Vienna Excites in Autumn and Winter

by Shrutee K/DNS

A Bird's-Eye View of Vienna

The Vienna Tourist Board sent two pairs of eagles up into the skies to capture footage of the city from above: using VR glasses, users can experience 360°-degree views of the Austrian capital from the birds of preys' perspective.

Fritzi and Bruno, one kitted out with a 360° camera and the other a 16:9 format camera on its back, took to the skies taking off from the top of the Danube Tower and a hot air balloon launched from the grounds of Palais Schwarzenberg. And as the weather did not always play along during filming, their colleagues Darshan and Victor picked up where they left off and finished the job. The eagles circled above the city capturing bird’s-eye views in stunning 4k – production company Red Bull Media gave the Vienna Tourist Board campaign wings. The project was a world first – never had eagles wearing 360° cameras been used to capture footage of a major city. www.vienna.info

An Autumn afternoon in Vienna with Kids

The Austrian capital has plenty of space for action. 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 minuet in a hooped skirt and old-fashioned bodice? Become a child artist? Stroke some snakes? No problem. These are just a few of the Hits for Kids:

Schoenbrunn Zoo

Schoenbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world and is in existence for 250 years. In recent decades, the zoo turned itself into one of the most modern and - by consensus - one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Tip: Guided Tours at NightObserve exotic animals at night! This is possible during a special tour through the zoo with infrared binoculars. www.zoovienna.at

Schoenbrunn Maze, Labyrinth & Labyrinthikon

Once only the imperial family was permitted to walk here, now the Schoenbrunn Maze is fun for everyone. By looking carefully in all the corners, visitors will discover all twelve signs of the zodiac. And once visitors have made it through the maze, they can climb a platform and watch others get lost. Directly adjacent to the Maze is the Labyrinth – a great place for adventures: climbing poles with sounds, a jumping station, touching shapes, puzzles and water gargoyles ward off boredom.www.schoenbrunn.at

Children's farm at the Wien Cobenzl Estate

Children have the chance to come face to face with sheep, goats, rabbits, ducks and all kinds of other animals at the Children's Farm on the Cobenzl Estate. Highlights include tours of the stables and pony rides. Tip: visit the Cobenzl woods playground and enjoy a picnic on the Am Himmel meadow with wonderful views of the city. In the nearby Waldseilpark Kahlenberg children can climb, balance and have fun in a safe environment. There is also a gnome course for infants to enjoy! www.landgutcobenzl.at

House of the Sea

Want to get to grips with a shark or get up close and personal with a piranha? Or maybe witness the fearless divers in the shark pool? You and your children can come face to face with any of the 10,000 creatures that call the House of the Sea home: fish from Austria and faraway countries, tortoises, crocodiles, venomous snakes and constrictors, leaf cutter ants, free-flying birds and roving monkeys. Tip: check out the views over Vienna from the ocean'sky rooftop cafe! www.haus-des-meeres.at

Get ready for fun in the Prater

Dive into the colorful adventure world of the Prater where 250 different stands and attractions wait for you: from a traditional merry-go-round to the ghost train to ultra-modern highlights such as the "Ejection Seat" with which you can reach heights of over 90 meters. Tip: Guided adventure tours through the Prater grant visitors a look behind the scenes at some great attractions. www.praterwien.com            

         

Vienna's Christmas Markets

From the middle of November until Christmas, Vienna's prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas baking and hot punch sets the mood in the run-up to Christmas. Baubles, beeswax candles, punch, cookies and plenty of inspirational gift ideas – there’s no better way to get in the festive spirit. Thousands of lights create a homey atmosphere as Christmas decorations in Vienna's Old City and shopping streets. The biggest of these markets is the traditional Christmas Market during the Vienna Christmas World in front of Vienna’s magically illuminated city hall. The Christmas markets in front of Schonbrunn Palace and the Kunsthistorisches Museum enchant against an imperial backdrop, while the market on Spittelberg derives its charm from the ambience of the old Biedermeier district. www.vienna.info

New Arrivals on Vienna's Hotel Scene

New hotels are going up all the time in Vienna – around the Main Train Station, in the old town and in its flourishing new neighborhoods. Existing properties are also remodeling, expanding and bringing in the stylists.

Numerous accommodations have sprung up around the Main Train Station over the past few years, and other new projects are already on the way. The Mooons (170 rooms) boutique hotel hopes to carve out a niche for itself from mid-2019 with a combination of smart, affordable luxury, a restaurant, garden and roof terraces, and a fully-equipped gym. Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere (303 rooms) is due to open in spring 2019. This luxury hotel was designed by the Italian star architect Renzo Piano and built by Austrian property company Signa and the Hyatt Group. A sky bar on the 16th floor, 60 meters above street level, will open previously unseen views of the city.

New – Vienna City Card

Get the most from your visit to Vienna with the 24, 48 or 72 hours Vienna City Card. It includes free travel on public transport throughout the city or the Hop On Hop Off tours run by Big Bus Tours, as well as the chance to enjoy more than 210 discounts on everything from museum entry to heuriger visits – from only EUR 17,00. And the Vienna City Card is now available to download as an app!  www.viennacitycard.at