Mini Travel Guides

I’ve wanted to explore Vienna ever since I saw the movie Before Sunrise where two strangers meet on the train to Vienna and decide to explore the city together. They have only one day, so they make the most of this beautiful city by walking around. But of course they are a little broke, so they mostly choose places where there is no entrance fee. You on the other hand can add to the experience by visiting some of its most important museums. And keep in mind that holders of the Vienna card get discounts.

Sigmund Freud Museum

Photo from Francisco Antunes via Creative Commons

Vienna wouldn’t have been complete without a museum dedicated to the famous Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud. Sigmund Freud Museum is where Freud started his first practice and it is a tribute to his life, and of course, psycho analysis.

If you are in Vienna at the end of November, you might want to combine a visit to the museum with a visit to the movies, as A Dangerous Method will be coming to the theaters. The movie depicts the relationship between Carl Jung (played by Michael Fassbender) and Sigmund Freud (who’s played by Viggo Mortensen). The museum is open every day from 9am to 5 pm and admission costs 7€ (5.50€, if you own a Vienna card).

Vienna’s Museum of Art Fakes

Photo Credit – Museum of Art Fakes

As much as art forgery might scare artists and genuine art lovers, where would the world of fiction be without it? So it’s only natural to have a museum filled with successful forgeries of the most famous artwork, and detailed information about both the artists and the forgers.

The entrance fee for Vienna’s Museum of Art Fakes is 4€ for adults and the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (from 10 am to 5 pm).

Vienna Museum Karlsplatz

So far the museums listed contain important works about nature, art and important Austrian people such as Freud. However if you are interested in the history of the city of Vienna, Vienna Museum Karlsplatz is a great choice. Not only is history documented, but you can also find paintings and memorabilia about important Austrian playwright Franz Grill and architect Adolf Loos.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25. Entrance is free for young people under the age of 19, and 6€ for adults (4€, if you have a Vienna card.) You can also enjoy free admission on the first Sunday of each month.

Vienna Museum of Natural History

Photo from Martin Kalfatovic via Creative Commons

Vienna Museum of Natural History is a vast museum dedicated to animal life, including minerals, fossils and dinosaurs, and it consists of 39 exhibition halls. The museum offers varies events including guided tours, projections and lectures, though most of them are in German.

It is open from Thursday to Monday (from 9 am to 6.30 pm, and on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.). It’s closed on Tuesdays.

I can’t wait to see this museum to find out more about animals, regardless of their existence levels and size.

Technical Museum Vienna

Opened to public in 1918, The Technical Museum offers exhibits on industry, technology and engineering, astronomy, principals, physics, mining, iron, energy, transport, communications and more. You can also view several exciting experiments.

The entrance fee is €8,50 (%20 off with Vienna-Card) and free for the people under 19. The museum is open daily (from 9am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 10 to 6 on weekends and public holidays).

Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum)

Vienna’s Art History Museum from  Richard Gould via Creative Commons

Opened to public in 1891, The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) has quite an impressive collection including works of Vermeer, Rembrandt, Titian, Bruegel, Velazquez, Dürer, and more. The date of the paintings starts from the 18th century and go back thousands of years.

21er Haus Vienna

21 we Haus by Alfred Weidinger via Creative Commons

The 21er Haus building was built in 1962 as a part of the Belvedere, to house Austrian artworks from 1945 to present. Now, the building will be opened as a museum on 16 November, 2011. The museums’ first exhibition “Schöne Aussichten” (Beautiful Views) will last until January 8, 2012.

MAK – Austrian Museum for Applied/ Contemporary Art

Founded in 1864, MAK is bound to please those who are interested in design, whether they prefer the Middle Ages, today or anything in between. Some of the collections include works on paper, metals,furniture and woodwork, textiles and carpets.

MAK is open from 10 am to 6 pm Wednesday through Sunday, and from 10:00 am to midnight on Tuesdays. Admission is 7.90€ for adults (6.30€ with a Vienna-Card) and free for people under the age of 19. Saturdays are also free of charge.

The Albertina

Photo credit The Albertina Museum

The Albertina is the stop to catch extensive exhibitions of masters like Picasso, Monet, Albrecht Dürer,   Peter Paul Rubens, Gustav Klimt, Max Weiler and more. Date of some of the collections go back as far as to the 18th century. Some of these exhibitions are permanently on display, and The Albertina also includes architectural and photographic collections. The Museum is open every day, from 10am to 6pm (except for Wednesdays when it closes at 9).  The entrance fee is 9.50€ for adults, 8€ for seniors and Vienna-Card holders and €7 for students and no charge for the ones under 19.

 The Third Man Museum

Of all the museums I have covered, this one is the on the top off my to-visit list. From movie posters to movie programs, from movie stills to laser discs, this museums is dedicated to the movie The Third Man, a movie from 1949 set in Vienna and starring Orson Welles. The museum provides anything related to the film, including the first editions of the Graham Greene novel upon which the movie is based. The entrance fee is €7,50 (6 with a Vienna Card).  The museum is open from 2 pm to 6 pm on Saturdays, and from 6 pm to 8pm on Tuesdays (if arranged beforehand).

More Vienna Tips

We’ve lots more ideas on things to do in Vienna and for  the best places to stay in Vienna for all budgets.

Click here for the lowest prices on Vienna hotels

More on European Museums

Find out about more museums in Europe on Europe a la Carte.

10 Must-See Vienna Museums

Tips on what to see in Europe. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

The Zillertal region is another Austrian hidden treasure, like Burgenland, which I visited in May 2011. The Zillertal region is referred to as nature’s dinner table because of all the local organic produce. I really like the look of the Melchermuas (pancake made with the creamy hay-milk) that Matt Carroll prepares and eats in the video.

Pancakes are big in Zillertal, there’s even a Krapfen (another type of pancake) Festival in Schwendau in August. In July there’s the Schmankerl Food Festival, where you can sample local dishes such as Graukassuppe (grey cheese soup) and Schlichtanudeln (a pasta dish) accompanied by traditional music.

Sarah and Terry Lee of Live Share Travel recommend the two hour ride on the Zillertalbahn steam train between Jenbach and Mayrhofen. One of the train’s carriages is decorated with thousands of Swarovski crystals, you may be dazzled  by all that bling, as well as the beautiful Alpine scenery.

Many people think of Austria as a Winter holiday destination or for a city break in Vienna but Austria is also a great destination for Summer holidays. The area has lots of paths ideal for hiking, biking and Nordic walking.  You can buy a Zillertal Activcard, for a minimum of six days, which covers rides up and down eleven cableways, admission to open air swimming pools and all public transport (except the steam train).

Zillertal: One of Austria’s Hidden Treasures

Tips on what to see in Europe. Copyrighted content published on Europe a la Carte.

UK residents can win a five night holiday for two to Burgenland, eastern Austria in the Hidden Treasures Competition run by the UK Austrian National Tourist Office. The fab prize includes return flights, hotel transfers, five nights half board at St Martins Lodge and three excursions.

I spent two nights in Burgenland in early May 2011, staying at St Martins Lodge. I went on the hotel’s bird watching tour to Lake Neusiedl and spent some time in Rust and Eisenstadt. Burgenland certainly is a hidden treasure, so why not enter the competition to experience it for yourself. The closing date is 30 September 2011.

Win a Five Night Holiday to Austria

Discover the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

When I was in Vienna in May 2011,  Andreas Susana, editor of Notes of a Traveler and tweeting as @Travelwriticus very kindly came up from his home town of Graz to give me a guided walking tour of Vienna.

St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna

Vienna is renowned for its rich architectural heritage and our Vienna walking tour kicked off with a look at some examples of this.  The 1987 Vienna University of Technology library has sculptures of owls along the side of the roof and one large, rather elongated, owl on a corner. The curved shape of the windows reminded me of Rennie Mackintosh’s Scotland Street School in Glasgow.

Owl Adorned Library of Vienna University of Technology

Karlsplatz Station was a stop on the Vienna Stadtbahn, constructed in 1899 in the Jugendstil style, the local version of Art Nouveau. The station was almost destroyed during modernisation of the railway to the U-Bahn in the 1980s but a public protest saved it.

Karlsplaftz Station, Vienna

The Secession Building is another example of Jugendstil architecture. It opened in the late 1890s to house the works of the the artists, including Klimt and Olbrich, who’d formed the breakaway Union of Austrian Artists. The building has a beautiful ornate gold sphere on the roof but I couldn’t get a decent photo of it.

Entrance to the Secession Building, Vienna

At the side of the Secession Building, there’s a sculpture of the Roman general Mark Anthony by Arthur Strasser.

Sculpture of Mark Anthony, Vienna

I’d read about the Palmenhaus in Kimberley’s Europe a la Carte post, but it was even more impressive than I imagined, probably party due to it being such a sunny day.

The Palm House, Vienna

Around the corner was the baroque style Austrian National Library, formerly the library of the Hapsburg royal family.

T

The National Library, Vienna

Andreas reckoned that, being a Scot, I’d appreciate seeing the Scottish Church.

The Scottish Church, Vienna

There are many fountains in Vienna but I liked the backdrop of the Gothic City Hall at this one.

Fountain near Vienna’s City Hall

I thought I couldn’t visit Vienna and not go to one of its famous cafes.  We had a snack at the Cafe Central, previously frequented by the likes of Trotsky, Tito, Freud and Lenin. I have to say that although the interior was beautiful, I didn’t think that the coffee was that good.

Andreas in Cafe Central, Vienna

There’s been a church on the site of St Stephen’s Cathedral since the 12th century. The current building dates from the 14th century. However the diamond shaped pattern on the roof was added in the 1950s.

St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna

A big thank you to Andreas for this personal guided tour of Vienna.  I’m just sorry that I had so little time in Vienna, I feel I barely scratched the surface.

You can see all my Vienna photos on Flickr.

Best of Vienna Tips

Our “Best of Vienna Travel Tips” collation will give you plenty of ideas for you trip to Vienna. We’ve also researched some of the best places to stay in Vienna for all budgets.

Click here for the lowest prices on Vienna hotels

A Walking Tour of Vienna with Travelwriticus

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I only visited the city of Eisenstadt in Burgenland in eastern Austria because of a lost in translation moment. I’d enquired at the reception desk of my hotel, St Martins Therme & Lodge, about the best driving route to the town of Rust, on the western shore of Lake Neusdield. The receptionist told me that there was a ferry from Morbisch an See, just south of Rust. I reckoned this would save me doing the return half circuit of the lake. My plan was to be back at the hotel in time for a swim in the outdoor pool before dinner. However, when I arrived at the ferry in Morbisch am See, I discovered it was a ferry for foot passengers and bicycles but not cars. As I drove back through Rust I noticed a road sign saying that it was only 15 kilometres to Eisenstadt, so I thought just go for it. I’m really glad I did. Yes, I missed my swim and 5 course dinner at the hotel (with a quick meal at a fast food restaurant as a poor substitute), but Eisenstadt was beautiful.

Bergkirche in Eisendstadt

One good thing about arriving in the evening was that it was easy to find a parking place just opposite the Bergkirche. The Austrian composer Joseph Haydn lived in Eisenstadt and the Hadyn Mausoleum is at the back of Bergkirche.  I arrived there are 18.50, ten minutes before closing time.

Haydn Mausoleum, Eisenstadt

The grand Esterhazy Castle was the main home of Prince Esterhazy, a Hungarian noble, as this area was part of Hungary until 1921.

Esterhazy Castle, Eisenstadt

Opposite Esterhazy Castle the wine store was bathed in evening sunlight.

Selektion Vinothek Burgenland, Eisenstandt

There was a outdoor cafe in the courtyard of Esterhazy Castle.

Esterhazy Castle courtyard

The Haydn Museum was a five minute walk from the castle.

The street in Eisenstadt where Haydn lived

Fountain in Eisenstadt

The Plague Column in the main street was constructed in the early 18th century to ask God to rid the city from the plague.

Intricate base of Plague Column

There was an Italian food market in the city that week.

Piedmont cheese stall at the Italian market

I loved the golden unicorn decoration at a street corner.

A very long horned unicorn in Eisenstadt

So now you can understand why I’m so glad that I made it to Eisenstadt. You can see all my Eisenstadt photos in Flickr.

My trip was hosted by the Austrian National Tourist Office UK.

Photo Tour of Eisenstadt in Burgenland, Austria

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I stayed for two nights at the 5 star Ring Hotel in Vienna in May 2011, on a complimentary basis. The hotel is in a central location on the ring road that encircles the old town, so very handy for sightseeing on foot.

Exterior of Ring Hotel Vienna

I thought that the lobby of the hotel was quite small for a five star hotel. The decor didn’t appeal to me with features like mini rhino sculptures illuminated in green in a recessed case in the wall.

Lobby at Ring Hotel

My room was spacious and comfortable, decorated in a traditional, classic style. It was very quiet in the room despite the proximity of a major road. There was a coffee machine in the room. The fresh flowers in the room and bathroom were a nice touch.

My room at the Ring Hotel, Vienna

The toiletries in the bathroom were lovely. There was a wired internet connection and wifi (variable quality), both free of charge, in the room. The hotel has a spa on the top floor with a gym, a steam room and a sauna. I had the steam room and sauna to myself one evening.

I only ate breakfast at the hotel’s  “At Eight” restaurant.

“At Eight” restaurant in the Ring Hotel Vienna

The selection at the “Quick Breakfast” buffet was quite limited for a 5 star hotel with cereal, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, two fruit juices and a selection of rolls and pastries.  Tea or coffee was brought to your table on request. It was possible to order various egg dishes, different fruit juices and a wider range of hot drinks as extras.

Quick breakfast at the Ring Hotel Vienna

As I spend the majority of my time at a hotel in my room, it’s the room that matters most to me. I rated my room at the Ring Hotel as excellent for comfort and spaciousness, having free wired internet connection and being so quiet for a city centre.  The lobby decor is a matter of taste and I was only there for a few minutes but I do think that the breakfast selection could be extended.

Best of Vienna Tips

Our Best of Vienna Travel Tips collation will give you plenty of ideas for you trip to Vienna. We’ve also researched some of the best places to stay in Vienna for all budgets.

Click here for the lowest prices on Vienna hotels

Review of the Ring Hotel, Vienna

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

My visit to the town of Rust was one of the highlights of my trip to Burgenland in eastern Austria in May 2011. As soon as I got out of my car I spotted several storks’ nests on the the chimneys.

Spot the stork’s nest on the chimney

There was a stork information tile board which looked liked it had been hand written and painted.

Stork information tiles in Rust

The buildings along the main street were very colourful.

Gift shop in Rust

Impressive doorway in Rust

Patio in Rust

Church in Rust

The pedestrianised town square is very pretty. You can find public toilets at the top end of the square.

Town square Rust

There’s a fair selection of cafes and restaurants in the town, most with outdoor seating.

Cafe in Rust

Next I drove down to the shores of Lake Neusiedl, about a mile from the centre of town, where I was able to park  free of charge for one hour. I decided to go into the Katamaran Restaurant/Cafe for a coffee with a lake view.

Katamaran Restaurant/Cafe by Lake Nuesiedl in Rust

But I couldn’t resist a piece of their cake, it was so hard to decide which cake to select. I plumped for  the chocolate and banana creation.

Yummy banana & chocolate cake at Katamaran Restaurants Rust

If you are in Burgenland, make sure that the picturesque town of Rust is on your itinerary.

My trip was hosted by the Austrian National Tourist Office UK.

Photo Tour of Rust in Burgenland, Austria

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I stayed at the St Martins Therme & Lodge in Burgenland, eastern Austria for two nights in May 2011, as a guest of the Austrian National Tourist Office UK.

St Martins Therme & Lodge

Just before the Lodge entrance there’s a pen housing two very curious goats who enjoy being patted.

One of the friendly (outdoor) residents at St Martins Therme & Lodge

During check in I was offered a glass of locally produced apple juice, as the receptionist explained all the guest facilities.  Instead of a room key card, you get a water proof circular key (the size of a small watch) attached to a bracelet and swiping this not only gets you into your room but also into the spa facilities.

Lobby at St Martins Therme & Lodge

My room had a large balcony with views over the lake and the spa. I had a sauna and a swim in the outdoor pools on my first evening there.

My room at St Martins Therme & Lodge

There were a couple of armchairs and a small table by the window. The bed was really comfortable. I was delighted that the room had a wired internet connection free of charge. There was also free wifi in the lobby but I didn’t pick up a very good signal there.

The only negative I had with the room was that one morning I was awakened at 7.30am by a rather noisy grass cutting tractor on the area at the lake shore opposite my room.

The breakfast buffet was a real treat with its emphasis on local produce.  There was a selection of cheeses, hams, jams and breads and you could even slice your own ham.

The next morning I went on a  bird watching tour in the nearby Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park, led by Karin one of the “scouts” employed by the hotel.

Karin, our bird watching tour guide

She took us to an elevated hide to see which birds we could spot. A few days after my tour I received a booklet in the mail with stamps for each of the birds we had seen. Guests who manage to see all the birds listed in the booklet, receive a free weekend at the St Martins Therme & Spa.

The elevated hide

In summary, St Martins Therme & Lodge is a wonderful retreat with lovely rooms, helpful staff, extensive spa facilities and one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve ever had.

You can see all my St Martins Therme & Lodge photos on Flickr.

Review of St Martins Therme & Lodge, Burgenland, Austria

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I’ll be spending two nights in Vienna in early May 2011, immediately after my stay in the Burgenland region of eastern Austria.  I was due to visit the Austrian capital in late November 2010 on a bmi press trip which I’d to cancel at the last minute, due to severe Winter weather.  Let’s hope I do make it to Vienna this time, saying that I have seen snow in June in Scotland! I’ll be hosted by The Ring, Vienna’s casual luxury hotel.

The Ring Hotel Vienna

I certainly have plenty of ideas for things to do from the “Best of Vienna Tips” on Europe a la Carte. I’ll be meeting up with Andreas Susana, editor of Notes of a Traveler,  tweeting as  @Travelwriticus.

Schonbrunn Palace by Marcus Cederstron

Follow my visit to Vienna on Twitter with the hashtag #viennatrip

Fingers Crossed I Make It to Vienna This Time

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

I’ll be exploring Burgenland in eastern Austria in early May 2011, as a guest of the Austrian National  Tourist Office UK.  I’ll be staying at St Martins Therme and Lodge.

St Martins Therme and Lodge

It’ll be hard to decide what to do during my two night visit but I’m planning to cycle along the shores of Lake Neusiedl, visit Schloss Halbturn, the National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, the village of Rust and the city of Eisenstadt.

Home of the composer Haydn in Eisenstadt by roger4336

Win a 5 Night Holiday to Burgenland

You can win a five night holiday in Burgenland including flights, half board accommodation at St Martins Spa & Lodge and various tours.

Follow my exploration of Burgenland on Twitter #burgenlandtrip

I’m visiting Burgenland in Eastern Austria in early May 2011

Browse through our travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.