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Vienna Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Vienna
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Vienna Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Vienna - It is difficult not to be moved to hum a Brahms
lullaby or a Strauss waltz as you explore the sights of Austria's
beautiful Baroque capital, Vienna, which for centuries was the
centre of the splendid Hapsburg Empire. The city remains infused
with the grand imperial spirit in the form of magnificent palaces
and grand mansions peppering the Innerestadt. The city's cultural
heritage is mainly musical, the great classical composers like
Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn and Mozart all having
lived and performed here. Today the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
and the State Opera House help keep alive the city's tradition by
offering more classical music performances a year than any other
city in the world.
Vienna is a city of music,
but it is also synonymous with gourmet fare, cream cakes, superb
coffee, the angelic strains of the Vienna Boys' Choir and the proud
prancing of the Lippizaner stallions at the world-famous Spanish
Riding School. Vienna started out as a Celtic
settlement on the banks of the Danube and became one of the Roman's
most important central European bases. Its central location on the
strategic river contributed to the city becoming a mighty empire,
reaching its peak during the tumultuous reign of the dazzling
Hapsburg dynasty. At the end of the 19th century the golden age of
empire began to decline as Vienna's coffee houses filled with
radical intellectuals like Freud, Klimt and Mahler. The Second
World War Nazi occupation left scars, but Vienna survived it all to
remain a captivating capital that blends Italian romanticism with a
Germanic orderliness. Most of the city's tourist
attractions are within the largely pedestrianised inner city area
which was once enclosed by the city walls. The walls have been
replaced with the Ringstrasse, a wide ring road. Further out in the
suburbs is the thrilling Prater amusement park with its massive
ferris wheel, and the opulent Schonbrunn summer palace. Visitors
also should not miss a trip to the Vienna Woods, peppered with
ancient 'heuringen' (wine taverns).
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Vienna
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Hofburg
Innerer Burghof 1, Kaisertor
www.hofburg-wien.at |
What is it? The Hofburg Palace, or Imperial Palace, was
the home of the Austrian Hapsburgs for 600 years. The first
fortifications were erected by King Ottakar Premyst in the 13th
century and were added to by every generation until it became the
monumental structure it is today. As well as housing the
president's offices, the palace now encompasses 22 separate
museums, the National Library, a 14th-century Augustinian church,
the famous Spanish Riding School and the Royal Chapel, where every
Sunday the Vienna Boy's Choir sing Mass (they have performed for
the Royal Court since 1498). It will be impossible to even catch a
glimpse of everything on display at the Hofburg, so visitors should
be selective. The most popular of the museums is the
Kaiserappartements, which takes visitors on a tour of the Kaiser's
imperial apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver
Collection.
Hours of Operation: Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, Silver Collection:
daily 9am to 5pm (until 5.30pm in July and August)
Phone:(01) 533 7570 |
2. Spanish Riding School
Michaelerplatz 1
www.spanische-reitschule.com |
What is it? The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is the
oldest and last riding school in the world where classic dressage
is still practised in its purest form. This Institute was founded
in 1572 and named for the Lipizzaner horses, which are of Spanish
origin. The Imperial Court Stud was originally situated near the
village of Lipizza (hence the name of the horses) but since the
collapse of the Danube Monarchy in 1920 have been bred at the
Federal Stud in Styria. The horses perform their tricks in the
Winter Riding School, which was commissioned by Emperor Karl VI.
Performances take place between February and June, September and
December but are in high demand and booked up months in advance
(details on their website). The easiest way to see the horses is
during their training sessions. Tickets are only available at the
door, and cannot be booked in advance. Situated in the stables is
the Lipizzana Museum, which displays the history of the
school.
Hours of Operation: Museum: daily 9am to 6pm; training sessions: Tuesday
to Saturday 9am to 12pm
Phone:(01) 533 9031 |
3. Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum)
Maria Theresien Platz
www.khm.at |
What is it? This museum was built between 1872 and 1891
to house the vast collections then owned by the Hapsburgs who were
enthusiastic patrons and collectors of the arts. With its
magnificent renaissance architecture and superbly decorated
ceiling, the museum is a masterpiece in its own right. It is one of
the richest and most important in the world; its collections range
from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman Antiquities to the
Collections of Medieval Art and the splendid Renaissance and
Baroque Collections. It houses the works of Rubens, Rembrandt,
Vermeer, Dürer, Raphael, Titian, Bruegel and Van Dyke, to name just
a few.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm; Thursday 10am to 9pm.
English guided tours from entrance hall, Tuesdays 11am, Friday and
Saturday 3pm.
Phone:(01) 525 240 |
Vienna
holidays - Top Events
1. Vienna Ball Season
From 2006-12-31
To 2007-03-15
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What is it? Vienna is the only city in the world where
balls still dominate the social calendar during the winter season,
and a Viennese ball is a unique opportunity to experience the
sophisticated charm of the city and the famous Viennese waltz. The
official ball season offers about 300 public balls for every taste
and pocket, of which the most famous are the Opera Ball, the social
elite highlight of the European ball season, the Philharmoniker
Ball, and the glamorous Kaiserball (Imperial Ball) at the imperial
Hofburg Palace, which is the traditional opener and is a glittering
New Year's Eve celebration which attracts tourists and Viennese
alike. Numerous rental services in the city specialise in ball
gowns and formal wear. For more information contact Vienna Tourism
on (0)1 24 555 or email info@wien.info
Where is it? Various |
2. New Year's Day Concert
From 2007-01-01
To 2007-01-01
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What is it? Performed by the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra, the annual New Year's Day concert is seen by millions of
viewers worldwide and is a traditional start to the New Year. The
orchestra is considered to be one of the finest in the world and
this most famous of concerts features some of the most popular
waltzes by the celebrated composer, Johann Strauss. For more
information, one can contact the ticket and ball office of the
Vienna Philharmonic on +43 (0)1 505 6525 or consult their
website.
Where is it? Vienna Musikverein |
3. Vienna Festival (Festwochen)
From 2007-05-11
To 2007-06-17
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What is it? One of Vienna's summer highlights, the Vienna
Festival is a cultural spread of art, music, dance, theatre and
opera performed by top international artists at main venues around
the city. There are a huge variety of events, ranging from
classical to modern, with shows, concerts and exhibitions for every
taste. The annual International Music Festival coincides with the
Vienna Festival, traditionally opened by the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra.
Where is it? Various |
4. Donau (Danube) Island Festival
From 2007-06-22
To 2007-06-24
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What is it? The Danube Island Festival has become one of
the largest youth parties in Europe and attracts millions from
around the world to take part in a weekend of free entertainment,
music and dancing. Besides local bands and DJs there are
world-famous international artists, and numerous open-air
performances that take place on various stages around the
island.
Where is it? Donauinsel (Danube Island) |
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