I knew nothing about Vienna upon landing in the city. Admittedly, I was more interested in seeing those hills come to life in Salzburg and Vienna was meant to be a pit stop of exploration. The city did its best to woo, showcasing its many historical sites, offering fun for all ages, streaming sun on a daily summer visit basis, and serving up rich chocolate desserts that I still crave at home. Now, Vienna ranks as one of my favorite cities in Europe, and one that deserves a bit more time in the spotlight for families seeking a new adventure and culturally rich vacation in the heart of Europe.
Vienna has a rich and storied past. As the home of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna long remained a powerful capital city. Following in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte, the royal family wanted to create its own version of the Champs-Elysses and created the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard that encircles the historic city flanked by parks and tree-lined roads. It was here where classical music thrived, with Mozart and Strauss creating their masterpieces in Vienna, an opera house wow patrons with its gorgeously baroque decor, and a choir of boys make sweet music beloved around the globe. After World War II, the city was occupied by the British, French, Americans and Russians, dividing the city into four distinct areas where hints of their foreign influences remain. Today, the modern, cosmopolitan city is filled with universities and students and serves as a thriving epicenter to Austria's business world, without hiding its historic past, well preserved in palaces, churches and museums. It is also home to a people who are friendly and overly welcoming to those who choose to visit their beloved capital.
For families, the city opens its arms to children, offering kid-friendly tours of historical sites, as well as child-specific attractions that mom and dad will enjoy. The streets are literally filled with music, as street performers bring classical music and opera alive right on the streets and in squares, where you'll spot a father and daughter stopping to waltz on the sidewalk. And at the end of the night, your children will fall asleep with smiles on their faces with thoughts of more chocolate Sacher Tortes filling their heads.
Vienna Family Vacations
Families will love:
- Kid-friendly attractions and museums
- A sandy beach in the heart of the city
- Royal palaces
Written by Lissa Poirot
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paulas - 2011-11-30
We met our college-age son at the end of his semester abroad and visited wonderful German and Austian spots. Vienna was an anchor to our trip with ...
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