Christmas in Vienna-Help

O.P.H

Hi,

Im going on a holiday to Vienna with my girlfriend in Dec from the 17th to the 18th of Dec. I was wondering if anyone can please help me plan the week.
I have already looked into certain things like outdoor ice-skating, outdoor concerts, Visiting the Cafes, the christmas markets etc..

What about the opera house.. what would be good to watch there etc? Anyone know anything good to go watch, keeping in mind were not opera buffs but would love ta watch one! Would be class!

Can someone please help! Any advice would be more than welcome!

Thanks a million

Cheers

Pete4779

Look on google for schedules at:


Konzerthaus (2nd biggest one in the city)
Musikverein (the main concert hall in the city)
Staatsoper/Wiener Staatsoper (the main city opera house).

There are loads of different performances. For major ones, book in advance. The dates you gave (17-18th) would be a pretty short week.

watna

When you walk around Vienna there's people promoting operas/concerts that come up to you and try and sell you tickets. My friend lived there for a while and when I visited (in November) they were everywhere. She called them operuggers (variance on chugger!). From what i was told, the concerts they sell are quite touristy though and not the real thing so I'd recommend booking before. Knowing Austria, I'd say if you have a search around you'll find some tour companies online.

Oh, and there's a Christmas market at the Schonbrun palace but we found the one at the rathaus (town hall) was much bigger and better.

cailinoBAC

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055119519

I'm so jealous. I was thinking of going in December but thought I shouldn't as I was there last December, but now I wish I was going!

Aura

Heading over soon enough myself. Can't wait!! Want to go to Salzburg too. Any info on must do's there?

Also any ideas on clubbing in Vienna?

Pete4779

Aura wrote: »

Heading over soon enough myself. Can't wait!! Want to go to Salzburg too. Any info on must do's there?

Also any ideas on clubbing in Vienna?

You could try Flex.

Vienna is like London - absolutely huge. Although the population is small (it's a little more than Dublin - 1.7 million), that is because of WW1.

Clubs and nightlife are grouped in different pockets of the city, and there is nothing really in the "city centre" (i.e., around Stephansplatz or Neumannplatz).

Ask the hotel concierge about clubs, because there are loads there, but trust me you will *not* find them by accident. That one Flex is a pretty respectable place, but it's on the Donau and under the road around 100m if you step down and walk along the river bank. I.e., you never see them by accident (unlike say Amsterdam, Dublin.....but it's just like that in London for example).

Overall though, Vienna isn't exactly a clubber place.

cailinoBAC

There are a lot of late bars (where you can dance) in the Bermuda Ecke near Schwedenplatz. I don't know what clubs are like these days but my brother lived there last year and Flex was the one I kept hearing about too. Others, Volksgarten, U4...
There are some tips here
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Austria/Bundesland_Wien/Vienna-320332/Nightlife-Vienna-discospubs_Restaurants-BR-2.html

watna

Aura wrote: »

Heading over soon enough myself. Can't wait!! Want to go to Salzburg too. Any info on must do's there?

Also any ideas on clubbing in Vienna?

Salzburg is my absolute number one favourite city in the world. Don't be expecting it to be lively at night though. After 9 the streets are quite quiet although there is nice bars along the river.

Other things you can do are, go on the sound of music tour. it's so hilarious and you get to see a lot of the city, even if you're not in to the film. They take you out to the surrounding countryside.

Also, just walking around the city is awesome it's beautiful. Coming up to Christmas they'll have nice markets around and you can walk to the mirabel gardens and around the city to the cathedral etc. There's also a lot of nice cafes and you can get some really nice proper Austrian food (wiener schnitzel, etc). Getreidegasse is the main street and has cool shops. It's very narrow and picturesque. That's also where Mozart's birthplace is.

You can also go for a lot of concerts around the mirabel gardens. There's a bg music school nearby and Salzburg prides itself on being a musical - mozart etc.

It's also easy enough to get a train from Salzburg to ski for the day at a resort and then get the train back.

It really depends what you're in to. It's not really a party city but is great if you love the atmosphere of European cities and walking around takling in the sites it's great. It really is the most beautiful city.

Also, in Vienna, go on the Risensrad. If you've ever seen the film, the third man you'll appreciate it. It also gives you a great view over the city and you can get some good photos.