Most think of Austria as simply as a destination to go skiing and partake in winter sports. Austria in the spring and summer months however is a completely different proposition, many do not realise that this land locked country can offer so much more to the traveller.

When using car hire services this country is really opened up and the wondrous sights are truly at your fingertips. The freedom having your own transport honestly cannot be underestimated as a key element to a successful holiday.

Having travelled regularly in Austria I advise flying into Vienna International and heading straight for the car hire desk. Once you have your transport a few days in this city is a necessity. Vienna is so rich in history and heritage it that is a must see for anyone with a passing interest in European history.

As the centre of the Hapsburg Empire, one of the largest empires in Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries its capital city has preserved the imperial majesty of its former rulers. The magnificence of the architecture is all around as you drive through the city in your car.

Well worth a visit is the Wiener Musikverein, often showing the performances of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra it truly marries the splendour of the old world capital with some beautiful melodies of the nation's greatest composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

If you have used a car hire service, jump in and let the road open in front of you. Austria, a predominantly mountainous country offers some of the best driving you could ever hope to encounter.

The Alps are truly an amazing driving experience; anyone who has seen the opening scene of The Italian Job with the Lamborghini Muira weaving its way along alpine roads to the sound of Matt Monroe will not be able to resist imagining this iconic scene.

This is why a hire car is a worthy consideration when travelling to Austria. While you may not be able to get a Muira, try and make sure the car hire firm give you something a little racy so you can take advantage of the undulating roadways.

As well as Vienna, the city of Salzburg is worth the journey, being near the German border the city is rich in Bavarian culture, and some of the finest beer in Europe. The outstanding Baroque architecture has been hailed as some of the best in the German speaking world.

Its surroundings are unbelievably alpine giving the impetus to jump in your hire car and view the city from surrounding peaks. The views are spectacular, and as you drive around you cannot help thinking you are in The Sound of Music, a fair assumption as much of the film was shot around the city and surrounding countryside.

Austria can be seen as one of the best preserved countries in the German speaking world, unlike its northerly neighbour it did not experience the terrible effects of the Second World War as many German cities did.

The destruction that has made Germany a country of concrete spared much of Austria, leaving fine examples of architecture and a country rich in culture and heritage. Surely the best way to experience this country and soak up as much of the magnificent scenery as possible is to hire a car.

Although the twenty three hour drive to Austria is possible, to leave yourself in the best frame of mind to enjoy all this nation has to offer, fly in and head directly for the car hire desk.