Located on the banks of the Danube, Vienna has over 2 million inhabitants, boasts an outstanding infrastructure, is clean and very safe. The city is a dream city for anyone with a romantic streak or an interest in history.

Wander along narrow,medieval alleyways or across imperial squares, view Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) in the footsteps of Sissi and Emperor Franz Josef, and marvel at the majestic architecture along the Ring boulevard.

It is also a city for art lovers and the Museum of Fine Arts, for instance, is one of the world's largest and most distinguished museums, housing priceless works of art.

Vienna boasts one of the world's most famous culinary traditions. A diverse yet delectably harmonious range of dishes reflects the city's mix of nationalities and food cultures down the centuries, and inspires visitors from all over the globe.

Vienna has been described as Europe's cultural capital, it is a metropolis with unique charm and flair, making it the perfect place to learn not just the language but culture of the country.

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
Explore the city's nooks and crannies. There is a wealth of new perspectives to be discovered off the beaten track. Visit the State Opera, the Burggarten and Imperial Palace, the museums of fine art and natural history, parliament, the Burgtheater, City Hall, Vienna University, the Stock Exchange, the Ringturm, Urania, Stadtpark, the Hotel Imperial and the many other attractions along one of Vienna's most important roads - the "Ring". As its name implies, the boulevard encircles the city center, separating the first district from Vienna's other districts. Foot and tram are the best modes of transport for this tour.

st. stephen's cathedral
This landmark in the heart of Vienna is beautiful and you can climbed the bell tower and counted the steps, getting to the top is an unforgettable experience. Around St. Stephen's Cathedral there are also a lot of small alleys and corners that are almost impossible to find without help, for instance Blutgasse or the Deutsche Ordens Kirche hidden in a courtyard, or Schönlaterngasse with the "Basilisken", a dragon like monster that lived in a well and instilled fear among the Viennese.

prater
The Prater is Vienna's most popular fun fair. Here one can enjoy a great view from the giant Ferris wheel, and one can do sports and relax in the area of forest land and fields.

schönbrunn palace and belvedere palace
The Palace with its surrounding buildings and the huge park is one of the most significant cultural monuments in Austria. It was generally used as the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. The two magnificent palaces on the Belvedere grounds lie in the middle of a splendid park. They were constructed for Prince Eugene of Savoy by J.L. von Hildebrandt, a famous Baroque architect.

schönbrunn zoo
Schönbrunn Zoo is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo. The Schoenbrunn Zoo is situated in the south-eastern part of the Habsburgs' summer residence and was built in 1760.

hofburg
The Hofburg was originally a medieval castle, but today only the castle chapel remembers of its medieval past. The Hofburg was extended to a magnificent residence when the Habsburg's power increased.

vienna opera house
The Vienna Opera House is situated in the first district of Vienna at the southern end of the Kärntnerstrasse. August von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll built the Court Opera House from 1861 to 1869.

music
Vienna has been synonymous with music for centuries, and was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. This outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day. The Wiener Philharmoniker is one of the world's top orchestras, the Vienna Boys' Choir is triumphantly successful wherever it tours, and the Vienna Conservatorium has produced innumerable international award winners in all musical disciplines. Yet Vienna also boasts a lively scene for young people - if you love music, you are sure to profit from Vienna.

art
Down the centuries, Vienna has always produced and nurtured world-famous artists. The collecting passion of art loving rulers and monarchs has made Vienna a treasure house par excellence. The Museum of Fine Arts, for instance, is one of the world's largest and most distinguished museums, housing priceless works of art. Art accompanies you wherever you go in Vienna - even some of its underground stations are listed properties (on account of their elegant, ornamental Jugendstil style designed by Otto Wagner)! And Vienna is also uniquely zestful as far as its literature is concerned. After all, where else in the world will you find a city with its own "coffee house literature"?

viennese cuisine
Vienna boasts one of the world's most famous culinary traditions. A diverse yet delectably harmonious range of dishes reflects the city's mix of nationalities andfood cultures through the centuries, and inspires visitors from all over the globe. Why not try out a few for yourself? And, maybe you will soon be eating the originals at a traditional inn or cosy coffee house in Vienna!

surrounding countryside and towns (day excursions)
Visit the many Austrian lakes and charming small towns in the region. Visit Mondsee, where Julie Andrews got married in the church in The Sound of Music. In St. Gilgen, take a cable car ride for spectacular views of the lakes. St. Wolfgang is known for its Opera in the Whitehorse Inn. In Hallstatt, at the foot of the Dachstein, see the collection of painted skulls and bones in the chapel of St. Michael, or take an optional ride on the cog railway with another spectacular view. Visit the spa town of Bad Ischl, heart of the Salzkammergut, and see the Franz Josef summer residence.