I love traveling - and probably travel more than anyone I know - so it makes sense that I write about it. Get Lost is a series of short, snappy travel guides (250 words or under) where I write about the places I visit.
ONCE FAMED AS A CITY OF IMPERIAL INDULGENCE, MODERN VIENNA IS EMBRACING THE SPLENDOUR OF ITS PAST AND BECOMING ONE OF CENTRAL EUROPE'S HOTTEST DESTINATIONS.
With its grandiose streetscape and impressive clutch of palaces, central Vienna is a living tapestry showcasing the city’s rich and varied history. As the former seat of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna is endowed with some of Europe’s finest architecture, including the Baroque opulence of Karlskirche and the eclectic styles of the sprawling Hofburg Palace. Modern twists litter the city, from the former imperial stables transformed into the thriving Museumsquartier cultural district to the whimsical Hundertwasserhaus, a striking expressionist landmark.
For the true Viennese experience, immerse yourself in the city’s famous cafe culture at Cafe Central – once the favoured haunt of Trotsky and Freud – before exploring Vienna’s classical music heritage at a Musikverein concert. Or head out to Prater Park and take in the views from the Wiener Riesenrad, a Ferris wheel built for the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I in 1897. If a more modern take on Vienna is your thing, follow up brunch on the lively Yppenplatz square with a trip out to Danube Island, the city’s riverside getaway with water sports, cafes, and Austria’s best beach-side bars.
One of Europe’s greatest masterpieces, Vienna has captivated visitors for centuries. But the city is changing. Vienna is shaking off a reputation for genteel sophistication, breathing new life into the artistic legacies of its illustrious past and creating stories for generations to come.