Jim

We are visiting Vienna in August. 3 questions:<BR><BR>1. A great website, info.wien.at, shows a number of concerts by orchestras, two of which sound very similar: - - The Schonbrunn Palace Orchestra and the Vienna Mozart Orchestra. The latter plays at the Golden Hall, Musikveien, so we are inclined to see them. Any comments as to which is better? <BR><BR>2. Next, has anyone been to Grinzing (specifically Rudolfshof)? Is it a total drinkfest, or can we bring our family there (ages 12 and 14)? <BR><BR>3. Last, what do you think of the Vienna Danube cruise tours? They didn't look that great, and I hear the Danube isn't what Strauss made it up to be. But sitting on a boat in the sun can help on your arrival day with major jet lag. Has anyone been on one of these?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Betsy

I can't answer questions 1 or 3 but I may be helpful with the quesitons re" Grinzig. It is a drinkfest but its a family kind of drinkfest if that makes any sense. There will be tourists and locals and everyone is having a grand time. Families are abundant and as the evening goes one so does the drinking. But I didn't find it obnoxious at all. It was fun as groups started singing getting others to join in. Noticing we were Americans a group of college age Vienese started singing Barry Manilow songs to tease us! But of course we all knew the words! I wouldn't hesitate to bring my kids along.

Ben Haines

While the Danube is dull through Vienna, it is brilliant an hour upstream, between Melk and Krems, in an area called the Wachau. I suggest you take a train from Vienna West station at 0829 to Melk at 0939, a boat from Melk at 1100 downstream, drop off somewhere for lunch and again for afternoon coffee and cake, and leave Krems by train at 1701, 1750 or 1901 for the hour's train ride to Vienna Franzs Josef's station.<BR><BR>The concerts in Vienna palaces in August are clearly put together for tourists -- easy Mozart, dressing up, and so on. There's better playing of more interesting music in country houses and abbeys a little outside Vienna. You could ask the City of Vienna tourist information office near the Opera to tell you hat's on and where, and how to ger there by train or bus. Indeed, you can probably find such a concert in the Wachau, so can have a good day and evening before you settle ino the buffet car train from Melk and St Polten that reaches Vienna West at two minutes to midnight.<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, london<BR>

joy

The concerts at the music hall were wonderful - They are a easy walk fronm anywhere in cenral Vienna - The Schonbrunn is quite a ways out of town and not as eaily reached - Our favorite concert performances are given at the Hofburg Place - Tickets can be purchased just down the street from the Palace just across from the entrance to the Spanish Riding School =There are also wonderful performances given at the Volksopera which can be reached by trolley from downtown Vienna -

jim

Thanks for the ideas!

Chris

Grinzing is very nice, and not what I would describe as a total drinkfest. Sure it's a wine region, but it's all civilised, everyone goes to enjoy the food and wine and relax, or lap up the live 2-piece band music in some of the Heurige. Definitely not unsuitable for families in my experience. As long as you keep the kids away from the wine anyway!