Vienna (Austria) > Reviews > The Perfect Weekend Break

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around

Advantages:	A very nice place with friendly people
Disadvantages:	You have to come home again

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I visited Vienna in March 2001 and have to say this was one of my most favourite places I have visited on a short City break.

We flew with Buzz from Stansted that took about 1 hour 40 minutes flying time. The Airport is connected well to the City Centre with a twice-hourly service that takes about 20 minutes. We stayed in The Renaissance Penta hotel that I will recommend and Ive written a separate opinion on this lovely hotel.

Vienna, which is the capital of Austria, is such a beautiful place, with its excellent breath taking architecture, which you can find, throughout the city. I find Vienna like an updated similar version of Prague, except that Vienna is a lot more expensive. Vienna is a city that I did feel threaten to be in. The people are friendly, the streets are clean and to be honest I had a totally stress free holiday

St Stephens Cathedral

This is in the centre of town and can be seen from nearly even where in Vienna due to its huge size. The nearest U-Bahn station is at Stephanplatz. This Cathedral is breath taking from both in and outside. You can enter for free to have a look round between 0600am and 1000pm, however donations are always welcome in boxes in the doorways.

P.S. for a nice fairly priced restaurant in the area can I recommend Rosenberger, which is about five minutes walk. It’s a self-service place that serves nice beer (but limited collection) and wine.

Schloss Belvedere

This is the Belvedere Palace, and has recently been restored and is one of Vienna’s most important landmarks. This lovely Palace is in two sections Lower and Upper Belvedere and are about 10 minutes slow walk away from each other through the immaculate gardens and fountains in the grounds. Make sure you take a camera for the views and grounds themselves make for first class photography, if you can keep the tourists out the way!!. Camera and Bags have to be left at the entrance to the Upper Palace if you want to take a tour costing about 100ATS (Approx. £5) per person (I visited in low season so I can imagine they would hike the price when busy). This is a quiet nice place to visit and will take up an afternoon if you take your time looking around. The nearest station is the S Bahn at Rennwig, which is about 6 minutes walk. The Palaces are open Tuesday to Sunday between 10.00am and 5.00pm.

These above where the only two buildings I actually entered, but I did enjoy walking around from the outside the following buildings and would recommend you not to miss them.

Neus Rathaus - The New City Hall is on the ringstrasse and is again a fine building

Burgthreater – Austria’s national Theatre again on the ringstrasse

Museum of Art History –again this is close to the ringstrasse and has gardens and fountains, which are worth a look.

Spanish Riding School – Make sure you don’t miss a visit it. I did because I slept in with a hangover and now regret it. You need to be up early to get a ticket for the training sessions. Perhaps this is a reason to go back and visit Vienna again!

Prater is the cities funpark. I would recommend a visit her to look at the huge Ferris wheel that gives good views over the city.

I really enjoyed Vienna as its one of those city’s were there is loads to see by just walking around . It’s not the cheapest of cities but you will always find that of capital cities. The transport is easy to understand and get around on. Wish I was still there!

Bazza