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Vienna Hotels
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Before the Second World
War, Vienna stood side by side with Paris and London in
importance, beauty, and power, thanks to its status as a
major transit point between Western and Eastern Europe.
The rich and elite of Europe vacationed here while the
poor viewed it as an opportunity to escape their
miseries. Here, artists and composers sought inspiration
and revolutionaries ironed out their plans and theories.
Vienna, however, has not always been considered such a
romantic destination. The city found itself just a few
miles from the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Hence,
trade ceased with the East, and foreigners found little
reason to visit a war-torn city. However, with the
sudden popularity and growth of the Eastern Jewels
(Budapest, Prague, and Kraków), Vienna rediscovered its
role as a gateway. In-transit tourists, as well, have
rediscovered Vienna's old-world charm, often making an
unexpected extended stay. There is no better time than
now to visit this magnificent city.
People traveling to Vienna looking for fin-de-siècle
architecture and a relaxed atmosphere will not be
disappointed. Imagine a city shaped by artists and
composers 150 years ago. Huge palaces seem to appear on
every major street corner, and the sky is pierced with
towering church steeples. The buildings along the
Ringstrasse seem to offer a bit of every European
building style, from the medieval Rathaus, Gothic
Stephensdom, to the Greco-Roman parliament building.
Visitors quickly embrace the old-world style of Vienna.
The streets are lined with quaint shops, cafés, and
bakeries. Men are still gentlemen, while women still
dress themselves up before strolling around town. The
locals are generally conservative, well educated, and
well mannered. They will notice you looking at a map or
deciphering a sign, but are too polite to bother you.
However, if you ask them, then you will find that most
Viennese speak a bit of English and are happy to help a
traveler.
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