I see from trip reports on this forum that some of you spend weeks or even a month at a time in Paris or Venice, or London. What's the longest time you've spent in Vienna?

This fall is the first time in ages that I may have a chance to take two whole weeks of vacation consecutively. My initial plan was to spend one week solo in Paris, then go to Vienna with family the following week. However, the more I read about Vienna, the more I think I'll barely scratch the surface in a week, especially non-solo, so maybe I should drop Paris this year and add more time to Vienna? Been to Paris many times, and can never get enough of it; never been to Vienna but have been dreaming about it for decades. How long would you say I'll need to see all the Klimts, most of the Jugendstil architecture, and some other famous sights (plus some free time for coffee and cakes)?

Another option is to spend two or three days in another new destination, followed by 1 1/2 weeks in Vienna, but Dresden or Krakow would complicate the flight itinerary and add to the cost, and Salzburg doesn't really call out to me. So I'm still torn between doing two whole weeks in Vienna vs. splitting the time between Paris and Vienna. Any nearby big beautiful cities that I'm overlooking? (Already been to Budapest and Prague).

To further complicate the decision, I may have a (very miniscule) chance of going again to Vienna in the winter for one of the balls, and if so, would a two-week stay followed by another trip be overdose?

Have any of you stayed at the Best Western Harmonie (Harmoniegasse 5-7)-- how the Alsergrund area, and is it easy to get to the city center by tram? Any other suggestions for a cheap single room?

Hello mmfifi:

In my opinion, Vienna is terrific for all sorts of reasons. If you should decide to stay there for an extended period, you may be interested in my report on restaurants:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...estaurants.cfm

Good luck. Gradyghost

I like Vienna, I don't see two weeks there especially if you might be there again in the WInter. Although there are some great day trips from there such as Melk Abby; Maunthausen (Spell?) concentration camp, Bratislava, Slovakia. I was going to suggest adding in Prague, Another thought is the Lake Region outside of Salzburg. It is beautiful but for relaxing more than sightseeing.

We spend a bout the same time in Vienna. Visited Melk , Krems, Baden, took a train to Klagenfurt. Stayed 2 nights.( we rented a car and drove to aroun a bit.)
It does not take more than a week to see museums, galleries and eat enough cake to gain 10 pounds ( Demel..wow) .
We found we had to get out of town after a week. We were thinking about Prague but did not go.( 5 hours by train)

Thanks.

A couple more question: how is the Sudbahnhof area? Would a hotel there be more convenient than the Best Western in Alsergrund?

Has anyone here taken a waltz lesson at Elmayer, and how was it?

Lincasanova has stayed at the Best Western Harmonie and reported positively on it. Maybe you can find her reports. It would be easy walking distance to practically all city center attractions, and that wouldn't be the case for the Sudbahnhof area.

It's just over 4 hours to Munich by high-speed train (and you can get a 39-Euro ticket), and that might be a worthy addition to your trip. Passau, in between Vienna and Munich is worth a stop, in my opinion. Actually, Regensburg, Passau, and Salzburg are all interesting in-between towns.

I wouldn't have the slightest difficulty with 2 weeks in Vienna (although I had only 4 nights) even in midwinter. Although I visited in November, and it rained and the wind was extreme sometimes and it even snowed, it's one of my favorite European cities.

I have seen rates as low as 39 Euros for Best Western Harmonie at www.gtahotels.com . It's always worth looking at hotelscombined.com to get the best rates. If I were staying two weeks in Vienna, and did not get an apartment, I'd probably choose at least two different hotels in different areas.

I got a great deal at the Lindner am Belvedere for 61.50 Euros per night including breakfast (actually this was a splurge by my budget standards), but everything about the hotel was great, and I really liked it. I got this deal through www.ameropa.de (and you have to book it in German, if the deal is available, as there's no English option).

We spent two weeks in Vienna last year, and apart from a day trip to Linz (to meet up with friends), we spent the entire time in and around the city area.

There is just so much to see and take in - we could easily have spent another week there without doubling up on anything!

Click on my screen name to see the trip report, Di

Also, the Klimts are well scattered among a number of galleries, so allow a couple of days if you want to cover all of them.

Your idea for a waltz lesson sounds very appropriate in this city of music! A few young people I know take their dancing very seriously; taking lessons and going to dance sessions each week. Where our students have an end-of-year 'formal' that consists of whatever dancing is currently in fashion, the students in Vienna have a formal 'school ball' instead.

Very easy to spend 2 weeks or more in Vienna and nearby areas.


The best Western Harmonie is not in the city center but in the 9th district. This is not far from the Liechtenstein museum and Freud House.
Bus or streetcar into city center.

major sites not within easy walking distance.

The Sudbahnhofn is now being compltely renovated and rebuilt.
The area nearby - not the best and now more conjested with this work.

For a longer stay have you consideredan apartment?
many directly in city center ( Innere Stadt - 1st district)
convenient - often much cheaper than a hotel and a chance to relax cookin occasionaly and enjoy a local breakfast with fresh baked rolls.

look here

www.netland.at/wien

this a site of the Vieena Association of apartment owners so most information is complete and accurate.


In addition to the sights of Vienna- much opera and music available-
nice visits to the wine villages and heuriges of Vienna- walks in the nearby woods.
easy day trips to Melk Abbey- the wine area of the Wachau, Baden, Carnuntum, a former roman outpost, Bratislava, Stasshof Palace and more.

Salzburg an easy day trip by train in less than 2 1/2 hours.
Graz- 2 hours.

Since you've already been to Paris, how about one week in Vienna and one week in Salzberg? They are both gorgeous cities.

I recently stayed at Haus1, which is located on Kettenbrukengasse, near the Naschmarket and about a 15 minute walk to the city center and also about a 15 minute walk to Sudbahnhof. I would recommend Haus1 if this area suits you. I stayed in a 1 bedroom, but they also have a studio, which I felt was very well-priced.

I was in Vienna for 4 nights and I didn't not feel like I had enough time to see everything Vienna has to offer.