Vienna fans - talk it up for a teenager?

[WillTravel]

I know there are Vienna fans and even residents on this board.

Now that we are going to Bucharest next August, I think it's pretty logical to visit Vienna at some point. But my daughter seems to have the impression it wouldn't be interesting for a teenager (she'll be 16). We've never been there - but there are lots of things I want to see. Help me give her some persuasive reasons why she would want to visit Vienna.

[herrbert]

To me Vienna is city between the East and West of Europe. For a long time it was only the west that you could see, but the last 15 years Vienna turned into one of the most lively places in Europe, because the interaction between both parts of Europe is restored, since the Iron Curtain came down. It is just the feel of the town (the vibe), that is good.

There is something for everybody in Vienna, it's not just the old-fashioned city that you see in many travelbrochures. These brochures often tend to point out, the history and the old buildings. And in my vision these brochures are often aimed at older travellers (why they do it ... I don't know).

Then why should a place like this be appealling for a teenager?
of course this depends on the interests, so I can only speak for myself.

Of course you have the buildings, the beautiful palaces and their gardens, the curches, the opera, the museums etc etc. Once the Austrian Empire was huge, so this brought a lot of special people to Vienna, and still at the beginning of the 20th century Vienna was a place were a lot of new ideas, were born (just think of Sigmund Freud).

To me Vienna is a surprisingly 'green' city, there are a lot of parks, and quiet corners to discover. the only city that I've seen so far with more green area's is Helsinki. Usualy cities tend to have one or two big parks, but here they are all over.

It is the mix of East vs West, History vs the Present. The Grandeur and class of the past vs the Young people with new ideas, that make this place a perfect gathering point, right in the middle of Europe. And what I like most: It's a place with a heart, and that's what I sometimes miss other cities.

My top X reason to go to Vienna

- Just to be there. it gives me a good feeling being in Vienna. In summer sitting on a nice terrace, having a drink, having a chat with people, sharing ideas and views is great. The nightlife is ever changing, and my last visit was in 2003, so a lot will be changed, but in a city like Vienna there is always something to do.

- Eissalon Paolo Bortolotto on the Maria Hilferstrasse 22 (and 94), try the Marille-Eis. I always ask for an icecream with only this flavour, because I can't eat it in the Netherlands. I know it sounds stupid to make a icesalon a reason to go to a city.

- Restaurant Gutenberg on Lugeck (near to the Stephansdom), a very good place to eat the local cuisine (although not as refined as other countries, it's good food). At least don't fall for the Figlmuller-hoax. They are telling everybody they have the biggest Wiener Schnitzels in town. This statement is correct, but they are also the flattest schnitzels you will ever see, and certainly not the best.

- Mumok: if you are interested in Modern Art - a must

- Prater: Go and see Prater in the evening, it's one big carnival (a little like Tivoli in Copenhagen), but different, and it's a good way to spend an evening, enjoying yourself, and looking at other people.

*I know David is lover of Vienna aswell, so I expect him to follow up, when he's online.

[madamtrashheap]

Hey WT,

first thing that popped into my head was Prater - and Herrbert has it covered too! Prater (or Volks Prater) is a great place and his suggestion to visit in the evening is a good one. There are amusement rides, food stalls and a few beer halls/restaurants scattered over the park. The food isn't too expensive out here either, although you'll pay a little more if you sit inside rather than grab something and wander around. It's like a mini-Oktoberfest without the drunken tourists!

To add to Herrbert's excellent suggestions, here are my lucky 7:
1. visit the Hofburg as well as Schoenbrunn Palace - both are spectacular and not boring at all as there are far too many pretty shiny things to drool over (the Kings Appartments, the Silver Room)! Maybe an audioguide will be better than a guided tour as you can move at your own pace.
2. Gruesome Tour part 1 - visit the Kaisergruft (or Kapuzinergruft at Tegetthoffstr. 2, two blocks behind the Opera towards St Stefans, just past the Memorial Against War and Facism), last resting place of the bodies of the Habsburgs; only their tombs are visible, so not too grim, but interesting nonetheless. Their hearts are kept in St Augustin church around the corner, but you need arrange a visit.
3. Spanische Reitschule or the Lipizzaner riding school - you've probably already earmarked it, but check www.spanische-reitschule.com/ and plug in the dates you'll be in Vienna to see what going on in terms of performances or tours (they take a break for part of Summer). If you're there for morning practise, grab tickets. I first went when I was 17 and loved it, have been again twice since, so might be worth considering. The musuem attached isn't half as good as seeing the real thing in action.
4. Gruesome Tour part 2: the crypt (catacombes) under St Stefans (St Stephen's) church; there are short guided tours of this rather interesting part of the church. There used to be one that also encompassed climbing the bell tower. The crypt
5. Bakery tour - do what the Austrians (and Germans) to and at 4pm have "Kaffee und Kuchen" (coffee and cake). Grab a strudel, Sachertorte or whatever takes your fancy at Demel (at 14 Kohlmarkt), sit down in the gorgeous cafe on St Stefansplatz next to the church, or try Cafe Diglas (Wollzeile 10, near Stephansplatz) and enjoy a strong Austrian coffee (Kaisermelange is with milk if you don't like your spoon standing up in your coffee!). If you really want to spoil yourselves, go the whole hog at Cafe Sacher (on the side of the Hotel Sacher) and have Sachertorte with cream and strawberries. This is the home of Sachertorte, and it's kind of cool to have it there, but good Sachetorte can be found around the city.
6. Go to the Zoo! - referred to as the oldest zoo (Tiergarten) in Europe, it's located in the gardens of Schoenbrunn Palace and whilse it's not huge, it's a pretty stroll through the animals (if you like zoos). Once you've done that, wander up the hill behind the palace for a great panorama of the city.
7. Horse and Carriage rides - if you feel like seeing the city from a different angle. They might be a tinsey bit touristy (ya think!), but naff as they are, it's a nice way to see the sights for a little bit and rest your feet.

I'm sure you have your own list of sights to see WT, but at least these will help convince your daughter that Vienna is worth the visit. Either that or you can trade one from our list of things to do for each one you visit off your list!

Herrbert's restaurant recommendation (Restaurant Gutenberg) is a good one, and although the schnitzel at Figlmueller are flat they are huuuuuge. Worth going to just to see it hang over the plate! Some other food recommendations are Café Restaurant Landtmann (Dr-Karl-Lueger-Ring 4) where Freud reportedly took his morning coffee in this old-style Viennese cafe; Restaurant Beisl is an old Jewish restaurant and Vienna favourite; for something other than schnitzel, try Drei Husaren (Weihburggasse 4) or Plachutta (Wollzeile 38), both have good Austro-Hungarian food and a specialty of Tafelspitz (broiled beef with apple and horseradish sauce).

Hmmm, wonder where I can get a quick strudel right now! ;D

[herrbert]

Ooooohh, I forgot something ... don't forget to see the Belvedere Palace, for architecture, it is much more interesting than Schönbrunn. Inside Belverdere, there is a museum, where you can see some of the works by Gustav Klimt.

Also take a look at the Karlskirche and Secession (secession you will see a lot, on the backside of the austrian 50 eurocent coin), The Opera, the Naschmarkt on saturdaymornings, Maria am Gestade, Hundertwasserhaus. There is too much to see in Vienna.

Did you know that with your 24, 48 or 72hr tickets for public transport, you can go to the top the Kahlenberg? (by bus) This is where the Austrian army, won the famous battle against the invading Ottoman (turkish) Empire. From this hill, you have a beautiful view over Vienna. You could make a walk down the hill, towards the tramstop, on the foot of the hill to get back to the city. (make sure to bring a map).

@mth: you are not serious about figlmuller, are you?

[jennifer]

Lol, i know i'm gonna be the party pooper here, but I really don't love Vienna as much.

I must say though that for architecture lovers, this is the place! There are some great things in Vienna, and if it is your thing, you are more than served. What Madametrashheap and herrbert have said are great great suggestions though!

Jen

[madamtrashheap]

herrbert said:

@mth: you are not serious about figlmuller, are you?

But size does matter!
Seriously, I know they aren't the best (I've had the best schnitzel out in the hills at a Heuriger), but it's one of those things to see this massive, flat schnitzel literally hanging off your plate. It's cheesey but fun. ;D

WT, let us know how you go with the suggestions.

[WillTravel]

Thanks, folks. I'm glad to have all these suggestions. I think if/when Vienna fits in comfortably (when I can finally make the final itinerary when the budget flight schedues come out in the spring for next August), I'll just present a visit as a fait accompli. I'm quite keen to see most of the above in any event. I really enjoyed reading "The Third Man", although that's undoubtedly quite outdated so far as Vienna goes.

[madamtrashheap]

WT, I haven't read "The Third Man" and caught only the tail end of it on TV late one night years ago so I'm not sure how the visuals of the book compare to the city now - but some things in Vienna haven't changed for centuries, so I think you'll find a lot "familiar". I'm sure your daughter will enjoy herself, even if it is a fait acompli! ;D