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Travel
Article on Vienna, Austria
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The
Imperial Age Is Alive When You Travel To Vienna by Frank Johnson
There is no city that encompasses
Western European sophistication and Eastern European culture and charm
quite like Vienna, Austria. Baroque edifices enchant the pristinely kempt
boulevards while sleek restaurants are packed with networking business
suits. Remnants of pre-Roman history in the Danube River Valley make Vienna
an intriguing center of human settlement apart from its European neighbors.
Celtic and Viking history adorn the extensive museum collections while
any conversation with a local will reveal a rather complex, if not completely
convoluted, lineage (as anyone will find some way to connect their genealogy
to the Habsburg dynasty).
Roped in by the Ringstrasse
Vienna is easily navigable
for even the most turned around traveler, with the oldest and most commercial
districts encircled by the grand Ringstrasse (Ring Street) and the Danube
River to the North. The Innere Stadt is the first district and home to
most of Vienna's historic and architectural splendors. You will find yourself
immediately drawn to St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic and Romanesque landmark
soaring high above the surrounding square. Climb the 343 steps of the nearly
claustrophobic spiral staircase to the watchman's lookout in the South
Tower or head underground from the North Tower to the catacombs beneath
the cathedral where 14 members of the Habsburg family are buried alongside
the mausoleum of the bishops. When Vienna was the center of the Holy Roman
and Austro-Hungarian Empires, the Habsburgs made monumental efforts to
carve their place into Viennese history. Schloss Schönbrunn is the
former summer palace of the Habsburg family and the site of the oldest
zoo in the world. |
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Tour the halls and gardens
and then go next door to the famous Spanish Riding School where the coveted
Lipizzan Stallions are bred, trained and shown in elaborate performances
during the winter.
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The World Capital of
World Class Music
The city of Mozart and Beethoven
loves to remind the world of its heritage all year long. Summer, winter,
spring and fall are all celebrated with unwavering zeal through a seemingly
endless string of festivals. Even Mozart would be moved during the Film
Festival am Rathausplatz, which is held during July and August.
Remarkable films are projected
onto the grand wall of the Rathausplatz (city hall) nightly, along with
operatic performances from the world's best.
Men and women gather here
after work to enjoy cocktails and the extensive array of international
cuisines and stay well into the night to dance, watch films and stroll
through the adjacent park. This is just a touch of the Viennese way of
life. |
Coffee Dreams of Chocolate
Before you leave Vienna,
it would be a mistake not to indulge in the proud coffee culture. Find
a coffeehouse and order from the endless menu of roasts. Also, you may
find it difficult to avoid the tourist-targeted Mozart Balls (chocolates
made for the man himself), but resist temptation and venture into a true
Viennese chocolaterie like the famous Demels.
There is no better Viennese
experience than sinking into a silky chocolate tart and sipping a creamy
latte outside the Imperial Palace!
Vienna
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About the Author - For
more information on international travel and discount airfare to Vienna,
visit www.cfares.com, your source for cheap airfare on the web. |
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