Luxury Holidays to Vienna

As you tick Europe's capital cities from your travel inspiration list, be sure to make time for a long weekend in Vienna.

With its rich history, coffee houses, jazz bars, famous opera house, contemporary museums and thriving culinary scene, this classical music capital makes for a superb city break, whenever you choose to travel there. 

A good place to start on your luxury Vienna weekend break is with the imperial history of the city. Ruled for nearly three centuries by the Habsburg dynasty, Vienna has a collection of impressive regal buildings to explore, including the family's summer residence, the Schönbrunn Palace; Belvedere Palace, which is home to an incredible collection of art including The Kiss by Gustav Klimt; and the 13th-Century Hofburg Palace, where you can visit the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments. 

While you're on your history tour of Vienna be sure to drop by at St Stephen's Cathedral. The founding stone of this stunning piece of architecture was first laid in 1137, meaning the building has witnessed much of the city's fascinating past. St Stephen's Cathedral has been added to over the years with baroque architecture, and survived the bombing of the city in World War 2. For panoramic views of Vienna our Inspiring Travel Specialists recommend paying for a ticket to climb the 343 steps of the South Tower. 

Vienna showcases more than 100 history-stuffed museums! And one to certainly make a beeline for is the MuseumsQuartier Wien; one of the largest districts for contemporary art and culture in the world. Featuring everything from photography to family-friendly exhibits, it's a must-see Vienna experience. 

Of course music is the first thing most people think of when they hear "Vienna", the city being known the world over as "The international city of music". Having played host to some of history's greatest musical genius, including Mozart and Beethoven, Vienna is alive with The Sound of Music, and catching an opera, classical concert or live jazz performance should certainly be worked into your bespoke, Inspiring itinerary.

Vienna is a year-round destination, and whenever you visit you should make time for a trip to the Spanish Riding School for an equine performance, as well as getting tickets for a concert at the State Opera House. Seasonal attractions include the Christmas markets when the city's squares are decorated with lights and trees and the smell of hot punch and toasted almonds are in the air. Then there's the Ball Season between November and February, when more than 400 balls are put on in the city in a vibrant celebration of Austrian culture. In the summer, the city's parks, botanical gardens, and nearby woodlands and vineyards are dreamy spots for a picnic, or you could walk or cycle along the Danube River. In fact, thanks to the Vienna Woods and the Danube wetlands, green spaces cover nearly half of Vienna’s total area.

As you wander the Austrian capital be sure to pop into the cosy coffee houses and atmospheric wine cellars for a drink and taste of Viennese culture. Don't miss: the Imperial Torte - which you can have with afternoon tea at the Hotel Imperial; apple strudel and speciality coffees that are all part of Vienna's coffee house culture; and a glass or two of Grüner Veltliner - the hallmark Austrian white wine.

For your personalised Vienna city break with direct flights and the best of the Austrian capital's hotel accommodation, call our team of expert Travel Specialists who will inspire you with a bespoke holiday to Vienna today.