Austria Tips:::

Austria :::

Austria’s currency is the Euro. Using an ATM machine is a great way to get cash. Convert your currency here: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Pancake soup is not a fluffy buttermilk pancake floating in broth. If you see it on the menu try the pancake soup. I had it every time I saw it on the menu and was never disappointed.
Every meal we had was fantastic. Ask locals for their opinions on the best restaurants.
The people that we encountered were friendly and helpful
To receive free brochures and information for Austria, check this site: www.austria.info/

Vienna:::

Vienna is beautiful for the Christmas and New Year holiday season. We were there a few days before New Years. The main streets were streaming with festive decorations and lights. Although cold, the festive aura and warmth of the café’s and restaurants make this a perfect time to visit.
We stayed at the Hotel Capricorno. It was located right on the Ringstrasse and was a few steps from the Schwedenplatz U stop and a 5 minute walk to the Stephensplatz. capricorno.schick-hotels.com
The Ubahn is the subway system for Vienna. It was easy to use and clean. Get familiar with the U: viennaunderground.eu/

Sites:::

Schonbrunn Palace is the birthplace of Versailles’s Marie Antoinette and is worth a visit. Take the Ubahn at the Schotten-ring U and take the U4 to Schonbrunn. We exited the Ubahn and went right, then made a right at the corner. The palace was on the left. We took the Palace Grand Tour.
Hofburg Imperial Palace on the Heldenplatz
Kaisergruft Imperial Burial Vault for members of the Royal Schonbrun Palace. This was not the usual site, a little morbid, but a lot of fun.
The Belvedere is a museum. The building and grounds are nicely kept. Take the U1 to Reumannplatz.
Kunsthaus Wein is an art building that has a restaurant and gift shop inside. It is worth a stop just to view the outside of the building.
Haus der Musik is an interactive museum. This looked like a children’s museum

Restaurants:::

Reinthaler on Dorotheer Gasse
Smutney on Elisabeth Strasse
Sacher Café, we did not have the chance to eat here. The lines to get in are very long in this famous café but the cakes looked great.
Have a late night snack at a sausage stand.