Vienna is a unique blend of the historic and the modern. The city’s historic role as the seat of the Hapsburg Empire can be seen in the wealth of grand architecture and in the city’s artistic and musical heritage.

Vienna is divided into 23 districts. The original city that lay within the protective walls comprises the First District of modern Vienna. The demolition of the walls led to the construction of the famous Ringstrasse inside which the majority of tourist attractions are located. The remaining districts extend into the foothills of the Vienna Woods, where there are wine taverns, pretty villages and vineyards.

Vienna’s location on the trade route along the River Danube made it the hub of an empire that once covered a large part of Europe. Today it is the financial and administrative capital of Austria and home to a number of international organisations, including the United Nations.

In the 21st Century, the city is as handsome and elegant as ever, but it feels fresh. With a host of new bars and restaurants to compliment its haughty, imperial monuments, Vienna has rediscovered its joie de vivre.

WHEN TO TRAVEL to Vienna

Weatherwise you might want to miss January’s chill, and the heat of July and August - you won’t be able to see the Lipizzaners and the Vienna Boys’ Choir in those summer months anyway. June and September are particularly good times to visit and it’s a good idea to opt for the less-crowded spring/autumn