One year ago, Adam and I were cruising the Danube River during the Christmas season. Christmas markets are a tradition in Europe, but Austrians put on a festive spectacle like no other.

Forget The Sound of Music - the best Hollywood movie set in Austria is Amadeus.

Bärenwirt offers rustic and typically Austrian home cooking, from beef goulash to cheese dumplings and the best schnitzel in Salzburg.

Known for his daring and aggressive style, the Austrian skier - affectionately known as The Kaiser -  captured gold in a heart-pounding race that has since become iconic.