City,Breaks,Local,Guide,Vienna travel,insurance City Breaks: A Local Guide to Vienna Part Two

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So, you say to me: we've seen the sights! Wewant to really get to know Vienna and maybe get some tasty food anddrink along the way! No problem. As most seasoned travellersknow, one of the most rewarding things you can do in a new city is tosimply wander and see what you find. However, when time is of theessence and you only have a weekend and you want to get your money'sworth, local knowledge is priceless. Following are a fewrecommendations, both for those taking a budget break and for thosewith a bit more to spend. The great thing about most of these places isthat the majority of tourists are unaware they even exist, which, alongwith giving you a sense of satisfaction, is rather more relaxing thanbeing surrounded by a swarm of camera-happy visitors. First onmy list would be Kahlenberg. My personal recommendation would be totake the 38 Tram from Schottenring up to Grinzing (which is stunning initself) and then take a leisurely walk up through the vineyards to thetop of the hill. Here, the view is spectacular and best of all, thereare sun loungers where you can recover from the journey! There isactually a popular hotel here too, for those of you enamoured withscenic views. While in the area, it is worth seeking out aHeuriger. These are traditionally Austrian restaurants, many hiddenaway in the streets of Grinzing. The fare is traditionally local andsimple, but one can get some incredible Viennese delicacies. Two of thebest is Am Himmel, which is just ten minutes walk from Grinzing. Bewarethough, as opening hours often begin only from three, and they aresometimes only open in the summer months. If, after your walk,you want to relax, you could take a visit to the Sargfabrik. This is astrange combination of bathing house, restaurant, concert house andliving community in the south of the city. It's worth checking on theirwebsite (sargfabrik.at) to find out if the bathing house is running aspecial evening that night, as sometimes there is limited access. Butotherwise, for approximately EUR 7, you can relax, enjoy a sauna, aswim and a jacuzzi – just be aware that it's the European style to gonaked! While the Sargfabrik is certainly not the most flash, nor themost expensive spa, it is charming and authentic and walking throughthe surrounding area gives you a real feeling for the city.Particularly good for those who want a cheap or budget holiday. It'salso worth it to mention that there are many cheap hotels andrestaurants around this area. One thing you absolutely cannotmiss in Vienna is the Coffee House Experience, as I like to call it.Waitors in Vienna are frequently rather surly, so don't take itpersonally if yours looks like he hasn't cracked a smile in a decade.Viennese coffee is traditionally of a high quality and it's commonpractice to come, sit in a Kaffeehause, read the paper, drink a cup ofcoffee and eat a slice of cake. Some of you might know of Vienna fromits famed Sacher Torte and subsequent (and ongoing) row between theHotel Sacher and restaurant Demel over who invented it, but there is anastonishing array of delicious cakes available at almost all coffeehouses. Some of the better ones even have their own cakes, such as CaféGriensteidl in the town centre. Other favourites are CaféSchwarzenberg, near Schönbrunn, Café Donmayer, Café Prückel and CaféCentral. Prices vary, but a slice of cake are coffee is fairly cheap.If you want to treat yourself, head on over to Demel or Hotel Sacher,but be prepared to pay! By this point, you're probably feeling abit peckish. So...this leads me on to my final section; restaurants.Having spent most nights of my last month in Vienna dining out, Iaccrued several personal favourites, varying from the cheap andcheerful, to the mouth-watering yet somewhat wallet-damaging. Firstly,Vienna is full of both Italian, Chinese, Viennese and Japaneserestaurants. Indian and Thai are somewhat harder to find, although itis possible. Starting at the top end is Dots Experimental Sushi,situated in the middle of the gigantic Maria Hilfer Strasse. Dots canbe expensive, but considering the quality and service you receive, itis worth it. The sushi is absolutely stunning, and while they do offersome strange combinations (cream cheese, peanut butter, anyone?), youcan also get hot food and traditional sushi. Delicious. Headinga bit further north into the 4th district, you're spoiled for choice.Here you will not only find the stunning 7 Stern Bräu, where you cansample approximately every beer in the known world (only a slightexaggeration), but also the stunning Amerlingbeisl. The food isgorgeous and the setting incredible, particularly in the evening – ifyou're looking for romance, you've found it! Interestingly, the privaterooms in the restaurant also serve as meeting places for, among others,student groups, young communists and feminist groups. It can be quiteinteresting to watch them file out later on in the night and guesswhich group they belong to! If you find yourself by chancehungry and in the vicinity of the Hundertwasser Haus, head to PizzaMari, an authentic Italian restaurant, raved about by Italiansthemselves. The menu is very limited – just several appetisers and afew combinations of classic pizzas, but the quality is out of thisworld. My stomach's rumbling just thinking about it. While thereare many other restaurants I could mention, the final one I want totalk about is Deewan, famed for its 'pay what you want' policy. Belovedamong students, there are no prices and end the end of the meal yousimply leave what you think they deserve. Due to this, the place is,however, almost always packed, but the food is great quality andthere's a chance to a grab a bargain. I would, however, suggest nottaking advantage! Well, that's me about finished on Vienna. Ihope you've found this article informative and interesting – if so,please comment. Suggestions on further topics are also appreciated. Happy travelling!