Appetizers for a trip to Vienna

The Austrian capital, a city of circa 1.9 million inhabitants, is very unique. Art Nouveau, coffee houses, and the waltz are just some of the specialties associated with Vienna's name. One of the most magnificent structures is the neoclassical parliament building (picture) in the Ringstrasse.

The famous Ringstrasse, or ring road, surrounds the 1st district. Here is where the historical heart of Vienna beats. St. Stephen's Cathedral dominates the skyline; the highest of the four towers is 136 meters (446 feet) high. More than 343 steps lead visitors to the Türmerstube, which offers a perfect view of Vienna.

Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven — these three great names stand for the musical epoch that made Vienna world-famous between 1770 and 1830. All three composers were not born in Vienna, but moved here because the Viennese Court was particularly supportive of art and music. In 2020, the world celebrates the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven, who is buried in Vienna's Central Cemetery.

Beethoven lived and composed in Vienna for 35 years. Many of his works were first performed in the Theater an der Wien, including Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio." It will be staged anew in the anniversary year at the Theater an der Wien by none other than the two-time Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz.

Horse-drawn carriages are part of Vienna's cityscape, just like St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Art Nouveau buildings. The cabs are named Fiaker after the Rue de Saint Fiacre in Paris, where the first pay carriages were stationed in the 17th century. With a bit of luck, you'll get a driver who will also introduce you to "Wiener Schmäh," a typical form of Viennese humor.

Two female callers are on the roof of Wienzeile 38 with its façade adorned with decorative floral ornaments. The magnificent residential building, dating from 1898, is the work of architect and town planner Otto Wagner. Along with Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, Othmar Schimkowitz and Egon Schiele he belongs to the Vienna Secession. The group of artists played a decisive role in shaping Art Nouveau.

As unconventional as the building was its creator, the Austrian artist Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser (1928-2000). Immediately after its completion in 1985, it became a tourist magnet in Vienna. It is located in the 3rd district between Löwengasse and Kegelgasse.

Coffee house culture in Vienna has been on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage sites since 2011. The traditional melange blend of coffee, mocha and frothed milk has been served as early as 1830. With cream topping, it becomes a "capuchin." You can still find 150 classic coffee houses such as Café Landtmann, founded in 1873.

The Golden Monument for "The Waltz King" Johann Strauss in the Stadtpark pays tribute to his nearly 500 compositions. Among them are great classical hits such as the Blue Danube Waltz, the Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz) or the operetta "Die Fledermaus." Traditionally, at the Vienna Opera Ball, the dance floor is opened to the public with the command coined by Strauss, "Alles Walzer."

On the left, the floating roof "Soravia Wing" rises above the entrance to the Albertina Art Museum, in the middle stands the equestrian statue of Archduke Albrecht and the illuminated building on the right is the Vienna State Opera. This is also the location of Café Mozart, the setting of Graham Greene's novel and film "The Third Man." The legendary Hotel Sacher is just a few steps away.

The traditional restaurant Figlmüller uses only veal escalopes. Here's how Schnitzel is traditionally done: Pound the meat under cling film down to 5 mm. Salt it and then dip it in flour and whipped egg. Add cream if you like. Then bread it in Kaiser roll crumbs. Fry in oil at 170 °C (338°F). Finally, add a spoonful of butter, and keep cooking until the schnitzel is golden yellow. Delicious!