Rental VILLA Vienna :

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Once a symbol of the power of the Habsburg monarchy, Vienna the imperial is a centre of culture and history, famous for its architecture and its thousand and one riches. A true museum city, Vienna, the capital of Austria, is an outstanding and incredibly romantic, bubbling and captivating destination, ideal for stays in the footsteps of the greats of this world.

At the crossroads of Europe, Vienna is an eminently cultural city in the heart of Western Europe. This major centre has some very beautiful sites and museums to visit, whether you are a history buff or not. If there is one place not to be missed under any circumstances, it is the National Library. A true jewel of Baroque architecture, the Vienna National Library houses some 7 million documents, including scores by composers such as Wagner and Mozart (the latter even having its own museum - the "Mozart House" - a few steps away). After this visit, climb into the metro heading for the MuseumQuartier, Stubentor station. Close to the Imperial Palace, this cultural complex brings together some of the city's most important museums such as Mumok (the Museum of Modern Art), the Kunsthalle and the Leopold Museum. A little further on, at the crossroads of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, the Palais du Belvédère is also worth a visit. Built at the very beginning of the 18th century, this sumptuous Baroque palace is a highly prized museum thanks to its rich collections of Austrian works, bringing together medieval treasures as well as contemporary paintings, as well as many works by the Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. In addition to being a Mecca of Austrian art, this Belvedere is renowned for the magnificent view of Vienna from its French garden; and it is from its breathtaking panoramas that this palace takes its name.

However, the most important building in Vienna remains its mythical Imperial Palace: the largest palace in the world, its oldest parts date back to the beginning of the 13th century and the most recent to the 20th century. Lose yourself in the Hofburg to discover the sumptuousness of this former imperial palace of the Habsburgs, with its dazzling halls, its museums with remarkable collections, its imperious apartments and its Spanish Riding School. The Imperial Silver Collection is worth a look, as is the Imperial Treasury and the (oh how many) magnificent Sissi Museum: you will find more than 300 objects that belonged to Elisabeth of Wittelsbach, Duchess of Bavaria, adored then Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, better known as Sissi. Her parasols, sumptuous fans, gloves, jewellery, beauty recipes, original death certificate, wonderful dresses and poems are on display to the delight of enthusiasts and the curious.

Always following in the footsteps of the seductive empress, there is another unmissable site during your stay in Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace. A true baroque marvel, the one also known as the castle of Sissi the Empress is one of the most important buildings in Vienna. If you love history and its treasures, you will be delighted since you will see many period furniture and paintings, beautifully preserved. And although taking pictures is prohibited, you will keep very fond memories of it. After your visit, head for Schönbrunn Park, its labyrinth and Gloriette Pavilion, the ideal place for a meal break with a breathtaking view of the castle.

Vienna is also characterised by some unusual "nuggets", such as the Hundertwasserhaus, which is certainly the most visited building in all of Vienna. Known throughout the world for its colourful and eccentric architecture, this green oasis with its roof made up of more than 200 trees houses many offbeat shops and equally original toilets.

After all these cultural getaways, take the time to dine in one of the many Viennese cafés: true local institutions, these UNESCO intangible heritage cafés are the perfect places to enjoy a "Wiener Melange" (latte coffee) accompanied by a thick slice of "Sachertorte" (chocolate cake) or a "Schnitzel" (a kind of Milanese escalope) if you prefer salé, all with classical music as a background! To digest all these delicacies, get on a bike and set off again to discover Vienna: walk along the Danube, and through the Stephansplatz to see the imposing St. Stephen's Cathedral. Visit the Tiergarten, the oldest zoo in the world, or the Zentralfriedhof, the famous cemetery that houses the tombs of Beethoven and Schubert, stroll around the Rathaus (town hall) at night, shop on Mariahilfer Strasse and admire the clock on the Hoher Markt, Vienna's oldest market place. Take the famous "Ring" on foot or by tram (a circular boulevard that goes around the most beautiful buildings in Vienna), visit the National Opera and attend one of its famous shows. Finally, climb to the top of the Ferris wheel (Riesenrad) for an unforgettable panoramic view of Vienna from Prater Park.