Once the leading city in central Europe, Vienna today is a modern capital city robed in 18th-century charm and 19th-century grandeur. The old-world ambience of the place is determined as much by the attitude of its inhabitants as by its architecture: The Viennese invented the cafe society, and they continue to perfect the art of sophisticated relaxation. Nowhere else in Europe are you so aware of a sense of warmth and friendly comfort. This feeling is so prized by the Viennese that they refer to it by name—gemutlichkeit (literally, coziness).
To get the true sense of the word, spend some time in the coffeehouses where you'll see the residents lingering over newspapers, chatting with friends and relaxing over a whipped-cream confection and a rich cup of coffee. Compared with many other capital cities, Vienna is safe and clean, with an exemplary public-transportation system. With numerous museums, galleries, parks, restaurants and clearly defined seasons, Vienna is surely one of Europe's most pleasant capitals in which to live and visit.
WHEN TO GO
Vienna gets very hot in summer—well into the 30s in July and August. Winter, though bitterly cold, has the advantage of picturesque snow, and there's an irresistible Christmas spirit in December. The Indian summer of September and October and the late spring, April and May, are the best times to go.
HOW TO GET THERE
Flights land at Schwechat airport, about ten miles east of the city center. The City Airport Train (CAT), inaugurated in November 2004, provides service to the central City Air Terminal in 16 minutes every half hour.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Sights—the Stephansdom; the Innere Stadt (the historic city center), with its winding back streets and baroque churches; the wonderful imperial buildings along the Ring; the Staatsoper (famed opera house); the Hapsburg tombs in the Kaisergruft; the Jugendstil (art-nouveau) Secession Building; Schonbrunn Palace and gardens; the Prater fairground; the tombs of the composers at the Zentralfriedhof.
Museums—Art collections at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Belvedere Palace and the Albertina; the Treasury, Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum in the Hofburg; the MuseumsQuartier; the Sigmund Freud Museum; Mozart's only extant address, the Figarohaus; Austria's famous Thonet chairs in the Hofmobiliendepot.
Memorable Meals—Traditional Austrian dining in the Palmenhaus, overlooking the former palace gardens; the large Wiener schnitzels at Figlmuller; the Kaiser's favorite tafelspitz at Plachutta; the views of the Stephansdom from Do & Co; pork and beer at the Prater's Schweizerhaus; Asian cooking at its freshest at Kim Kocht near the Volksoper; a sausage from a wurstlstand on a cold winter's day.
Late Night—Enjoying a glass of wine and the schrammelmusik in the garden of a heurige (wine tavern); drinking beer in one of the city's labyrinthine medieval wine cellars; jazz at Porgy and Bess in the so-called Bermuda Triangle; outdoor dancing at the Volksgarten; strolling through Vienna's famous Advent street markets during the Christmas season.
Walks—A stroll through the First district or along the Ring; a visit to the Donauinsel (island in the Danube); an exploration of the huge parks at Schonbrunn and the Lainzer Tiergarten; a walk through the forested hills of the Wienerwald to the Kahlenberg, with splendid views back across the city.
RESTAURANT REVIEWS
HEURIGER WIENINGER
Stammersdorfer Straße 78, A-1210 Vienna Tel: 43 1 292 4106
Fritz Wieninger, one of Vienna's best winegrowers of the new generation--a cell-phone-wielding, well-dressed, articulate breed--makes good Grüner Veltliner as well as some of the best Chardonnays in Austria, a fine Pinot Noir, and a notable Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot cuvée. Some of his hard-to-find, much-prized vintages are available for tasting at the Heuriger, managed by his brother Leo. The excellent food, too, goes beyond the customary plate of cold meats. Open Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from noon to midnight.
IMMERVOLL
Weihburggasse 17, 1010 Vienna Tel: 43 1 513 5288
One of the latest hits with the foodie population, this tiny boîte off Kärntner Strasse serves "Heimische Kuche"—peasant cooking—from Styria though, of course it's way better than you'd get in most Alpine homes. The dishes are updated for the modern palate, often flavored with deep green Kernöl (pumpkin seed oil) and generally lightened up. And, yes, as the name implies, the place is "always full."
To Book or Enquire
Please call us now on +61 2 8270 4866.
Our Opening hours are 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday (except on public holidays).
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