View of Vienna and from the glarden of Schonbrunn Palace
It is easy to think of Vienna as an idyllic place filled with the sound of lilting waltzes drifting from its parks, cafes offering tortes with puffs of whipped cream, and grand Lipizzaner horses executing intricate dance movements. But Austria’s largest city was once the capital of a diverse empire extending from the Baltic to the Mediterranean and from the Alps to the Black Sea. The influence of many diverse cultures flowed into Vienna, turning it into a cosmopolitan metropolis whose creativity is second to none.
Opera expert and writer Fred Plotkin knows Vienna well and is a keen observer of its extraordinary character and occasional contradictions. It was the cradle of classical music and one of the world capitals of opera. Many traces of its origins as a key outpost of the Roman Empire can be seen in the remains of Limes (part of the Roman settlement), the square that connects the chief cathedral with the royal residence of the Habsburgs. The Roman legacy flavors many Viennese dishes and is a reason why Vienna has more vineyards within its borders than any capital city in the world.
The city of Sigmund Freud, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Mahler is also known for remarkable achievements in painting, design, contemporary music, medicine, literature and philosophy. The Viennese can be chic and refined or unabashedly folksy. They live among the treasures of the past as they emphasize modernity. Most years, Vienna is named the most livable and well-run city in the world.
In this richly illustrated armchair tour, discover the city’s singular delights. You will find there is so much more to Vienna than you could have possibly dreamed.
Plotkin has lectured and written extensively on opera, classical music, and European cities. He leads international study tours for New York Times Journeys, and is a lecturer at Oxford University’s Literary Festival.
