Vienna is the capital of Austria and something of an architectural and cultural utopia.

The city's inner core is encircled by the Danube Canal. The Ringstrasse is the heart of the city and where you will find the majority of Vienna's attractions including St Stephen's Cathedral, built in 1258. Its 137-metre-high tower affords good views of the city.

Nearby, you will discover the Naturhistoisches Museum, housing the 25,000-year-old artwork Venus of Willendorf, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, with works by Bruefel, Rembrandt, Carangid and Titian as well as Egyptian and Roman antiquities.

On the other side of the Ringstrasse, you will find the Oberes Belvedere. If you only visit one museum in Vienna, make it this one. Art buffs flock here to see Gustav Klimt's The Kiss.

Other popular tourist activities include ogling at the overblown 1440-room Schonbrunn Palace or taking in a presentation at the Spanish Riding School with its world-famous dancing Lipizzaner horses.

Eating and nightlife in Vienna

Cafe society was invented here and before you leave this ornate city it is de rigeur to park yourself at a kaffeehaus (coffee house) and wrap your mouth around a calorie-laden Sacher torte or an apple strudel.

On Saturday, pay a visit to the Naschmarkt, a bustling food and flea market where you can nibble through international cuisine or sift through antique jewelry.

At night, visitors can join the queue for cheap tickets to the Staatoper (State Opera) or tuck into a sizzling Wiener Schnitzel at one of the many restaurants. Finish off the evening at one of the bars in the 'Bermuda Triangle' area, named after the way revelers seemingly disappear into the drinking holes.

Getting to Vienna

Vienna is very accessible for tourists with the option of traveling there by air, boat, bus, car and train. The Vienna Schwechat International Airport is located 18km south of the city.