Escorted & Package Tours

A sampling of some well-recommended tour operators follows, but you should always consult a good travel agent for the latest offerings.

British Airways Holidays (tel. 800/AIRWAYS; www.britishairways.com) offers a far-flung and reliable touring experience. Trips usually combine Vienna and other Austrian attractions with major sights in Germany and Switzerland. BA can arrange a stopover in London en route for an additional fee and allow extra time in Vienna before or after the beginning of any tour for no additional charge.

Other attractive options are North America's tour-industry giants. They include Delta Vacations (tel. 800/221-6666; www.deltavacations.com), American Express Travel (tel. 800/297-2977; www.americanexpress.com), and an unusual, upscale (and very expensive) tour operator, Abercrombie and Kent (tel. 800/554-7016; www.abercrombiekent.com), long known for its carriage-trade rail excursions through eastern Europe and the Swiss and Austrian Alps.

Ask for a copy of the brochure "Nature the Healer: Spas and Health Resorts in Austria." You can also learn about "Kneipp Cures," a method developed in the 19th century as a restorative treatment and still hailed as "a magic formula in the world of natural medicine." This cure, popular among seniors with limited circulation, involves simple stretching exercises and moderate amounts of low-impact aerobics. The exercise session is then followed by immersing the feet in icy, nonsulfurous water.