Vienna, a city of culture
For many centuries, Vienna played host to one of Europe’s ruling powers, the Hapsburg family, and its influence is evident in the city’s culture, architecture and attitudes. Vienna’s residents are quite formal, even courtly, in behavior and attire. Waiters address their customers with great respect and people who bump into others excuse themselves with a small bow. Tourists are treated with great warmth and appreciation, which is one of the reasons why Vienna is so popular.
As the capital and largest city of Austria, Vienna is both modern and old-fashioned. The city has a dynamic nightlife and is renowned for its music and club scene, where electronic music is a special favorite. During afternoons, street performers line the major streets.
Most buildings in Vienna are quite massive, including the ancient structures. Many foreign visitors can get the sensation of feeling small and inconsequential in the city. But that feeling quickly disappears once they get in contact with the warm Viennese who are fond of spending slow afternoons at cafes and malls or otherwise roaming their grand city.
Sitting right in the middle of the rail lines that criss-cross Prague, Budapest and Venice, Vienna is located right at the heart of Europe and, as such, has been the subject of several foreign invasions. Aside from the Hapsburgs, the Romans, Celts, and Babenbergs all conquered the city and each one made its cultural imprint on Vienna, which is why the city is influenced by both East and West.
Today, foreign dignitaries are still a common sight in Vienna, particularly since it is the only European capital that hosts the headquarters of the United Nations.
The city has a very convenient layout for travelers: The first district is the Old Town or city center, which is encircled by a road appropriately called the Ring. The rest of the city (Districts 2 to 9) is connected by a single street, the Gurtel Road or Belt Road, which is where tourists will find most of the attractions. Meanwhile, the city’s most famous attraction, Schönbrunn Castle, is located just beyond Gurtel Road.
Airo Tower Hotel
