Wien Booking Hotel e Touristic Information

With its romantic setting on the Danube River, Vienna is renowned for its aristocratic elegance and charm. It is a vision of Habsburg palaces, beautiful ladies in fur coats, trotting white horses and heaps of cream cakes.
It is one of the most well-known and vibrant cities in Europe. And by being so, Vienna earned a prominent place in the history of Western civilization, world culture and imperial dominion.

History
Vienna was founded around 500 BC as a Celtic settlement. In 15 BC, the city became a Roman frontier and was named Vindobona. Since then, it became a Roman military camp which guards the Roman Empire against the Germanic Tribes.
From a military camp, Vienna was turned into a town during the Middle Ages. The city was the home of the Babenberg Dynasty. Later on, in 1440, it became the resident city of the Habsburg dynasty.
During the reign of the House of Habsburg, Vienna became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It was also the Roman Empire's centre for science, arts, music and fine cuisine.
From the 19th century, Vienna was marked as the world capital of Music. The city played host to the greatest classical composers of all times like Wolfgang Mozart, Richard Strauss, Mahler, and Brahms.
However, between 1938 up to the end of the World War II, Vienna became a hotbed for revolts, religious upheavals and international espionage. It lost the title as the world capital of Music and arts. Vienna also went through a terrible plague and a series of occupations.
In 1955, Vienna became independent.
If there is one thing that has raised the city from tumult, it is the fact that Vienna has nurtured and produced world class artists. It has been the home of many famous musicians including Joseph Haydn, Falco, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

For this reason, Vienna became a popular place to live for inspiring musicians from all over the world.

Tourism

Today, Vienna is regarded as one of the most dynamic cities in Europe. With its rich history, culture and Imperial setting, the city became one of the most favorite vacation spots in the world.
In fact, Vienna is well known as the city of Imperial romance, culture, music and arts. This notion is highlighted with beautiful parks and panoramic greenery, baroque styled castles and brilliant artistry.

Tourist Attractions
Vienna offers a vast array of cultural attractions; from Baroque churches, aristocratic mansions, 19th century monumental projects to Jugendstil and Modernist buildings.

You can also enjoy a classical or experimental theater, dance festivals, opera as well as exhibitions and concerts. Whatever you are looking for, there is always something you can discover in Vienna.

Here are some of the city's most popular tourist spots:

Hofburg Palace
The Hofburg Palace is considered to be Vienna's Imperial Palace. It was the home of the most powerful rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And since 1279, Hofburg has been the seat of the government for various emperors and republicans. Today, the palace is the official residence of the Austrian Federal President.

The only remaining evidence of the Palace medieval origin is the chapel. Mass is celebrated every Sunday which is the perfect opportunity to witness the angelic voices of the world famous Vienna's Boys Choir.

Wiener Riesenrad
Wiener Riesenrad (Viennese travel wheel) is a famous tourist attraction in the Wurstelprater amusement park in Vienna located at the Wiener Prater Park in Leopoldstadt (second district of Vienna). Riesenrad is a 64.75 meters Ferris wheel built to celebrate Emperor Franz Josef I's golden jubilee in 1897.

The Riesenrad has also appeared in popular films including the 1987 James Bond film, the Living daylights. It was also featured in the post-war film, The Third Man.

St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral is the most eminent basilica in Vienna. It reflects a Romanesque and Gothic artistry which has defined the city as the centre of science and art. The cathedral is famous for its gigantic diamond-patterned tile roof, tall tower and Pummerin Bell.

The Bell was from a cannon ball captured from the Turks. It is one of the largest bells in the world and rings all over Vienna on New Year's Eve.
Among the other attractions found in the Cathedral is the tomb of Emperor Frederick III and Prince Eugene Savoy.

Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere complex consists of two splendid baroque palaces surrounded by a beautiful park. They were built for Prince Eugene Savoy by a famous baroque architect, J.L. von Hildebrandt.
Today, the two palaces are regarded as the Lower Palace and Upper Palace. Both palaces have museums which features famed Austrian paintings. The Lower palace museum named as the “Austrian Museum of Baroque Art” displays 18th century Austrian Art. The Upper palace museum features the 19th – 20th century Austrian paintings.
The most captivating scene on the castle grounds is the alpine garden created in 1803. During spring and early summer, all 4000 flowering plants in the garden bloom and gives a breathtaking view of the castles.

Other historical and beautiful Places to visit in Vienna:

Heldenplatz Square
Volksgarten (Vienna People's Garden)
Donner Fountain
Central Cemetery
Spanish Riding School
Accommodation

Like any other famous European city, Vienna is also host to millions of tourists each year. To accommodate a steady influx of tourists, the city offers a wide range of accommodations.
From 5 stars hotels, standard class hotels and first class hotels to affordable and cheap apartments, hostels, guesthouses, bed and breakfast and holiday flats, you can find a Viennese accommodation that will suit your needs, budget and requirements.
So whatever type of accommodation you are looking for, Vienna offers accommodations with the most luxurious facilities and amenities, efficient hotel-like services to modest room equipments and decor.
Plus you can also find accommodations which includes FREE breakfast, parking and hotel-like amenities at lower rates!

Vienna Transport
(Getting around the city)

Cars
Vienna is renowned for being a car-loving city. Thus, it has an excellent road network. However, like any big city, Vienna also suffers from parking problems. Spaces are limited and very expensive.
Should you opt for car rentals in the city, you need to secure a vignette. It is a form of toll which allows you to drive around Vienna. You can buy it from gas stations and border crossings. Also, do not forget to carry a reflective warning traingle, first aid kit and reflective vest. Failure to do so will leave you liable to a fine.

Train
Vienna's rail network is one of the largest rail networks in the world. It boasts of comfortable, reliable and fast service. Some of the European destinations serviced by Vienna trains stations include Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Munich, Venice as well as Warsaw, Berlin and Kiev.

Public Transport
The city features an impressive public transport system. Vienna's subway, trams and busses offers reliable and safe transportation services. If you want to get around the city more comfortably, the underground or subway system is your best choice. If you are looking for a cheap alternative to taking a taxi, there is a network buses you can ride. All Viennese public transports are available from € 1.8 for a one way ticket, € 14 for a week's ride and € 49.50 for a month's journey.

Safety and Security
Vienna is also one of the safest cities in Europe. You can walk alone at night or take public transports without worry. However, taking precautions are always a wise decision especially when travelling abroad.
And should you encounter any emergencies, here are Vienna's emergency numbers and hotlines:
122 – Fire brigade
144 – Ambulance service
133 – Police
01 71719 – Women's Emergency helpline
01 24 55 – Vienna Tourist information (Vienna Tourist Board)

Did You Know?
(Interesting and Fun Facts about Vienna)
Vienna is the only federal-republic city-state in Austria.
Voting age in Vienna is 16 years old.
The oldest zoological garden, Tiergarten Schonbrunn is found in Vienna.
Zentralfriedhof, the 2nd largest cemetery in Europe has over 2.5 million tombs which is almost twice the city's live population.
The Kriml Falls which is Europe's highest waterfall (about 1250 ft) is located in Vienna.
A whooping 2860 carat Emerald, which is the oldest in the world, is displayed at the Imperial Treasury in Vienna.
With its astounding architecture, imperial romance and modernism, waltzes and whipped cream, Vienna is the perfect Holiday Getaway!