Vienna, Austria – the Paris of the German-speaking empire – is a city rich in culture, history, magnificent architecture, excellent food and beautiful gardens.
Centrally located on the continent, if one were to draw a circle with a 1,000 mile radius, the area would encompass from London, England to Istanbul, Turkey, from Sicily, Italy to Oslo, Norway.
It is the center of European culture, where classical music was born and the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, Johann Strauss and others pioneered music that evolved into the different genres enjoyed today. Modern western music has roots in the classical of old.
Technology also evolved here. The German culture embraces mathematics, chemistry, science and medicine. Without the understanding of mathematics, we would not have corrective lenses for our vision, microscopes to study biology and instruments to study far away galaxies.
I visited the factory and birthplace of modern microscopes, Reichert Optikwerk, in the heart of Vienna, back in 1985. Located in a small building off a side street, I was amazed that this was the location where some of the best instruments on the planet were being manufactured.
From Reichert sprung Zeiss, and Leica, which in the early part of the last century, taught the Japanese how to manufacture optics. Thus were born Nikon, Olympus, Canon and others.
Key attractions in the “Paris” of central Europe are Saint Stephens Cathedral, where masses are conducted daily for the predominantly Catholic population, the Imperial palace of Hapsburg and the palaces Belvedere and Schonbrunn, all of which take several hours to tour.
The Danube River flows through the city on its way to the Black Sea to the east. There are plenty of walkways, benches and flowers to enjoy along its banks.
As with many European cites, outdoor cafes and restaurants abound. One of my favorite dishes is Weiner Schnitzel with potatoes or French fries. The Viennese have a recipe that is difficult to duplicate. Only in Austria have I found this gastronomic addiction of breaded veal pan-fried with spices.
The birthplace of Mozart in 1756 is nestled on the outskirts of the Tyrolean Alps in the city of Salzburg. Picturesque, quaint, easy to get around on foot, Salzburg is a must-see if one travels to Austria. If you had to decide between Vienna and Salzburg, I would recommend the latter.
In the heart of the city, on a hill overlooking the town, is the Hohensalzburg fortress, an impressive castle that dates back to 1077. This monument dominates the skyline. It is a historical museum well worth spending the better part of the day.
On a clear day, breathtaking peaks dominate the horizon and expansive broad valleys of surrounding countryside can be seen from the vantage point of the fortress.
You can do a variety of day trips from Salzburg, including to Berchtesgaden area. This was Hitler’s retreat, the Eagle’s nest and the final filming of “Band of Brothers.” There are also numerous hiking trails in the surrounding countryside.
Continue west from Salzburg, get on the autobahn through Germany, go back into Austria toward Switzerland and you’ll come upon Innsbruck. From here going south, the autobahn sends you over the Alps into Italy, west you’ll arrive in Helvetia.
Innsbruck is another must-see in the land of Tyrol. For the skier, the hiker, the scenery addict or those who just want to sit down at a mountain top restaurant, feeding domesticated sheep while enjoying good beer and bratwurst, this region offers a multitude of options.
Sky trams take riders thousands of feet above the city. The heart of Innsbruck is typical of many European towns with numerous shops, cafes and restaurants. A minimum two- to three-day visit is a must to enjoy this town. And the same goes for Salzburg and Vienna.
Each country in Europe is its own destination; take the time to fully enjoy the splendors they have to offer.
