Kal Korff

Vienna: City of Delights

by Kal K. Korff
Internationally Syndicated Copyright 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Vienna is a marvel to see. Some five hours by train from Prague, it is well worth the visit if you are anywhere in central Europe. Vienna, of course, is the former capital of the Austrian-Hungary empire that ruled much of Europe for centuries. The city is a splendid mixture of old and new containing everything from rich food markets to fine restaurants and cafes; clothing, electronics, jewelry, and of course, tons of souvenirs. Austrians and the Viennese especially, are particularly fond of Empress Maria Theresa, who took power when her father Charles VI died in 1740. When visiting Vienna, her image is everywhere, along with another Viennese icon: the famous classical composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Historians appreciate the irony of this: Mozart never cared for Vienna, and preferred Prague. In Prague, Mozart is also celebrated since he considered himself a Prager. The Austrian-Hungary empire ruled over what is now the Czech Republic for centuries. The Czechs did not gain their independence until after World War I ended, when the Austrian-Hungary axis was defeated. When visiting Vienna, it is highly recommended that you start from one end of the city and work your way across to the other. Theres a very practical reason for this: at one end and in the heart of Vienna are its marvelous buildings and shops, on the edge of the city is the Schonbrunn Palace, where the royal family ruled from.

A world heritage site, Schonbrunn is a must see when you visit Vienna. To get a full appreciation for the city, you also have to visit the downtown centre where its famed Opera House is located, and walk around the several blocks which surround it. Schonbrunn contains not only the royal palace itself, but some splendid gardens and even a small wildlife park nearby. When touring Schonbrunn, dont rush yourself. It can take a full day to stroll about its entire grounds, and it is certainly worth the effort. Vienna is simply a city that one cannot see in a full day. Since Vienna is in the Eurozone of the European Union, they use Euros as their currency. Because of this, its far more expensive than Prague or Budapest, which dont use Euros as their currency. If you are coming in from either Hungary or the Czech Republic into Austria to arrive at Vienna, you might want to consider purchasing some goods from outside the border first. These include basic items such as bottled water, common fruits such as apples or bananas. If you buy them in Vienna, you can expect to pay a lot more. To tour Vienna and its wide boulevards and centuries-old buildings, its public parks and, of course, the imperial palace, you need three days to take your time to absorb it all. The city has many splendid museums, and lots of open outdoor spaces. If you want to travel from one end of the city to the other, it is recommended that you take Vienna metro. Not only will it transport you from downtown to Schonbrunn in just 15-20 minutes, but you wont get stuck in Viennas notorious evening traffic, which is less than fun. The use of the metro, though practical, takes away the ability to enjoy seeing Viennas marvelous streets and buildings up close. This is where you have to make a trade off. Like many cities in Europe, especially in the German-speaking countries of Switzerland, Germany, Lichtenstein and Austria itself, Vienna is extremely well maintained and remarkably litter free. Unlike the public atmosphere in either Prague or Budapest, things are quieter in Vienna. Austrians tend to be, as a rule, more reserved compared to Czechs or Hungarians, but theyre also friendly.

Copyright 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this content may be reproduced in any form nor by any means without the express, written consent of Kal Korff. Fair use, does NOT apply. By reading this document, you willingly agree to be legally bound by its terms and conditions. Violators of this policy will have a felony DMCA Copyright infringement notice filed against them with law enforcement. First time offenders may be fined up to $500,000, imprisoned for five years, or both. For repeat offenders, the maximum penalty increases to a fine of $1,000,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. This is a DMCA protected document, illegal copying and/or reproduction of its contents are tracked on the Internet and reported to law enforcement for felony prosecution.

When visiting Vienna, you might want to try any number of delicious pastries, various meat dishes and cold desserts, there is a rich bounty of seafood and fruits and vegetables; and, of course, wine and beer. 1.0v2 Sep 4, 2011 Kal K. Korff is an internationally known author, columnist and investigative journalist.

Copyright 2011 by Kal K. Korff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this content may be reproduced in any form nor by any means without the express, written consent of Kal Korff. Fair use, does NOT apply. By reading this document, you willingly agree to be legally bound by its terms and conditions. Violators of this policy will have a felony DMCA Copyright infringement notice filed against them with law enforcement. First time offenders may be fined up to $500,000, imprisoned for five years, or both. For repeat offenders, the maximum penalty increases to a fine of $1,000,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. This is a DMCA protected document, illegal copying and/or reproduction of its contents are tracked on the Internet and reported to law enforcement for felony prosecution.