What To See And Do

Secret Vienna Tour. Some of the most exciting corners in Vienna are the hidden courtyards right in the city centre. I had done a tour on my own before but felt that I stepped past the most intriguing places. I was right, as my tour guide proved. Regina met me at Schwedenplatz, our diving station.  She was determined to start our …

Vienna Secession. Whether you love good design, Art Nouveau or the smell of revolution, the Secession deserves a firm space in your itinerary. The Secession is the most successful provocation by Viennese architects and artists. It blends early Modernism and late Art Nouveau architecture like no other. The building’s stern white cubes boast gold-plated laurel leafs, owls and twirling lines, …

Otto Wagner Vienna.  Unlike any other, Austrian architect, furniture designer, and interior decorator Otto Wagner holds the key to Viennese Modernist and Art Nouveau architecture. Essentially, Wagner catapulted Fin-de-Siècle Vienna into the 20th century by celebrating the beauty of simplicity. If you want to trace this period when in Wien, use these eight signature pieces below to plan your itinerary. Otto Wagner …

Before you start wondering about the name of that palace in Vienna, there are two different Imperial palaces: Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palace. In fact, this post will answer your questions about Hofburg Palace and map out the entire palace compound. First and foremost, the Wiener Hofburg is as vast as it is old. For more than 600 years, the Habsburg …

Because it’s Vienna’s top tourist attraction, you will benefit from a Schonbrunn Palace insider guide to Vienna’s most stunning castle. With millions of visitors per year the Hapsburg palace is a well-trodden path. To inspire your visit let me share my insider guide to pomp and stucco, hidden corners and insider experiences.  Why Is Schönbrunn Palace Important? A UNESCO World …

While the Naschmarkt in Vienna is a historic landmark it’s also our best fresh food and flea market. Every Saturday, my Viennese mum hunts there for the best food and vintage things. Because some of the best fresh produce sells at Naschmarkt, some of the best fish and Mediterranean restaurants have settled there. As a result, we are sharing our …

Visiting the Belvedere Vienna you can happily lose yourself in fine art and beautiful landscaping. While the palace and baroque gardens alone are worth a visit the Belvedere’s Austrian National Gallery impresses with 1,000 years of national art. Below I’m sharing my personal notes of what to see and do at the Belvedere.  The Palace And Baroque Gardens To begin with, the Belvedere shines a bright light …

Vienna Tours Private Sightseeing. Can a mere a print guide ever replace a knowledgeable and passionate private guide such as Walter here at Cafe Bräunerhof (see above)? To help connect you with professionals like him I have put together the best small group and private tours for you to screen. Private City Highlights Tour Vienna Tours Private Sightseeing. What I like about …

Mini Danube Cruise. If you plan a day trip from Vienna to Bratislava by boat consider taking the catamaran during the warm months. At just 60 km distance from Vienna, this stretch of the Donau provides a great setting for a mini Danube cruise. Despite this being a fairly high-speed ride it feels super safe and is also child friendly. …

Every classical city guide harps on about the Spanish Riding School Vienna as a Must-See. Should you spend  two hours to experience baroque horses performing to classical music in a baroque riding hall? For 30 years I wasn’t convinced. See a video and read my first-hand review of watching a show. You will also get a quick overview of shows and tickets on offer. …