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Vienna
Understand
Vienna has hosted the Habsburg court for several centuries, first as the imperial see of the Holy Roman Empire, then the capital of the Austrian Empire and later of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This has tremendously influenced the culture that exists there today. Like Munich, its residents are formal, but with small doses of courtliness, polite forms of address and formal dress attire, the residents of Vienna tend to be equally modern and old-fashioned. Waiters address their customers with honorifics; a man who bumps into someone on the street is more than likely to implore his or her pardon with a small bow; tourists are treated as if they were a long-lost member of the royal family returning home. This luxurious treatment is one of the reasons that many people enjoy visiting Vienna.
The traditional Vienna is but one of the many façades of this city. Vienna is also a dynamic, young city, famous for its (electronic) music scene with independent labels, cult-status underground record stores, a vibrant club scene, multitudes of street performers and a government that seems overly obsessed with complicated paperwork. However, people are willing to go out of their way or bend the rules a little if they feel they can do someone a favor.
The Viennese have a singular fascination with death, hence the popularity of the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery) as a strolling location and of Schrammelmusik - highly sentimental music with lyrics pertaining to death. Old-fashioned Sterbevereine (funeral insurance societies) provide members with the opportunity to save up for a nice funeral throughout the course of their lives. This service does not exist solely to save their children the hassle and expense - it is considered absolutely mandatory to provide for an adequate burial. Vienna even has the Bestattungsmuseum, a museum devoted to coffins and mortuary science. The country’s morbid obsession may be correlated with their higher suicide rate when compared with the rest of Europe.
Vienna is also famous for its coffee culture. "Let's have a coffee" is a very common phrase to hear, because despite incursions by Starbucks and Italian-style espresso bars, the Kaffeehaus is still the traditional place to drink a cup of coffee, read the newspaper, meet friends or fall in love.
The City has a very convenient layout for the traveller:
The 'old town', or city center, is the first district. It is encircled by the 'Ring' road, which is also the location of many famous old buildings. Districts 2-9 are gathered within the Gürtel ('belt') Road; there, you can find the Prater (amusement) park, the hip quarters of the second district (close to Schwedenplatz), the shopping streets of Mariahilferstraße, Hundertwasser House, the Hundertwasser Kunsthaus, and so on.
Outside the 'belt', there's the Donauturm Tower, and Schönbrunn Castle, the most visited tourist attraction and deservedly so.
Vienna Tourist Board operates information and booking booths at the airport Arrival Hall, 7am-11pm and in town at Vienna 1, Albertinaplatz/Maysedergasse.
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Hotels in Vienna
 | Hotel Atlantis Vienna  |
Score 7.7 from 96 reviews | | Wurzbachgasse 21 |  |
| Recent renovations during the last year have created new comfortably spacious and bright rooms in a welcoming and family atmosphere. Next to the main building we will offer wonderful 25 Superior Rooms from August 2007.
Conveniently positioned next to the shopping district and cinema centre Lugner City, the hotel is in close proximity to an array of attractions on offer. It also boasts excellent transport links with the underground and bus station. ... more | | |
 | Hotel In Vino Veritas  |
Score 8.2 from 25 reviews | | Hochstrasse 78 A |  |
| Our hotel was renovated between 1990 and 1991 and shortly afterwards it was classified as a 4-star hotel.
You can use our sauna free of charge. We also have a solarium (charges apply).
Free wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel. ... more | | |
 | Sofitel Vienna  |
Score 6.85 from 38 reviews | | Am Heumarkt 35-37 |  |
| The modern Pullman Bar is open daily from 10:00 to 01:00. We serve classic drinks and refined, innovative cocktails and snacks. Enjoy relaxed evenings surrounded by original decorations from the Orient Express, giving the bar a very nostalgic ambiance.
The air-conditioned, non-smoking Restaurant Rhapsodie offers a breakfast buffet and serves regional and international à la carte dishes for lunch and dinner. It is open daily from 11:30 to 22:30, but is closed for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. ... more | | |
 | Austria Trend Hotel Anatol  |
Score 8.05 from 106 reviews | | Webgasse 26 |  |
| The hotel features a 100 m² seminar and conference room for up to 80 people, offering the oportunity to combine business meetings with cultural and shopping activities. ... more | | |
 | Hotel Lucia  |
Score 8.4 from 268 reviews | | Hütteldorfer Strasse 79 |  |
| The hotel provides a shuttle service to/from the airport. The cost is EUR 40. Reservations must be made in advance.
Bicycle rental is available. The cost is EUR 10.00 per day.
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| | | More hotels in Vienna |
| Burgenland, Eisenstadt and Lake Neusiedl Day Tour from Vienna |
8 hours |
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An excursion to the romantic wine growing countryside near the Hungarian border.
In Eisenstadt, you will visit the Esterhazy palace, once the residence of the Hungarian Princes, and many years the home of the composer Joseph Haydn. The castle's magnificent ambience invites you to a fascinating journey into the world of the Esterhazy Princes. The staff slip into the role of the Grand Controller and receives visitors in courtly tradition.
Afterwards drive through the "Puszta" Lowland to Rust, a town famous for its storks. (If desired lunch may be taken accompanied by Gypsy Music - not included).
The highlight of this exciting day is the boat cruise near to the Hungarian border on Lake Neusiedl, Europe's largest steppe lake, which shelters in its protected reed belt, a unique paradise of birds.
Hop back on the coach at the lovely lakeside town of Morbisch for the return journey back to Vienna.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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Dom- und Diözesanmuseum
Next to Stephansdom. Here the church silver is outshone by a collection of marvellous 15th century devotional paintings.
| type: | Museums |
| address: | Stephansplatz 6 |
| openinghours: | Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat 10am - 4pm, Thu 10am - 6pm, Sun 10am - 1pm |
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3 hours |
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After a short city tour, in which you will see the Ring avenue with its famous historical buildings and monuments, you will arrive at the well known Danube Tower. From its terrace, 492 feet (150 meters) above the roofs of Vienna, you can admire the marvelous panorama of the city. This evening will end in one of the traditional wine taverns of Grinzing, where you can enjoy our music and the typical Viennese ambiance.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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Museum der Stadt Wien
This museum includes three floors of medieval sculpture and paintings, arms and armour recalling the city's struggles against the Turks, a reconstruction of Adolf Loos's ascetic living quarters, several works by Klimt and Schiele, and a model of the city as it was before the Ring was built.
| type: | Museums |
| address: | Karlsplatz |
| openinghours: | Tue - Sun 9am - 4.30pm |
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