Visiting Vienna

Rounding out the collection of top Viennese Christmas markets is the one in and around the Spittelberg, a collection of narrow streets in the 7th district.

Each Christmas, the forecourt in front of Schönbrunn Palace is turned into a Christmas Market of the better sort. Indeed, the Schönbrunn version ranks in the top three in Vienna, alongside the markets on the Rathausplatz and Spittelberg.
The palace and its outbuildings form an impressive backdrop which is reflected in the quality of the wares. […]

There are plenty of Christmas markets in Austria and lots in Vienna. And the biggest is on the Rathausplatz, the square in front of the town hall and opposite the Burgtheater.
There are those who’ll argue in favor of the smaller, more cultured markets in Schönbrunn and Spittelberg. But the one that garners the most attention […]

One of the picture-postcard scenes of Vienna in the period leading up to Christmas is a group of friends standing round a table at an open market, each clutching a mug of steaming Weihnachtspunsch.
Indeed, a visit to one of the famous Christmas markets is incomplete without the obligatory draft of liquid yuletide cheer and perhaps […]

There’s a battle on for the hearts and minds of the children of Austria. Not Coca-Cola versus Pepsi. Not Nintendo against the X-box. No, it’s Santa Claus in a fight to the finish with the Christkind.
Let me explain.
In catholic Austria, it’s the Christkind (Christ child) that traditionally brings the gifts at Christmas.

Photo © kreitner & […]