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Austria : Vienna - January 2008

Country Code: Dial for Austria

Often called the ‘heart of Europe’, Vienna fuses modern multi-cultural influences with ancient Habsburg tradition, so there’s something here for everyone. In January, alongside endless art exhibitions and operas openings, the famous Viennese Ball season kicks off. Maggie Childs takes a turn around the dancefloor

Getting around

Vienna International Airport

Bus: A bus will take you to the city centre in 20 minutes, leaving every 30 minutes, with a return fare of €11.
Train: The City Airport Train (CAT) takes 16 minutes to reach the centre and leaves every 30 minutes. Return tickets cost €16. The regular municipal railway SBahn goes every 30 minutes and takes 24 minutes to reach the city centre. Single tickets cost €3.
Taxi: A trip to the city from the airport costs a standard fee of €31.
Tourist information: Vienna Tourist Office is at 38 Untere Augartenstraße and 1 Albertinaplatz (555, www.wien.info).

LEOPOLDSTADT – 2ND DISTRICT

Formerly home to the majority of the Jewish population, the area is now multi-cultural. It also boasts two parks – the Augarten and the Prater.

Sleep soundly – Hotel Stefanie (12 Taborstrasse, tel. , stefanie.schick-hotels.com, rooms from €69) is a typically Viennese establishment, with a great central location and attentive service.

Must eat – Novis (25 Praterstrasse, tel. ) has dark-wood décor and does delicious, affordable dishes. At tapas bar Cádiz (3 Karmeliterplatz, tel. ), the Spanish food and staff will transport you to the heart of the Mediterranean.

ALSERGRUND – 9TH DISTRICT

Home to the Volksoper (the ‘people’s opera’) and an array of other theatres.

Culture vultures – The Votivkirche (8 Rooseveltplatz) was commissioned by Franz Joseph after his attempted assassination by a mentally ill tailor. The Emperor survived, and ordered the church to be built where the attack happened.

Must eat – Asian restaurant Banyan (22 www.Nussdorferstrasse. ) is located in a 125-year-old market hall. It serves inventive dim sum and delicious vegetarian dishes.

Must drink – Café Berg (8 Berggasse) is a great place to wind down with a cup of coffee or glühwein (mulled wine).

INNER CITY – 1ST DISTRICT

The first district, encompassed by the Ringstrasse, is Vienna’s main cultural and architectural centre.

Culture vultures – For a taste of Vienna’s ball season, enquire early. Tickets for the famous Opera Ball are expensive and hard to find; the Jägerball (Hunter’s Ball) is a better bet.

Must eat – It’s not called Vienna’s most authentic Indian restaurant for nothing. Kohinoor (8 Marc Aurel-Strasse, tel. ) may not look much from the outside but the food and service are great

Dance the night away – The new place to see and be seen is Sass (1 Karlsplatz). Discreetly decorated in golds and browns, the club has a bass-driven music policy that attracts Vienna’s finest onto the dancefloor.

Shop til you drop – The Austrian headwear specialist Mühlbauer (6-8 Rauensteingasse) has quickly become an essential destination for chic shoppers. Posh department store Steffl (19 Kärntnerstrasse) is a good winter alternative to the city’s main shopping streets. You’ll find everything from cosmetics to kitchenware here.

DÖBLING – 19TH DISTRICT

Home to Europe’s only vineyards in a capital city, Döbling is where you’ll find the famous heuriger (wine taverns).

Sleep soundly – The Hotel Kaiser Franz Joseph (4 Sieveringerstrasse, tel. , deraghotels.de, rooms from €50) offers the best of both worlds, being close to the Vienna woods but a short tram ride from the inner city.

Must eat – With a genuine heuriger atmosphere, Wolff (44-46 Rathstrasse, tel. ) serves remarkable wine and mouthwatering food. Those with a more adventurous palate will like Francesco (50 Grinzingerstrasse, ), which serves inventive Italian cuisine at reasonable prices and has an imaginative wine list.

Must drink – The cult café Blaustern (2 Döblinger Gürtel) is a great place to stop for coffee or cocktails – or try the delicious all-day breakfast.

Dance the night away – Sparkling-wine manufacturer Kattus has opened the doors of its cellar to Vienna’s party community. Club Hochriegl (51 Billrothstrasse) is the perfect place to sip bubbly close to its source

Compiled by Maggie Childs