Vienna

Fast Facts

Location: Eastern Austria, at the easternmost extension of the Alps in the Vienna
Best time to Visit: Between May and September
How to reach: Wien-Schwechat Airport, located 20 kilometers from the center of the city, is well-connected to the city center by the S-Bahn-line S7. Trains from western regions and from Hungary stop at the Westbahnhof, situated on the outer ring road. You will also get frequent buses which arrive at Vienna's main bus terminal beside Wien-Mitte.
Nearest Rail Station: Wien Sudbahnhof, Wien Westbahnhof and Wien Landstrasse
Nearest Airport: Wien-Schwechat Airport

There has to be something special about a city that gives birth and nurtures talents like Mozart, Strauss, Schubert, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schonberg and Mahler! You just have to set foot in one of the old city streets and you will find that there is a charm about this old capital of the Hapsburg dominion that sets it apart from other European cities. In the modern times, the city of Vienna is identical with frisking white Lipizzaner horses, Strauss waltzes, Sigmund Freud, art noveau, the River Danube and its elegant cafes and fine restaurants. Vienna, Austria is a city where old charm blends perfectly with the new charisma, where the timeless coexists with the modern. Presently, it is the capital of the Republic of Austria as well as the cultural, economic and political nerve center of the country.

Art and culture

Vienna is well-known for its cultural influence, especially for classical music performances. Many famous artists and musicians have flourished in the city. It was the city of Vienna where Mozart's operas were created and the Blue Danube waltz by Strauss was introduced to the world. Some of the most honored maestros of Vienna are Strauss.

What to see

Moving outward from the historic ring, you will find Vienna full of beauty and heritage. Some of the must see attractions in Vienna include:

The Belvedere: Situated just outside the city walls, the Belvedere was planned to be build as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Burgtheater: The Austrian National Theater is called by the locals as “die Burg”. Today, it remains as the dream stage for German theater.
Kunsthistorisches Museum: Exhibiting the Habsburgs' treasured art collection along with the valuable works of Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bosch and Brueghel, it is one of the world's greatest art museums.
Museum of Military History: Featuring 5 main sections and exhibiting the military history of the Habsburg Empire, it is the oldest state museum of the city.
The New Palace (Neue Hofburg): Featuring the Ethnological Museum and 3 branches of the Museum of Fine Arts, namely, the Ephesus Museum, the Collection of Historical Musical Instruments and the Collection of Arms, it is the newest and largest section of the Imperial Palace.
Riesenrad: Built in 1897 to celebrate the golden jubilee of Franz Josef I, it is the 2nd largest Ferris wheel in the world after London's “Eye”
Schatzkammer: Housing the Hapsburgs' precious collection of jewels, crowns and other valuables, the Schatzkammer in the Neue Hofburg is an absolute must on tour of Vienna.

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Schonbrunn Palace: Built by the von Erlachs, the Baroque palace was the summer home for the Habsburgs.
Spanish Riding School: Situated in the Vienna Imperial Palace, the school is the oldest institution dedicated to classic dressage.
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom): Dating back to the 12th century, this basilica is one of the finest specimens of Gothic architecture in Europe.
Volksgarten: Built in 1820, it was designed to remind you of Luxembourg Garden of Paris. It is also known as “the People's Garden”.

Shopping

Shopping in Vienna is a major pastime for the travelers. The city's most trendy shopping spree is the Mariahilfer Strasse, located between the center of the city and Westbahnhof. Here you will find hundreds of shops offering fashions, jewelry and accessories.

Culinary delights

Vienna boasts of offering one of the world's most famous culinary traditions. You will find a diverse yet delectable range of dishes which reflect the city's blend of different nationalities and food cultures through the centuries. You must savor some of the most popular Viennese delicacies like Apfelstrudel, Buchteln, Gulasch, Palatschinken, Sachertorte, Tafelspitz.

Where to stay

The city of Vienna offers a complete range of hotels to suit every mood, taste and budget. Some of the most popular hotels in Vienna are Nosseck Pension, Pension Pertschy, Radisson SAS Palais, Hotel Imperial, Palais Coburg.

Vienna, robed in a combination of 18th century charm and 19th century grandeur, is a dream destination for the travelers. Spend some memorable time in a Vienna coffeehouse or go to a mesmerizing concert of waltzes by Johann Strauss.

Related Links :

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=ZurDURWaRYY: For a great sightseeing of all the popular attractions of Vienna, watch this slideshow! You will be fascinated by the beauty of this historic European city.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=mBq3klpvKFw: Another great slideshow presenting the various major attractions of Vienna. There are some rare old black and white footages as well. Check this out!