As a European city that combines beauty and charm with culture, style and sophistication. Vienna is sure to impress even the most discerning first-time visitor. Mixing the traditional elegance of "Mittel-Europa" with all the necessities of modern twenty-first-century living, it's a thoroughly cosmopolitan city that offers a friendly, laid back atmosphere, ornate buildings, funky nightspots, wondrous Viennese cafés and more history than you can shake a stick at!

So much so that reminders of Vienna's imperialist past, having once been the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (which encompassed almost one third of Europe) are never far away. Take a stroll around the Hofburg, Schönbrunn or Spanische Reitschule (Spanish Riding School) and you'll realise just how powerful, imposing and far reaching the Habsburg's influence really was. Of course, elements of the city's past are far from glorious but, judged purely on the architectural and cultural legacy left behind, it's one that other world cities must envy.

And, in recent years, Vienna's vast array of cultural institutions have been further enhanced by flagship projects such as the development of the Museums Quartier, while many famous landmarks - including the Karlskirche and Kunsthistoriches Museum have been painstakingly renovated. Modern developments that have sprung up all over the city, have also been carefully designed to ensure that Vienna's charm and character is fully preserved for the future.

Easy to explore, Vienna has first-rate public transport (including the clean and efficient underground and tram line system) although you can still tour many of the city's major sights on foot, by bicycle or even horse-drawn carriage!

So grab a beer and Wurstl, select from one of the main sights and discover the very best of Austria's capital city!