What is the opinion of modern Austria, among those who visit

[Simi1101]

Well, I dont understand this question.
It is a safe country, beautiful landscape, politics not different than other European countries ....
Why do you ask?

[netzerkaiser]

I was only in the capital. It was a pleasant stay, but weird to me that Vienna seemed like all the landmarks were thrown up in the air & just landed all over the place. In contrast, Budapest & Prague left a far stronger impression, seemed to be laid out in a far more classical manner. But then, I think Vienna was pretty much torn down & rebuilt, even though I don't think it was bombed to the ground like Berlin, Hamburg, or Warsaw.

I'd love to visit the more provincial towns like Linz though.

I got one big thing wrong about Vienna. I thought it lay at foot of Alps, but then realised it was only unrelated hills that I was seeing.

[Simi1101]

A lot of Vienna I thought was in Neo-Classical administrative style and boring. I have heard Linz is indeed very nice.

Thats the result of WW2 bombings.
Linz is nice, but has the same issues.
When you want to see an interesting Austrian city with lots of culture and you dont want to go to Vienna, go to Salzburg.

[netzerkaiser]

A lot of Vienna I thought was in Neo-Classical administrative style and boring. I have heard Linz is indeed very nice.

Thats the result of WW2 bombings.
Linz is nice, but has the same issues.
When you want to see an interesting Austrian city with lots of culture and you dont want to go to Vienna, go to Salzburg.

I checked it out, you're right, Vienna got bombed badly, but it was in final stages of war, when I guess, the USAAF & Bomber Command were displaying their muscle to Soviets. Certainly the ictures I had of beautiful Vienna were as delusional as this video I saw when I was 11 or something, faux atmospheric stuff... but I'm sure in its day it was a glorious sight, the 'nice parts', anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJeWySiuq1I