Volksoper Vienna. Dear opera and theater lovers, what about looking behind the scenes and exploring Wien’s popular operetta genre? Watching an operetta musical at a Vienna theatre like Volksoper entertains and enlightens in a very local way. Ever since I could think my late grandparents and their friends raved about this popular Wiener opera house. Now also my generation rediscovers operetta …

Johann Strauss Vienna Guide. Honestly, not even the most fervent Johann Strauss II fans will detect Strauss at every step in Vienna. Too hidden are his former apartments, too secluded exhibitions about him, and too tucked away or irregular are Strauss music events. Hence, here is the top guide to Vienna for fans of the King of Waltz. Who Was Johann …

With so much sophisticated culture around, kids need a child-friendly Vienna tour to add fun to Wien. And since most activities for kids hide in museums and palaces how to get your children to explore the city itself? In fact, the historic center is packed with wonderful stories and references. It’s just not obvious. For example, my own children were …

Vienna Spa Guide. Use the granular details of my independent spa guide to select from Vienna’s best spa hotels and day spas: Which spa hotels to choose for couples and for families. And which spa hotels provide the best views. Use the links to find out how much a spa hotel would cost for a weekend, or however long you’d …

Guest post by Mark Cop, Foosball Zone Playing foosball (‘wuzzeln’ in Viennese) is popular in Wien, and one of the best ways to meet locals and having fun with them. On top, Vienna hosts one of the biggest foosball tournaments, the “Vienna Open” every year. The tournament is playing in VHS Döbling in Vienna and it is approved by ITSF – foosball …

Vienna Chocolate Museum. Despite its top art museums, what Viennese treasure even more is – chocolate. Long before Sacher Torte and Mozart chocolates rose to fame the Habsburg Emperors championed the rise of the cocoa bean in Europe. To explore Vienna’s ‘dark side’ my children and I chose the Schokolade Museum Wien at Vienna’s Prater amusement park. Here is our …

Hermesvilla Vienna is a charming off path manor in Wien that unites Empress Sissi fans, nature and culture lovers. In fact, Empress Elizabeth of Austria’s romantic bolthole is set in 6,000 acres of Natural Reserve in Lainz, a few kilometres West of Schönbrunn Palace. Honestly, I am totally biased as I have been there and loved it. To help you decide, I’m …

If you love Art Nouveau and modern art the Otto Wagner Villa in Vienna opens an other-worldly experience. Hiding on a hillside in Western Vienna the Jugendstil mansion and museum blends Fin de Siècle art and Fantastic Realism. Find out what to encounter in the villa and how to visit. The Villa’s Story Otto Wagner Villa. Yes, it’s Otto Wagner, but …

Vienna Travel Planning  Did a Native ever connect your holiday planning to the pulse of her home place? What would your experience of a tourist destination like Vienna feel like if a Viennese designed it?  Using my native Austrian insight and expertise of local culture, places, events, and logistics my clients perfect and authenticate their Austria and Vienna vacations. They …

Since my Viennese grandparents took me to the Vienna Zoo in Schonbrunn I have returned several times: first with my little nephews, now with my own children. Below you’ll get my personal guide of the ‘Tiergarten Schonbrunn’. Find out what to see and do there, where to eat (or NOT to eat), and how to book tickets. Like Schonbrunn Palace, …