Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Vienna

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Austria : Vienna - January 2009

Country Code: Dial for Austria

Winter is the ideal time to visit Vienna: the cold, clear light throws the Austrian capital’s grand architecture into relief while the chilly temperatures are as good an excuse as any to warm up with coffee and cake. Best of all, in January the famous Vienna Ball Season begins and the city comes alive. Kathryn Quinn shows us around

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).

1ST DISTRICT

Tourists flock to Vienna’s 1st District and are mesmerised by its timeless beauty. In January everyone is excited about the Vienna Ice Dream, in front of Vienna’s City Hall (Rathausplatz), where you can dance to waltz melodies on the ice rink.

Sleep soundly – There are luxurious hotels to be found all over Vienna. Sleep in style at the Grand Hotel Vienna . Frequented by royalty, its splendid surroundings are a timely reminder of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Culture vultures – Head to the towering St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansplatz) and climb the 343 steps for panoramic views over Vienna.

Must eat – The Figlmüller Restaurant (5 Wollzeile, tel. ) is a must for traditional Austrian cuisine. Try the famous Wiener Schnitzel (veal coated in breadcrumbs and fried), washed down with local beer in a cosy, charming atmosphere. Otherwise, try Yugetsu (10 Führichgasse, tel. ), an authentic Japanese restaurant serving sushi, teppanyaki and other Japanese specialities.

Must drink – Try the swanky Sky Bar (19 Kärntner Straße), a chic roof-top venue where you can sip cocktails against a sweeping panorama of the city. For something more down to earth, take a coffee break at Café Alt Wien (9 Bäckerstraße), tucked away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Dance the night away – Volksgarten (1 Burgring) is the place to be after dark, with a young crowd and music that ranges from chilled out to hard house.

6TH AND 7TH DISTRICTS

Where Mariahilf meets Neubau, you’ll find some of Vienna’s big attractions.

Culture vultures – The Museum Quartier, one of the largest cultural complexes in the world, is an absolute must with many galleries and museums. The renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum (Maria-Theresien-Platz) has an important collection of classical art, much of it assembled by the Hapsburgs. If you prefer more contemporary stuff, the Museum Moderner Kunst (1 Museumsplatz) is the place to go.

Must drink – Stop by the Siebenstern Bräu (19 Siebensterngasse), sample locally brewed ales and soak up the atmosphere. They’ve also got an extensive food menu.

Dance the night away – Cafe Leopold (1 Museumsplatz) hosts international acts like Joe Driscoll, Gümix, Shanti Roots and Roots Manuva.

Shop til you drop – Mariahilferstraße is Vienna’s premier shopping district, a must for all shopaholics. Head to Peek & Cloppenburg (26-30 Mariahilferstraße), a grand department store offering everything from designer clothes through to everyday wear, shoes and bags.

4TH DISTRICT

This bohemian district is a hub of activity popular with Vienna’s younger set. Take a stroll and soak up its vibrant ambience, browse the boutiques and admire the art nouveau facades.

Sleep soundly – Built in true Jugendstil (art nouveau), the Hotel Johann Strauss combines traditional Viennese charm with modern creature comforts. And it’s just a stone’s throw from the city’s main attractions.

Culture vultures – Pay a visit to the iconic Secession (12 Friedrichstraße, secession.at), home to Gustav Klimt’s famous Beethoven Frieze and everchanging exhibitions. Or head to the Karlskirche (1 Kreuzherrengasse) and marvel at a baroque masterpiece.

Must eat – You’re spoilt for choice at Vienna’s Naschmarkt – it’s packed with cafés, restaurants and stalls. Umarfisch am Naschmarkt (76-79 Naschmarkt, tel. ) does fresh fish specialities and platters for sharing. The prawns, mussels and octopus are especially good. There’s also a long international wine list.

Compiled by