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34 EXPLORE ASHORE<br />
EXPLORE ASHORE<br />
35<br />
Where is it?<br />
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is the jewel<br />
in the Danube’s crown with its spectacular<br />
palaces and grand baroque architecture.<br />
River ships dock along Handelskai, from<br />
where most cruise lines provide a shuttle<br />
bus into the city. Passengers can also<br />
take the metro (two stops on the U1 from<br />
Vorgartenstrasse to Schwedenplatz) or walk -<br />
it takes about 40 minutes.<br />
A few lines alternatively use Nussdorf, a<br />
little way upriver. From there, passengers can<br />
take tram D into the city centre.<br />
Itineraries usually allow at least a day and<br />
a late evening in Vienna so passengers can<br />
attend a Mozart and Strauss concert. Some<br />
stay overnight.<br />
GO WITH<br />
Vienna<br />
Day out in…<br />
Vienna played host to CLIA’s RiverView Conference for the first time in March.<br />
Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways*,<br />
APT, APT Travelmarvel, Arena River Cruises,<br />
A-Rosa River Cruises*, Avalon Waterways*,<br />
CroisiEurope*, Emerald Waterways*, Nicko<br />
Cruises*, Riverside Luxury Cruises*, Riviera<br />
Travel, Scenic*, Tauck, TUI River Cruises*,<br />
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises*<br />
* Indicates lines that visit and have<br />
turnarounds in Vienna<br />
Spend the morning<br />
Get a first glimpse of the city on a coach tour<br />
around the Ringstrasse, a grand three-mile<br />
boulevard lined with monumental buildings<br />
that were constructed between the 1860s and<br />
1890s on the site of the city walls.<br />
Alternatively, watch riders training the famous<br />
white Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding<br />
School. Sessions run most days (not in July),<br />
start at 10am and last an hour.<br />
Go back for<br />
Stay for lunch<br />
The Naschmarkt, a few minutes’ walk from<br />
the opera house and Hofburg Palace, is more<br />
than 1km long, and always busy. You can<br />
taste your way around the stalls, stock up on<br />
herbs, falafel, olives and exotic spices, enjoy<br />
a bevvy or two in the lively bars and refuel<br />
in restaurants serving Asian favourites, local<br />
specialities and Turkish delights.<br />
The Schonbrunn Palace, the favourite residence of Empress Maria Theresa, is a baroque<br />
masterpiece with grand staterooms and beautiful gardens. Climb to the Gloriette for the best<br />
view of the palace and formal gardens.<br />
Art-lovers can get a selfie with Gustav Klimt’s world-famous Kiss at the Belvedere Palace.<br />
Several of his other paintings are here, along with the artworks by Van Gogh and Renoir, and<br />
the French impressionists Manet and Monet.<br />
Don't miss<br />
Coffee and Sachertorte (chocolate cake with<br />
layers of apricot jam, served with cream) at<br />
the famous Sacher Hotel is a must. There is<br />
usually a queue and it’s not cheap but don’t<br />
be put off. You’ve not been to Vienna if you’ve<br />
not indulged in the coffee house culture and<br />
tasted Herr Sacher’s original recipe.<br />
Get active<br />
Several river cruise lines offer guided cycle<br />
rides around the outskirts of Vienna or<br />
borrow a bike and explore alone (many<br />
river ships carry bikes that are free to use).<br />
Alternatively set off on a DIY walking or<br />
jogging tour of the Ringstrasse (after walking<br />
into the city of course!).<br />
Take the kids<br />
Get the adrenalin racing on roller coasters,<br />
ghost train rides and scary things that<br />
whirl and spin you around in the air,<br />
as well as the big Prater Wheel<br />
made famous in the film<br />
The Third Man at the<br />
Prater Park (easily walkable<br />
from Handelskai).<br />
Pictures: ©WienTourismus/Christian Stemper/ Peter Rigaud/Paul Bauer.<br />
CLIA members on sale in the UK only<br />
MAY 2023 | STOWAWAY MEDIA<br />
PORTS & DESTINATIONS
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