European capitals enjoy their status as timeless beauties and grace of the old world, as opposed to outshining them. Vienna city, the luxurious capital of Austria has magically baled all in one, preserving its long-held legacy as Europe’s capital of classical music and magnificent imperial palaces, while at the same time embracing modern architecture and design. Centuries ago, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert performed their sonatas in its 50-odd opera houses and grand music halls. In the 20th century, the grand, handsome and creatively vibrant city was a hive for intellectuals, seminal personalities, artists and philanthropists, including the likes of Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, Hugo Wolf, Gustav Klimt, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Arnold Schoenberg, Oskar Kokoschka, and Egon Schiele.
Today with more than 800 traditional coffee houses, 100 museums and 50 theatres, and 4 opera houses, Vienna has turned into the most entertaining European city. Since the holidays are drawing near what better way to get in the festive spirit than by strolling through the dynamic capital’s splendor? After all, Christmas and Vienna City go a little something like turkey and cranberry sauce. There’s mulled wine, mild glow of the magical scenery, sweet aromas of local delicacies, and plenty of Christmas cheer!
SCENIC & COZY - The Sofitel Vienna Steohansdom
Located on the banks of the Donau Kanal is the sleek, skyscraping hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom that makes a bold artistic statement. Established by versatile French architect Jean Nouvel, the 182-room glass structure reflecting Vienna’s historic skyline is a poetic homage to the monochromatic. The avant garde rooms are awash in walls of monochrome tones of immaculate white, velvety black and cool grey windows that give the kaleidoscopic views of the Vienna city.
The award winning rooftop restaurant Le Loft, is set on the 18th floor of Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom whose dizzying panorama comprises of Vienna’s iconic monuments and museums such as Vienna Woods, the City Halls, St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Antoine Westermann, a culinary expert with three Michelin stars mans the restaurant’s daring gourmet cuisine. Le Loft’s wine cellar is more of a walk0in treasure chest for wine connoisseurs. It offers the finest wines from Austria and the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France.
THE SACHER WEIN
Vienna’s horde of grandiose hotels, still awes, most outstandingly the 138-room Hotel Imperial Vienna, and the 152-room Hotel Sacher Wien. The Sacher Wien wins by a nose on the sentimentality front, with its location exactly opposite to the Staatsoper Opera House, and its antiques-filled drawing rooms and restaurants upholstered in energetic blue, green and red silks and damasks. You may, in any case, discover the long line of non-visitors smashed into its public areas to get a slice of its widely-acclaimed Sacher torte, the dark luxurious and divinely rich chocolate cake. Completed in 1863 for the Prince of Württemberg, it is a majestic portrayal of nineteenth century Viennese sophistication. With high stucco roofs accentuated by crystal chandeliers, and a staircase lined with marble statuary and eighteenth century paintings, its stands out amongst Europe’s most luxurious hotels. Its location along Vienna’s Kaerntner Ring is perfect – not overflowing with vacationers, yet minutes away from attractions, for example, the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
THE LEOPOLD MUSEUM
The Leopold Museum, home to the largest collection of early 20th century paintings is an attraction that shouldn’t be missed. The Leopold is decked in the heart of the Museumsquartier among about twelve fascinating foundations, including the MUMOK, the Museum of Natural History and the Kunsthistorisches Museum. At MAK, Vienna’s historical center of applied arts and design, guests can meander in the midst of different ages of furniture, materials and specialties from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Architecture enthusiastics will admire the exhibition hall’s accumulation of design models by contemporary architects, for example, Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, while those nostalgic for the times of workmanship nouveau will discover an accumulation of silver and porcelain by Koloman Moser, a pioneer of the late nineteenth century Secession movement. The MAK’s beautiful shop is loaded with dexterous gifts like twisted Sheffield steel bar sets by Michael Antrobus. Visitors can even relax over a cup of coffee or a cocktail restaurant and bar, Österreicher im MAK. A bit further away, the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere is likewise worth a visit, set in the surroundings of the previous Belvedere Palace, with a collection spreading over the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Gold-on-vellum paintings by Klimt and Max Liebermann are shown next to Vincent van Gogh’s pastoral post-Impressionist pieces.
NASCHMARKT
Weekends are the best times of the week for both shopping and enjoying Vienna’s culinary scene. This is especially true when it comes to the Naschmarkt, the city’s biggest marketplace, which throughout the last few years has been home to wine and oysters bars and bistros. Among the champions is Naschmarkt Deli for its young crowd, beers and DJ line-up. Food here is heavenly and profoundly fulfilling, such as the golden schnitzel, delicate steaks, pastas and salads.
The Steirereck restaurant, located in the Stadpark, offers one of the most fulfilling dining experiences. Its menu comprises of Austrian dishes like puntarelle and trumpet chanterelle mushrooms with cashew nuts and radish grows. If you end up anyplace close to Augarten, Vienna’s most established extravagant park, where Beethoven debuted his Kreutzar Sonata in 1803, visit the captivating new Augarten Porcelain Manufactory to eat at Décor, its bistro restaurant is a must. Two champions from its menu are venison filets with wild mushroom sauces and home-made chocolate cake.
A fraction of Vienna city’s appeal is that the classics once in a while blur. This is especially true for its retail scene. J&l Lobmeyr, a fine glass and gem company that has been working since 1823, still draws genuine connoisseurs and causal customers for dainty stemware, carafes and decanters that can be cut or engraved with intricate outlines or initials. The men’s luxury accessories and clothing purveyor Wilhelm Jungmann & Neffe, is decked with unusual ties and silk pocket squares stacked in perfect heaps on old oak ledges. Here customers are fitted for suits custom-made from any of the 1,000 pieces if wools, cashmeres and tweed fabrics in stock. Sisi, a fasion salon with tailor-made fleece coats and skirts, dainty millinery, flower print dresses and silk slipovers designed after the broadly jazzy Empress Elisabeth is a must-visit for ladies. Demel, patisserie-confiserie is another place, one must not miss. It is renowned for its scores of treats accessible, from cheddar rolls to jellies and the celebrated Sacher torte in Demel’s pastel-toned shop on the Kohlmarkt.
During the holiday season, charming Christmas Markets pop up in all of Austrian towns. Vienna is no exemption. Join in to the festive spirit at the Schönbrunn Christmas Market held in front of Schönbrunn Palace held every year from November 22 to January 1. The Christmas Market offers traditional handicrafts, plenty of Christmas decorations; a sweet aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine and Christmas baking that permeates the air!
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