Vienna – Insider Tips
Vienna for individualists
Vienna offers so much more than what’s commonly portrayed in travel guides. Vienna is also home to an independent arts scene that offers plenty of attractions ‘off the beaten track’. Take your time to discover the hidden gems of the Austrian capital. The Hotel Capricorno team has a wealth of insiders’ tips only a question away!
Vienna connoisseurs start their vacation at the Naschmarkt, a huge farmers’ market. It starts at the Secession, the world-renowned Art Nouveau building, and extends away from the city centre. At the Naschmarkt you’ll find, as its name suggests (‘naschen’ is German for ‘to nibble’), a cornucopia of fresh mouth-watering products and delicacies, and on Saturdays there is even a flea market. Well worth a visit is the Freihausviertel on the left-hand side of the Naschmarkt: Small cafés, quaint and enticing shops and unconventional galleries are at home here. Walking to the right from the Naschmarkt, small alleyways lead to the Museum Quarter at the end of the ‘shopping mile’ Mariahilferstrasse. Apart from the two large museums, the Leopold Museum and the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK), this huge cultural precinct also houses several lesser-known cultural initiatives that are well worth discovering. Many Viennese quite simply like to stroll around the MUQA – as it is affectionately called. Especially in summer, its generous green spaces, park benches and attractive cafés draw crowds.
For an excursion, Vienna’s vineyards are just the thing. The underground line U4 takes you from the Hotel Capricorno to Nussdorf, the centre of ‘Heurigen’ or wine production in Vienna. In the ‘Heurigen’ the ‘Heurigen’ is served – for non-locals not the easiest thing to get one’s head around! But not to worry, the ‘Heurigen’ landlord is bound to shed light on this riddle…. (Hint: ‘Heuer’ means ‘this year’ in the southern German-speaking world.)
Another popular leisure centre in Vienna is the Donauinsel (Danube Island), which you can reach from Schwedenplatz with the underground line U1. Here, in the great outdoors, you can take a swim, cycle or just laze around in the sun – you’ll be surprised at how versatile Vienna really is!
Naschmarkt
| Hotel | Walking distance |
|---|---|
| Hotel Stefanie | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel City Central | ca. 20 minutes |
| Hotel Capricorno | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Am Parkring | ca. 15 minutes |
| Hotel Erzherzog Rainer | ca. 5 minutes |
Open-air market with dishes, spices, fruit and delicacies from all over the world. Open from Monday to Saturday; Saturdays with antiques market.
Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof)
The Central Cemetery in Vienna opened in 1874 and is the final resting place for more than 3 million bodies. It counts among the world’s largest cemeteries and is interdenominational. Honorary graves include Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Arthur Schnitzler, Friedrich Torberg, the Presidents’ Crypt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms and many others.
Viennese Heurigen
Heurigen in Stammersdorf
Experience the genuine Heuriger atmosphere in Stammersdorf.
Reachable by public transport; please inquire at your hotel for the exact route.
Heurigen in Grinzing
A bit classier are the wine taverns in Grinzing. Wherever pine bushes are “ausg´steckt,” that is, hanging on the front door, “Heuriger” wine is available.
Reachable by public transport; please inquire at your hotel for the exact route.
Heurigen in Neustift am Walde
In the woods but still in Vienna: Neustift am Walde offers numerous atmospheric Heurigen.
Reachable by public transport; please inquire at your hotel for the exact route.Mayerling
Memories of Crown Prince Rudolph
A tragic episode in Austrian history occurred at this little village, only a 30-minute drive from Vienna. Crown Prince Rudolph, son of the emperor Franz Josef and his wife Elisabeth, committed suicide here on January 30, 1889, together with his secret lover Marie Alexandrine Freiin von Vetsera. The location was the hunting lodge of the Crown Prince, a noble raised hide near the township of Alland, which was in the possession of the Heiligenkreuz monastery since 1550. Crown Prince Rudolph purchased it in 1886 and converted it into a hunting lodge. Rumours surrounding the mysterious suicide of the Crown Prince and his companion persist even to the present day. Today, visitors to Mayerling not only receive information on the current status of research into the deaths of the two aristocrats, they can also visit the former hunting lodge, which was later turned into a Carmelite convent by emperor Franz Joseph.
Mayerling is reachable from Vienna either by car or numerous bus tour companies which offer trips to Mayerling.
Budapest
Monarchic Charm in Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, was once a part of the mighty Austro-Hungarian Habsburg monarchy. Many landmarks of the divided city on the Danube have their origin in this period. Budapest is situated on both sides of the Danube: In Buda (right bank) there is the medieval castle and the historic castle quarter. In Pest there is the modern city centre. The Danube forms three bigger islands in the city area of Budapest: Obudai-Sziget, Margit-Sziget and Csepel-Sziget. In all, 9 impressive bridges stretch across the 30 km-long course of the river in the city area. Our tip: Take your time and visit one of the roughly 80 hot water springs and 11 spas in Budapest.
Budapest is reachable from Vienna within 2.5 hours by car or bus, as well as by train or – most comfortable of all – on the Danube via boat.Bratislava
Shoppers’ Paradise Just 60 Kilometres From Vienna
Following the division of the former Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Bratislava became the new capital of Slovakia. What’s unique is that due to its proximity to Vienna the two cities on the Danube are now the two closest metropolises in the entire world. Today, Bratislava has about half a million citizens and its population is increasing rapidly. It is, after all, one of the most dynamic cities in Europe. Many companies open their Eastern European offices here, where the proximity to Vienna allows business and tourism to flourish. Only 60 kilometres separates you from Bratislava. Here, a charming historical part of the city in addition to many inexpensive opportunities for shopping and eating await your visit.
Our tip: Travel to Bratislava on the new Twin City Liner. The dock is located at Schwedenplatz in the 1st District (20 m away from Hotel Capricorno, 200 m from Hotel Stefanie and Hotel City Central). With the low-priced combination tickets you can head to Bratislava in the morning and be back in your Schick hotel already in the evening – all in comfort and without having to worry about traffic jams or late train arrivals. The Twin City Liner is a modern high-speed vessel with a light-weight construction and jet engine. It travels between Bratislava and Vienna three times a day and requires only 75 minutes each way. The boat is fully air-conditioned and arrives directly in the historical section of Bratislava. There’s really no more comfortable way to travel to Bratislava than on the Twin City Liner.
For more information, timetables and prices: http://www.twincityliner.com/Prag
The Golden City
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, which was newly formed in 1993, is one city you owe it to yourself to see during your travel through Europe. Prague is reachable from Vienna by car or bus within about 3 hours. The historic city centre of the “golden city” has been under UNESCO monument protection since 1992 and thus counts, as does Vienna, among World Heritage Sites. You can visit the most important landmarks such as Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge and the various bridge towers, the town hall and the Powder Tower via organised city tours within a single day – and be back in your Schick hotel in Vienna by the evening.
For a day trip to Prague, it’s best to book one of the frequent guided bus tours offered by various Viennese companies. The Schick hotel team will be pleased to book the travel for you!Wachau
One of the most beautiful Austrian river valleys is awaiting your discovery in the form of the Wachau. In the year 2000, the internationally renowned wine-growing area in Lower Austria was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Allow yourself to be enchanted and inspired by the beauty of the landscape surrounding the Danube, as did so many thinkers and artists of the past.
Of course, popular highlights of the Wachau are the abbeys Melk or Goettweig. The graceful landscape is at its most beautiful in May, when hundreds of apricot trees in the fruit and wine gardens along the Danube bloom in magnificent snow white.Vienna Woods (Wienerwald)
Vienna’s green oasis offers an amazing experience of nature. Gentle hills with precipitous, rugged canyons, idyllic vineyards, calm woods and mystic meadow landscapes create an impressive environment in the Vienna Woods which will seduce you to dream and get away from it all.
In this paradise, various cultural treasures bring Austrian history to life and delight those thirsting for knowledge as well.
Quickly reachable from Vienna, the winding streets offer motorcycle lovers a veritable El Dorado.Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedler See)
Lake Neusiedl and its surroundings form a unique landscape in the heart of Europe, one that not only is protected by strict nature conservation laws but was also named a World Heritage Site. Typical, rare flora and fauna combined with the interaction of Germanic, Slavic and Finno-Ugric influences allow you to experience a one-of-a-kind landscape and culture.
The “Sea of the Viennese” is not only a top spot for sailors, surfers and aquatic athletes of all kinds, it is just as popular among cyclists and seaside tourists.
Discover (on horseback if you’re so inclined) Pannonian nature and rest at one of the many inns. There is a large selection from which to choose, from down-to-earth taverns to exclusive upper-class establishments.
