Vienna Vacation Rentals, Holiday Rentals in Vienna

If you like cities that have a theatrical flourish then they don't come with more flourish than Vienna. This isn't a city that goes in for hiding its good looks.

Vienna's districts are laid out in a series of ever widening rings with much of the centre being pedestrianised. If you're taking a short break you probably won't need to venture much beyond the central district called the Innere Stadt.

Vienna Tourist information office in Vienna is located directly behind the State Opera (Albertinplatz/corner of Maysedergasse), very helpful staff and also offers a currency exchange service (open 9am-7pm).

http://www.info.wien the Vienna Tourist Board website includes up to the minute information on events and festivals.

Christmas Markets : Numerous Christmas markets take place in Vienna's historic squares starting with the old Christkindelmarkt on Rasthausplatz second Saturday in November to end December.

1. Place to see

Stephansdom Cathedral dominates the skyline towering over other nearby buildings in the traffic free area of the Stephensplatz. The Cathedral's surrounding streets are wide and elegant although there's the odd quiet lane tucked away. Close by the bar and restaurant thronged streets of Backerstrasse and Schonlaterngasse carry on buzzing until the early hours.

Dottedby churches and chapels it's an area for interesting strolls through winding streets that pass by cobbled courtyards and lead into large squares. What was once the old Jewish quarter became the heart of Vienna's nightlife in the 1980s, nicknamed The Bermuda Triangle (Bermuda Dreieck), centred on Salzgries, quiet during the day but alive at night.

Although the nobility has longsince gone, the elegant streets around the Hofburg Palace form the most fashionable place to be in Vienna and the pedestrianised Kohlmarket boasts the most exclusive shops in town. You'll find the best examples of Baroque facades in Naglergasse, one of the cities best pastry shops: Demel Konditorei, and the famous performing horses of the Spanish Riding School.

Not as jam packed with sites asother parts of the city - a large slice of the area by the Danube Canal is residential - but where Sigmund Freud's the psychoanalyst's apartment is, now a cosy museum and the area's chief attraction. But there are a few off the beaten track gems including the Servitenkirche, a Baroque church and if you've a liking for rather ghoulish museum medical exhibits the Narrenturm Tower.

Not as you might think crammed only with museums (though there are afair few). The jewel in the quarter's crown is the new Museum quarter on Museumplatz opened last year. Close by is the city's longest shopping street: Mariahilfer Strasse but it's the public buildings including the town hall, beautifully lit up at night in the Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz that makes this a sight to save for a night time visit.

Stumbling intothe Josefstadt - a little tucked away behind the museums of the Ringstrasse - you take a step back in time. The district with its cobbled streets, courtyards with tiny cottages, handsome looking churches and scurrying students remains pretty much untouched. Laze in the retreat of Schonborn Park or stroll round soaking up what's become a vibrant world of its own with its restaurants, cafes and cultural life.

Although home to the grand Opera House and the Academy of Fine Arts in Schillerplatz this isn't a purely cultural corner of the capital. Naschmarket, serves up liveliness and bustle along with the city's original Sachertorte at the Sacher Hotel in Philarmonikerstrasse. If you want a day of starkly contrasting sights to visit they don't come more contrasting than here. Naschmarkt is the famous Viennes "flee market" (opened only Saturdays)

The Belvedere Palace with its formal gardens is the undisputed big draw but you don't get too dwarfed as the Palace is divided into two parts - upper and lower. For lovers of open spaces and gardens this is a city 'must see'' with fantastic views over central Vienna.

The Karlsplatz, a grand name for a square that looks a bit unfinished and has the leafy Resselpark slap bang in the middle of it. It is surrounded by a number of marvellous buildings, including the Karlsplatz Pavilions and the Karlskirche, a Baroque church.

The Freyung, a sort of misshapen square, is neighboured by several Baroque mansions and palaces but does have one secret: Freyung Passage. Wander into the Palais Ferstel, an Italian-style Palazzo facing on to the square and into a luxury glass roofed shopping arcade that ends in Herrangstrasse for a walk serenaded by tinkling fountains.

Top Tip : Taking a ride in a fiaker/fiacre, an open carriage, around Vienna is romantic and a wonderful way to see the city but agree the price before you start your journey.

Fiacre stands: Stephansplatz, Heldenplatz (sometimes also on Michaelerplatz), Albertinaplatz, Petersplatz, Burgtheater; small sightseeing tour 40.- € / carriage (about 20 minutes through the center of the city), large sightseeing tour 65.- € / carriage (about 40 minutes along the Ring Boulevard and the old center of the city).

Top Tip : Summer temperatures can be stifling if you've small children try and avoid July-August period.

2. Impressive Sites

No one can come to Vienna and not take a stroll around what is really the heart of the city with its imposing spire and restored tiled roof. Star sights inside include the Pilgrim's Pulpit and the High Altar.

Seven centuries ofarchitecture added by the Hapsburg rulers in a sometimes haphazard fashion is now home to a huge selection of museums, staterooms, cafes, restaurants, formal gardens and walks. The choice is bewildering with attractions operating different opening and closing times and admission prices. Best to have a walk round or phone ahead to check specific details.

Underground: U3 orange) line, alight at Herrengasse
Tram: 1, 2, D, J, alight at Burgring
Bus: 2A or 3A, alight at the Hofburg
Wiener Linien VOR

3) Winter Riding School (Spanische Hofreitschule)

address : Michaelerplatz 1, A-1010 Wien

tel : 00 43 1 533 90 31

e-mail : barbara.sommersacher@srs.at

homepage : http://www.srs.at

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world which has practiced for over 430 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école. The objective of classical equitation is to study the way the horse naturally moves and to cultivate the highest levels of haute école elegance the horse is capable of through systematic training. The result creates an unparalleled harmony between rider and horse, as only Vienna's Spanish Riding School achieves.

The two-tiered spectators' gallery to watch the famous Lipizzaner stallions has some bad sightlines so if you're attending a training session get there early. You can watch videos of the equestrian ballet in the museum and if you can't get tickets to the show or training sessions catch a glimpse of these fine beautiful horses through a two-way mirror in the museum.

Location :

Vienna Imperial Palace Hofburg - main entrance Michaelerkuppel

How to get there by public transport:

Tramway:	1, 2, D or J, get off at Karlsplatz/Oper or Burgtor
	62 or 65, get off at Karlsplatz/Oper.
Bus:	U1, U2 or U4, get off at Karlsplatz/Oper or Stephansplatz
	U3, get off at Herrengasse
Bus:	2A, get off at Michaelerplatz or 3A, get off at Habsburgergasse.

4) Opera House (Staatsoper)

address : Opernring 2, 1010 Wien

tel : +43(1) 51444-2250

homepage : http://www.staatsoper.at

You don't need to attend an opera - or a ball for that matter - to walk up the famous staircase adorned with statues, see the silk hangings in the elegant tea room and, of course, the stage itself. Guided tours are by appointment or look at the schedules listed beneath the arcade on the east side of the building.

public transport

subway lines U1, U2, U4
Streetcar lines 1, 2, D, J, 62, 65
Bus lines: 59A
Station Karlsplatz / Oper

Taxi stands can be found nearby

5) Schönbrunn Palace

address : 13 Schönbrunner Schlosstrasse

e-mail : webmaster@schoenbrunn.at

homepage : http://www.schoenbrunn.at

Set aside a day to explore this summer residence of the imperial family. It's everything you expect of a grand palace: elaborate even a bit intimidating due to its vast size. Inside are salons, sumptuously decorated rooms, galleries and art treasures. To go on the grand tour book your place in the queue at the ticket office on the ground floor of the east wing when you arrive.

Public transport lines which take you directly to the palace:

Underground: U4, Schönbrunn
Trams: 10, 58, Schönbrunn
Bus: 10A, Schönbrunn
Wiener Linien

6) Palaces And Gardens Of The Belvedere

address : Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, 1030 Wien or enter the gardens from Rennweg.

Tel : +43-1-795 57-140

e-mail : info@belvedere.at

homepage : http://www.belvedere.at

Built on a gently sloping hill it''s a wonderful place to spend a warm day admiring what from the outside, is Vienna's most glamorous Palace. The gardens are free (with the exception of the alpine garden), sited on three levels with water cascades, pools, statues and an orangery.

lf you choose Belvedere Palace, the residence of the legendary field marshal Prince Eugene of Savoy, for your big day, the ceremony will either be in the intimate setting of the west wing of the Lower Belvedere or at the Upper Belvedere with a splendid view across the baroque park.

7) The Burgtheater

address : Dr. Karl-Lueger-Ring 2, 1010 Wien

tel : +43 (1) 51444-4140

homepage : http://www.burgtheater.at

Location map : http://www.burgtheater.at/Content.Node2/home/adresse/2027.php

The Burgtheater (the former imperial court theatre), one of the most important theatres in Europe. Its all-German program includes all the variety of spoken theatre: classics and contemporary pieces, as well as experimental theatre and readings.

Without doubt the most important stage in the German-speaking world, where several of Mozart's operas and Beethoven's musical works were premiered and also where the Emperor Franz Joseph caught first sight of Katherine Scratt, the woman who was to be his mistress for more than 40 years.

If you're going tovisit just one church, make it this one, the frescoes - you'll find them up in the cupola of the dome - are worth the effort alone. The exterior is pretty awesome while inside it's sparse and light, making for an interesting combination of the built to impress as well as offering thanks to God.

With one of the most imposing Baroqueedifices in Vienna this town mansion is now home to the Ministry of Finance. You can see the famous staircase and glance into the courtyard with its lovely Rococo fountains. You can just turn up but if you phone ahead and make an appointment you can also view the splendid staterooms.

Today, the woods and meadowshave been turned into a sort of up market theme park with the famous Giant Ferris Wheel E7.90 (£5) a ride, the Volksprater funfair full of high-tech rides, a racetrack and trotting stadium. The Hautpalle, a 5km tree lined avenue, which cuts through the centre of it all makes a great walk.

The WinterRiding school has quite complicated public training schedules and performances as the school is often away on tour. They normally give one or two performances a week depending on the time of year but are booked for months ahead. Training sessions are easier to get tickets to but check well ahead of your visit that the school is in residence.

3. Museums and Galleries

Very much a museum in the old style containing displays of wide ranging fossils, zoological, mineralogical and geological specimens along with extinct birds and mammals mostly in cabinets. Arranged over two floors it's well laid out and the building itself is a visual feast but younger children may find it lacking in interactive and hands-on displays.

The new jewel in Vienna's crown. The quarter is more like a complex housing the Leopold Museum (paintings), the Museum of modern arts, six changing exhibitions, cafes, restaurants and shops. There are weekly events along with a special children's museum (Zoom Kindermusuem) with fun, playful, interactive exhibits such as, the Ocean. Advisable to spend some time deciding which of the exhibits to pay for first.

If you're going to make just one museum visit then make it here. Centuries of the country's Habsburg monarchs built up the world's fourth largest collection of paintings in the world. The range spans centuries and is staggering with the ground floor devoted to sculpture and the applied arts, pictures on the first and some coin and medal collections on the second.

Re-opening with variousnew exhibitions in March, 2003, the Vienna Albertina has one of the vastest archives in the world of graphic art including drawings, etchings, watercolours and printed works. Phone ahead to see what displays it has on or visit part of its collection temporarily housed in the Akademiehof on Makartgasse near The Academy of Fine Arts.

The collection of paintings is small but it'll suit you better if you don't like being swamped by hundreds of examples. The Academy has a couple of recognisable star attractions including 'The Last Judgement' by Hieronymous Bosch and the other outstanding masterpiece 'Family Group in a Courtyard' by Pieter de Hooch.

This is where you'll find Stephansdom Cathedral's 18th century religious paintings and carvings with some spectacular items in the treasury given as personal gifts by Duke Rudolf IV, also includes some outstanding 12th century enamels.

7) Historical Museum Of The City Of Vienna / Historiches Museum der Stadt Wien

Two floors of paintings, architectural models, statues and various works of art displaying the story of how the city of Vienna came to be and all the changes its undergone through history. The ground floor has a number of rooms that house temporary exhibitions with a Viennese theme.

8) Museum Of 19th & 20th Century Art / Austrian Gallery in the Upper Belvedere

In the Upper Belvedere this gallery - worth visiting for the building alone and just to stroll around - has a marvellous collection of Austrian as well as international art from the last two centuries. Probably the most instantly recognisable works are by Gustav Klimt that includes 'The Kiss' adorned with gilding and Van Gogh's South Of France landscape: 'The Plain of Auvers.'

Exhibits rangefrom furniture and textiles, to glass and pottery, the museum was renovated in 1993 with each room showing the objects re-designed by a different artist. The result is a series of displays representing various artistic movements but laid out in a way that breathes life into all of them.

Top Tip : The Vienna card gives you discounts to many of the above museums and galleries combined with 72 hours unlimited travel on the city's bus, trams and subway, available at most hotels and from the Vienna Tourist Information Office.

Top Tip : Many museums close on Monday but on 26 October, the Austrian National Day, many entrance fees are either reduced or entry is free.

Top Tip : Admission charges and opening times to all of Vienna''s attractions are liable to slight changes, always check details in advance by phoning or call in at the Vienna Tourist Information Office at the start of your visit.

4. Shopping

Shopping Centres are relatively new in Vienna and the few that do exist you'll find at Ringstrassengalerien by the State Opera and the Gasometers opened in the Summer of 2001, eight minutes walk from St Stephen's Square in the Simmering district.

Markets Every district has its own markets but the top two are Naschmarket over the river Wien between Rechte and Linke Wienzeile, daily Mon-Sat. Flohmarket at the Naschmarket is Vienna's most famous flea market held every Saturday 6.30am-6pm everything from valuable to antiques to second-hand clothing.

Mariahilfer Strasse Is the traditional shopping street for the Viennese starting near the Ringstrasse and leading to the Westbahnhof, here you'll find the large department stores of Gerngross and the Europ Center.

5. Nightlife and Music

6. Messe Wien

Address : Messeplatz 1, Postfach 277, A-1021 Wien
Location Map : Click HERE
Tel : +43 (0)1 727 20-0
Fax : +43 (0)1 727 20-443
Homepage : http://www.messe.at/en/index.html
E-mail : info@messe.at

--> Take the tube/underground train U1 direction "Leopoldau"
--> Get out at the station "Praterstern" (Exit Praterstrasse)
--> Transfer at the "Praterstern" to Tram No. 21 direction "Praterkai"
--> --> Get out at the station "Messerstrasse"

--> Take tram(Straßenbahn) "21" direction "Pratekai" at "Schwedenplatz" or "Praterstern"
--> Get out at the station "Messerstrasse"

Messe Wien has a total area of 15 hectares and provides an exhibition area of approximately 70,000 square metres (exhibition hall area). The projects implemented by the City of Vienna concerning Messe Wien and the extension of the underground network involve private and public investments of approximately 800 million Euro until 2015.

Messe Wien will be the third important congress centre in Vienna apart from Hofburg (Imperial Palace) and the Vienna International Center, and will provide important business incentives. In August 2003 Messe Wien was inaugurated with the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology attracting 25,000 cardiologists from all around the world. Infrastructure measures such as 4,500 new parking lots, a new four-star hotel with 250 beds from mid-2005 and the redesign of the squares around the area will improve connection to the neighbouring Wurstelprater. The newly built exhibition halls will clear Messe Süd, one of the sub-areas of the fair and convention centre, where further projects, such as a permanent circus square will be established in the coming years.

7. Soccer Stadium - Praterstadion (Ernst Happel Stadion)

--> Take tram(Straßenbahn) "21" direction "Pratekai" at "Schwedenplatz" or "Praterstern"
--> Get out at the station "Stadion"

8. Excursions

Baden (25Km south) An easy day trip, the spa town was once the most fashionable in Austria but now echoes to the sounds of quiet. You can still take a swim in the town's thermal baths, stroll in the woods, enjoy a picnic in the park and imagine what life was like in days gone by.

Eisenstadt (52km south east) Part of Hungary until 1918, the big draw is the Esterhazy Palace containing the decorated great state hall where the composer Joseph Haydn conducted Prince Esterhazy's orchestra. Haydn lived close by for around 20 years in a house that now contains the Haydn museum.

River Trip From Krems To Melk (79km west) Melk is situated on one of the most beautiful areas of the Danubian landscape overlooking the southern arm of the Danube River. A river trip is the best way to see the area with several itineraries on offer.

Rust And Lake Neusiedl (62km south east) Nicknamed the 'sea of the Viennese' part of Lake Neusiedl lies in Hungary with several small wine villages sitting on the shore of the lake and the prettiest resort of them all Rust. Reeds surround most of the 320sq mile that are used to make folk crafts you'll see on display and also play home to species of wild birds.

Laxenburg (15km south) The most spectacular sight is the fake medieval castle known as the Franzensburg surrounded by a large moat you can go boating on with islands, bridges and a huge park.

Mariazell (85km south west) Take the train to St Polten where the Mariazell alpine railway carries you the rest of the way to the town. Either visit the town's basilica and its treasury, or take a cable car up to the mountain that leaves fairly regularly from the town centre. The world's oldest steam tram runs from Mariazell station to the nearby lake.

Grinzing (walk 3.5km or take the U-Bahn, bus or train) Crowded in peak season only because it's one of the most beloved and attractive villages, just outside Vienna. At the top of Sandgasse you'll find the smaller Heurige - venues selling their own wine - with gardens to sit in and enjoy an inexpensive meal.

Gumpoldskirchen (20km South) The village is one of the best known quality wine producing areas. In late June and end of August the main streets are all turned into one enormous 'Heuriger' playing host to the bi-annual wine festivals. Many of the village's houses date from the 16th century and there are fantastic walks among the surrounding vineyards.

Durnstein (65km north west) The ruined castle here once housed Richard the Lionheart and despite being in ruins provides an attractive backdrop for the village. There's a Baroque monastery at the north end of the High Street and a smattering of cafes for lunch.

Mayerling (15km west) Deep in the Viennese woods the Mayerling hunting lodge, demolished and replaced by a chapel, was the scene of a double suicide in 1889 involving Crown Prince Rudolf and his 17-year-old lover. The event caught popular Austrian imagination and has been the subject of several films, books, a ballet and to this day endless speculation. A few miles north is the medieval abbey of Heligenkreuz that has a fine Baroque bell tower.

9. Vienna Card

210 discounts with this card for only 18.50 Euro. Available at hotels and the Tourist Information Center on Albertinaplatz, daily 9am to 7 pm), at all sales offices or information booths of the Vienna Transportation System (for example, Stephansplatz, Karlsplatz, Westbahnhof, Landstrasse/Wien Mitte) or from outside of Austria with your credit card (+43-1-798 44 00-148).

Unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram for 72 hours. Pay 7.50 instead of 9 Euro with the City Airport Train (you can get tickets from the conductor) or pay 5 instead of 6 Euro with Vienna Airport Lines from the airport directly into the center and vice versa.

Reduction or benefits at 210 museums and sights, theaters, concerts, shops, restaurants, cafés and Heurigen (wine taverns)... valid on day of issue and the following 3 days.

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