Your Travel Specialist On: Vienna, Austria

By MAUREEN JONES (Star Patcher)

I have been to this city many times and always enjoy it. It was cold, as their winters are, and I was delighted to get tickets to a Straus Concert at the famous concert hall. What a delight to see all the elegant ladies, furs, jewels, and not a single pair of tennis shoes in sight. There is a lot to do and see in Vienna, and it’s a good idea to buy a City Card which gives you free travel on the underground, bus and tram for 48-72 hours. It gives you discounts on sightseeing tours, in shops and restaurants. Euro 18.00 and you can buy it at most of the hotels. I’ve used the tram and the underground many times and it is a safe city.

You cannot “think thin” in Vienna. There are so many absolutely gorgeous pastry shops and its impossible not to stop for a coffee and something yummy between shopping. You should go to try Viennese cuisine at the Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper in the lst district, or Gasthaus Wolf in the 4th district. The most famous pastry shop is Demel, at 1010 Kohlmarkt 14. Their chocolate cake is worth having along with a hot chocolate.

Begin your journey by walking the 150 year old Ringstrasse, commonly called “The Ring”. Along this elegant boulevard you will find a dense concentration of significant historical buildings. Don’t miss the Naschmarkt, Vienna’s famous open air market displaying food specialties from all over the world.

This is an easy town to get around, and the must sees are the Vienna State Opera, St. Stephens Cathedral, Mozarthaus Vienna, the Imperial Hofburg, Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Museums Quartier. There are several outstanding museums so you have to pick and choose. This time I hired a horse drawn carriage and went around town in comfort since it was freezing cold.

Music is everywhere in Vienna. Try and see a performance of the Vienna Boy’s Choice in the Hofburg Chapel on Sunday morning, and either an opera, or a classical concert. The symphony and the philharmonic are among the greatest orchestras in the world. It’s worth going to see the collection of musical instruments in the Hofburg complex. The pianos played by Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Schubert are there. One thing I always try and do is go to the Augustinerkirche to hear a concert by an international organist on a Sunday.

The elegant white Lippizaner horses in the Spanish Riding School have become a trademark for Vienna. For the last 300 years they have been performing. This time I went to see a rehearsal which was a delight to watch. A rider is in training for eight years before he can perform.

A nice day trip is on a bus to the Vienna woods, and visit a winery. Vienna has more green space than any other city in the world. It is the only city in the world with extensive vineyards inside the city limits. There are many outstanding restaurants all over town. I always make sure I have Wiener Schnitzel and apple strudel at least one day. It is famous for its sausages, pickles, ham, and of course, pastries. There is so many chocolate shops, you have to be tempted.

In January and February, there are 400 elegant balls to choose from. The whole town is given over to dancing. It is amazing that people come from all over the world to attend a ball and waltz and polka to their hearts content. Black tie and a long gown are a must.

Our favorite hotels are the Hotel Sacher Wien, the Imperial, and the Bristol. Because of our being a member of the Signature Travel Network, they give our clients a free breakfast each day, one free lunch, free airport transfers, an upgrade and other amenities. You get great value, but the experience. Great locations, and superb service.
Vienna is a city you can visit at any time of year. There is lots to see and do, no matter what the weather is. I’ve seen more gorgeous fur coats there in the winter than anywhere else.

Maureen Jones

• Also from Maureen:
• Your Travel Expert On: Classic Cuba
• Your Travel Specialist On: Highlights Of England

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street, Los Altos. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.