Vienna is a unique blend of the historic and the modern: so full of tradition that it can be read on the face of the city, but with a forward-looking approach that will surprise the visitor. Vienna's role as the seat of the Habsburg Empire for centuries can be seen in the wealth of architecture and in the city's artistic and musical heritage. Many of the world's most important composers including Beethoven and Mozart have lived and performed behind Vienna's Baroque facades. In addition to the city's Baroque splendour, there are excellent examples of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture that also flourished here.
Vienna is divided into 23 Bezirke (districts). The original city that lay within the protective walls comprises the first district of modern Vienna. The demolition of the city walls led to the construction of the Ringstrasse and an impressive parade of buildings along its length. The majority of the tourist attractions lie on and within the Ringstrasse. Districts two to nine are arrayed between the Ringstrasse and the concentric Gurtel (belt). The other districts lie beyond the Gurtel and extend into the foothills of the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods), where Heurigen (wine taverns) and pretty villages are dotted among the vineyards.
The city is not only the capital of Austria, but a federal province as well, surrounded by Niederosterreich (Lower Austria). Vienna's location on the east-west trade route along the Danube River played an important part in its history; an empire that once covered a large part of Europe was ruled from here. Even today, Vienna is the financial and administrative capital of Austria, and home to a number of international organisations, including the United Nations. And with the fall of Communism, Vienna is once again at the centre of Europe.
I hope that your visit is going to be nothing but fun and you will never need to use any of the emergency phone numbers during your trip. However, better to be safe then sorry, so lets get this un-fun part of our guide out of the way:
