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European Vacations -
Austria Vacation Packages &
Travel Information |
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Overview |
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Before the Second World War, Vienna
stood side by side with Paris and
London in importance, beauty, and
power, thanks to its status as a
major transit point between Western
and Eastern Europe. The rich and
elite of Europe vacationed here
while the poor viewed it as an
opportunity to escape their
miseries. Here, artists and
composers sought inspiration and
revolutionaries ironed out their
plans and theories.
Vienna, however, has not always been
considered such a romantic
destination. The city found itself
just a few miles from the Iron
Curtain during the Cold War. Hence,
trade ceased with the East, and
foreigners found little reason to
visit a war-torn city. However, with
the sudden popularity and growth of
the Eastern Jewels (Budapest,
Prague, and Kraków), Vienna
rediscovered its role as a gateway.
In-transit tourists, as well, have
rediscovered Vienna's old-world
charm, often making an unexpected
extended stay. There is no better
time than now to visit this
magnificent city.
People traveling to Vienna looking
for fin-de-siècle architecture and a
relaxed atmosphere will not be
disappointed. Imagine a city shaped
by artists and composers 150 years
ago. Huge palaces seem to appear on
every major street corner, and the
sky is pierced with towering church
steeples. The buildings along the
Ringstrasse seem to offer a bit of
every European building style, from
the medieval Rathaus, Gothic
Stephensdom, to the Greco-Roman
parliament building.
Visitors quickly embrace the
old-world style of Vienna. The
streets are lined with quaint shops,
cafés, and bakeries. Men are still
gentlemen, while women still dress
themselves up before strolling
around town. The locals are
generally conservative, well
educated, and well mannered. They
will notice you looking at a map or
deciphering a sign, but are too
polite to bother you. However, if
you ask them, then you will find
that most Viennese speak a bit of
English and are happy to help a
traveler. |
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Facts |
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Country:
Republic of Austria
Capital:
Vienna
Time:
Austria uses Central European Time (CET).
Hence, clocks are one hour ahead of
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six
hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time
(EST).
Currency:
Currency is the Euro (EUR). The
notes are in denominations of 500,
200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 euro.
The denominations of coins are 2
euro, 1 euro, 50 euro cent, 20 euro
cent, 10 euro cent, 5 euro cent, 2
euro cent, and 1 euro cent.
Weather:
Vienna experiences quite pleasant
weather during the summer. However,
winters can be cold and icy, so be
prepared by bringing warm clothing
and high-grip shoes.
Custom Regulations:
Customs have become even easier with
membership in the European Union. EU
citizens need an ID card, while all
others require a valid passport.
Americans can stay in Austria
without a visa for up to 90 days.
However, arrivals from neighboring
EU members (Germany, Italy) are
rarely checked, regardless of
citizenship.
Electricity:
Austria uses 220 volts AC and the
continental-style plug. If your
appliance has a 120/240-volt switch,
all you will need is a plug adapter.
Otherwise a current converter is
required. Pay attention to sockets
in bathrooms and on trains marked
"Shavers Only!" While these put out
110 volts, they will burn out with a
more powerful appliance.
Tipping:
Offer a 10-15% tip to taxi drivers
and attendants at theatres and
cloakrooms. Restaurants and cafés
are generally 'Bedienungszuschlag
inbegriffen' (service included).
Vienna service staff, however, seem
to ignore this and expect something
extra.
Dress Code:
Austria is no different than the
rest of Western Europe. Business
attire, of course, consists of suits
for both men and women. Outside
business hours, Austrians are
generally casual dressers, with
young people often wearing shorts
and t-shirts. A jacket and tie are
usually worn to exclusive
restaurants and for a night out at
the theatre or opera.
Greetings:
Address people by their title, and
offer a handshake. Take a small gift
of wine or chocolates if you are
invited to someone's house.
Getting Around:
Car:
Austrians are renowned for their
law-abiding traits, and this is most
evident in their polite driving
habits. Roads are well-marked
Drivers in Austria require their
national driving license, all
relevant car documents, and proof of
car insurance. In addition, all
vehicles require a first-aid kit.
Keep in mind that all of Austria's
highways are toll roads. Tickets are
available at border crossings and
must be presented on demand to avoid
a fine.
Public Transport:
Vienna has an excellent subway
system that is very easy to
understand. Buy tickets from
machines in subway stations. Be sure
to purchase normal tickets, and not
discounted ones, even if you have an
international student ID. The buses
and trams use the same tickets.
Large maps are near every tram stop
detailing routes throughout the
city. Day tickets are available, and
are a good buy if you plan to see a
lot of sights.
Bicycles:
Cyclists, rejoice! Vienna's streets
are very bicycle friendly, and offer
a perfect way to see the city in no
time. Rent bicycles at the
Westbanhof.
Taxis:
Taxis in Vienna are nearly
impossible to hail. Try taxi stands
in front of hotels.
Trains:
Austia's rail system is right on par
with neighboring Germany and
Switzerland in quality. Vienna has
several stations, but most people
arriving from the West arrive at
Westbahnhof. Trains heading east and
south usually depart from Sudbahnhof.
Trains from Germany generally arrive
at Ostbahnhof. The major train
stations offer information services. |
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Attractions |
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Schloss Schönbrunn
Schönbrunner Schloss-strasse, A-1130
Vienna
Tel: +43 1 811 13
The biggest attraction in the
Western part of Vienna is the summer
palace. Sometimes called the
"Versailles of Vienna", this huge
Baroque residence has more then 1400
rooms and grand formal gardens. Two
tours that guide visitors through
100+ rooms are available. However,
the palace itself is a minor
attraction compared to the entire
property. The palace grounds also
include a terrific zoo, marvelous
tree-covered paths, and Roman ruin
Follies. Open from Nov - Mar, daily
08:30 - 16:30 and from Apr - Oct,
daily 08:30 - 17:00.
St Stephen's Cathedral (Building,
view map)
Stephanspl., A-1010 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 515 52526
St. Stephan's gothic structure seems
a little out of place among the
modern glass and steel buildings
lining the Stephansplatz. However,
it's the things that stand out that
make it such an attraction. For one,
the 390-foot tower can see seen from
all over the city. Climb to the top
of the spire to see the tiled roof.
The colorful tiles are laid out in
such a way as to create pictures.
Take the tour through the catacombs
and see neat stacks of skulls and
bones, open Monday through Saturday,
9-11:30a.m., and 12:30-4:30p.m.
Sunday 1-4:30p.m. Tours begin every
30 minutes and cost 40 ATS.
Hofburg (Imperial Palace)
A-1015 Vienna, Austria
Many Austrian rulers have made their
own input on the shape and style of
this palace since Rudolf I took
control of it in 1278. It now
principally contains several museums
and points of interest, some of
which are listed below. Open
everyday 9a.m. through 5p.m., 60 ATS)
Schatzkammer
A-1015 Vienna, Austria
The impressive museum contains the
Royal treasury, which includes the
10th centuryn crown of the Holy
Roman Emperor and a lance, which
legend says is the one that pierced
Jesus' side (actually only 1000
years old).
Burgkapelle (Palace Chapel)
This small room is where the World
Famous Vienna Boys' Choir sings for
Mass. Obtian free tickets for
standing room only from 8:30a.m.
September through June. Sundays at
9:15a.m.
Spanish Riding School
Michaelpl. 1, Hofburg, A-1010 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 533 9032
This is where the famous Lippizaner
horses train and perform dressage.
While the school is closed in July
and August, make an effort to see
their shows and training sessions.
Tickets are 240-800 ATS for a seat,
and 190 for standing room only.
Training sessions are Tuesday
through Saturday, 10a.m. to noon.
Tickets are 100 ATS. Be sure to
reserve in advance.
Donau Insel
This 8 mile long island is located
in the middle of the Danube.
Originally built for flood control,
it is currently dedicated to leisure
activities. Nom motor traffic is
allowed on the island, but it is
easy to reach on foot or bicycle.
The U1 subway also serves the
island. From here, you can see the
third headquarters of the United
Nations. During the summer, Viennese
escape the city and head to the
island for some sun and fresh air.
Karlskirche (St Charles' Church)
Karlspl., Vienna
This famous Baroque landmark
dominates Karlsplatz. Emperor Karl
IV commissioned Austria's best
architect, Fischer von Erlach, to
build this monument to the
eradication of the plague in 1713.
Schloss Belvedere (Building)
3 Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, A-1037
Vienna
Tel: +43 1 795 570
Lukas von Hildebrandt built this
palace for Prince Eugene of Savoy
between 1714 and 1723. The structure
is actually two baroque buildings
separated by 500 meters of gardens.
It now stands as a museum displaying
the royal apartments, gardens, and
art galleries. Many people flock to
these buildings, since Klimt,
Schiele, and Kokoschka all had a
room here. Open Tuesday through
Sunday 10a.m. through 5p.m.
Admission to the buildings are 60
ATS.
Hundertwasserhaus
Tram N to Hetzgasse from
Schwedenplatz U-Bahn
This building is by far Vienna's
most unusual apartment building, and
a popular tourist destination.
Architect Friendensreich
Hundertwasser built this childlike
house, keeping in mind that "the
straight line is godless."
Hundertwasser also designed the
garbage-burning tower in the ninth
district. Look for the golden onion
pierced on the blue tower.
Freud's Apartment
Berggasse 19, A-1090 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 319 1596
Sigmund Freud moved to this
apartment with his family in 1891,
and lived here until 1938, when he
felt to London. Freud took most of
his possessions with him, but the
building is still a major point of
pilgrimage. Open July through
September, 9a.m. to 6p.m. October
through June, 9a.m. to 4p.m.
Admission is 60 ATS.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Maria-Theresien Pl., Vienna
Tel: +43 1 525 240
With impressive exhibits of
Egyptian, Greek, Roman collections,
German renaissance, and paintings by
Rubens, Velázquez, Rembrandt, and
Caravaggio, this museum stands as
one of the best in the world. The
real crowds, however, come of the
collection of Bruegel the Elder.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10a.m.
to 6p.m., and Thursday 10a.m. to
9p.m. Admission is 100 ATS.
Prater
U-Bahn Praterstern
This large segment of parkland
offers a glince at a slightly seedly
but nevertheless interesting side of
Vienna. There you can visit the
Riesenrad and ride one of the oldest
Ferris Wheels in the world.
Operating hours vary throughout the
year, but the park generally opens
at 9a.m. and closes between 10 p.m.
and midnight.
Staatsoper, 1
Opernring 2, Vienna
Tel: +43 1 514 442969
Catch High-class opera and ballet
here in what people consider to be
one of the best opera houses in the
world. Other venues include
Musikverein "Elizabeth"1,
Karlsplatz, home of the Vienna
Hilharmonic, and Konzerthaus, 3,
Lothringerstrasse 50. Volksoper, 9,
Währingerstrasse 78, is good for
slightly-kitschy operetta. Check
schedules and buy tickets at
Bundestheaterkassen 1, and
Hanuschgasse 3.
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