SPRINGTIME IN VIENNA 2016

by Shrutee K/DNS

Did you know that hardly any other city can offer the same amount of public green areas? There are 850 parks and green spaces, 100.000 trees lining the streets and 1.2 million flowers in summer. Not only 200 million honey bees heading around during the warm months like that, but the Viennese and many guests visiting the city also enjoy themselves at several open-air events. Also Indian travellers love Vienna: from January to April 2016 the city of Vienna recorded an increase of bednights from India by 22,5 % compared to 2015. A total of 7.800 guests from India visited Vienna in the first part of 2016. Do not miss to visit Vienna this year, the city of music, culinary delicacies and culture – It is the best to check out everything!

PICNIC SITES IN VIENNA Refresh your spirit, enjoy culinary delights and bask in the sun: Vienna offers plenty of options for a successful picnic! Those who prefer to picnic in an idyllic meadow should head to the Vienna Prater. The many sunbathing lawns invite you to linger; secluded walks guarantee a romantic atmosphere. You can also rent a pedal boat and enjoy your snack on the waters of the Heustadlwasser in the Prater. But in Vienna you can also picnic in the center of the city: There are even free deck chairs in the Sigmund-Freud-Park between the university and the Votive Church in the summer! Those who prefer an imperial ambiance should make an excursion to the Burggarten, where a meadow has been opened to picnickers. Cobenzl, located above Grinzing, is recommended for a picnic with a view of Vienna. Here you will find a farm that promises relaxation and fun especially for children. If you prefer something a little more comfortable, you can order a ready-packed picnic basket at several locations throughout the city for you to take away and enjoy in the warm springtime sun. www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/green-vienna/picnic-sites

MEETING PLACE MUSEUMSQUARTIER The MuseumsQuartier (MQ) is one of the largest cultural quarters in the world. Located at the border of the old city in the former imperial stables, it combines institutions of different art fields, restaurants, cafes and shops in an area of over 640,000 square feet in a post-modern ambiance, a combination of baroque buildings and modern architecture. The MQ offers an ambiance that fits the urban lifestyle of its visitors: retaining the old, experiencing the new – and enjoying both of them together. Following this principle, a colorful and varied scene developed amid the setting of eminent museums and collections: art galleries, restaurants, cafes and the large open-air courtyard perfect for meeting family and friends in the evenings and on weekends.

SPRING HIGHLIGHTS FOR FAMILIES Hunt elephants in an asphalt jungle. Fly the sky in a bouncy castle. Let the wind carry your hair while you ride a pony: Vienna is also a city for kids with action, fun and almost unlimited leisure enjoyment for the entire family. Unlike many other major cities, Vienna boasts huge green areas where children can play to their hearts' content. But that is by no means all. Maybe a little princess would like to dance a minute in a hooped skirt and old-fashioned bodice? Or a super-detective would like to find some unicellular organism with a special microscope, travel across the starry sky or re-invent electricity? Become a child artist? Discover the senses of sight, hearing, smell and taste in a completely new way? No problem. And it is also easy to stroke some snakes or to create your own painting of the old masters in Vienna's large art museums. www.wien.info/en/vienna-for/families

THE VIENNA CARD The Vienna Card gives visitors access to more than 210 discounts at Vienna's key attractions plus unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram for 48 or 72 hours. The card costs just 21.90 or 24.90 Euro. If you are a travel agent or tour operator, you can order the Vienna Card in bulk and receive a discount on the price. If you run your own website or blog and want to offer your visitors special Vienna experiences, then the Vienna Card Affiliate Partner Program is just the right thing for you. This Vienna Tourist Board program gives you the chance to share in the success of Europe's Best City Card, directly, permanently, and with the minimum of effort. With just the click of a mouse your visitor can buy the Vienna Card – and earn you a commission. https://b2b.wien.info/en/travelindustry/viennacard