Location
Vienna is the capital of Austria and has 2 million inhabitants, the city is situated on the banks of the Danube, 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the Austrian-Slovak border, in the center on Europe .The influx of visitors from all over the world has made Vienna the most popular urban tourist destination in Austria for all tourists. The city is rich in culture and history. Think of Music and Romance, think of being in Vienna.
Vienna is a romantically imperial city, a dream city for all romantics and rich in history. Wander along narrow, medieval alleyways or across imperial squares, view Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) in the footsteps of Sissi and Emperor Franz Josef, and marvel at the majestic architecture along the Ring Boulevard. Be inspired by an atmosphere steeped in history, Vienna has been synonymous with music for centuries, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day. The Wiener Philharmoniker is one of the world’s top orchestras; the Vienna Boys’ Choir is triumphantly successful wherever it tours. Yet Vienna also boasts a lively scene for young people – if you love music, you are sure to enjoy Vienna.
What ever your tastes you will always enjoy a visit to one of Vienna’s famous coffee houses or traditional wine taverns (“Heurige”) and work your way through famous culinary specialties.
Don’t leave without eating a Weiner Schnitzel! Vienna gave this to the world.
Attractions
Belvedere Palace – The two magnificent palaces on the Belvedere grounds lie in the middle of a splendid park. J.L. von Hildebrandt, the famous Baroque architect, constructed them for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Danube Tower – If you want to enjoy a magnificent view over Vienna this is the right place to go. The Viennese affectionately call the tower “Concrete needle”. It is 352 meters high and was built within 20 months!
Haas House – Haas House is one of the most exciting buildings in Vienna and the city’s pride. Images of St. Stephen’s Cathedral reflected by the straight glass facade of Haas House are a popular motif.
The Hofburg – The Hofburg was originally a medieval castle, but today only the castle chapel remembers of its medieval past. The Hofburg was extended to a magnificent residence when the Habsburg’s power increased.
Naschmarkt – There is quite a number of markets where you can buy fresh vegetable and assorted tidbits. But Naschmarkt is arguably more than that: it is a Viennese institution dating back to the 16th century.
Prater – Made famous by Orson Wells in the film-The third man-The Prater is Vienna’s most popular fun fair. Here one can enjoy a great view from the giant Ferris wheel, and one can do sports and relax in the area of forest land and fields.
Vienna Opera House – The Vienna Opera House is situated in the frist district of Vienna at the southern end of the Kärntnerstrasse. August von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll built the Court Opera House from 1861 to 1869.
Karlskirche – Karlskirche is the biggest cathedral in Baroque style north of the Alps. Building commenced in 1715 following plans of famous Austrian Baroque architect Johann Fischer von Erlach.
Vienna, Austria’s capital is mostly known for its vibrant cultural life. Only few people know, that there are beautiful skiing resorts in its vincinity…
The “Hohe Wand-Wiese” is located on the outskirts of Vienna just half an hour by public transport from the city centre in picturesque Mauerbach on the slopes of the Wienerwald. The skilift is 400m long, and the slope has a maximum incline of 25%!
How to get there
BY AIR:
All Major airports have direct flights to Vienna.
Vienna International Airport is 20 minutes south east of Vienna.
BY ROAD:
From most parts of Europe it will take 1 or 2 days by car.
All Motorway connections are excellent, allow more time when traveling in during winter.
If you are visiting from Germany or Switzerland you will arrive on the Westautobahn (A1). Drivers coming from the south will arrive on the Südautobahn A2). A toll-sticker is needed on all Austrian motorways, purchased when entering the country. ( Don’t try to get away without one, the police will fine you much more for not having one displayed.) The price depends on the length of your stay.
If you can avoid having a car in Vienna then it’s advisable to use the public transport system, which is very good. Many of the inner city districts have parking restrictions, watch out for these when you park.
BY RAIL:
All European Rail networks go to Vienna
Together with the underground system, the tram is a superb way of getting around Vienna. The tram network is one of the largest in the world, and runs every 5-10 minutes on time.
It’s easy to travel from London to Vienna by train – just 2 hours 40 minutes on Eurostar to Paris, then a comfortable sleeper or couchette on the famous’ Orient Express’ from Paris to Vienna overnight.
BY BUS/COACH;
The Bus services are excellent, and run very regularly.
Festivals
The Nutcracker (Vienna Staatsoper) – Dec – Vienna Staatsoper
Seasonal favourite The Nutcracker, in the revised version by Renato Zanella, is staged at one of the world’s top opera halls, the Vienna Staatsoper.
Rathausplatz Christmas Market – 12 Nov – 24 Dec (annual) – Rathaus
During this Advent market, which has been in existence for over 700 years, Vienna’s City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) is given over to craft, food and gift stalls.
Kaiserball – 31 Dec (annual) – Hofburg
The Vienna Balls are seen as the epitome of glamour and decadence. There’s lots of fun involved as well, so you shouldn’t hesitate to waltz yourself into the stunning winter atmosphere of the city….
Eating Dining Shopping
Vienna boasts one of the world’s most famous culinary traditions. A diverse yet delectably harmonious range of dishes reflects the city’s mix of nationalities and food cultures through the centuries. Some traditional foods are listed below, try these for yourself.
Wiener Schnitzel- A specialty originating from the Italian “costoletta milanese” -breadcrumbed and fried veal escalope, frequently served with a local salad.( Erdäpfel Salat)
Erdäpfel Salat – A delicious side dish made from potatoes – especially delicious as a side dish for ‘Wiener Schnitzel’!
Tafelspitz – Choice pieces of boiled beef with classic garnishes.
3 exceptional deserts – Apfelstrudel, Sachertorte, Vanillekipferl.
Shopping
Mariahilfer Strasse – Vienna’s most trendy shopping mile which is located between the centre of the city and Westbahnhof. Here you will find hundreds of shops offering fashion, jewelry and souvenirs of Vienna. You will find boutiques and department stores and, right next to them, film, video and computer shops. Between them are numerous restaurants, snack-bars and cinemas.
The Naschmarkt offers a wide range fresh foods and delicacies.
History
Vienna was originally a Celtic city founded around 500 BC. In 15 BC, it became a frontier city (“Vindobona”) guarding the Roman Empire against the German tribes to the north. In the Middle Ages, it became the home of the Babenberg and, later, the Habsburg dynasties and through the latter the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Ottoman Turkish invasions of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries were stopped two times in total at Vienna. In 1815, Vienna was the site of the Congress of Vienna which redrew national boundaries in Europe after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo.
After WW1 Vienna and Austria lost the power and influence that they had in Europe for centuries.
When WW2 ended Austria remained under the control of Russia until it pulled out its forces in 1955. Since then Austria has been an independent Republic.
During the Cold War, Vienna was a hotbed of international espionage owning to its location in neutral Austria, between the Western and Eastern blocs.
Today Vienna is a key city of the E.U. because of its cultural and trading links with most of the Eastern European countries, many of whom are also now joining the E.U.
Mostly people know Vienna for the quarterly meetings of OPEC which establishes a price of oil worldwide and appears in the news headlines, remember this the next time you fill up your car with fuel and maybe thank the Austrians when the price goes down.
Other World famous Viennese features include the Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School, the Vienna Boys’ Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben), Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, and various pastries.
Useful telephone numbers
Emergency Number (police) Tel: 133
Airport Information (Vienna International) Tel: +43-1-7007-0
Train station:Tel: 17 17
Tourist Office: Tel: 21 11 42 22
Holiday rents online:
National Transport Line:
24 hour medical service Tel: 141