Vienna - Schindl Local Services

10/05/2023

Yesterday’s News (2022) – Just a Reminder
These are the 10 best places to live in the world.
So happy Adebar the stork droped me in Vienna 70 years ago!
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-places-to-live-in-the-world
Vienna was missing from last year’s top 10 due to pandemic-prompted closures, but it has reclaimed the top spot this year – a position it also held in 2018 and 2019. The city earned a perfect score in nearly every category, benefiting from a thriving arts and culture scene and incredible healthcare and education. Between visiting the opera, touring the gardens at Schönbrunn Palace, and sampling Sachertorte (chocolate torte), you’ll never get bored here. Plus, the local government puts a lot of resources behind infrastructure and housing, so the cost of living is far lower than in comparable European cities.
This article was originally published in Condé Nast Traveler US.

From quaint Nordic hubs to Canadian cities, these destinations promise a high quality of life.

09/05/2023

How to Do Vienna
In 1¼ days (2 nights) – the MINIMUM
“3 Coins from Vienna”
Arrival afternoon/early evening
Pick a restaurant that encourages a first introductory walk – we call it “Apero-Walk”
Our Austria Guides are there to find the most scenic route and introduce Viennese fare.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Vienna/Introductory-Evening-Tour/d454-14244P3
Up to two hours our Austria Guides are there to find the most scenic route from doorstep and introduce Viennese fare (latest start 18:00).
 ½ day morning “Highlights/First Glance” tour from Belvedere Hill to St. Stephens Cathedral. Covering the Upper Belvedere (outside, panoramic Vienna-view), Golden Mile of the Ring Boulevard, monumental sector around City Hall, Heldenplatz, Hofburg Palace.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Vienna/Inner-City-Highlights-Private-Tour-in-Vienna/d454-14244P2
Afternoon options would be the Ferris Wheel/Prater or Schoenbrunn gardens and palace – or just peoplewatch/shop or the Fine Art Museum (Kunsthist. Museum)
3 Coins (if minted in Austria) = 3 Golden Periods of our history!
(That’s your Minimum Take-home)
10 Euro Cent shows St. Stephens Cathedral (Gothic, 1400)
20 Euro Cent shows the Belvedere Gate (Baroque, 1700)
50 Euro Cent shows Secession (Art Nouveau/Jugendstil, 1900)
Using public transportation, we move sustainably and “meet” locals . . . our routes avoid “stampede tourism” as far as possible.

18/04/2023

Vienna #7
Was surprised to see my Vienna amidst the most competitively priced European capitals.
Also Madrid comes out affordable!
Surprising, Berlin and Bucharest are more expensive – but why?

The cheapest cities in Europe may be these capitals, which are definitely worth the visit. New research has resulted in this list of the top 10 cheapest cities

23/01/2023

23/01/2023

VIENNA’s HIDDEN TREATS
We are working on a NEW Walking Tour and would like to share the "hardships of research" with our friends (keep tuned)!
The working title is “Hidden Treats” and will be an afternoon tour, weekdays only, with a preceding but highly recommended lunch – then visiting shops we can’t afford to shop, walking the antiques quarter and parts of the Golden Quarter – taking a sip or bite we can afford and do so frequently – doing a bit of educational sightseeing in between ending up in Café Landtmann (Freud's favorite) in spring and fall – in July & August it’s the culinary & music film festival at Rathausplatz.
This is an all private tour for one to six/eight guests only.
Now you know the concept – details will come with the pictures.
(keep following, if interested)

23/06/2022

Vienna reclaims title of the world’s most liveable city
No surprise – our guides are booked “high season style” since May 2022.
Annual rankings return Austria’s capital to first place, as former title-holder Auckland tumbles to 34th and Ukraine war sees eastern cities slump.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/23/vienna-reclaims-title-of-the-worlds-most-liveable-city #:~:text=The%20Austrian%20capital%2C%20Vienna%2C%20has,annual%20report%20from%20the%20Economist

31/03/2022

Starting Sat 2 Apr 2022
BBC World News
Vienna: Empire, Dynasty and Dream
Episode 1
British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore describes how the Habsburgs transformed Vienna into a multinational city of music, culture and ideas.
We know where Simon goes!
We too start out Vienna Highlights at the Belvedere!
See Vienna with a friend!
Vienna - Schindl Local Services

British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore describes how the Habsburgs transformed Vienna.

02/02/2022

After a morning walk in the Inner City combine a tour of the Oper
Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
Shop · Bar · Café-Restaurant
Kärntner Straße 51
Pleasure on three levels is on offer at Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker - the Imperial and Royal Court Confectioner - with shop, bar and café-restaurant in the magnificent Palais Todesco near the Vienna State Opera and hotels like the Sacher, Bristol, Grand, Guesthouse and others.

28/01/2022

I grew up in the nearby town Korneuburg and our first excursion in elementary school was Burg Kreuzenstein – we walked there and back (10km/6,25miles).
It makes a great excursion from Vienna – On a guided full day van-tour one could add the Danube crossing by an old reaction ferry, then visit Klosterneuburg Abbey and enjoy the panoramic view from Kahlenberg.

Kreuzenstein Castle in Lower Austria

Burg Kreuzenstein

The castle stands on the top of a hill overlooking the village Leobendorf, near to the city of Vienna.

The 19th-century castle was built on the remains of an old castle which dated back to the 12th century. The castle passed into the possession of the Habsburgs in 1278 after the Battle of Marchfeld.

Kreuzenstein is believed to have derived its name ‘Grizanstein’ from Dietrich von Grizanstaine who owned the castle during the 12th century.

It was heavily damaged during the Thirty Year War (1618 – 48).
____ ____ ____ ____

The Reconstruction of the Castle

The authentic looking ‘new’ castle was built by Count Nepomuk Wilczek (1837 - 1922).

Wilczek began the reconstruction work and incorporated the ruins of the old building into the new castle and then used the remains of old buildings and fortifications which were purchased from all over Europe to complete the complex.
The rooms were then furnished with medieval furniture and historical artefacts and a large collection of historic weapons which can be seen in the Castle Armoury.

The reconstruction work was completed and Kaiser Wilhelm II attended the opening ceremony in June 1906.

The building was hit by lightning in 1915 and damaged by fire.

The collection was heavily damaged during the closing months of the Second World War and many historical pieces and manuscripts were destroyed, stolen or lost.

Kreuzenstein Castle in the countryside near to Vienna is now a tourist attraction.
___ ____

Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek

Johann Nepomuk Wilczek was born on the 7th December 1837 and died on the 27th January 1922.

He was placed to rest in the Wilczek Family Vault which was built under the castle.

24/01/2022

Archduke Maximilian (son of Emperor Ferdinand I) built a stud in Bohemia in 1562 for crossbreeding Spanish and Arabian horses.
A few years later an open-air riding school was built in front of the ‘Stallburg’ (Court Stables) of the Hofburg in Vienna, and twenty years later a wooden riding hall -’Spanische Reithstall’ was in use.

The stud in Lipica (Lipizza) in Slovenia was founded in 1580 by Archduke Karl.

The first recorded performance of the Lipizzaner took place on 24th January 1667 on the occasion of the wedding of Leopold I with the Spanish Infanta Margareta Theresia.

In 1681, Leopold I decided to establish a new indoor riding school, the so-called winter riding school, but in 1683 the construction work ceased because of the war against the Ottomans.
During the siege of Vienna, the almost finished riding school was greatly damaged.

In 1729, under Karl VI, the rebuilding was started by the court architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach and in 1735 the building was completed in its present form.

In 2004, the Spanish Riding School gave a magnificent gala performance in the main courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace.

Lipizzaner

The world-famous Lipizzaner horses were bred in a small village called Lipica in Slovenia. The foals are born dark in colour and change to white over a period of some six years.

21/01/2022

Vienna Ice World (Eistraum)
January 19 – March 6, 2022
One of the world’s biggest open-air artificial ice rinks opened for it’s 27. season.
City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) transforms into a huge ice rink (9.500m2/2,3 acre) and thrills ice-skating enthusiasts of every age. Special safety precautions apply this year.
https://www.wien.info/en/lifestyle-scene/ice-world-348598?fbclid=IwAR001rHkYb6h7KAWb2eyVaMqvgy01L56MCNnAaQ15lEWd9ZvMtInzkX3OpA

From January until March, City Hall Square transforms into a huge ice rink and thrills ice-skating enthusiasts of every age. The Vienna Ice World is one of the biggest open-air artificial ice rinks in the world – and on no fewer than two levels! Special safety precautions apply this year.

07/12/2021

Ok, here we are – You are WELCOME in Vienna starting 12.Dec.!
Lockdown will be over for vaxxed/recovered – restrictions will apply for unvaxxed ones.
Markets will re-open – gastro stands following weekend – no gluhwein!!!
Hotels will welcome 2G. – Bring your certificates and matching ID!
Just now it was announced that gastro will open only by 20. Dec.!?!? - Hotels yes – but only take-out food . . .?
Details about FFP2/KN95 masks are in the making – no other masks will be accepted!
“refusenik regions” like Upper Austria, Salzburg and Tyrol may/should open later!

08/11/2021

Austria/Vienna in LOCKDOWN AGAIN!
After some good travelling July to October 2021!

We are a coop of LOCAL GUIDES in Vienna – certified, licensed and vaxxed Austria Guides!
2021 Tourism re-started in Vienna and on the Danube in July. - We also saw “solo explorers” and small traveling parties returning.
To see our Vienna-portfolio, visit our listing at TripAdvisor!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g190454-d2041233-SCHINDL_Local_Services_Day_Tours-Vienna.html
Feel free with related questions even beyond bookable services.
There is as slim chance to re-open mid Dec. to Christmas (13.-26. Dec.)
Let’s stay connected for let’s plan for 2022!
“You have a friend in Vienna”
Walter SCHINDL
Austria Guide
[email protected]

25/06/2021

Day Trip from Vienna!
SCHLOSS HOF

20/05/2021

VIENNA WALKS 2022/23
Private Walks, Van&Walk Tours and Urban Hikes in and around Vienna.
Our small group of dedicated, licensed local guides offer a variety of tours for visitors travelling by by air, rail or boat as well as for “slow travelers” spending time in Vienna, looking for a new angle on our city.
Our Half Day arrangements make use of the city’s efficient, clean, and cheap public transportation system where useful, but we walk to get the feel for this historic capital. They call it “immersive & sustainable” now – we do it that way since we started in 2004.
By combining 3 or 4 of this half-day tours we provide an in-depth experience of Vienna. Even if you book segments of your Vienna stay with other suppliers, we make sure that our part “fit’s in” and we don’t overlap.
• “INNER CITY HIGHLIGHTS” is a perfect start for first timers – a 3 hrs. tour of Belvedere gardens, monumental Ring, Hofburg Palace and Cathedral.
• “INNER CITY’s HIDDEN GEMS” explores the less traveled parts like – Old University & Mozart Quarter, courtyards and alleyways, Judenplatz and Inner City’s posh west.
• “VIENNA KISSES” starts and ends with a kiss by Gustav Klimt and in between we cover more than two hundred years, from Baroque Belvedere to Art Nouveau Secession. The Naschmarkt makes a nice ending at noon as well as late afternoon.
• “VISTAS & VINEYARDS BEETHOVEN HIKE” – is a suburban hike exploring Vienna’s most prestigious hillside residential areas of Nussdorf, Heiligenstadt and Grinzing. Rural in Beethoven’s time, these neighborhoods were his favorite summer retreats and Kahlenberg offers some of Vienna’s best views.
• All in One is our “PERFECT DAY” – a customized combination of 3 or 4 hrs. by air-conditioned sedan/van and a 2 hrs. walk. Like in any safari, we cover the “Big Fife” (Ring/Hofburg Palace, Ferris Wheel, Belvedere, Schönbrunn, Cathedral, the Danube) and more in ONE DAY (or two consecutive half days).
As you would expect with a Privet Tour, we meet you at your hotel/vacation home, the train station or the pier and we adjust “exercise level” and route to fit your wishes – although we have a “best practice” program for every tour.

18/05/2021

Theseus Temple in Volksgarten, Vienna
is a neo-classical structure built by court architect Peter von Nobile in 1823 to be the home for a single work of then-contemporary art: Antonio Canova's white marble masterpiece Theseus Slaying the Centaur.
For almost seventy years, this artwork stood alone inside the building, until in 1891 it was moved to the newly completed Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) where it still stands today.
Beginning in 2012, a new series of exhibitions within the Temple began. This year’s exhibition is an immersive environment by artist Susanna Fritscher (born 1960, Austria) created specifically for this unique architectural setting, the work consists of a parcours formed by thousands of translucent silicone threads stretched from ceiling to floor.

03/05/2021

THREE COINS FROM VIENNA
What to see in Vienna? – What about “following the money”?
Euro coins show “national backsides”, landmarks, personalities, art . . . so does Austria.
Our 10,20,50ct make good ciceroni!
They illustrate the three “Golden Ages” of our city.
10ct St. Stephen’s Cathedral / Gothic
20ct Belvedere / Baroque
50ct Secession / Art Nouveau
Following the «money trail» makes a great day in Vienna.
If you contemplate “professional help” – we love to help!
Find more information on facebook – “Vienna–Schindl Local Services”.
For those preferring walking downhill, like me, I suggest starting at the Belvedere ending at the Cathedral.

08/04/2021

Day-tripping from Vienna
Getting ready for an after-corona period we started to explore more open-air options with family/small group appeal.
For fans of the Roman civilization “Carnuntum” is well known.
Unusual for Roman settlements in Europe, Carnuntum did not make it through the ages. For the period then, a city of 50.000 was a big one and Carnuntum remained buried under soil for more than a millennium.
Aware that excavating eventually means total loss or total “re-building” in Carnuntum only a small section is open to visitors and helps to understand live in an important border town of the Roman empire.
Meticulous reconstruction – including a fully functional bath – makes it fun for visitors of all ages.
Together with the Museum Carnuntinum and a visit at the Danube wetlands it makes an interesting day. We also offer a combination with the baroque estate Schlosshof.