GrannyMom

My husband and I are due in Vienna for four nites in Sept. What is the best way to see the sights, bus tours, a private guide or on our own? What are your favorite places to visit and what restaurants would you recommend?

LeeParis

We were in Vienna for 6 nights in 2004. We did sightseeing on our own using the metro and the trams to get around. There's a tram that goes around the Ring around the central city. We rode it just to see the entire ring.

We found the system pretty easy to use. We picked up 3-day passes that can be used on both the trams and metro. Nobody was checking the passes, though. I'm sure lots of people got on for free...although they do say they can check for a valid ticket at any time.

Our hotel was a little away from the center so we used either the trams or the metro to get everywhere. We went out to Schonbrunn using the metro. That's a "must see" in my opinion.

In the central city we enjoyed exploring the Hofburg Palace complex, Stephensdom (the church in the middle of the city), and just walking around. The only "tour" we took was the guided tour inside the Opera which we enjoyed a lot. We also went to the Belvedere Palace which contains an art museum, the Kunsthistoriches are museum, and into Karlskirche - the lovely, ornate church.

We took a fiacre ride which took us around the central city, too. The woman "coachperson" gave us some commentary about what we were seeing.

We ate in mostly random spots whose names escape me except for one restaurant called Puerstner's. It was recommended by a friend who is an attache with the US Embassy in Vienna. He lives in the city with his family. It was very good...located within the ring. He did say to stay away from the TGIFriday's in Vienna.

LeeParis

GrannyMom

Thanks for your advice. It is very helpful. If you think of anything else, please let me know.

MaureenB

Vienna's historic center is small enough to walk most places, we thought. We spent 5 nights there, staying right around the corneer from the Stephansdom at Hotel Kaiserin Elisabeth, which I highly recommend for a mid-sized boutique style, very "Austrian" hotel. It's lovely, with a wonderful breakfast room and a hot/cold buffet included, and you can't beat the central location. It's also right near a U-Bahn stop, so you can easily use the underground. You can find your way around Vienna without problem, using guidebooks and getting advice from this Forum. We loved it there. Enjoyed the Hofburg's Imperial Apartments tour, saw the Lippizzaner's doing their Morning Exercise with Music, took a train/boat ride up the Danube, using the combi-pass, to Melk (see the monastery there, for sure) and Krems, saw a Viennese waltz exhibition at a mayor's reception in the room where Kennedy met Kruschev, toured Schonbrunn, walked all over the city day and night. Found charming restaurants and bars to stop in. We loved Vienna.

Operaman

Agree with other posters; use the excellent public transit system by getting a three day pass. They will randomly check everyone's tickets at times, it may have not happened to some visitors, but we had ours (along with everyone else on the tram) checked during two different visits. Don't buy the Vienna Card, not worth the price, just stick with the straight 3 day pass. Try restaurants off the beaten path, not right on the main drags. Gosser Bierlink is good for local fare, as is Spatzennest off of Burgasse.

ChevyChasen

take the tour at Schonbrunn.it is a bit pricey,but worthwhile to appreciate the place.

lyb

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