WHAT: Vienna WHERE: Capital city of Austria on the Austrian/Slovakian
border; on the Danube (Donau) WHY: Capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; Old City,
palaces, museums and boulevards WHEN: Any time of year HOW: International flights into Vienna International
Airport; weekend trip from Southern Germany
Vienna
(Wien) an old and imperial city, with the grandeur and style
indicative of its many years as the capital city of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire. The wide boulevards and majestic
buildings display the might and elegance of Austria past: the show
today's visitors Vienna's long history as a center of learning and
power in Europe.
Today, Vienna is reemerging as a center of modern culture.
Sprouting up alongside the old imperial buildings of the 18th and
19th Centuries are new modern buildings, like the museums being
built on the emperor's former stables.
Since Vienna is an old imperial city, you might expect to find a
wall surrounding the old town. However, in the 1850s Emperor
Franz Josef I demolished these old battlements and replaced it with
a boulevard known as the Ring. Within this Ring lies Vienna's
Old Town (Altstadt) and the city's most important sights. This
Old Town, like most old towns around Europe, is compact enough to
explore on foot. However the Viennese have provided a couple
suitable alternatives, such as the "Hopper" buses, the U-Bahn
subway trains, and horsedrawn carriages rented from Stephensplatz,
Heldenplatz, or Albertinaplatz.
One thing to note, Vienna is a vast, expansive city. If you
are driving in, you should note that a beltway, the Gürtel runs
around the city and likns it with major Autobahns. Ensure you
have a good map of the extensive city area, as it can be quite
difficult navigating through the many one-way streets around the
Altstadt.
Around Vienna
STEPHANSDOM(St. Stephens Cathedral) dominates the Old Town. It towers
above shoppers and sightseeings in Stephansplatz.
HOFBURGThe Imperial Palace of the Hapsburg Family is a grand complex of
buildings, monuments, statues, and gardens.
KARLSKIRCHE
St. Charles Church lies just south of the Ring. This majestic
church with is beautiful reflecting pool is the largest Baroque
church north of the Alps.
KUNSTHISTORISCHES
MUSEUMVienna's Museum of Art History exhibits the great works of
art collected by the Hapsburg Emperors and Empresses.
URBAN
TRANSPORTATIONTired of walking? Find out the various
modes of urban transportation Vienna has to offer its citizens and
visitors alike.
VIENNA
PANORAMAS Check out our panorama shots from around
Vienna! We have Karlskirche, Stephansdom (inside and out) and
the Kunsthistorisches Musuem.
Other Austrian and
Alpine Destinations
Eagle's Nest
Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest lies
atop a mountain in the southeastern corner of Germany. Visit
this magnificent monument and marvel at the breathtaking views of the
German and Austrian Alps.
Kitzbühel This ritz and
glamour destination in the Austrian Tyrolean Alps is also home to
the worlds most famous ski-race, the Hahnenkamm. Find out
about this destination and the "world's greatest party."
Neuschwanstein
Venture into the Bavarian Alps and visit the fairy tale landmark upon
which the Walt Disney based his Disney Land Castle: Mad King Ludwig's
Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Moving to Germany?
Look at out our tips!
Moving
to Germany
Whether you are a member of the US Air
Force, Army, or Navy, check out our guide to moving to Europe.
HOFBURG
KARLSKIRCHE
KUNSTHISTORISCHES
MUSEUM 
URBAN
TRANSPORTATION
VIENNA
PANORAMAS
