Vienna - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-29T12:07:41Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/ViennaTop 10 Vienna Travel Planning Tipshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/10-best-vienna-travel-planning-tips2018-03-06T15:38:11.000Z2018-03-06T15:38:11.000ZVienna Unwrappedhttps://tripatini.com/members/ViennaUnwrapped<div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/schonbrunn-palace/" target="_blank"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009215675,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009215675?profile=original" /></a></p><p><br />With tourism booming in Austria's capital, independent travelers have started planning for their Vienna city break more thoroughly. They create their own paths of exploration, avoid queues and tourist pitfalls, discover insider gems and eventually share their distinct stories of Vienna with friends and family back home. Here are 10 tips any great trip planner, travel agent or travel consultant should bear in mind when doing <a href="http://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-travel-planning/" target="_blank">Vienna travel planning</a>.</p><p></p><p><strong>Hotels, Apartments and B&B: Get Out</strong></p><p><br />Unless you are set on a five-star hotel, it pays in many ways to venture just beyond the city center. Vienna's central neighbourhoods have become home to some of the best boutique hotels, apartments and value for money apartments and bed and breakfasts. Thanks to Vienna's amazing public transport network you will never be more than 10-minute ride from the city center from any district adjacent to the city center. Besides, many places boast neighbourhood charms you will otherwise never discover.<br /><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/hotels-vienna-austria/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296632065,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9296632065?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Vienna Museums: Stay Late</strong></p><p><br />Many top Viennese museums stay open until 9 or 10 pm once a week. Why not visit pre- or post-dinner? You will be more likely to get undisturbed access to master pieces and savour the artwork. Besides, you can try out amazing museum restaurants such as those at <a href="http://www.khm.at/en/" target="_blank">Kunsthistorisches Museum</a>, <a href="http://www.albertina.at/en/" target="_blank">Albertina</a> and the Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Arts (<a href="http://www.mak.at/en/" target="_blank">MAK</a>).</p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-museums/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009215879,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009215879?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Schonbrunn Palace: Be First</strong></p><p><br />Earlier than most other local sites, Vienna's number-one tourist attraction now opens its gates at 8 am, basically adding a whole hour to your Vienna travel planning per day. At 8, the usually busy visitor center mostly maintains its morning calm. To sweeten an early rise, consider having a good brunch up at the Gloriette belvedere after your <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/schonbrunn-palace/" target="_blank">Schonbrunn palace</a> tour, watching the crowds flowing in.</p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/schonbrunn-palace/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009217065,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009217065?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Walks and Tours: Mix and Match</strong></p><p><br />Austria's capital is smaller and safer than you may think. Nothing speaks against exploring the city on your own. The less time you have, the more meticulously you should plan your walking route. Orientation walks and tourism highlights are easiest to do yourself while reading up on history in a city guide. Most travel consultants and trip planners will be happy to help develop your perfect Wien walk. When it comes to discovering hidden gems or dive into a subject more deeply - for example Vienna's historic courtyards or Art Nouveau architecture - an expert tour guide will be worth the money.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-tours-3/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009216898,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009216898?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Food and Drink: Toast To Culture</strong></p><p><br />The next best restaurant, coffeehouse or winery along your sightseeing route can range from a fabulous insider discovery to a tourist pitfall. If you have a little time at your hands keep it flexible and prepare a list of your favourite places en route. Food and drink is a vital part of Viennese culture, therefore it makes sense to integrate authentic eateries into your sightseeing programme.</p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/restaurants-wien/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009217469,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009217469?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Music Events: Prepare For Quality</strong></p><p><br />More than any other tourist attractions, local music events vary immensely in quality. You can have everything, from a variete style orchestra with costumed musicians and singing ballet dancers to internationally acclaimed musicians performing in Wien's top concert venues. In <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-concerts-2/" target="_blank">Vienna concerts</a> I share a 9 point checklist to help travellers qualify various music events on offer.</p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-concerts-2/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009218066,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009218066?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Seasonal Attractions</strong></p><p><br />Wien dances to its own rhythm, moving through the seasons: While winter is the season for ballroom enthusiasts and winter magic fans, the warmer months attract active travellers and outdoor lovers. Top Viennese institutions such as the Spanish Riding School, the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Boys Choir interrupt their regular programs for a summer break. However, hikers, bikers, wine lovers and summer festival fans will find a rich offer in Wien and surroundings.</p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/wachau-valley/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009218473,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009218473?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Planning Vienna Travel Inside the City</strong></p><p><br />I keep telling travellers that using a local tram or bus provides a more authentic experience than a tourist hop on hop off bus. Equipped with the right public transport card and a map, you hop around town just as easily. Wien's <a href="https://www.wienerlinien.at/eportal3/ep/tab.do?tabId=0" target="_blank">public transport network</a> continuously comes out as one of the world's best (Mercer's annual Quality of Life Survey). In fact, you are never more than five minutes' walk away from public transport in the center, which makes Vienna travel planning quite independent from most other means of inner city transport.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-transport/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296631883,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9296631883?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Top Vienna Travel Planning Tip: Choose The Right City Card</strong></p><p><br />A city discount and travel card makes a traveller's life in Vienna easier. To determine which of the four most common options gets you the best return it pays off to compare your itinerary with the various packages on offer. Essentially, the VIENNA PASS can be a good option for first time visitors who want to do all the top highlights in a short space of time. Likewise, the Red Vienna City Card will appeal to insider travellers who mix top sites with little known gems. </p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-travel-card/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009218876,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009218876?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Day Trips from Vienna: Do It Real</strong></p><p><br />Vienna has half a dozen stunning sites, a few of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites, at less than three hours' drive. This means you will get at least six hours to enjoy your day trip destination. If the day trip includes worthwhile stopovers, such as Salzburg's lake district, you will further enrich your experience. If you are tempted by rich cultural cities like Prague or Krakow they will probably overwhelm you in one day, after a five to seven hours drive. Those are perfect follow on destinations on a European round trip.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-tours-to-salzburg/" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009219656,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="9009219656?profile=original" /></a></p></div>7 Unusual Things to Do Outside Viennahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/7-unusual-things-to-do-outside-vienna-austria2019-11-19T14:10:23.000Z2019-11-19T14:10:23.000ZVienna Unwrappedhttps://tripatini.com/members/ViennaUnwrapped<div><p><strong><br /> <br /></strong></p><p><a href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/q_lqip,ret_wait,w_660,h_330/https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/seegrotte_tour_review_01-660x330.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/q_lqip,ret_wait,w_660,h_330/https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/seegrotte_tour_review_01-660x330.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750" alt="seegrotte_tour_review_01-660x330.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p>Where would you go if you had an extra day during your Vienna vacation? Most travellers head for more city sightseeing to nearby cities after they <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/visit-vienna/" target="_blank">visit Vienna</a>. While right outside Wien, a few top class attractions hide from the mainstream. Here I'm sharing my personal favourites:</p><p></p><p><strong>Crossing an Underground Lake at Seegrotte Hinterbruehl</strong></p><p><br /> At 60 meters below the surface, Europe's largest underground lake spreads across a former gypsum mine. Besides this amazing phenomenon, the grotto was also used by the Nazis as a secret base to assemble aircraft during World War II. Before you tour the lake by boat you will see a few original aircraft remains and learn about the tumultuous history of the former mine. Besides, <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/seegrotte-tour-review/" target="_blank">Seegrotte</a> is based at just a 30-minute drive from Vienna in the lush hills of the southern Vienna Woods. <em>Grutschgasse 2a; 2371 Hinterbruehl.</em></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009398081,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009398081,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009398081?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p><strong>Tracing An Imperial Suicide Case at Mayerling Lodge<br /> <br /></strong> If Mayerling rings a bell, then most likely because of the eponymous opera. In the former imperial hunting lodge, Empress Sissi's and Emperor Francis Joseph's son Rudolf committed suicide with his lover Mary Vetsera some 130 years ago. Although not much of the original lodge has been preserved the exhibition is a real eye opener for die-hard fans of the Habsburg Emperors: Essentially, it rolls out Rudolf's upbringing, ambitions and tragic life amidst a harsh authoritarian father and a mother who was mostly absent. Like Seegrotte, <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/mayerling-austria/" target="_blank">Mayerling</a> is located in the southern Vienna Woods, amidst rolling hills and quaint little villages. <em>Karmel Mayerling, Mayerling 3, A-2534 Mayerling.</em></p><p></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/q_lqip,ret_wait,w_660,h_330/https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cistercian_abbey_01-660x330.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/client/q_lqip,ret_wait,w_660,h_330/https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cistercian_abbey_01-660x330.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750" alt="cistercian_abbey_01-660x330.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><strong>Discovering the Secret Life of Monks at Heiligenkreuz Abbey</strong><br /> <br /> Not that long ago, Gregorian chants celebrated a stunning revival. Those that made it into the international music charts originated from none other than the <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/cistercian-abbey/" target="_blank">Cistercian Abbey</a> of Heiligenkreuz. Tucked away in the Vienna Woods close to Mayerling, the almost 900-year old abbey is the world's oldest monastery that has been continuously active. Some of the monks guide you through their abbey while sharing their lives and passions with you. As a crowning experience, visitors are invited to join the midday or evening chants and prayers - magical. <em>Zisterzienserabtei Stift Heiligenkreuz, A-2532 Heiligenkreuz im Wienerwald.</em></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009398880,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009398880,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009398880?profile=original" /></a></p><p><strong>Hiking With Beethoven</strong><br /> <br /> Was <a href="http://www.lvbeethoven.com/MeetLvB/AustriaModling.html" target="_blank">Beethoven</a> really that fit for a 71-kilometre hike? Between the Vienna Woods towns Moedling and Baden, a hiking trail pulls together various routes that the great German composer used for musical inspiration. Meandering across light forests next to vineyards to lush hilltops until dropping down to flat paths along Baden's Schwechat river in Helenen valley hikers can choose from various shorter routes for a good day's hike. The vast majority of hiking trails does not require any special condition or gear. Don't miss a visit to Beethoven's summer residences at Moedling and Baden, where he also composed large parts of his Ninth Symphony. <em>Moedling, from St. Othmar Church in the center; Helenental valley just outside Baden; or Gumpoldskirchen, just behind the Castle of the Teutonic Order (Deutschordensschloss).</em></p><p></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009398472,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009398472,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009398472?profile=original" /></a></p><p><strong>Chasing Dragons and Dracula at Forchtenstein Castle</strong><br /> <br /> An authentic medieval castle any Hollywood theme park would die to imitate is <a href="https://esterhazy.at/en/index.do" target="_blank">Forchtenstein</a>. Perched on a hilltop at the Rosalia mountain range close to lake Neusiedl, the princes of Esterhazy's home presents a world of princes, knights, false dragons, shiny treasuries and a bizarre cabinet of curiosities. While the perfectly renovated castle rooms amuse with a vast ancestors' gallery, partly in cartoon-style quality (!), you will also find the world's only full figure portrait of Vlad Tepes (aka Count Dracula) there... a family relative of the Esterhazy princes. My favourites were two fake dragons meant to inspire awe, and chase off the Ottomans in the 16th and 17th centuries: a Nile crocodile hovering above our heads in the entrance's archway, and a taxidermied marten pimped up as a dragon. <em>Burg Forchtenstein, Melinda Esterhazy-Platz 1, A-7212 Forchtenstein.</em></p><p></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009399468,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009399468,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009399468?profile=original" /></a><br /> <strong>Indulging in Top Classics At Grafenegg Castle</strong></p><p>Each year, some of the best international soloists, ensembles and orchestras gather for the Summer Festival at Grafenegg Castle an hour west of Vienna. Against the backdrop of the romantic 19th-century castle you can listen to top classics in a modern open air auditorium, stroll through the lush castle gardens and dine at local gourmet restaurant Toni Moerwald. The castle itself boasts 700 years of history and is related to the family of Prince Metternich, who famously helped restructure Europe during the Congress of Vienna. Definitely, <a href="https://www.grafenegg.com/de" target="_blank">Grafenegg</a> itself with its precious state rooms and chapel makes for a great day trip. <em>A-3485 Grafenegg 10.</em></p><p></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009399678,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009399678,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009399678?profile=original" /></a></p><p><strong>Discovering The Viennese Society's Alpine Summer Retreat at Rax</strong><br /> <br /> When hot temperatures discomforted the Viennese bourgeoisie in the 19th and early 20th centuries, their carriages headed south towards Semmering and the Rax Alps. With their moderate climate, pure air and crystal clear rivers, the rolling foothills of the Alps had already lured Empress Sissi and Emperor Francis Joseph to spend regular time at their summer residence in <a href="https://www.reichenau.at/" target="_blank">Reichenau</a>. Later on, well off Viennese merchants, aristocrats and intellectuals themselves established their own stunning mansions and villas, such as Villa Rothschild, Villa Wartholz or Villa Hubertus. Even Modernist architect Adolf Loos built a local-style farm house with a few interesting quirks in the mountains of nearby Payerbach - now turned into a charming guesthouse and restaurant. Don't miss a ride with the funicular to Rax's mountain top, which offers several amazing hiking trails. <em>A-2651 Reichenau an der Rax.</em></p><p></p><p><br /> For more information on things to do outside Vienna and <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/vienna-attractions/" target="_blank">Vienna attractions</a> check out my site <a href="https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/" target="_blank">Vienna Unwrapped</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>Sweet 'Sommer' in Viennahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/summer-in-vienna-austria2021-05-31T18:55:14.000Z2021-05-31T18:55:14.000ZIberia Airlineshttps://tripatini.com/members/IberiaAirlines<div><h6><a href="https://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/Danubio-en-Viena_Strandbar-Herrmann-640x426.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/Danubio-en-Viena_Strandbar-Herrmann-640x426.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750" alt="Danubio-en-Viena_Strandbar-Herrmann-640x426.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em><a href="http://www.viennabiennale.org/">Peter Kainz/MAK</a></em></span></h6><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>by Marita Acosta</em></span></p><p> </p><p>As people get back to travelling, and summer approaches, many cities especially in <strong>Europe</strong> start blooming in more ways than one, easing into their estival splendour. <strong>Austria</strong>'s capital is an excellent example - especially this summer, as the <em>Wienerer</em> again delight in social life and the outdoors after weeks of pandemic lockdowns and post-lockdown restrictions. With that in mind, here are some of the great spots and stuff to enjoy in <strong>Vienna</strong> if you plan to visit this summer, or maybe have it in mind for next year.</p><p> </p><p></p><h6><a href="https://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/MQ-en-Viena_Herta-Hurnaus-640x426.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/MQ-en-Viena_Herta-Hurnaus-640x426.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750" alt="MQ-en-Viena_Herta-Hurnaus-640x426.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em><a href="https://www.wien.info/en"><span style="font-size:8pt;">Flora Hübl/Vienna Tourism</span></a></em></h6><h3><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /> <strong>5 Fab Summer Spots</strong></span></h3><p><strong><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.mqw.at/en/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;">The MuseumsQuartier</span></a><br /></strong></p><p> </p><p>This cultural district (above) which debuted in 2001, is located several blocks northwest of the <strong>Vienna State Opera House</strong> and the imperial <strong>Hofburg</strong> palace, and is home to handsome Baroque buildings as well as striking contemporary architecture, and a slew of restaurants, cafés, and bars. And true to its name, this is also the site of a cluster of modern-art venues as well as some 60 other cultural institutions. The top three are the boxy white <a href="https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en" target="_blank"><strong>Leopold Museum</strong></a> (with 20th-century Austrian art at its core, including marquee names like 20th-century giants <strong>Gustav Klimt</strong>, <strong>Oskar Kokoschka</strong>, and <strong>Egon Schiele</strong> - the largest collection of Schiele in the world); the basaltic-lava-clad, also boxy <a href="https://www.mumok.at/en" target="_blank"><strong>mumok</strong></a> (with an even larger collection of international 20th- and 21st-century works), and the <a href="https://kunsthallewien.at/en/" target="_blank"><strong>Kunsthalle Wien</strong></a>, devoted to contemporary exhibitions in a renovated Baroque riding arena. And families will love the <a href="https://www.kindermuseum.at/jart/prj3/zoom/main.jart?rel=en" target="_blank"><strong>ZOOM Children's Museum</strong></a>. Other activities include a <a href="https://www.mqw.at/en/program/2019/boules-court/" target="_blank">boules court</a> and <strong><a href="https://www.mqw.at/en/" target="_blank">MQ Amore</a></strong>, an interactive sculpture park including 12 minigolf courses.</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>The Spittelberg Quarter</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>Right next door to MuseumsQuartier, this district - also dubbed by some the <strong>Biedermeier</strong> quarter because of the predominance of early-19th-century Biedermeier-style buildings - is full of charming little lanes and restaurants, cafés, bars, and beer gardens - many with <strong>Schanigärten</strong> (outdoor patios), either out front or out back, especially between <strong>Breite Gasse</strong> and <strong>Sigmundsgasse</strong>; they're great for taking a load off, planning your sightseeing, and simply revelling in the warm Viennese weather.</p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">The Danube Canal</span><br /></strong></p><p> </p><p>But for outdoor cafés both in the daytime and evening, one of the locals' most beloved spots of all are found about a 20-minunte walk northeast of the Museums Quarter along the banks of the <strong>Donaukanal</strong>, which are also home to beach clubs with sandy beaches, the <strong>Badeschiff</strong> (floating outdoor pool), the <a href="http://www.summerstage.at/" target="_blank"><strong>Summerstage</strong></a> for open air concerts and performances, and spots to grab water taxis and canal cruises. For a funky-artsy touch Vienna's biggest legal grafitti zone is also located here.</p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><br /> Schönbrunn Palace</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>Austria's capital is famously an imperial city, which as the capital for centuries of the powerful <strong>Habsburg Empire</strong> of <strong>Austria-Hungary</strong> has an astonishing legacy of architectural grandeur. And one of its most iconic landmarks is the imperial family's summer palace, a lavish Rococco fantasy that besides being Vienna's top tourist draw also boasts vast gardens which are rather popular with the locals themselves at this time of year. They include of course elaborately sculpted formal gardens as well as fountains, hedge mazes, ancient-Roman-style monuments, a zoo, glass-enclosed conservatories, a botanical garden, and a café. There are also regular summertime concerts given on the premises - including the <a href="https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/" target="_blank"><strong>Vienna Philharmonic</strong></a>'s blockbuster - and free-of-charge - <a href="https://www.sommernachtskonzert.at/index_en.html" target="_blank">Sommernachtskonzert</a>; on 18 June with the theme "Yearning for Distant Places" .</p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><br /> Danube Island</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>Created in the 1980s for flood control, the <strong>Donauinsel</strong> is a narrow, 21-kilometre-long (13-mile) island in the river that's is another summertime magnet, with offerings not unlike those along the Danube Canal, with myriad restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightclubs, as well as beaches (at the north and south ends, even nude beaches). But there's even more: plenty of recreation such as biking, skating, and boating, along with recreational facilities including a water playground, a climbing park, and the world's biggest trampoline complex.</p><p> </p><h6><span style="font-size:8pt;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/Pfarrkirche_Stammersdorf.jpg/800px-Pfarrkirche_Stammersdorf.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/Pfarrkirche_Stammersdorf.jpg/800px-Pfarrkirche_Stammersdorf.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="800" alt="800px-Pfarrkirche_Stammersdorf.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span><em><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pfarrkirche_Stammersdorf.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:8pt;">Geiserich77</span></a></em></h6><p> </p><h3><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">A Sip of Wine Country a Car or Tram Ride Away<br /></span></strong></h3><p> </p><p>You might also consider a day trip out of the city to the other side of the Danube out into a lovely bucolic region of wine country and cute villages featuring classic Viennese <em>Heurigen</em> - rustic taverns where fizzy young wine, usually made by the owner, is served (usually along with hearty local fare and occasionally a few notes of folk music) in courtyards, gardens, or back patios overlooking vineyards. One town, <strong>Stammersdorf</strong> (above), produces together with neighbouring <strong>Strebersdorf</strong> nearly a third of all Viennese regional wine, and is home to some of the most authentic <em>Heurigen</em> (cetainly more so than the more touristified scene in better known towns such as <strong>Grinzing</strong>), many of them along a cobblestone street called <strong>Kellergasse</strong>. It's also easily accessible without a car; hop on tram 31 from <strong>Schottenring</strong> U-Bahn station or tram 30 from <strong>Floridsdorf</strong> station, and you're there in just over a half hour.</p><p> </p><h6><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Wien_-_Festwochener%C3%B6ffnung_2014_%281%29.JPG" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Wien_-_Festwochener%C3%B6ffnung_2014_%281%29.JPG?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="938" alt="Wien_-_Festwochener%C3%B6ffnung_2014_%281%29.JPG?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"><em><a style="color:#000000;" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wien_-_Festwochener%C3%B6ffnung_2014_(1).JPG" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:8pt;">Bwag</span></a></em></span></h6><h3><strong><br /> <span style="color:#ff0000;">Summer Events in Vienna</span></strong></h3><p> </p><p>It goes without saying that while Vienna boasts in addition to the biggie at Schönbrunn a glorious roster of other eagerly anticipated annual summertime concerts, as well as festivals and other events - much of which was massively thrown off by the pandemic, with some in 2020 being postponed and others cancelled. But here are some of the top events to look for this summer:</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a style="color:#ff0000;" href="https://www.festwochen.at/en/latest-update" target="_blank"><strong>Vienna Festival</strong></a></span></p><p> </p><p>From mid-May through most of June, Austria's biggest cultural festival (above) brings some 180,000 spectators into town for an eclectic mix of live contemporary music, theatre performances, and art exhibitions - many free of charge - as well of course as rocking opening and closing parties, also <em>kostenlos</em> (gratis).</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a style="color:#ff0000;" href="https://www.wien.info/en/music-stage-shows/theater/theater-spittelberg" target="_blank"><strong>Theater am Spittelberg Summerstage</strong></a></span></p><p> </p><p>The main cultural institution in the abovementioned Spittelberg quarter, this open-air covered theater runs an enticing schedule of different genres of Austrian and world music as well as cabaret acts, theatre works, comedy shows, and kids' fare from June through September.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://donauinselfest.at/?nofade" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Danube Island Festival</strong></span></a></p><p> </p><p>Over the course of three days - usually around the end of June but this year 17-19 September - some three million people flock to Donauinsel to turn it into one huge, free-of-charge outdoor party, with dozens of pop stars performing and radio stations spinning tunes, along with plenty of beer and street food.</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a style="color:#ff0000;" href="http://www.jazzfest.wien/en/" target="_blank"><strong>Jazz Fest Wien</strong></a></span></p><p> </p><p>Considered one of the world's premier jazz festivals, Jazz Fest is held in various venues over the course of more than two weeks in late June and early July (this year 23 June-11 July), and has since its founding in 1991 attracted legendary names such as <strong>Dizzy Gillespie</strong>, <strong>Miles Davis</strong>, <strong>Herbie Hancock</strong>, <strong>Natalie Cole</strong>, <strong>Dave Brubeck</strong>, and <strong>Liza Minnelli</strong> in addition to showcasing new and exciting talents in the world of jazz. It's marking its 30th anniversary this year with a lineup expected to be stellar but still being finalised as of this writing.</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a style="color:#ff0000;" href="http://frameout.at/pages/home.php?lng=de&m=1&s=" target="_blank"><strong>frame[o]ut</strong></a></span></p><p> </p><p>The Museum Quarter's main square, <strong>Museumsplatz</strong>, is the site of this free-of-charge summer cinema series each Friday and Saturday at dusk from mid-July through August, screening Austrian and international fare such as (in 2019) the documentary <strong><em>Talking About Trees</em></strong> (about filmmakers in <strong>Sudan</strong>), <strong><em>Rubber</em></strong> (a 2010 satirical horror film from <strong>France</strong>), <strong><em>The Glass Bottom Boat</em></strong> (a 1966 <strong>U.S.</strong> comedy starring <strong>Doris Day</strong>, <strong>Rod Taylor</strong>, and <strong>Arthur Godfrey</strong>), <strong><em>Jessica Forever</em></strong> (dystopian French science fiction from 2018), and <em><strong>Kinder der Toten</strong></em> (Children of the Dead, a 2019 Austrian horror movie). The festival was cancelled last year, and the 2021 lineup still hasn't been finalised yet.</p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a style="color:#ff0000;" href="http://www.viennabiennale.org/en" target="_blank"><strong>Vienna Biennale</strong></a></span></p><p> </p><p>From the end of May through early October, lovers of art, design, and architecture from across Europe and beyond are expected to again flock to this biannual extravaganza - the first of its kind to combine all three areas, founded in 2006. This year the theme is "Planet Love: Climate Care in the Digital Age", and exhibitions/events will be spread out across various of the city's cultural institutions, including the Kunsthalle Wien, the <a href="https://www.mak.at/en" target="_blank"><strong>MAK (Museum of Applied Arts)</strong></a>, and the <strong><a href="https://www.azw.at/en/" target="_blank">Architekturzentrum Wien</a></strong>.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p></p></div>