My sister and I are planning a long weekend in Vienna in late November/early December. We will have 3 full days. I have been watching this forum for a while now, but haven't seen much re: Vienna. We are both in our forties, like art and music, and don't mind doing a lot of walking. Does anyone have any suggestions on how we can use this weekend to its fullest? Does anyone know if the Christmas markets are open at that time? Thanks for any ideas you can share.

Hi Kathy, Knowing that you like art and music, with three days in Vienna you could go do the following: <BR>1) English Guided Tour of the Opera House - check for scheduled times at the Opera House or call 01-51444 <BR>2) Attend a performance at the Opera House - you can get a standing room spot at the ticket windows in the lobby that opens 80min before each nightly performance <BR>3) Kunsthistorisches Museum - across the Ring from the Hofburg Palace to see works by Rubens, Durer, Titian and Raphael <BR>4) Imperial Apartments of the Hofburg Palace <BR>5) Treasury of the Hofburg Palace <BR>6) Kaisergruft Crypt holding the remains of the Habsburg rulers <BR>7) Shonbrunn Palace on the outskirts of the city <BR>

Kathy, <BR> <BR>Check out www.info.wien.at, Vienna Tourist Board. Full of info. <BR> <BR>Have fun.

Just returned from that wonderful city. You'll enjoy walking within the beautiful historic center. We used the route from the Vienna chapter of "Turn Right at the Fountain" - a terrific selection of walks in major European cities. <BR>Another enjoyable experience is to ride Tram # 2 around the ring road - it's a great tour of the majestic buildings circling the historic center. And it's a way to be in out of the cold if needed! <BR>As a fellow music lover, I enjoyed the museum of ancient musical instruments in the Hoffburg complex, as well as visiting the many composer's houses in the city. <BR>Have a great trip!

I was in vienna two years ago right after thanksgiving and they were just setting up the christmas markets. I think there is a website for the christmas markets. Maybe someone out there knows it.