Why Vienna?
The capital of Austria, and one of the world's heavyweight cultural centres, Vienna this year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Ringstrasse (www.ringstrasse2015.info). The 5.3-kilometre-long boulevard is lined with some of Austria's most important buildings: the Austrian Parliament, the University of Vienna, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Vienna State Opera to name a few. Yet with its coffee shops and museums and hearty food, it's also great in winter, and at this time of year, the city's numerous Christmas markets give it yet another dimension. For detailed, up-to-date information on these, plus architecture and design, eating, shopping and entertainment, visit www.wien.info.
A comfortable bed
Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna (www.kempinski.com/vienna) is on the Ringstrasse. The luxury hotel hosts two of Vienna's best restaurants, led by the chef Philipp Vogel: the Michelin-starred Edvard and Die Küche, which specialises in regional food. Double rooms cost from €280 (Dh1,119) per night, including taxes.
Of a similar scale is the Park Hyatt (www.vienna.park.hyatt.com), in the grand former Bank of Austria building in the Golden Quarter. Double rooms cost from €330 (Dh1,319) per night, including taxes.
Sans Souci (www.sanssouci-wien.com) is a luxury boutique hotel next to MuseumsQuartier. Open since December 2012, Sans Souci's interiors have been designed by Yoo, the design studio cofounded by Philippe Starck, and feature several works by world-renowned artists such as Roy Lichtenstein. The hotel's signature restaurant, La Véranda, is led by the chef Simone Jäger. Double rooms cost from €237 (Dh947) per night, including taxes and breakfast.
Find your feet
In the heart of the old city, walk from St Stephen’s Square to the Hofburg (the former imperial palace) via Graben, and from there to the State Opera. Walk back to St Stephen’s Cathedral along Kärntner Strasse, the Inner District’s main shopping street.
Meet the locals
Breakfast is probably the Vienneses' favourite meal, and numerous cafes in the city offer breakfast menus until late in the afternoon. Josef Genuss (www.joseph.co.at/genuss), an organic bakery with adjacent bistro on Landstrasser Hauptstrasse, has become a beloved spot since opening in January 2014. The nearby Rudolf Ölz (www.rudolf-oelz.at) is another spot where locals meet for breakfast or brunch.
The Naschmarkt (www.wienernaschmarkt.eu) offers 120 stalls and restaurants selling deli items, local products and mostly takeaway food, and on Saturdays there's a large flea market stacked with piles of often-historic household junk.
Book a table
In Vienna's Inner District, in the Golden Quarter, Fabio's (www.fabios.at) is among the city's most popular fine-dining restaurants, and serves outstanding Italian cuisine – homemade ravioli from €16.50 (Dh66) and rocket salad with green beans, walnuts and pecorino €13.50 (Dh54).
Loft is a French fine-dining restaurant located on the top floor of Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom (www.sofitel-vienna-stephansdom.com), offering panoramic views of the city. Its ceiling is designed by the Swiss multimedia artist Pipilotti Rist. A pot of mussels costs €24 (Dh96); a four-course tasting menu is €76 (Dh304).
Motto am Fluss (www.motto.at/mottoamfluss) is a two-floor, speedboat-shaped cafe, bar and restaurant on the Danube Canal. Its views and organic food make it a favourite among locals. When weather permits, the outdoor terrace is preferable. The top-floor cafe is very popular for breakfast, so advance booking is recommended.
Shopper’s paradise
The Golden Quarter (www.goldenesquartier.at) is a new luxury shopping area in a revamped, pedestrianised section of Vienna's first district, and the extension of Kohlmarkt, boasting flagship stores of Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent and others. Not far away, in a cozy store on Singerstrasse, off St Stephen's Square, is Michaela Mayer, an Austrian fashion designer specialising in prêt-à-porter, couture and bridalwear.
Rudolf Scheer & Söhne (www.scheer.at), on Braunerstrasse, is the oldest bespoke shoemaker in Europe. Seven generations of the family have been working since the company was named an imperial-court purveyor in 1878. Of a similar vintage is Wiener Silber Manufactur (www.wienersilbermanufactur.com), founded in 1882. It sells silver-plated ice buckets, bowls and tea and coffee services, working with world-renowned designers.
For personal or group shopping tours, visit Shopping with Lucie (www.shoppingwithlucie.com). Originally from New York, Lucie, a former travel agent, has been living and running tours in Vienna for the past 10 years, taking people off the beaten path to the best hidden shops and boutiques. From fashion to tableware, the tours can be tailored to personal interests.
What to avoid
Shops are closed on Sundays.
Don’t miss
Every day from 5pm, there's live piano music at Cafe Central (www.palaisevents.at/en/cafecentral), one of the city's oldest coffee shops, on the corner of Strauchgasse and Herrengasse.
Go there
Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Emirates (www.emirates.com) fly direct from the UAE to Vienna, with return flights from Dh2,000, including taxes.
rbehan@thenational.ae
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