiful as in the film!

The 'Salz' in Salzburg derives from the amount of salt to be found in the area and much of the region's original wealth came from the salt mines which were sunk here. The Hallein Salt Mines can be visited on a tour which starts out with a train ride and is followed by a descent into the mines via long, steep, polished wooden slides - not for the faint-hearted - and a boat ride on an underground salt lake. The salt mines at Hallstatt can also be visited.

Skiing is very popular in this region and conditions are generally excellent. One of Europe's best known ski areas, popular resorts are the lively spa town of Bad Gastein, Flachau, Grossarl and Kaprun with its glacier skiing.

Places to stay here depend very much on choice of activity. In Salzburg itself, there are plenty of apartments to rent, while accommodation in the ski resorts tends to be in either chalet apartments or ski chalets. Rural accommodation outside of the main ski areas is often chalet-style as well.