Wildlife and nature surrounding the Danube River

The Donau-Auen National Park

You will find DonauauenNational Park situated in a lush ‘green ribbon’ that lies in between the two closest capital cities in Europe; Bratislava and Vienna. Established in 1996, The park spans over 40 square miles and is a highly important conservation area; as well as a centre for science and research.

The second largest river on the continent, The Danube, flows through Donauauen untamed, feeding and watering the plentiful wildlife, and sustaining what is the last large wetland ecosystem in Central Europe. The park is full of things to do, and is an excellent place for explorers of all ages.

Danube river banks

Spot rare and endangered species such as the Beaver and the Kingfisher; take one of the many walking tours; or rest up and sail the Danube. The neighbouring town of Orth also holds the tourist and information centre for the park, where you can learn about the environment in much more detail, get yourself some maps and check out the day’s tours and activities. Additionally the National Park House was opened in 2007 and was built beautifully in order to reflect and complement its surroundings. Shops, exhibitions, cafés, and events can all be found within.

The Donauauen National Park is one of 6 protected parks in Austria, and locals use the well-established hiking and cycling routes to see the most of the vast forests and bodies of water that make the park so special. The most popular route is 11 km long and is aptly named the Napoleon Loop, as it passes a memorial to the 1809 Battle of Aspern-Essling, as well as some battlefield sites, and the headquarters of Napoleon himself. 

As well as these main activities, there are places you can go for a swim, or take part in water sports. For a whistle-stop tour of the park, you can even board the Admiral Tegetthoff in Vienna and sail right through the park, arriving in the medieval town of Hainburg.

Radisson Blu, Vienna: A Review

The Radisson Blu hotel in Vienna

The Radisson Hotels are a well know international chain of hotels known to offer high quality service and comfort. The Radisson Blu is a contemporary hotel right in the heart of the Austrian capital, Vienna. You can walk from the Radisson to many Viennese hotspots including the Opera House, The Hofburg Palace, and St. Stephens’s Cathedral.  The hotel, of course, includes a gym, sauna and treatment rooms, and all of the rooms include the modern comforts we have come to expect from a five star place like the Radisson.

This hotel is as central as you can get, in Vienna’s shopping district, and on the same block as two U-Bahn stations. Despite the centrality you will notice the hotel itself is very quiet, so you can be well rested for your Viennese adventures. In terms of adventures, you can be sure the Radisson concierge will have a good knowledge of the area, restaurant recommendations, and speak great English if you aren’t up to scratch with your German. 

Vienna boasts dozens of fantastic restaurants, but if you want to stay closer to home for dinner, try the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, ‘Sapori’. The Radisson offers an international menu but Sapori offers authentic Austrian dishes, too. You can enjoy a continental breakfast at the Radisson, but at an extra charge. Perhaps it would be better to step out and enjoy a traditional Austrian breakfast, and watch local life go by from one of the many nearby cafés.

The rooms at the Radisson are chic, luxuriant and comfortable with all the amenities you will need, including room service and high speed Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are also very spacious and a great place to enjoy a hot bubble bath before your night out on the twinkling streets of Vienna. If you don’t want to gamble with your accommodation and are looking for international, high-standard service, look no further than the Radisson Blu.

Visit web site here : http://www.radissonblu.com/palaishotel-vienna/

Hotel Sacher in Salzburg: A Review

Take yourself back to the 1800’s and discover the charming city of Salzburg. Let the historic elegance follow you up the grand marble staircases and all the way to bed. At the Sacher, every single room is unique from the carpets to the artwork, and has an Austrian regality the emperor would envy. From crystal chandeliers to silk-lined walls, the place oozes a Baroque sophistication that dates back to its formation in 1866.

The grand hotel sits beautifully on the banks of the river Salzach and boasts stunning views over the old town and the castle from its terraces. The classic atmosphere spills out into all three of the hotel restaurants where award winning chefs serve up traditional Austrian delicacies. The jewel on the crown of a great Austrian breakfast full of specialities is the famous Sacher torte. The five-star service is excellent, and you will get to try things you will be hard pushed to find elsewhere. The dinner menu caters for vegetarians, the bar staff are skilled, and the coffee house is great if you’d like a pastry and refreshment in the afternoon.

The beds here are big and comfortable, and the location is choice. As well as the excellent views, many of Salzburg’s attractions are within a walking distance. It’s just a quick stroll into the heart of the old town, and an easy walk to the renowned Mirabelle Palace and Gardens, as well as the Museum Carolino-Augusteum.

Hotel Sacher’s strongest point is its history filled hallways and carefully fashioned Baroque style. Although the rooms include flat-screen TV’s, if you’re looking for a minimalistic and modern luxury hotel this might not be up your street, but the place certainly earns its stars. As you explore Mozart’s birthplace, go on a romantic horse-carriage ride, visit the museum of modern art, or even take a Sound of Music tour.

Discover the Belvedere Palace in Vienna

The Belvedere Palace in Vienna

The Belvedere is a beautiful and historic set of palaces in Vienna. The grounds stretch for acres and are home to the palace stables, the Orangery, and the Belvedere museum. The whole landscape is quintessentially Baroque in style and littered with beautiful features, fountains, sculptures, and inside the palace, famous artwork.

The Upper palace was built in 1712 and the lower in 1717, for Prince Eugene of Savoy who was part of the ruling dynasty during a period of economic success for Vienna and Austria, particularly after Prince Eugene won a series of Wars against the Ottoman Empire.

The palace still stands as a monument to this grand period of construction in Austria’s history, and on the walls hangs artwork, including Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’, which continues the theme of rich heritage and creativity. Many people come to see the art alone, however the green palace gardens unfolding in a strict symmetry between the palaces are reason enough to visit, and from here you can take in a great view of the city. 

Before wandering the grounds it is advisable to visit the museum within the palace to learn all about the buildings and their inhabitants, including Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Archduke met his unfortunate end in Sarajevo, and many cite his assassination as the catalyst which began the First World War. Visit the palaces and enjoy the architecture of the Orangery and the Stables. Make sure you take a look at the impressive art collections beyond Klimt that Belvedere hosts, these include some brilliant modern exhibitions, and the stables now house over 150 objects of sacred medieval art, including panel painting and sculptures.

There are great places to eat and for kids to play here, and if you enjoy visiting Belvedere be sure to check out another astonishing Viennese palace – Schönbrunn, in the south-western corner of Vienna.

All You Need to Know About Naschmarkt

The Naschmarkt

The Naschmarkt has been around for hundreds of years, and remains Vienna’s most central, and most popular market. Tourists flock here from all across Europe and beyond, but even the regulars are known to visit from neighbouring countries to experience the delights of the market. 

The market has grown over the years to span over 1.5 kilometres, and sells food from all four corners of the globe, from exotic herbs to fresh seafood, and local cheeses and meats. You can also find clothes, furniture, and accessories within the Naschmarkt’s bustling outdoor corridors. The market is full of new tastes, smells and colours, and it won’t be long before you come across one of the many talented street performers and musicians. 

Conveniently located within walking distance of Karlplatz, and open from Monday to Saturday, this is a very lively spot indeed. Many of the market vendors at Naschmarkt are Turkish or hail from the Former Yugoslavia, and the place has a real international flare about it. A romantic place to stroll at night, as the stalls glow with light and the sounds and smells echo from the kitchens of the world.

If you plan to visit Naschsmarkt, come along with an empty stomach. The stalls are absolutely littered with small eateries and market restaurants, which offer everything from Japanese to French cuisine, and of course include Viennese specialities such as Schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn, which translates directly as ‘Emperor Fluff’, but tastes much better than it sounds! 

Since 1977, the market has extended to include a flea market at the weekends which holds weird and wonderful artefacts, as well as great clothing and antiques. Here, you can find everything your heart desires at a reasonable price, and it’s likely to be of high quality, too.