Vienne est comparable à une ancienne diva qui aime à surprendre ses visiteurs en s’habillant de robes modernes. La sensation de calme, typique de cette ville, est présente dans les nombreux cafés, parcs et musées de la ville. Mais derrière cette façade baroque émerge une Vienne nouvelle et branchée. Comme dans toute autre métropole européenne, la scène club suit les influences internationales. Mais dans quelle autre ville de par le monde les femmes se font-elles appeler « Mademoiselle » et saluer par des videurs à l’air farouche avec un tendre baisemain ?
Coffee Houses
Some classics are:
Café SperlLuckily, time has stood still here. The waiters are extremely charming yet über-efficient. The interior is old, or at least it has been perfectly restored, and there is a huge range of national and international newspapers and magazines for guests to persue. At the back of the café, the clack-clack of colored billiard balls rings out. Closed Sundays in July and August.
Gumpendorfer Str. 11, phone +43 1586 4158, www.cafesperl.at
Café JelinekThere’s no need to rush – that’s this café’s endearing motto. Delicious homemade pastries, heavenly coffee blends, and in winter, a wood stove crackles away in the corner. Simply divine.
phone +43 1597 4113
Café PrücklTraditional café on Ringstrasse. Locals have been bringing their guests here to enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat for over one hundred years. Either immerse yourself in your paper or set the world to rights with the person at the next table.
Stubenring 24, phone +43 1512 6115, www.prueckl.at
Restaurants
Österreicher im MAKAward-winning chef Helmut Österreicher serves up mouthwatering modern Viennese dishes. But you definitely need to book. Stubenring 5, phone +43 1714 0121, www.oesterreicherimmak.at
Shopping
DorotheumWhether you want to buy or just look, Aunt Dorothee, as the Viennese call the oldest auctioneer and pawnbroker in the city, is definitely worth a visit. You’ll find jewelry, furniture, paintings, antiques, knick-knacks and kitsch. Around 600 lively auctions are held each year. But there are also plenty of regular stores for shopping.
Dorotheergasse 17, www.dorotheum.com
Kaufhaus StefflThis classic shopper’s paradise was relocated to a brandnew, futuristic building a few years ago. You’ll find everything you want: from traditional Austrian dress to international designer brands. And the Sky Bar on the top floor offers a spectacular view of the city.
Kärntner Str. 19, www.kaufhaus-steffl.at
Culture
MuseumsquartierOne of the ten largest cultural and artistic districts in the world. The white cube is home to a unique collection of Austrian art. And a further architectural highlight, a giant gray block, houses MUMOK, the Museum of Modern Art.Its courtyard, complete with distinctive plastic structures called Enzis, is popular with sunbathers in the summer. In winter, the Enzis become igloos and serve hot punch.
Museumsplatz 1, www.mqw.at
AlbertinaA Viennese highlight. The largest graphic collection in the world includes over one and a half million prints. From Dürer to Rubens to Chagall – the Albertina boasts pieces from almost all prominent artists. Visit before January 10, 2010 and catch theacclaimed Impressionism exhibition “Painting Light”.
Albertinaplatz 1, www.albertina.at
Running
The most popular jogging routes through the city are those in the pretty Viennese parks, such as Schönbrunn, Türkenschanzpark or Prater. All running and walking trails are well signposted, telling visitors everything they need toknow about their chosen route. For a comprehensive list of trails in Vienna, visit www.runningcheckpoint.at