Vienna, city of the waltz and passionate about music, is the one-time home of Beethoven, Mozart, Shubert and the Strauss family, and provides a programme of year-round musical events at its grand Opera House and other spectacular venues around the city.

An architectural delight with magnificent palaces, museums and galleries to visit, the Old Town’s streets, originally designed for carriages and pedestrians, make it easy to explore on foot. The old-fashioned Prater Amusement Park has everything to entertain young and old alike, and the Spanish Riding School is a must for the breathtaking feats of grace and stamina of both horse and rider.

Shopping is also a priority in Vienna. Souvenirs, chocolates and pastries all appeal, and there are many designer shops, department stores and small boutiques to serve all tastes. Taste is important in Vienna. Wonderful cakes and other local delicacies delight the senses, while “kellers” offer snacks and meals with wine and beer, and “wurstelstands”, the local sausage stalls, offer spicy varieties for meals on the move. Who could resist the delectable desserts of Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel?