Vienna - A Regal City Packed With Culture   by Ben Pate

in Travel / Destinations    (submitted 2011-08-19)

Vienna, which is today the capital of Vienna, comes from a regal past as the once-capital of the Holy Roman Empire. This being said, evidence of this history can be found everywhere, especially in the Historic Center, an official World Heritage Site. Now it serves an important role as the hub of everything that happens in Vienna. All of this, mixed with the modern city atmosphere, makes it an engaging and interesting vacation destination. Remember that you will need a passport to travel here or anyone else, this includes children and infants, so be sure to get adult and minor passports for everyone.

Online Passport Services

If your trip is sneaking up on you and you feel you are short on time, consider checking out expedited passport services online. Instead of waiting weeks and weeks for your passport to get processed, just spend a few minutes in front of the computer and then decide how soon you'd like your passport delivered - anywhere from two weeks to a day. Just one service they offer is expedited new passport cards, a cheaper version of the passport book. With these cards, you can travel to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Mexico or Canada by boat or vehicle and avoid paying for a full passport.

The Historic Center

If you want to experience the vast history of Vienna, head to the Historic Center. It's a low-key way to spend an afternoon, and the clean streets are lined with beautiful churches, gorgeous manicured parks, historic buildings, and much more. Just exploring the area on foot is a great way to get to know the city, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit in the area as well.

Schonbrunn Palace

Be sure to also visit Schobrunn Palace, another important landmark as well as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once upon a time, it was the summer home to the rulers of Austria, and now it's an eye-opening spot for tourists. The monumental yellow-colored building is just as pretty on the outside as it is on the inside, and with the help of a free audio guide, you can explore all the most impressive rooms. The surrounding gardens are absolutely worth exploring as well. While it's a spot frequented by tourists, exploring the well-maintained gardens makes it easy to relax and take it all in. Swing by the Tiergarten on the way out, which happens to be the world's oldest zoo. You'll encounter a tiger, adorable pandas, sea lions, and much more.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

One very famous museum is the Kunsthistorisches Museum, an art museum full of art completed by famous artists, as well as some priceless artifacts. A variety of collections are able to be browsed, along with whatever current exhibitions happen to be on display. Some of these collections are an Egyptian collection, a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, as well as a fine art gallery.

About the Author

Vienna is packed with interesting historical landmarks and fun experiences just waiting to be discovered. While you're there, be sure to also check out the beautiful State Opera House, St. Charles' Church, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Before you plan your trip completely, remember to get children's passports and adult passports for the appropriate members of your family. Even infants will need a child passport. Remember that these, expedited U.S. passport cards, and more can all be applied for online.