A Traveler's Guide to Vienna

Vienna is the capital and largest city in Austria. It is also one of the nine states of Austria. It is the political and financial center of the country, and it is home to several international organizations such as OPEC and the United Nations. In 2009 Vienna was selected by an international committee as the city with the highest quality of life in the world.

Vienna traces its history back to the first century when it was settled by Celts and Romans. The Romans used it as an outpost city to protect the empire's borders. The city has survived dozens of attacks from Slavs and Turks alike throughout the centuries. The black plague decimated the city in the 17th century, killing almost a third of its population. Following the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, Vienna took on an identity all its own and began to grow financially. The Austrian Empire played a large role in both world wars, being annexed by Hitler in the Second World War. Following the end of World War 2 Austria and Vienna began rebuilding and establishing themselves as financial powerhouses in Europe.

Because of its elevation, Vienna experiences mild temperatures. Summer highs usually peak around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and winter temperatures frequently dip below freezing. If you're planning a trip to Vienna between December and April be prepared for snow.

Many museums and historic buildings can be found in Vienna. One such building is the Hofburg, which houses the royal crown jewels of the Hapsburg rulers of Austria. Directly across from the Hofburg is the Sisi Museum, which is dedicated to Empress Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie of Austria.

Be sure to stop by a local restaurant and sample wiener schnitzel, Vienna's most famous local dish. This veal cutlet is coated in flour and eggs and then fried in butter. Finish your traditional Austrian meal by sampling some of the Apfelstrudel, hot apple strudel.

Vienna International Airport is located eleven miles from the town center and services all of Vienna and the surrounding areas.