Insiders view of Vienna

 

The Wanderers in conversation with Verena Hable

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Vienna.

 

Vienna is one of the safest places in the world and is also the city with the highest quality of living.

What is a must buy when in Vienna?

Fine hand-crafted pieces from the former so called Purveyors to the Imperial Court. This can be anything from confectionary to porcelain, from jewellery to headgear.

One take-away after a visit to Vienna?

Sweets – Be it a whole Sacher cake (available in different sizes), nostalgic chocolates from Demel or tiny confectionaries from Altmann und Kühne!

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Look behind the imperial facade!

Despite its history, Vienna is one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in Europe.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Vienna.

Vienna is a very walkable city, so definitely bring shoes you are comfortable walking in.

One activity anyone travelling to Vienna should not miss..

Take your time and visit a coffee house the way the locals do: have a coffee, browse through the international newspapers and have a chat with the people on the table next to yours.

Where should anyone, travelling to Vienna, definitely get their picture taken?

On the iconic Enzi designer benches in the Museums Quarter, one of Europe’s largest cultural districts.

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

The best place for a panoramic photo would be the restaurant – ‘Le Loft’, on the top floor of the hotel Sofitel with a 360 degree panorama view.

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

Rent a boat and drift around on the calm waters of the Old Danube.

Most romantic place to take a special someone to.

A romantic picnic in the green vineyards with a stunning view on the city centre. Many wineries offer readymade picnic baskets with delicacies, a bottle of wine, wine glasses and a blanket.

Best place to have local food?

Try one of the markets, e.g. Naschmarkt, Vienna’s most popular market.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend.

In so called ‘Heurigen’ restaurants, traditional wine taverns with local food, you should try ‘Kaiserspritzer’- white wine mixed with sparkling water and some elder syrup. Be sure to have a ‘Brettljause’, a dish including a little bit of everything they offer.

One place only the locals would know.

The Restaurant Pöschl, in the very city centre offers genuine Viennese kitchen and is so not touristy. They don’t even have a website!

The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink..

The area around Gumpendorfer Straße (between Naschmarkt and Mariahilfer Straße) is full with bars and cafés of all styles.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see

Popfest – a free open air festival in the middle of the city centre and in front of beautiful Karlskirche. 2014 will be its 5th birthday!

The things guide books will not tell anyone about Vienna?

Do not buy bottled water!

Tap water in Vienna is not only safe to drink, it’s actually really healthy as it is mineral water coming in a pipeline directly from the Alps.

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Vienna and what would that reason be?

Vienna can be visited all times of the year: While in summer the operas and theatres are closed and the locals enjoy spending time outside, winter is time for the indoor activities such as balls and museums.

In one sentence, Vienna is.

The best of Europe in a nutshell.

Verena Hable works with the Vienna Tourist Board handling media relations for Japan, China, India, Russia and the Middle Eastern Countries.