These days, city breaks are all the rage. People are short on time, so for many the best way to get away and experience new places is to take short breaks rather than going away for a week or more. In a city, there is a lot to do and see, so it is really easy to come up with an itinerary that fits in with your tastes. More importantly, cities offer a lot for the young and old, are often shorter periods of time to fit in with your little ones routine and are a great taster to longer holidays.
Vienna is a great example of a city that lends itself to short visits. If you like, you can return repeatedly, without running the risk of running out of new things to enjoy. Below is just a taste of what Vienna has to offer.
Wonderful classical music and opera events
Maybe not one for the kids, but most hotels will offer a babysitting service or at the very least recommend one so you can experience the delight that is a cultured date night.
For many centuries, Vienna has been a centre of culture. The city is where composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert wrote many of their masterpieces. It is also home to several famous opera houses. If you fancy taking in an opera or a concert, you can easily pre-book your tickets on viennaoperatickets.
Jazz lovers are spoilt for choice, when they visit. It is home to numerous jazz clubs and all kinds of venues that offer this style of music. Many of the performances that take place in cafes and bars are free to enjoy.
The unique ball season
If you are in the city during January or February you could potentially attend a Viennese waltz. Tickets for the main balls are very limited and expensive, but you smaller ones are held. Besides which you can still enjoy the truly special atmosphere of the city at this time of the year when the streets are full of men in tails and women in ball gowns.
Fantastic food
The one thing that surprises most visitors is just how good the food is in Vienna. Over the centuries, the Viennese have created some really tasty dishes. If you are a bit of a foodie, you can easily spend your days enjoy sweet specialities like apple strudel, Kaiserschmarrn and Sachertorte. The coffee houses in Vienna are pretty special too. Some have been in business for over a hundred years, so they really know what they are doing. For dinner, try Wiener schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Gulasch or Selchfleisch. If you want to eat these types of dishes try to find a small cafe, they tend to stick to the traditional recipes.
Great markets
Year round, there are some really nice markets to enjoy in the city. Each one has its own atmosphere. One of the best is the famous Naschmarkt. Surprisingly, it offers an eclectic mix of local and Vietnamese specialities.
On Sunday morning there is a famous flea market held right next door. It is a great way to start your day and pick up some unusual knickknacks. You can find out all you need to know about the other markets that are held in and around the city from this guide.
Christmas markets
If you love Christmas, Vienna is a fantastic place to get into the mood early. From around the last week in November the city is transformed as its huge Christmas markets open and the decorations go up.
The above are just a few ideas, to get you started. Vienna is home to dozens of museums, art galleries, historic buildings, parks, sports events, tours, spas and other ways to relax and enjoy yourself.