Ice Age in Vienna

 

The  

Wiener Eistraum 

is open again!

until March 10th

every day 

from 9am to 10pm

Why not swap your boots or shoes and enjoy this wonderful icerink 

in the very heart of Vienna.

Skates are for rent - Don't forget your gloves!

Delicious food and drinks will make this 

a very memorable event when visiting Vienna!

 

Robbie Williams in Vienna

Book your tickets now 

and stay in our apartments just minutes away from the venue!

You will love the mediterranean air and

the excellent food in Vienna at that time!

Vienna in summer - definitely a good choice!

Katie Melua in Vienna and the rest of Austria

On Friday, June 22nd Katie kicked off her live programm with a stunning performance at Hampton Court Palace in London.

The impressive surrounding was by far a well chosen start to her tour, which will soon bring her to Austria too.

So if you want to experience Katie live save these dates, wherever you are in Austria:

17 07 2012 Innbruck Saal Tirol

20 07 2012 Linz Domplatz

05 11 2012 Vienna Stadthalle

06 11 2012 Vienna Stadthalle

bookings can be made here

Watch out how Katie improvised at the gig last Friday in London - when sound suddenly decided to call it a day:

Fachingsdienstag in Vienna, Pancake day in London

Dienstag is Tuesday

Fasching is the equivalent to carneval!

Fasching is Fastnacht in Germany

Fasching is celebrated mainly in catholic areas

End of Fasching is tomorrow, called Aschermittwoch, Asd Wednesday.

And that Wednesday will be in the week of 7 sundays before Easter - always.

Therefore Faschingsdienstag is never before the 4th of February and never later than the 10th March

Here in Vienna we celebrate that day with the traditional Faschingskrapfen,  some people will be costumed the whole day and some will just drink a lot of bubbly wine! It's the heyday of the carneval time!

Enjoy!

Vienna Opera Ball 2012 - 7.45pm

Red Carpet is laid out - few celeb spotters find their way

still some time to wait!

5.200 guests are expected!

Bon Jovi back to Vienna

After 3 long years they are back!

In 2008 when Bon Jovi visited Austria and showed off their rock talent they chose Ebreichsdorf as their concert location.
Ironically Ebreichsdorf, our home town! This little village south of Vienna, a bit sleepy, for sure very conservative but that comes with a horse racing ground, by courtesy of Frank Stronach, the austro-canadian self-made man.
The trouble was built-in. Excellent concert, but chaotic logistics regarding on and off-transport!

This time the venue seems to be a much better option:
The Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, THE austrian football stadium. By far not as big as the top stadion of the world with 150.000 seats in Pjonjang and only half of the capacity of Wembley with 90.000, but anyway! And since the EURO 08 the stadion even has a heated green - anyone know, why we need that?

And this Saturday, 22nd of July we expect 35.000 fans to join in!

The Ernst Happel Stadion is a 30min walk along the former "imperial avenue" the Praterallee ..... if you have opted for bluedanubeapartment. Or you take the Ubahn and drop off 3 stops later! It can't be easier!!!

This time we are already fully booked with guests from Germany, who took the chance for a Vienny City trip and mix it up with a hopefully unforgettable Bon Jovi gig just around the corner! Well done!

Did you know, by the way that Jon named the band Bon Jovi because this name was more simple and sounded more like the name of a band than 'Bongiovi'. Jon was born John Francis Bongiovi.

Let's just hope that Richie Sambora doesn't have to comment on our austrian red-white-red flag, as he will see only a grey misch-masch. Never forget he's blind to red, greens and browns!

While the New Jersey boys are currently playing in Athens, obviously the Greeks do have money for the gig, but not for paying their taxes, the final stage setup in Vienna is under way.

And if you fancy to be a paparazzi, hurry up and position yourself at all sides 'n' corners of the Hotel Imperial, where the boys will reside.

Donauinselfest - the biggest open-air festival of Europe

June 24th - 26th - Friday to Sunday

3 days nonstop music, action, fun'n'food'n'drink

A-Must-See-Event when in Vienna

FREE ENTRY
up to 3 million visitors (estimated)
10 stages
4,5km partyzone
2000 musicians
600 hrs programm in 3 days
5 police-stations
40 caravans
150 tents
5 meeting points
7.500 m barrier tape
50 km cables
290 mobile toilets

Here you'll find you personal 3days-program.

Whether is a sports activity, a creative or fun activity, whether for children, teens, students, grown-ups or oldies, a music event or a comedian, a pop, rock, country or folk(sy) music - give it a go and search your fav spot!

Our recommendations for the 28th Danube Island Music Festival:

- take a picnic rug with you

- wander around and stop wherever you feel good

- carry some water with you, as you may expect long queues in front of the

  food stalls

- don't forget the suncream, when visiting during the day

- don't use your bicycle late afternoon and night as the crowd won't allow

  moving anymore

- leave your dog at home unless it loves crowds and can tolerate rotten food

  from the ground

- use public transport only - U1 Stop Donauinsel

- have your mobile with you, switched on and be alert, in case you get lost

  from your friends or family

- don't carry any valuables with you - the party is very safe, but still: it's a

  huge crowd!!!!

- don't carry any alcohol with you - it's strictly forbidden! 

Here is the line-up for the 3-days!

Friday:

3.30pm THE LEGENDARY DALTONS: Country & Western - Insel (16)

6.15pm JAMES COTTRIALL: Fest - Insel (6)


8.25pm SIDO: Fest - Insel (6)


8.45pm Vanilla Sky: Rock - Insel (11)


11.00pm Söhne Mannheims: Fest - Insel (6)


Saturday:
 
4.00pm CRIPPLE CREEK BAND: Country & Western - Insel (16)



6.00pm Umberto Tozzi: Fest - Insel (6)


7.30pm Nits: Fest - Insel (6)


8.45pm Peter Cornelius & Band: Fest - Insel (6)


9.10pm Die Paldauer: Schlager & Volksmusik - Insel (10)


10pm Europe: Fest - Insel (6)

Sunday:


8.40pm MILOW: Fest - Insel (6)


9.00pm PULS 4 - Insel (12)

A Freebie in town - Summer Night's Concert at Schoenbrunn Palace

Summer is here!

Morning temps around 21 Celcius, noon around 30 and very pleasant evening temps of 23.
That is Vienna end of May!


Don't miss the endless al-fresco bars, pubs and open-air-stages AND prepare for one of the most sought-after freebie-concert in Vienna:

Summer Night's Concert Schönbrunn 2011

Conductor: Valery Gergiev

Thursday, 2nd June 2011, 9pm

Schoenbrunn Palace Gardens, in front of Neptune's Fountain, 

1130 Vienna 

The unique baroque surroundings of Schoenbrunn Palace offer a great scenery for this excellent concert played by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Like every year admission is absolutely free and the event will take place with good weather only.

There is an alternative date in case of rain, but it is not published yet. Let's hope the weather god will mean it well.

Also not published is the detailed "chartlist", but you can expect hits from Josef Strauss, Franz Liszt, Joseph Lanner, Johann Strauss, Richard Strauss, Jacques Offenbach or Maurice Ravel.

More than 30.000 guest are expected! 

Here some advices:

- arrive early to guarantee access to the more frontern areas

- wear kind of slippers as you'll walk on gravel paths and hi-heels will definitely be out of place

- consider to pack a rug or a folding chair, as the mass is not provided with seating and you may find a cosy place on the green

-  finally we suggest to take a picnic-hamper with you and some bottles of wine as food and refreshments are quite lousy

-  AND: use the U-Bahn U4 coming from centre of town, get in the first wagon and exit with the elevator at Schoenbrunn stop. You just have to walk 5 more minutes from there

ENJOY and maybe you'll catch a glimpse of me!

Casanova in Schloss Schoenbrunn - german only

This post will be a premiere as I will write in GERMANGLISH!

Fancy a visit and explore Schoenbrunn the different way? Liebe locals - wann waren Sie zuletzt in Schoenbrunn?

Well there is indeed a new form of wandering through the palace. 
BUT unfortunately for german speaking visitors only: 

Besucher werden nach Sperrstunde des Schlosses von zwei Hofdamen auf der Blauen Stiege in Empfang genommen und befinden sich innerhalb weniger Minuten im höfischen Geschehen. Das Zeitalter Maria Theresias, die Lebensformen bei Hofe, der Alltag und das Außergewöhnliche werden spürbar und sind hautnah zu entdecken. Die Akteure führen die Gäste im Laufe dieses Abends durch die schönsten Räumlichkeiten des Schlosses, die damit zum Bühnenbild werden. Geschichte wird dort erlebbar, wo sie tatsächlich stattgefunden hat. Seriös recherchiert – amüsant präsentiert. Sie erfahren über die Geheimsprache des Fächers, lernen traditionelle Tanzschritte oder erfahren den latest gossip des Hofes. Ohne bemerkenswerten technischen Aufwand, nachempfunden in Kostümen aus der Zeit und durch facettenreiches Spiel. Theater pur. 

After the official closing hours two actors will guide you through the most attractive rooms, entertaining you with the story of Casanova, a lady-in-waiting will conference with a bavarian visitor. It's a interactive theater you're in, so viewers will be part of the action. They will learn about the hidden language of using a fan, about court ceremonies and how to dance a proper court hop!

Visitors prepare for 2hrs standing - ja, liebe Gäste, sie wandern zwar durchs imperiale Schloss Schönbrunn, aber wählen sie gute Schuhe, denn otherwise werden sie ihre Füsse danach kaum mehr spüren.

Please indeed take good shoes, as otherwise your two sticks will hurt terribly after the grand tour!

At the very moment the premiere is going on. The pics I added here are taken at the pre-premier-show, the Uraufführung, the world premiere, however you wanna call it!


So, save the dates, hurry and book soon! Wenn Sie Schönbrunn einmal anders erleben wollen, sichern Sie sich Ihre Tickets! 35 Eurobucks per person! book here - This interactive theatre is presented in GERMAN ONLY! Sorry!

20., 23., 30. Mai 2011
6., 14., 21., 28. Juni 2011
22. und 31. August 2011
5., 12., 23., 29. September 2011
4., 11., 17., 24. Oktober 2011
3. und 8. November 2011

It's definitely an interesting experience, even though I do see room for improvement.
Maybe they should watch british actors, when active in heritage sites and do a little copy'n'paste !?

A stunning event is coming up at Schoenbrunn Palace

Locals and German speaking people 

watch out!

Keep posted!

Very, very soon the secret is unveiled

and you'll be happy to know it first hand!

HERE!

To The Beach

Wanna go to the beach?

No problem in Vienna!

3 beaches are  already opened! Yes, you've read correctly: we do have beaches in the city of Vienna! And what a kind of beaches too!


Telaviv Beach

This groovy beach brings a slice of seaside cheer to the capital this summer and comes with excellent international food, great drinks and the best music ever with live gigs and DJ's you don't want to miss!

Hermanns Strandbar


The second beach at The Danube Canal proves that you don't need to fork out on travel to a far flung land to enjoy a slice of seasonal fun. Destined to attract people of all ages, this place offers great food 'n' drinks and the perfect place to relax in between shopping, work or sightseeing.

Sand In the City

Sunglasses at the ready! The place where you normally skate along wrapped in thick jackets and shivering all the time has transformed into a single sand landscape.
So if you're out for the feel of sand under your feet, pop in and enjoy music and food!

You'll love them! Go there, when the weather is fine, stick your feet in the sand and indulge with good bits 'n' bites and excellent drinks.


Enjoy the beach feeling during day or even at night, when the first mediterranean evenings make their way into Vienna and you start hearing the chirping noise.

Yummy Time - Meet the Jamie Olivers and Gordon Ramsays of Austria

Hungy?

Greedy for food?

Fancy some local delicious dishes?

No need to wait, no need to visit a posh restaurant!

Just visit Vienna's Stadtpark

on Friday, Saturday or Sunday,

6th to 8th May

and meet 'n' greet Austrians top chefs!

Free of charge!

At the stunning Gourmet Festival or Food Festival, to put it more international, you can experience Austrian cooking expertice.

We do have an equivalent to the internationally beloved Gordon Ramsay with it's famous F-Word: the Austrian TV chefs Alex and Andi are loved because of their slang and wit during cooking.

Jamie Oliver, though, famous for being the Naked Chef, is difficult to be compared.

In general Austrian chefs are too earnest, so serious, not a lot of them take it as easy as Jamie. But that's our culture. Unfortunately Austria does not live the british rule: The importance of not being earnest!

But Austrian Chefs do deliver excellent quality, nonetheless or perhaps precisely because of it. Think of Wolfgang Puck in Los Angeles!

Enjoy the chef's passion for food and pop into Stadtpark!

Meet Reinhard Gerer, Wini Brugger, Toni Mörwald and Christian Domschitz, to name just a few!

And do come hungry as a hunter! Eat as much you can. Rest on the green.
Done!

Just for fun: compare Gordon cooking Chicken Tikka Masala with Alex & Andi cooking a soup 

Old Danube Season Opening - it's boating time!

Today, 27th April, another summer season was opened on the Vienna Old Danube - so what and where is this 'Old Danube'?

It is one of the former river beds of the Danube, located north of todays regulated Danube.
It is one of Viennas uncountable leasure paradises, only 5 kms away from the city centre. With a length of around 8 kms and a superb water quality it is the place to be for swimmers, boaters and sun seekers. A broad variety of bars and restaurants provide a pleasant venue for your lunch or dinner, or just a drink in between - and the nice thing is, most of them can be reached by boat. So, go there, hire a boat, have a drink and enjoy your time.

Directions from bluedanube apartments - again quick 'n' easy. Take the U1 and exit at station 'Alte Donau', then this unique gem lies right in front of you.

Enjoy! And don't forget the suncream!

Life Ball Vienna - May 21st 2011

 

The Life Ball – A big event with a serious background

'Celebrating the joy of life and the diversity of cultures, Life Ball unites the Viennese ball tradition with opulence, extravagance, glamour, provocation, fancy performances, committed speeches as well as emotional moments' - this is how the Life Ball Organisation describes the ball.

Well, from a Viennese perspective the ball was looked at a bit strangely when it was organized first time in 1993. These days it was a bit of provocation, with an attempt to break taboos and organize a party for a good cause. Today however, it certainly is one of the global top AIDS charity events and also one of the top events in Vienna. From the very beginning the ball has pursued two goals – increase awareness for AIDS and raise money to support AIDS relief organizations.

Tickets are sold out of course, the last chances are small auctions on eBay starting 2^nd May. If you just want to get a glimpse of the spectacle, be there when the opening ceremony is on at the square in front of the Vienna City Hall – it is free, and usually is broadcast on TV as well.

After superstars of recent years like Liza Minnelli, Sharon Stone, Kim Cattrall, Eva Longoria und Whoopi Goldberg it will be Janet Jackson in 2011 to represent amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.

So, follow the motto of this Year – Spread the wings of tolerance!