I normally do not travel this way but since it is Christmas weekend and things will be closed/booked that weekend I feel the need to get lunch dinner reservations done...so we don't get left out in the cold...literally.

Here is the "rough draft"

23rd
Fly in EARLY.
Drop bags off at Pension Pertschy
Visit the markets
Lunch reservation at Steirereck
More markets
Dinner reservation at Korso

24th
Sightseeing...where?
Dinner reservation at Fuehrich

25th
Sightseeing...where?
Early afternoon- possibly Nutcracker at Staatsoper?
Quick, early dinner near Volksoper...where?
7pm opera tix at Volksoper (Magic Flute)

26th Fly home EARLY

Will we have any problems grabbing a quick bite to eat where we don't have reservations? Just worried about things being open for lunch Christmas Eve and day. We've already got some great place to eat so something quick and easy the rest of the time is probably best.

Thanks in advance!

This is just a personal feeling, but on such a short visit I wouldn't want to take up 2-3 hours in a formal lunch at Steirereck (or anywhere) and then also have a long serious dinner later that evening at Korso. That's just too much gourmandising for one day, imo.

If you are a museum hound there is an amazing museum of art and treasures

Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna
http://www.khm.at/homeE/homeE.html

The several hundred years of Austrian royalty collected and received amazing antiquities and paintings. I spent 4 hours there.

Have a coffee under the dome at the cafe for me.

The Kunsthistorische museum is great, I try to visit it every year, but I would suggest you also try and fit in the new Liechenstein museum. It's a terrific collection in a gorgeous building. And the Belvedere, of course, if you're interested in seeing the Klimmts.
I also share Shalott's view that two major dining destinations in one day might be "two" much.

Do you know what is going to be open on the 24th and 25th? I assume all museums will be closed Sunday, so it's kind of hard to predict sightseeing. I would think most things will be closed, but do you know otherwise? I'd just walk around the central ring area -- you could see St Stephans and that area, walk around the museums and maybe towards the Rauthaus area, there are some attractive views and buildings.

I stayed within a block of the VOlksoper once, and that is very near the Spittelberg area of Vienna, which is supposed to be the artistic/Bohemian etc quarter. It is pleasant to walk around for shops and restaurants. I just walked around and found restaurants to eat casually, but you may not be able to do that so easily on those days.

Are you sure you want to go to both a performance of the Nutcracker in the afternoon and then the Magic Flute in the evening? yikes, that could be about five hours total theater time, depending on the particular production they are doing. However, at least they are different, and if you don't have anything else to do, it's not a bad way to break up that kind of thing.

Here is one that looks good in that area, I saw it recommended in the Vienna section of goeurope.com, but I
didn't eat there.
http://www.zu-ebener-erde-und-erster-stock.at/

This is the gastronomy section of the Spittelberg website, if you can make out German--they have restaurants on there
http://www.spittelberg.at/htm/gastro_allgemein.htm

Thanks. I guess I will cancel lunch at the Steirereck and we'll have something from the Christmas Markets for lunch.

We will definitely check out the Kunsthistorisches Museum...maybe on Saturday if it's open.

As for ballet AND opera on Sunday...planning on this just in case there is nothing else open on Sunday. We have tix for Magic Flute (as it is most important that we go to the opera) and plan to do standing room only for the Nutcracker (might not stay for the whole thing...just want a chance to catch a glimpse of the Straatsoper and here some music).

Thanks again!

You can check also to see if there will be guided tours of the Staatsoper while you are in town. The tours are only about an hour, and it's a way to see the inside.

Staatsoper -if you are willing to get really cheap standing room tickets (2 euros), you may need to allow 30 minutes to stand in line to get them, then wait for another hour for the start of the performance at 2 pm. We saw Gisele there in November and left after the lovely first act, having also had the opportunity to see the gorgeous lobby and other public areas, and sample caviar open-face sandwiches, also for about 2 euros. What a great experience.
The Kunsthistorisches Museum has a wonderful Goya exhibition, and the website does not say they are closed, except on Monday. Google Vienna museums and find out what is available.
Enjoy.

There's just so much to see in Vienna! If you're interested in baroque architecture, the Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) is gorgeous. Schönbrunn Palace is worth seeing, and I was thrilled to see the Klimpts in the Bellevedere. I was also intrigued with the Schatzkammer, especially some of the religious treasures.

I echo Pegontheroad. Also could add that the walk between St. Stephans (worth the trip to the top of the roof for the view) and Kunsthistoriches Museum through the central section is very nice. Stop along the way to see Peterskirch, another great baroque church which may be more convenient than Karlskirch. Lots of great shops, Demers cafe, etc.

Our relatives took us to their favorite cafe and gelato place very near St. Stephens - Zanoni & Zanoni. Worth a stop if you have the time.

An above poster has given you some incorrect information.

The Volksoper, where you will see a performance, is not near to Spittelberg.

They have the Volksoper and VolksTheater confused.
You can take the streetcar # 40, 41 or 42 from Schottentor on the Ring to the Volksoper ( the stop is just across the street from the Volksoper.

A good place to eat near the Volksoper is the Weimar Cafe- Wahringerstrassee 68- one block downhill from the Volksoper.

www.cafeweimar.at

Most museums will be open as usual on Sunday the 25th.

A good place to visit on the 25th- Schonbrunn Palace- in addition to the Palace , the Christmas Market is also open , as is the restaurant there.


Most things will begin to close in early afternoon oh the 24th. I would suggest looking for a place to eat eary midday. Most will still be open but will fill quickly as stores and businesses close.
A real treat in Vienna is a visit to a Wurstl Stand- you will find them many places- good quick lunch.

Probably too late now, but.......

We ate at the Korso and Steirereck in the evening last week. Both were great but Steirereck was superior to Korso. Maybe something to consider regarding your reservations. I also preferred the Christmas Market atmosphere in the evening.

You will love Vienna!

yes, perhaps I did make a mistake, I was only there once. I stayed in the museum quarter, just outside the ring in the 7th district. It was only about a block from the underground stop that I thought was Volksoper, but if there is a Ubahn stop Volkstheatre, that was it (I was staying at Museumstrasse 3 in the 7th district).

LGBooker....aside from all the usual stuff mentioned above, I can't understand why no one has mentioned the Hundertwasser House and the Hundertwasser Kunst House (art gallery) a block away. Truly extraordinary architectural eccentricity (in a way, freakish)...its located about a half hour walk from the Pertschy in Viennna's Third District, near the Danube. The architect died in 1990, and in his older years, was known to have pranced around town stark naked.
The Nasch Market, one of the best foodie markets in Europe, is open all year and if you can't find delectable food here, you'll starve. Not gourmet, mind you...and for an authentic old Viennese lunch or dinner, try the 500 year old Griechen Beisel on Felischmarkt, a block or two from St. Stephen's Church.
Also, take in the Spanish Riding School rehearsals....building behind the Imperial Palace...the Lippizaner white horses at thei best.
Have a fun trip...we love traveling Europe in winter.
Stu T.

(P.S.Just seek out "Hundertwasser" on te Internet...many pages, and photos galore)

I was going to mention some of the museums (I really liked the treasury) in the Hofburg but I'm not sure what will be open that time of year. Regardless, Vienna is a beautiful city. A walk around Graben and a visit to St. Stephens is always a great way to spend time.

Tracy

Don't pass up the www.hundertwasserhaus.at/ - it's as unique as is the Gaudi architecture of Barcelona - only one in the world!

MQ

Check the website to see if the Lippizzaners are in Vienna during December. I think they are, as they call it their "winter" riding school. If so, definitely worth it to catch the Morning Exercise with Music in the fabulous palace. The entire Hofburg complex is worth a visit-- the royal apartments and collections are beautiful. Plus, it's all together in case the weather is forbidding. Enjoy Vienna. What a beautiful place to spend Christmas!

I just posted something about Vienna - ie the weather is quite cold there at the moment - particularly if it is windy - the markets are quite exposed so wear everything in your suitcase to keep warm.

The portions in Austria are very big - so you don't need two dining extravaganzas every day....also the breakfasts are usually generous. Have breakfast, then something at the market for lunch, then dinner.

I will post some detalis on the Christmas markets I went to later today.

Here are the details for all the Christmas markets in Vienna. It's in German, but you'll get the idea, also I've attached some links. The one at the Rathaus is the biggest, but it's very kitschy.

The Spittelberg is very nice, but it closes I think on the 23rd so you may not make it.

The one at the Belvedere is very nice and can be incorporated with a trip to the Belvedere.

My favourite was the altwiener-markt.


Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
12. November – 24. Dezember 2005, täglich von 9 bis 21 Uhr, am 24.12. bis 17 Uhr

Kultur- und Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Schönbrunn
19. November bis 26. Dezember - täglich 10 bis 20.30 Uhr, 24.12. 10 bis 16 Uhr, 25. und 26.12. 10 bis 18 Uhr
Konzerte: Di. bis Fr. ab 17 Uhr, Sa., So. und Ftg ab 13 Uhr
www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Spittelberger Adventmarkt
voraussichtlich 17. November bis 23. Dezember Mo - Fr 14 bis 21 Uhr, Sa, So 10 bis 21 Uhr; 7., Spittelberggasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, www.spittelberg.at

Weihnachtsdorf im Schloss Belvedere
18. November - 24. Dezember täglich 11 bis 21 Uhr, 24.12. 10-15 Uhr,
3., Prinz Eugen-Straße 27, Oberes Belvedere, www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Weihnachtsdorf im Unicampus
12. November bis 24. Dezember
Mo. - Fr. 14 bis 22 Uhr, , Sa, So, Ftg 11-22 Uhr, 24.12. von 10 bis 15 Uhr
Altes AKH, 9., Alser Straße 1, Hof 1, www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Nostalgiekarussell, Kindereisenbahn, Lamareiten, Weihnachtsmann; täglich 13 — 22 Uhr
Weihnachtliche Musik täglich 18.30 Uhr

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt auf der Freyung
26. November bis 23. Dezember tägl.
9.30 - 19.30 Uhr
1., Freyung, www.altwiener-markt.at

Kunsthandwerksmarkt vor der Karlskirche
25. November bis 23. Dezember,täglich 12 bis 20 Uhr, www.divinaart.at

Kunst + Handwerk am Hof
25. November bis 18. DezemberFr. und Sa. 10 bis 19 Uhr, So. 10 bis 18 Uhr
1., Hof, www.kunsthandwerksmarkt.at

Ausstellung:Krippenschau in der Peterskirche
20. November bis 11. Dezember, täglich 9 bis 18 Uhr, Eintritt: ca. 2 €
1., Petersplatz

Thank you for all the great information! I have flagged/highlighted everything in my DK Eyewitness...this has definitely helped me narrow it down a bit!

lawchick- Thank you for the schedule of the markets and weather report. We will be prepared with all our long underwear and coats!

I really hate to cancel lunch at Steirereck on Friday...I could not get a reservation for another day...same with Korso...could only get Friday night. Is it worth it to do in one day so we can experience both?? Also, if we do have lunch at Steirereck, can someone advise on the appropriate attire for lunch? I understand coat and tie is a must for dinner...same during the day?

Thanks again!