Fast Facts:
- Country: Austria
- Capital: Vienna
- Location: The landlocked country is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovenia and Italy to the south, Hungary and Slovakia to the east, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
- Language: German
- Currency: Euro
For this trip:
- Month of Travel: August
- Weather: 26deg C
- What to Wear: Never underestimate European summer. It can get really hot although it’s still of course a lot more bearable compared to our base – Dubai. Like anywhere else in Europe, expect to walk on cobblestoned streets so wear super comfortable footwear.
Austria is consistently ranked as one of the richest countries in the world in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita. Comparing it to its neighbors, at least those we’ve already visited – Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia – it is apparent that she is their most polished sister.
Here, we explore from its capital, Vienna, the elements that according to Austria’s official travel website, haven’t changed much over the centuries: their character’s partiality for indulgence, beauty and cultivation.
Indulgence
Hofburg Palace was once the center of the Habsburg dynasty, one of the most powerful and distinguished royal houses of Europe. Today it functions as the official home and workplace of the President of Austria. Inside the palace, there are three main attractions: (1) the Imperial Apartments that showcase royal furnishings and decoration; (2) the Sisi Museum, dedicated to the life of the empress and (3) the Imperial Silver Collection, a museum of the facilities and tableware used by the dynasty.
GALLERY:
Built as a summer residence, the Belvedere is made up of two Baroque palaces – the Upper and Lower Belvedere. The Upper palace is visited for its art museum that features works by Klimt, Schiele, Monet and van Gogh.
GALLERY:
Formerly a greenhouse for Austrian emperors and years later refurbished to become a multimillion-dollar extravagant steel-and-glass structure, Palmenhaus now serves as a café, restaurant and bar. Directly overlooking Burggarten, which was previously a private royal garden, it boasts a changing menu of international dishes and traditional Viennese favorites.
Austria is also famous for its coffee houses and its chocolate cake invention, the Sachertorte. There’s no better place to sample the quintessential café atmosphere and this culinary specialty than at the house of the original Sachertorte, Café Sacher (which we tried in Salzburg).
Beauty
A model of elaborate beauty, the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna.
St. Charles Church is another Roman Catholic church widely regarded as the most outstanding baroque church in Vienna.
The Art History Museum or Museum of Fine Arts, is the largest museum in the country with the world’s biggest collection of Bruegel paintings.
It’s not very hard to find a beautiful green spot in this highly cosmopolitan city. One perfect place to relax is Stadtpark, a sprawling 65,000 sqm of land divided to two sections by the Vienna river. Throughout the park are statues of Viennese artists.
Cultivation
GALLERY:
Vienna enjoys the status of being the classical music capital of the world, with homegrown talents like Schubert, Straus and Mozart (originally from Salzburg). Vienna State Opera, one of the greatest and most famous opera houses in the world, is definitely a must-visit. And be sure to catch a show, like the regular one we watched performed by the Vienna Mozart Orchestra.
Musikverein is another concert hall that is also the home of the highly esteemed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
For a vibrant, colorful, urban and less refined atmosphere, head to Nashcmarkt, Vienna’s most popular market that offers a range of things to see, shop, eat and drink.
GALLERY:
There’s no hiding the richness of Vienna and indeed, its best-preserved love for indulgence, beauty and cultivation. From here, we’re off to see one of the cities in our bucket list, another gem of Austria, birthplace of Mozart and home of “The Sound of Music” – Salzburg!