02/11/2014
1. Vienna - Austria's capital
Vienna is the capital city of Austria as well as an autonomous province. The city is situated in north-east Austria alongside the Danube river. With approximately 1.7 million inhabitants; nearly every fifth Austrian lives in Vienna. Vienna is also the political and economic centre of Austria.
Vienna’s standing as an attractive, internationally popular tourism destination is undisputed. With its imperial splendour and its image as a city with outstanding music and culture, in recent years Vienna has experienced a boom as a travel destination. An increases of up to 7,5% allowed Vienna to register in 2012 a new all-time high with 12,3 million overnight stays. The "Greater Vienna" region is, with about 13,1 overnights per year, among the top ten in an Europe-wide comparison of guest nights.
What makes millions of visitors to Vienna so enthusiastic about the city has once again been confirmed by a well-known international city survey (Mercer, 2012): Vienna was vote, out of 221 important cities, to be the world’s most liveable city for the fourth year in a row!
There are many reasons to visit Vienna – the city is world famous for its imperial heritage, like Schoenbrunn Palace, the Belvedere or the Hofburg. The capital also scores highly thanks to the first-rate musical and cultural attractions at its concert halls, museums and theatres – from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein to the acclaimed Museum of Fine Arts and the State Opera House. Vienna is also a byword for epicurean enjoyment, with centuries of traditions shaping its coffee houses and restaurants and taverns. Over half of the city is accounted for by green spaces including parks and gardens, the Vienna Woods and the wetlands of the Donau Auen National Park.
Vienna stands for:
• Vienna - city of Imperial heritage
• Vienna – world capital of music and culture
• Vienna – a treat of all senses with its unique lifestyle and cuisine
• Vienna – where quality of life and green space balance comes first
• Vienna – a functional and compact city
2. Arrival at Vienna
Vienna International Airport is about 16 km east of Vienna in Schwechat. The city centre can be reached quickly and in comfort by public transport. The following services ply between the city centre, the main railway stations, the Vienna International Centre and the airport:
City Airport Train, an Airport Express bus, the Schnellbahn (City Train), the Vienna Airport Service or a taxi.
• The City Airport Train leaves every 30 minutes from the city centre (Landstrasse/Wien Mitte) and the airport - the journey takes 16 minutes. It is possible to check in and receive your boarding pass at Wien Mitte, Landstrasser Hauptraße 2, 1030 on a specially designated City Airport Train track. Information: www.cityairporttrain.com
• Airport Express Buses of the Vienna Airport Lines to/from the city centre (1, Morzinplatz / Franz-Josefs-Kai). Duration: 20 minutes; daily from about 5:00 am to midnight; runs every 30 minutes;
• With the Airport City Train (Schnellbahn) S 7 you can profit from special discounts with the Vienna Card or with another ticket of the Vienna Transportation Authorities.
3. Public transport in Vienna
Vienna is now even more attractive for your customers. The Vienna Cards costing € 19.90 allows visitors to discover the city for 72 hours by underground, bus or tram. And it also gives over 210 other benefits. Guests will profit from discounts at various attractions, shopping facilities, in theatres and concerts, restaurants or at The Heuriger.
The best way to get around Vienna is to use the city's public transport network. The approximately 925 km route network comprises 5 underground lines, 28 tram lines and 83 bus routes, to take you comfortably and reliable across Vienna.
Besides the ViennaCard, the following tickets are available (valid from May 2012):
• 24-hour season ticket 7,10 Euro
• 48-hour season ticket 12,40 Euro
• 72-hour season ticket 15,40 Euro
• Single ride tickets 2,10 Euro
The tickets are available from:
• all advance sales points of the Vienna Lines
• the ticket machines in the underground stations
• the online shop of the Vienna Lines
• most tobacconists.
Single tickets with a price supplement of € 2.20 can also be validated on buses and trams. Please have exact change ready!
4. Sightseeing in Vienna
The guests can discover the different facets of the city by various means: during guided walks or with your own personal guide, during sightseeing trips by bus, boat, streetcar, bicycle or during torchlight tours through Vienna’s underworld ...
The top sights to visit are:
4.1 St. Stephen's Cathedral:
The St. Stephen's Cathedral is Vienna's landmark as well as the most important gothic edifice in Austria. It houses a range of art treasures, some of which can only be visited during a guided tour. In the north tower a high-speed lift takes the visitors to an observation platform and to the "Pummerin", the biggest bell in Austria (diameter of 314 cm and 21,383 kg).
It is only rang for special festive occasions (e.g. New Year's Eve). In the south tower 343 steps of narrow spiral staircase guide the visitor to the tower-keeper's room at a height of 72 m. In former days it was a fire station and now offers its visitors a magnificent view over the roofs of Vienna.
4.2 Prater Amusement Park:
The Amusement Park Prater is entertaining and exciting, but it can also be relaxing and quiet. One part of it contains attractions ranging from a nostalgic merry-go-round to an ultra-modern roller coaster. In the other area, known as the “Green Prater,” one finds widespread meadows to lie on, shady trees, and quiet paths. The motto is to have fun and enjoy yourself ...
About 250 attractions entertain you at the Amusement Park, from casino automats to auto-drome rinks, ball toss and shooting booths, exciting roller coasters and ghost trains to flight simulators. Children especially enjoy merry-go-rounds, the old Viennese grotto train and much more. This varied entertainment program is complemented by more than sixty cafés and restaurants, and ice cream and snack stands.
4.3 Schoenbrunn Palace:
Schoenbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family, is one of Europe's most impressive Baroque palace complexes. The imperial complex with its numerous adjoining buildings and spacious gardens ranks among the top cultural-historical and artistically baroque complexes in Europe.
In one part of the Palace gardens you find the Schoenbrunn Zoo the oldest existing zoo in the world and once again voted Europe's best zoo in 2012. Each year more than two million visitors come to see the panda baby, new-born elephants and many other rare animals. Both, the palace and the Zoo have been nominated part of the UNESCO world heritage.
4.4 MuseumsQuartier Vienna:
The MuseumsQuartier Vienna, Vienna’s exciting art complex near the Imperial Palace, offers not only renowned museums such as the Leopold Museum, MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art, Foundation Ludwig Wien) and the KUNSTHALLE wien, but also a lively array of restaurants, cafés and bars. See and be seen is the motto – and above all: enjoy ...
The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is one of the ten largest cultural quarters in the world (60,000 m²). It offers an ambiance that fits the urban lifestyle of its visitors: retaining the old, experiencing the new – and enjoying both of them together. Following this principle, a colourful and varied scene developed amid the setting of eminent museums and collections. Events like the MQ Vienna Fashion Week complement the diverse offer of the MQ.
4.5 Spanish Riding School:
The Spanish Riding School is located in the Vienna Imperial Palace Hofburg - main entrance Michaelerkuppel. It is the only institution in the world which has practiced for over 430 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école. The objective of classical equitation is to study the way the horse naturally moves and to cultivate the highest levels of haute école elegance the horse is capable of through systematic training. The result creates an unparalleled harmony between rider and horse, as only Vienna's Spanish Riding School achieves.
In an exclusive tour of the Spanish Riding School our visitors are shown the various locations which account for the special charm of this establishment: The Winter Riding School, a gem of baroque architecture; the Summer Riding School, a quiet and shady courtyard of the Imperial Palace which houses the world’s largest oval horse walker; the Stallburg, Vienna’s most significant Renaissance building with its beautiful arcade courtyard and the historical stables of the Lipizzaner stallions.
4.6 Belvedere Palace:
The Belvedere Palace is the main work of the baroque architecture. Its buildings and parks count among the worldwide most beautiful and best kept complexes of the 18th century. The Austrian Gallery shows Austrian and international art of the 19th and 20th with famous collections (works from Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka) in the Upper Belvedere.
4.7 Vienna State Opera:
The Vienna State Opera is one of the top opera addresses in the world – where you can enjoy the very best in first-class productions. This famous stage offers a different program every day, with over 50 operas and ballet works on around 300 days per season. The repertoire of the State Opera covers an impressive cross-section of the full spectrum of operatic literature. Top international performers, directors and stage designers enjoy presenting their art before an expert and critical Viennese audience. Every February the Vienna Opera Ball takes place in the State Opera and in April, May, June and September, around 150 opera and ballet performances will be screened live on Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz in front of the opera building on a 50 m² screen - it's classical enjoyment for free!
The Vienna State Opera also offers guided tours. In the course of these tours, visitors learn fascinating specifics about the Vienna State Opera, the history of the institution, the opera business and the architecture of the building.
4.8 House of Music:
House of Music is an interactive discovery museum located in the heart of Vienna's first district nestled between St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera. A host of interactive installations playfully communicate openness to new things, understanding and enthusiasm in approaching music Haus der Musik was awarded the Austrian Museum Prize for its innovative design and is located in the former Palais of Archduke Charles. You will find all 67 of its new inventions here. A total of 5,000 square meters has been set aside exclusively for areas dedicated to a wide array of approaches to music, and most of all, to the experience of music.
The latest edition to the museum is NAMADEUS - Mozart's Musical Game which offers visitors the opportunity to playfully turn their names into original Mozart interpretations.
4.9 House of the Sea:
The House of the Sea displays tropical freshwater and saltwater fish, as well as fish from the Mediterranean and domestic waters, and sharks, all at a lofty height. Austria’s largest aquarium is located in the House of the Sea: A 300,000 liter tank holds black and white tip sharks, bamboo sharks, and Puppi, a sea turtle. Another highlight since September 2013 is the 150,000-liter tank for the hammerhead sharks on the tenth floor of the former anti-aircraft tower. And the café on the 11th floor, which also opened in September 2013, grants visitors a breathtaking view of Vienna.
Shark Diving Thu 6pm
Feeding of sharks and piranhas Wed, Sun 3pm
Feeding of reptiles Sun 10am, Thu 7pm
Admission: Children (3-5) 4 euro, Children (6-15) 5.90 euro, Retirees 9.90 euro, Adults 12.90 euro.
4.10 Vienna from above:
There are many locations where you get a wonderful view all over Vienna.
Donauturm 826 feet high, with two express elevators taking you to the rotating restaurant for a splendid view (at 564 feet) within 35 seconds: this is the Danube Tower, one of the landmarks of Vienna. From the top, enjoy an excellent view of Vienna's old city and the Vienna Woods, as well as the environs of the city, weather permitting. In the Danube park, large meadows, extensive jogging paths, playgrounds and pretty flower beds form a lovely environment in which to relax...
Due to repairs, the Danube Tower is closed from January 13-22, 2014.
Donauturmstraße 4
1220 Vienna
www.donauturm.at
House of the Sea
Independent of a trip to the zoo, athletic visitors can climb the 192 steps of the tower stairs on the outside to enjoy the view from the roof terrace at a height of 35 meters,
Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz 1
1060 Wien
www.haus-des-meeres.at
Le Loft Sofitel
Floating high over the city, light-flooded from wrap around windows, discover the gourmet pleasures of award-winning Vienna restaurant Le LOFT with its fashionable bar.
Shoot skywards to a unique Vienna bar high over the city, and a dizzying panorama of Vienna Woods, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Prater, City Hall... Sip signature cocktails as the sun drops, or a pre-dinner flute of the finest champagne.
Bar opening hours: 12:00-2:00
Restaurant opening hours: 06:30-22:30
Praterstrasse 1
1020 Vienna
Melia
A unique hotel experience in Austria´s tallest skyscraper, the Danube City Tower. The Tower is an iconic building designed by the prestigious French architect Dominique Perrault, with spectacular 360 degree views of the Danube River and the city of Vienna. The restaurants are serving Mediterranean and local cuisine. The hotel will be open at the beginning of 2014.
www.melia.com
Donau-City-Straße 7
Vienna 1220
Kahlenberg
The most prominent view over imperial Vienna can be experienced at the Stefaniewarte on the Kahlenberg. On a clear day both the mountains of the Leithagebirge and the Schneeberg, the nearest mountain of Vienna, are visible. To the right of the Kahlenberg Restaurant a path leads down from the Kahlenberg into the "Heurigen" villages of Grinzing, Nussdorf and Kahlenbergerdorf. The Kahlenberg can be easily reached with the 38 A bus (starts at U4 Heiligenstadt). The Stefaniewarte can be reached on foot from the bus stop "Kahlenberg" in five minutes.
5. The culinary side of Vienna
Viennese cuisine is the only type of cooking in the world that is named after a city. No wonder that the bistro, taverns and cafe are the foundational pillars of Vienna’s culture of food pleasures in all its enticing variety. The city serves up a cornucopia of different taste experiences, from hearty to organic and ethnic. Exotic and colourful are the countless dishes, they originate from regions and cultures offering the entire spectrum of regional and international delights from vegetarian to halal cuisine. Offerings are often ideally combined with a surprising ambience: Whether you are dining in the slowly revolving restaurant on the Danube Tower with its breath-taking view, or in the Palmenhaus in the Burgarten, or having a drink in the American Bar designed by Art Nouveau architect Adolf Loos: the visual and taste experience go hand-in-hand.
5.1 The Viennese coffeehouses:
The Viennese coffee house is known around the globe for its informal pleasantness, as an oasis of gemütlichkeit for ages. The city boasts more than 900 coffee establishments, around 100 of which are classic coffeehouses with traditionally-clad waiters, wooden floors, marble-topped tables and plush seating. While renowned for their literary and artistic connections – often a meeting place for the writers of the day – Viennese coffeeshops are an eclectic mix, each attracting a different ‘set’ from art students to politicians... as well as tourists. But the essence of the coffeehouse will remain an oasis of tranquillity in the everyday life, a meeting place, a place of retreat, of enjoying peace of mind and of having time. It is a place for young and old at the same time.
Café Sacher is ‘elegance par excellence’, for instance, while Café Museum was fitted out by Adolf Loos, and Café Hofburg is a large café with an imperial setting; so the list goes on. And, while visitors can window shop until they find their café of choice, the menu of coffee remains the same – Mokka, strong, black and short; Kapuziner, large, black with shot of milk; Einspänner, Mokka with whipped cream, and Turkish Coffee, unfiltered, strong and short.
The ingredients of Vienna's gastronomy are really simple and combine the culinary traditions of Bohemia, Austria, Hungary and the Balkans.
5.2 The Heuriger:
The Viennese Heurige is as famous as the Giant Ferris Wheel, Schoenbrunn Palace, the Vienna Boys’ Choir or the Lipizzaner. Vienna is the only metropolis in the world that grows enough grapes within city limits to be worth mentioning. The world-famous and awarded Viennese grapes are at home in the outskirts of the imperial city of Vienna.
The real Viennese “Heurige” or tavern is characterized by a comfortable atmosphere which offers the Viennese and their guests fine entertainment and fitting culinary accompaniment. It is a place in which to feel good and in which everyone is warmly welcome.
5.3 Swarovski Crystal Dinner:
A very special experience! Some special moments demand exclusivity and luxury. A romantic candlelight dinner for 2 over the rooftops of Vienna is an incomparable experience. You can enjoy a select three-course romantic dinner in the crystalline Wagon of the Vienna Giant Wheel. The light reflections at dusk immerse the wagon in a magical light. The impressive crystalline decoration by Swarovski Wien creates a luxurious, sparkling ambience. The romantic crystal dinner gift box includes:
• 2 coupons for a glass of Champagner (at Swarovski Wien, Kärntner Strasse 24)
• 50 Euro coupon (valid at Swarovski Wien, Kärntner Strasse 24)
• including a little gift by Swarovski Wien
Total 405,- Euro*
For information and reservations, please contact Swarovski Wien,
the Vienna Giant Wheel, the Eisvogel city restaurant or
[email protected] and +43 (0)1 729 54 30
6. Quality Locations
Vienna offers a wide range of accommodation facilities, from simple guest houses to five-star luxury hotels, international and Austrian chains from former palaces to family owned hotels. More than 409 hotels, guest houses and apartments wait for you. Here are some examples:
• Palaces: There are some palaces in Vienna which are hotels. The guests can enjoy a wonderful stay in Vienna with an imperial atmosphere.
• International hotel chains (four- and five-star hotels): e.g. Inter-Continental, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood Hotels/Le Méridien, Radisson, Renaissance, Accor/Mercure and Holiday Inn;
• Austrian hotel chains like Austria Trend Hotels & Resorts (four stars), Arcotel (four star) Austria Hotels International (five stars) and Hotel Sacher (five stars);
• Design Hotels: Do & Co Hotel in the Haas-House on the Stephansplatz in Vienna or the design hotel The Levante Parliament at the parliament, which combines the exceptional architecture of the year 1911 with pale natural stone, dark wood, glass and chrome. The Ring, a 5-star-hotel offers its guests exceptional comfort and casual luxury in every detail. The 68 luxurious rooms and suites are outstanding.
• New hotels:
Guesthouse (2013)
Meliá (February 2014)
Hotel Sans Souci Wien (2012)
25hours Hotel Wien (2013)
Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna (2013)
Hotel Park Hyatt (2014)
6.2 Meetings Industry:
Vienna’s reputation as an international convention destination is second to none. The Vienna Convention Bureau is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive advice and support for conference, corporate event and incentive organizers.
In 2012, Vienna placed top among the world’s conference destinations for the seventh year in a row hosting 3.376 conventions and corporate events. The Vienna Convention Bureau is a supplier-independent partner with the mission to promote Vienna as Central Europe’s leading convention city (according to ICCA statistics).
First class convention facilities and services and the city’s cultural riches make Vienna a world leading convention destination.
7. Shopping stroll through Vienna
An original gift for a friend back home or a pretty keepsake for yourself - shopping is a vacation treat in Vienna. Luxury and tradition are both to be found in the city centre.
The range of shopping options is particularly rich in Vienna’s historic first district. The pedestrianized streets of Kohlmarkt, Graben and Kärntner Strasse form the so-called Golden U, a Viennese shopping Mecca. In recent years Kohlmarkt has developed into a centre for luxury boutiques. It is lined with flagship stores of international labels such as Chanel, Cartier and Louis Vuitton. And at the heart of the Golden U, former Imperial court confectioner, Demel provides a reminder of Vienna of yore with its sweet treats and eye-catching window displays. A few buildings down is the equally illustrious Meinl am Graben, with its mouth-watering delicacies for gourmets and bon viveurs. Meanwhile Schwäbische Jungfrau is the place for exclusive tableware, bed linens and bathrobes. Kärntner Strasse is also home to one of just a handful of department stores in the city. Split across several floors, Steffl’s offers fashion, fragrances and accessories.
The new luxury shopping area in Vienna the so called “Goldenes Quartier” in the Old City offers exclusive flagship stores of Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani and soon to be joined by Prada, Miu Miu and Yves Saint Laurent. One of the most exclusive shopping districts in the city is being created in the heart of the 1st district, on the extension of the elegant Kohlmarkt. It, promises luxury shopping pleasure in a historic ambience on around 11,500 m2. The new luxury shopping area lies between Tuchlauben, Bognergasse and Am Hof. www.goldenesquartier.at
Vienna's most famous shopping street is the Mariahilfer Straße, which is situated between the old part of the city and the west station. Here one can find hundreds of shops with fashion, jewellery and accessories. Another typically Viennese shopping experience are the lively markets. This is where Vienna lives up to its legendary reputation as a melting pot of nations: Viennese.
If you want to bring a piece of Vienna back home, then WIEN PRODUCTS is the right choice! They offer the highest quality of products and are a symbol of Viennese joie de vivre.
8. Vienna for Families
The Austrian capital has excellent infrastructure and is one of the safest major cities on earth. Knowing this, it is to no surprise that Vienna is not only an attractive city destination for grown-ups but also for children.
Children expect pretty much the same from a sightseeing trip as grown-ups: variety and entertainment. The combination of both makes Vienna a fun-loving city for the entire family. Children and adults alike will have a great time enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and piece of the renowned Wiener Sachertorte. There are plenty of things that appeal to children of all ages; from guided tours to creative arts to hands-on experiences … it is all there to be experienced: Spanish Riding School with its famous white stallions or relaxing in the Vienna Woods. At Schoenbrunn Palace children can discover which clothing did the Habsburgs wear and Schoenbrunn Zoo is the best place to go for an excursion into the wonderful world of animals. Exploring the Vienna Prater Amusement Park a modern world of adventures is definitely a highlight for children and adults alike.
*Amusement Park Prater
The Amusement Park Prater is a modern world of adventure, with 250 attractions offering action and fun – including the largest chairoplanes in the world. Also, there are cafés, restaurants and snack bars, which offer culinary delights from a small snack to a full-scale dinner. Since 1897 the most famous attraction is the Wiener Riesenrad, the Giant Ferris Wheel. Somewhat faster "vehicles" than the Giant Ferris Wheel are available nowadays for cheerful aerial rides - with speed to match the times. A brand new highlight is the world-famous waxworks museum Madame Tussauds which recently opened its doors.
*Schoenbrunn Palace
Special children’s guided tours of Schoenbrunn Palace make dreams come true. Children are led through the world of Empress Maria Theresa, who spent her summers in this enormous imperial building with her 16 children. A guided tour gives an insider's view on interesting facts and children can dress up and make themselves feel like a true prince or princess.
*Schoenbrunn Zoo
Schoenbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world and is in existence since 250 years. In recent decades the zoo turned itself into one of the most modern and one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Highlights include a panda couple, the Koala House, the lion pen, the “South America Park”, the aquarium and terrarium with coral reef, the "Polarium" and the “Rain Forest House”.
Click for more information about Vienna for Families:
http://www.wien.info/en/vienna-for/families
9. Summertime in Vienna
Summer in Vienna is best enjoyed in the open air. Numerous bars and restaurants – above all on the Danube Canal – offer the perfect place to chill out, and shorten the warm summer nights. Many possibilities are available:
9.1. Outdoor Enjoyment:
Music Film Festival on the Viennese city hall square
In July and August the Viennese city hall square is a vibrant venue for fans of classical music and night owls - with culinary treats and free cinema shows. At nightfall a first-class programme on a giant screen in front of the illuminated city hall will make the heart of every music fan beat faster. Starting in the morning hours, about 20 top gastronomes invite you to a culinary world tour with sumptuous specialities from all corners of the world - the best programme for mild summer nights!
At „Summer in the MQ" the spacious courtyards of the MuseumsQuartier (MQ) around the Leopold Museum, MUMOK, Kunsthalle, Architecture Centre and Designforum are turned into a vibrant summer hangout. During the day public gardens seduce you to rest, and art fans and scene people cavort here far into the night.
9.2 Green Vienna:
With around 50 percent of the city accounted for by green spaces, Vienna is one of the world’s greenest major capitals. The outskirts are defined by a belt of woodland, meadows, gardens and arable land. But the heart of the city too is dotted with pockets of green, such as the elegant parks on the Ringstrasse boulevard, the Prater Amusement Park, and the Baroque formal gardens of Schoenbrunn Palace and the Belvedere. Large parts of the Danube Island are in fact a large-scale biotope, while the Vienna Woods are a biosphere park where environmental protection and public access go hand in hand. And one of the last unspoilt wetlands in Europe – the Lobau, which forms part of the Donau-Auen National Park – also falls within the city limits.
Since 1873 Vienna’s potable water has been supplied by 30 mountain springs. The gradient is also used to generate electricity, making Viennese spring water a healthy and eco-friendly pleasure. There are also 700 drinking water fountains in Vienna where parched visitors can quench their thirst.
One of Vienna’s finest examples for recreational areas is the Prater Park, a vast green space given to the Viennese by Emperor Joseph II. It includes the 4.5km long Hauptallee and the famous Prater amusement park.
10. Wintertime in Vienna (1/2)
During the advent season Vienna presents itself from its romantic side with many Winter markets full of atmosphere:
• At the traditional Vienna Magic of Advent, the Rathausplatz becomes a shining fairytale land. The 150 or so sales stands offer gifts, christmas tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks. The trees of the surrounding City Hall park are festively decorated and radiate in a sea of lights.
• Not far away is the village on Maria-Theresien-Platz, situated between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum. Over 60 stands offering traditional handicrafts and original gift ideas are set up here during Advent.
• In cultural and winter market in the Ehrenhof in front of Schoenbrunn Palace traditional arts and crafts, handmade jewellery and rustic decoration are offered. In addition to an extensive children's program, there is also a workshop. The market is converted into a New Year's market after December 24th.
• The Advent market in front of Belvedere Palace is also held in an imperial ambience and offers romance in front of an imperial backdrop
• There's also lots to discover in the idyllic little lanes of the winter market on Spittelberg.
• Three new Advent markets opened in 2013 – at the Naschmarkt, on the Landstraßer-Haupstraße and one at the St. Stephen’s Square.
Click for more information about Winter markets.
10. Wintertime in Vienna (2/2)
Each year more than 300 balls take place in Vienna. The city of waltzes exuberantly celebrates carnival from January until early March. The three-quarter rhythm is supplemented by more contemporary sounds, offering enjoyable dancing for every taste. In Vienna, the ball season reaches its peak in January and February. The old tradition of carnival balls continues to thrive in the city. While some dancers enjoy following the three-quarter time of the waltzes, others may prefer letting loose to a disco beat.
The Opera Ball (February) is the magnificent highlight of the ball season and a first-class society event, in which the Vienna State Opera changes into a society meeting point of Central Europe. The popular Johann Strauss Ball at Kursalon on February,9th is highly recommended for groups.
Click for more information Event -Highlights
11.1 Excursions around Vienna
Vienna’s magnificent geographic location opens up a wide variety of possibilites for excursions:
- Carnuntum Archeological Park
- Essl Museum
- Art Brut Center Gugging
- Esterhazy Palace and Burg Forchenstein
Klosterneuburg Abbey
Vienna's environs are also very attractive: romantic landscapes and picturesque villages attract visitors for day excursions.
The nearly 900 year old Klosterneuburg Abbey, situated in Vienna's outskirts, attracts visitors with sacred art treasures and an impressive insight in the baroque splendours. The building, which can be seen from far away, gives evidence of the country's important history. The abbey houses Austria's oldest and biggest wine-growing estate and offers wine tasting as well as wine sale in the vintner of the abbey.
Beautiful landscape: the Vienna Woods
The southern Vienna Woods can easily be visited during a half-day trip. During the visit one should not miss the Cistercian Abbey Heiligenkreuz as well as the Hunting Seat Mayerling, which attracts visitors from around the world because of its mysterious story about the death of the Crown Prince Rudolf. The spa town Baden (20 km south from Vienna), with its sulphur springs, casino and horse racecourse, is also well worth a trip.
11.2 Excursions around Vienna:
Beautiful Duernstein in the Wachau
A boat trip through the Wachau, a very beautiful part of the Danube valley, is definitely very romantic. Here one can see the Benedictine Abbey, situated on a rock over the river, the wine-growing villages Spitz, Duernstein and Weißenkirchen as well as vineyards where exquisite wines are grown.
The Archaeological Park Carnuntum, which is situated conveniently between Vienna and Bratislava, is an attraction for the entire family. Unique ancient edifices and reconstructions of old-roman buildings, exciting and vivid guided tours, sumptuous treasuries and spectacular roman celebrations take the visitors on a time journey into the past.
Imperial Festival Palace Hof
Well worth a visit is also The Imperial Festival Palace Hof, a fascinating baroque theme world, which is situated just under a one hour drive from Vienna. After an authentic reconstruction and refurbishments, a wonderful ensemble of baroque attractions now attracts many visitors. For example the in detailed planted and extensive baroque garden on three terraces, like in the times of the prince, is on the one hand a calm retreat for relaxing hours, on the other hand a grandiose stage for sumptuous celebrations.
12. Vienna Experts Club International
Become a Vienna Expert and enjoy even more benefits!
Working for a travel agency or tour operator?
Working in its marketing or sales departments?
Offering trips to Vienna?
Then Vienna Experts Club International is the place for you!
Take advantage of our exclusive offer and become a Vienna Expert. So you ...
• get to know Vienna better
• can sell Vienna even better
• have even more satisfied customers
You also get to enjoy a whole host of exclusive benefits on your own Vienna trip, only available from the Vienna Experts Club International:
• the best conditions at Viennese hotels
• reduced or free entrance to Viennese museums and concerts, restaurants and sightseeing offers, and fantastic events
• the Vienna Card, the 72-hour transport network ticket with over 210 further reductions, free of charge
• a monthly newsletter with the latest information on Vienna
And best of all: Your travel companion receives all these benefits too!
Come on in ..... and take a look at our website for information on ...
• how to become a club member
• benefits offered by the club
• current Vienna special offers
• what’s going on in Vienna at the moment
By the way: Membership of the Vienna Experts Club International is free!
Information & registration: www.viennaexpertsclub.at
