Barbara Cacao

With no shortage of churches, Karlskirche Vienna – aka Church St. Charles Borromeo – ranks top in Austria’s capital. And second, because Karlskirche is Vienna’s only church with a stunning panorama lift, allowing eye-to-eye encounters with the dome’s ravishing baroque frescoes. use the panorama lift and visit the church’s Treasures and Museo Novo inside the church. Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 6.00 pm; Sunday and public holidays 12.00 pm to 7.00 pm Mass Times: Sunday and public holidays 9.30 am and 11.00 am; Monday to Saturday 6.00 pm

Over the last few years, the largest Vienna Christmas market, the Christkindlmarkt Rathausplatz, has upgraded to Wiener Weihnachtstraum (Vienna Christmas Dream). From the City Hall’s cathedral-like tower, a group of regional brass musicians trumpet Christmas songs between 8.00 pm and 8.30 pm daily from 30th November. During the advent weekends in the run up to Christmas, advent choirs sing traditional Austrian and international Christmas songs in the City Hall’s ballroom. Sun to Thurs 10.00 am to 9.30 pm; Fri and Sat 10.00 am to 10.00 pm; 24th December – closes at 7.00 pm; from 29th November, advent trumpets from 8.00 pm to 8.30 pm; daily Christmas carol singing on the central stage from 6.30 pm to 7.00 pm; Opening Times

On Rathausplatz, the large square in front of the Town Hall, a dozen large scale festivals and events draw residents and visitors each year. In general, participants widely praise the guides, and love the chance to use the City Hall’s nostalgic open paternoster elevator before or after the tour. Taking place in the splendid festival hall these events gather residents and a few visitors each year, and are perfect for diving into the glitzy side of Wien’s city life. Located almost opposite Vienna’s City Hall across Ringstrasse, Landtmann embodies the elegant Viennese coffeehouse.

Like with the restaurant bookings site, the descriptions are in German only although non-German speakers can easily make out the opening times, addresses and get an impression through pictures. Restaurant Cooking Class: If you’d rather get straight into things and learn from a master chef at a Schnitzel restaurant, head for Meissl und Schadn. Between lunch and dinner, the trendy re-incarnation of Vienna’s early 20th century restaurant invites food lovers to set their hands to Wiener schnitzel and Apfelstrudel. For dozens of more insider shopping and online shopping addresses, download my free Insider Shopping Guide when you subscribe to my free newsletter.