September in Vienna is a month with Most & Sturm

If you are lucky and visit Vienna during September or October you might want to experience some very local tradition.

During those months the grapes growing around Vienna's vineyards enter their last days of existence.

They are picked by hand and pressed and as a result you will have a delicious Most. 

This word derives from the latin MUSTUM, meaning young wine. 

As this young wine consists of natural yeast, a chemical process starts, depending on the storage temperature, quicker or controlled and slower (eg in the fridge)

Glucose and fructose are seperated into alcohol and carbonic acid. The result is a sweet, slightly alcoholic and sparkling grape juice, with yeast particles and therefore cloudy

As soon as the alcohol indicates to be at 1% this easy-to-drink-juice becomes a Sturm. You will notice that the alcohol raises quickly to 4%. This is the moment, where Sturm is allowed to be sold in Austria.

The sweetness makes place the alcohol and now it is not only a healthy beverage, but also an alcoholic one. The alcohol will continue to raise and reaching the 11%mark indicates the start of wine production.

The word Sturm (exact translation mean storm) describes the cloudy yeast particles which have a constact chemical reaction if you storage the beverage in a warm place. Therefore never ever close a bottle of Sturm! It will explode within some hours!

Enjoy the Most or Sturm with good, traditional viennese food - visit a vineyard around Vienna to experience these unique feeling of a fresh and healthy, natural drink!

If you explore Austria's countryside we highly recommend Styria in this time of the year. Wine lovers will enjoy the vineyards and the different tastes of the new wines!

Film Festival Vienna

credits: orf.at

For more For more than 20 years, each summer the Film Festival has inspired up to 700,000 visitors from within Austria and abroad.

The open-air spectacle in the unique surrounding of Vienna's Rathausplatz offers you first-class music and top international gastronomy for free. Experience the variety of cuisines with music all over - all al-fresco style! More details here
Not just the programme with top productions from the classical, opera, jazz and pop worlds and the culinary offerings inspire with their outstanding quality; its high-quality technical implementation also makes the Festival an overwhelming success and an annual summer highlight in the heart of Vienna.

Some highlights of the summer:


DO 03.07.  Legends – Live at Montreux
SA  05.07.  Orfeo ed Euridice
DI  08.07.  Frank Sinatra – A Man And His Music Featuring Nancy Sinatra
MI  09.07.  Marvin Gaye Greatest Hits - Live in Amsterdam
                  In Memoriam Paco de Lucía
DO 10.07. Im weißen Rössl
FR  11.07.  In Memoriam Claudio Abbado
SA 12.07.  Romeo und Julia
SO 13.07.  Aida - Tutto Verdi
MO 14.07. Fantasia
MI  16.07.  Richard Strauss
SA  19.07.  Glen Hansard plays Baloise Session

Bermuda in Vienna?

Photo: KF/wikimedia

Did you know that we have a Bermuda Triangle here in Vienna?
Well, don't be afraid to get lost, you may only get drunk.


The Bermuda Triangle is situated in Vienna's oldest part of town between Schwedenplatz and Morzinplatz and near Rotentumstrasse. You can easily acces it by U-Bahn Station Schwedenplatz with the lines U1 and U4.

To be more precise you will find a bunch of unique bars, restaurants and clubs between Rabensteig, Seitenstettengasse and Judengasse and up to Ruprechtsplatz. By the way, there you'll find the Ruprechtskirche, one of the oldest churches in Vienna.

The building in Seitenstellengasse 4 is home to an israelic temple, therefore do not be surprised to find police wandering around.

The founder of the Bermuda Triangle was the Restaurant Krah Krah, it's name simulating the sound of a crow. It was in 1980 that Sepp Fischer invented a beer bar, today seen everywhere. Guests come from everywhere to taste one of the 60 beers, you even can try the Kulmbach Kuminator, the strongest beer of the world.

Other bars in Bermuda are:  Stehachterl, Bermudabräu, Casablance, Gnadenlos, Slammer, Kaktus, Kuchldragoner, Mojo, Morgans & Vulcania.

So get out, book your place, enjoy sitting al-fresco in summer and endulge in Vienna's traditional food.

Photo: Krah Krah

Schoenbrunn Christmas Market

If you want to combine one of Viennas top locations with romantic Christmas feelings, the Schoenbrunn Christmas market is the perfect place to go. Located in front of the palace, the advent village is providing an unforgettable atmosphere. It feels more relaxed and less crowded than other markets in Vienna. This year, when the market celebrates its 20th birthday, around 80 exhibitors are offering anything from local hand crafted artifacts to fancy Christmas tree decorations, made of various materials like wood, glass, stone, and pottery. No need to leave hungry or thirsty as you can enjoy a lot of specialties like fine Austrian wines as well as punches, mulled wine and tea specialties, including non-alcoholic and sugar-free varieties. Gingerbread and Christmas biscuits go well with these fine drinks, but if you are not so much into sweets, also soups and stews, baked potatoes, raclette, pasta and different kinds of sausages are available.

Every evening local and international choirs and gospel groups will perform traditional Christmas music in front of the palace under the giant Christmas tree.

Children will enjoy the market as well with interactive games, Cookie-baking at the Imperial Bakery or the “Schloss Schoenbrunn Experience” in the Children’s Museum.

Once Christmas is over, the market will be transformed into a New Year’s Market which will open on December 28^th to January 1^st.

Directions for visitors staying at bluedanube apartments: U1 to Karlsplatz and the U4 to Schoenbrunn. Approx 20 minutes.

Christmas Market Schoenbrunn

November 23^rd to December 26th, open daily from 10am to 9pm,  
December 24th 10am to 4pm
December 25^th and 26^th 10am to 7pm

New Year’s Market Schoenbrunn

December 27^th to January 1^st, open daily from 10am to 7pm

Further Information can be found at www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Vienna Opera Livestreaming

In a few days the famous Vienna Opera will start live streaming some of their performances, starting with Mozarts Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), on 27th November from 5.30 pm GMT. This will not only boost the number of visitors - currently around 600,000 visitors are coming to see the operas and ballets, but also bring their performances much more convenient into our homes. Tickest for these virtual events will be only 14 EUR. To buy and get further information, visit www.staatsoperlive.com

Vienna Carnival Season is Starting

At 11:11 am on 11/11 a new carnival season is beginning. In Vienna, it is not just a beginning, it will be a huge outdoor dancing event. More than 3,000 dancers are expected to perform the largest quadrille of the world. Organised and hosted by the association of Viennese dance schools, all Vienna will be dancing into carnival season. Everyone is invited to join in at the Graben, one of the avenues leading to Stephansplatz. With the assistance of professional dancers everyone will be able to enjoy this early morning waltzing time. It is about fun and joy, not perfection, they say...

So, if you are lucky enough to be in the area, join in and enjoy! And if not, you will have the opportunity to dance and enjoy at more than 450 balls this season.

Christmas - Just Around the Corner

While most of our guests have returned home from their well deserved autumn break, preparations are running already for the various Christmas markets in Vienna. The most popular market is the one in front of the city hall. It will open in only few days from now, on November 16^th, and then it will be again Magic of Advent in Vienna…

The Magic of Advent in Vienna will be celebrating its 27th anniversary this year. Locals and visitors to the city love the market and decorations on Vienna’s Rathausplatz (City Hall Square).

The Magic of Advent in Vienna is a favorite place to meet, with many visitors returning several times each season. Young families, teens and tourists are particularly enchanted by the yuletide atmosphere on City Hall Square. It comes as no surprise that the Magic of Advent in Vienna is known as Europe’s most child-friendly Christmas market.

The amazing lighting concept will ensure that the Magic of Advent in Vienna makes a still more dazzling impression this year. Still more glittering lamps will enhance the festive atmosphere, drawing visitors away for a gentle stroll apart from the hubbub of the main market. A tour of the beautifully decorated Rathauspark – where the famous Heart Tree, festooned with 280 glowing hearts, awaits – has written the opening chapter to many a love story over the years. And perhaps you will meet the Vienna Christ Child on its walk around the park, or listen when it reads a Christmas story in front of the crib.
By the way, there is this tradition that one of the Austrian provinces presents the Christmas tree as a gift thus demonstrating their close connection to the capital city. This year the tree comes from Styria. The spruce tree from Bruck/Mur is 30 m high and about 100 years old. And therefore the local brass orchestra from Bruck/Mur will entertain all visitors at the opening ceremony on November 16th, from 4.30 pm.

There is a packed program of arts and crafts for kids and teens at the Christmas workshop. During the six weeks of the Magic of Advent, youngsters are hard at work painting, shaping, turning, sawing, stenciling, applying glitter, threading beads, sticking, firing, decorating and packing as they create a total of around 70,000 presents for their parents and grandparents. Over the years the Christmas workshops have featured virtually every imaginable art and craft. Some of the creative spirits who tried their hand at arts and crafts in the workshops back in the 1980s are now returning as adults, and can’t wait for their own children’s first cookies and artwork.

The vibrant and colorful Christmas market, offering a vast array of Christmas handicrafts, tree decorations and other yuletide gift ideas, is the centerpiece of the Magic of Advent in Vienna.

Evocative Advent aromas, festive concerts, a tall tree blazing with countless Christmas lights against the backdrop of City Hall, and the enchantingly decorated Rathauspark are just some of the highlights that give the Magic of Advent in Vienna its unique appeal.

This year the official opening will take place on November 16 and run until 6 p.m. on December 24, when Christmas really is just around the corner. 

Morbid Vienna - Widow Express to Necropolis

You might have heard that Vienna and the Viennese have their special relationship to death - some say it is an obsession. This is not only because Vienna has Europe's biggest cemetary, but tradition dates back to the Hapsburg era and beyond to the age of Baroque. The high time of celebrating funerals was in the late 19th century, when the 'beautiful funeral' was the event at the end... It often was pompous and expensive, including musicians, choirs and horse carriages. These days funeral processions made their way through the city centre in the evenings, with flickering candles casting their orange light through the streets, and then continuing on to the newly built Central Cemetary.
This Central Cemetary was founded in 1874 by Emperor Franz Joseph I outside the city limits of Vienna. It is of huge dimensions, designed for a Vienna of more than 4 million inhabitants (which was the forecast for the end of the millenium at that time). Today this Vienna necropolis hosts more than 3 million 'inhabitants' - and the traditional way to go there is by tram no. 71, the socalled widow express - you guess why...
If you are interested in the morbid side if Vienna, the Central Cemetary is a must. You might be scared by the shere size of it, but don't worry, it even has its own bus system. But there are more places, historically relevant, interesting or merely bizarre: St.Marx Cemetary with Mozart's grave (although the exact location is unknown), the Biedermeier style Cemetary in Waehring, the old Jewish Cemetary in Rossau, as well as the famous Capuchins crypt and the St.Stephens Cathedral's catacombs. Still not enough? Well, there is more to see, for example Vienna's Funeral Museum or the Vienna Crime Museum.

Ok, back to life then...

Apartment Riverside - the foto tour

Simply enjoy our Apartment Riverside:

superbly furnished and fully equipped 

in a totally quite area with 1min to U4&U2

elevator

and 7 minutes walking to Stephansplatz

What else?

The entrance

The kitchen

The Master Bedroom

The Living Room with Sofabed

 The bathroom

Cafe Central in Vienna waits for you in a refurbished setting

 

 

This famous traditional café has a history of 130 years, was first opened in 1876 and at the turn of the 20^th century was a popular meeting point for leading persons in the world of art, literature, politics and science.

Arthur Schnitzler, Sigmund Freud, Peter Altenberg and Leo Trotzki - they all  loved their second home while sipping their coffee!

Then, like today, the legendary literature café was a meeting point for all ages. Unique architecture meets classic Viennese cuisine. Finest home-made pastries make every visit a special experience.

BUT: This tradition will be closed for refurbishment from 15th July until 11th August 2013.
So be aware that you only my enter from 12th August. To make a reservation call:  +431533 37 63 ext 24

Welcome to our newest apartment in the City Centre of Vienna

May we proudly announce the opening of our newest apartent in the city center of Vienna.

Again refurbished in a stylish way with everything you need to make your stay perfect.

Up to 4 people will love the amazing location alongside the river with its trendy bars, the sandy beach and the traditional cafes and shops nearby.

With only 7 minutes walking to the heart of Vienna, the U-Bahn at your doorstep and a totally tranquil setting facing the courtyard this make an unbeatable and comfy alternative for your stay in Vienna!

You can book directly via our website or use airbnb

Apartment Riverside

Vienna waits for you

Apartments Riverside to open soon

It is only a question of some days, final touches and last amendments that

our third apartment will be ready after the new refurbishment.

Up to 4 people will enjoy the beautiful and absolutely stunning location 

with walking distance to Vienna's city center and only seconds to the next U-Bahn station.

Set in a totally quiet area this apartment will not only offer piece and rest

after a busy sightseeing day,

but let you enjoy Vienna in the bluedanube way.

Opening day will be published soon

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!

Christmas in Vienna - NOW!

Christmas in Vienna is waiting for you! 

 Book now to celebrate and indulge in Gluewein and Punsch! 

We have availability from 21st to 26th Dec 

for 4pax - €745 5nights!

 

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:

Booking.com review Vienna

We are very proud to publish our recent reviews in Booking.com. 

Thank you, dear guests! It was a pleasure to have you with us. 

Please also check out the comments on Tripadvisor.com and Homeaway.co.uk

See you soon

Hopefully!

Vienna's commitment to Diversity - The Pride Show

This year's Vienna Pride runs from June 12 to 16, 2012. 

A "Pride Village" will be set up on Rathausplatz: huge tents in the middle of town, offering a mix of culture, show, food and information.

The highlight of the event is the Rainbow Parade on Vienna's Ringstraße on Saturday, June 16.

Gays, lesbians, drag queens, leather boys, transgenders and many more arrive on trailers, motorbikes, in carriages or on foot and party along sending out a signal against discrimination. 

Vienna's Ringstraße will therefore be closed to traffic. The Rainbow Parade will make its way around the entire ring road this year (start and end: Rathausplatz). 

The closing event, the "Pride Show", takes place at Rathausplatz again - as a huge, stunning open-air party with an extensive show program and free entry. Once the open-air is over, the party continues, with "Pride Parties" being celebrated in many clubs until the early morning hours.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected. Join in too, watch, enjoy, take pics and show your commitment to diversity!

2012 World Barista Championship in Vienna - now!

We are very proud to welcome 

the Irish Competitor Team 

in our Apartments in Vienna!

Good luck for their performance in round-one tomorrow!

Ireland was placed 4th in 2009 (Bogota) and 2010 (London) .

Maybe this year he'll be the winner.

Fingers crossed!

Today started the 2012 World Championship in Vienna! 

Join in with our Livestream

The Barista Championship will last until June 15th, when the winner is crowned!

There are 4 disciplines: “Brewers Cup” (BC), “Ibrik Championship” (ICS), “Cup Tasting Championship” (CTCS) and “World Barista Championship” (WBC), the ultimate competition in the show!

Vienna expects 12.000 visitors from 60 different countries worlwide who all will indulge in the smell of roasted coffee beans and creative ways of cream patterns!

I think I'll need a cupa coffee now!

The best Wiener Schnitzel

Looking for the best Schnitzel ever?

Try the SCHNITZELWIRT in Vienna's 7th district, Neubaugasse 52!

Huge, delicious and yummy!

Expect a very run-down, old-fashioned restaurant 

with stressed waiters and a very high noise level

BUT 

you'll be rewarded with the ultimate and indeed perfect Wiener Schnitzel 

for a stunning price of EUR 6,50!