Vienna Holidays & Holidays in Vienna - Austria
Vienna epitomises the opulence of the golden age of the Habsburgs and ‘grandiose' really doesn't do it justice! Everywhere you look on holiday you'll seen fabulous buildings, you'll discover world-class museums full of priceless art and amazing artefacts. There are beautiful cafes, excellent taverns and unique attractions like the Spanish Riding school and, of course in this most musical of cities, the Vienna Boy's Choir.
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Vienna - Holiday Orientation
Vienna stands imperiously in the Danube Valley, with the rolling hills of theVienna Woods undulating beyond the suburbs in the north and west.
Most of the points of interest on a Vienna holiday are located south of the Danube that divides the city in two. The historic centre is known as the Innere Stadt. Two ring roads encircle the city, the Ringstrasse, or Ring, and the larger Gürtel (literally meaning 'belt'). The city's principal landmark is the distinctively slender spire of Stephansdom in the heart of the Innere Stadt. The majority of hotels, pensions, restaurants and bars are in the Innere Stadt and west of the centre between the Gürtel and the Ringstrasse.
Viennese Cultural Whirl
Vienna has an astonishing cultural legacy and even if museums really don't appeal to you on holiday, you really owe it to yourself to take a peak into places like the Hofburg, one of the most amazing collections of treasures to be found anywhere in Europe or, indeed, the world.
The Hofburg
The Habsburgs set up home here for more than six centuries and, as far as anyone can tell, they never stopped collecting or rebuilding their extravagant palace!
An approximation of their extraordinary wealth can be found in the Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury) where one single room contains a 2860-carat Colombian emerald, a 416-carat balas ruby and a 492-carat aquamarine. Aside from mere jewels, religious relics include supposed fragments of the Cross, a nail from the Crucifixion and a thorn from Christ's crown.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
One of the world's finest art museums with peerless collections from Rubens, Bruegal and Elder as well as first rate works by Canova, Vermeer, Dürer, Rembrandt, Raphael, Van Dyck, Cranach, Caravaggio, Canaletto and Titian.
Schloss Schönbrunn
One of Vienna's most popular attractions and quintessentially baroque there are no fewer than 2000 rooms of imperial splendour plus a classically landscaped garden. There's also a maze as well as the world's oldest zoo.
The Great Gallery is breathtaking, while the Mirror Room was the venue for the 6 year old Mozart's first royal concert.
Vienna Shopping Trips
Among the quaint streets of the innere-stadt you'll discover beautiful arcades and hidden alleyways full of stylish boutiques and designer shops. Elsewhere try the Kärntner Straße and the Graben - both pedestrianised.
Then there's the Ringstrassengalerien located close to some of the major hotels and Vienna's longest shopping street Mariahilferstraße that mixes shops with restaurants and cafes.
If you'd prefer something a little less formularised try the Naschmarkt, a wonderfully colourful and busy food market that also boasts some of the best specialist food stalls and eateries in town. For the dedicated bargain hunter the Alt Wiener (flea market) offers antiques, leather, souvenirs, jewellery and second-hand clothes.
Of course, if you're looking for souvenirs or presents for friends then Vienna makes chocolate to rival the best in Europe.
Food For Thought
You can't come to Vienna and not try Wiener Schnitze - Wiener means Viennese while Schnitzel is a boneless chop – usually served with fries or potatoes and salad.
If you don't want to break the bank try ‘Centimeter' where huge portions of Wiener Schnitzel can be had for little money.
If you're staying during the summer months ‘Bieradies' specialises in local food and excellent beer – the name is a shortened form of ‘beer paradise'. You can sit outside on the beautiful Judenplatz amid the medieval Jewish quarter.
Have A Good Night in Vienna
There are plenty of reasons not to have an early night in Vienna! You'll find bars of almost every kind playing all sort of music and serving everything from cocktails, to fine wine and many types of excellent beer.
If you're a night owl head for the famous (infamous?) Bermuda Triangle where three streets of bars, pubs and clubs serve until the small hours.
A Brief History of Austria
• 996 AD Austria first mentioned in chronicles
• Around 1300 comes under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty
• From 1273 to 1806 the Habsburgs ruled as German Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.
• By the beginning of the 16th century the territory under Habsburg rule was known as "the empire in which the sun never sets".
• In 1806, after the occupation of Austria by Napoleon, Emperor Franz was forced to renounce the throne and relinquish territory.
• In 1867 the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was founded as a union of two independent states under one ruler (Franz Josef I).
• After the collapse of the "Danube Monarchy" in 1918, the country's frontiers were laid down by the Peace Treaties of St. Germain, and the First Republic was proclaimed.
• After World War II Austria was occupied by the Allies, until 1955, when by virtue of the State Treaty it regained its independence.
• In 1995 Austria became a member of the European Union.
Archers Direct Short Breaks & Tours in Vienna & Austria
For a world of holidays that won't cost you the earth, you've come to the right place. From escorted coach tours and train tours to resort-based beach holidays to cruises and short breaks. From Europe to the USA & Canada to Australia, we have getaways to suit everyone – all featuring the amazing value that only direct booking can offer. Year round holidays (summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays) include January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December. We fly from the following UK airports: London airports – Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport, Luton airport & Stansted airport as well as Birmingham airport, Bristol airport, East Midlands airport, Edinburgh airport, Glasgow airport, Manchester airport & Newcastle airport.
