Lighting Of Vienna Town Hall Christmas Tree Marks Start Of Yuletide Season In Austrian Capital

A flip of the switch, some oohs and ahhs from a crowd of onlookers, and a giant decorated Christmas tree went up in lights on Vienna’s town hall square as the Yuletide season got rolling in Austria’s capital on Saturday evening.

Mulled wine was poured, frosted gingerbread cookies dangled from the roofs of vendors’ stalls, kiddies rode a carousel and a brass band tooted out Johann Strauss II’s “The Blue Danube” waltz as the holiday merriment set in.

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig joined the ceremonial illumination of the 30-meter (about 100-foot) spruce that bedecked the square in front of town hall, which also was bathed in light.

This year Vienna upped the ante by decorating the tree with 2,000 LED lights and 1,000 Christmas baubles at the market, which drew 3.3 million visitors last year.

The Christmas market was one of more than a dozen in Vienna: Another at Schoenbrunn Castle drew 50,000 visitors at its opening last weekend, part of a tradition notably in German-speaking countries like Austria.

Most of the Christmas markets in Vienna will be open until Dec. 26, though the ones in front of the town hall and Schoenbrunn will stay open until Jan. 6 next year.

AP

Travelore News: Police Deploy To Sensitive Sites In Vienna, Warning Of Islamist Attack

Vienna police stepped up armed patrols at sensitive sites in the Austrian capital including churches on Wednesday after the country's domestic intelligence agency received information suggesting an Islamist attack was being planned.

The city's police took the rare step of warning the public on social media that there would be a heightened presence of armed police, including special forces, in the city.

Vienna is among the safest capitals in the world and militant attacks are rare. The first deadly attack in a generation took place in 2020 when a jihadist gunman killed four people in a shooting rampage before being shot dead by police.

"Our intelligence services have reason to believe that an assault with an Islamistic motive is planned to be carried out in Vienna," Vienna police said in English on Twitter.

"As precautionary measure... points of interest have been put under increased guard by regular & special operation police forces," the police said, adding that it was not possible to say how long the special measures would last.

The tourist-filled streets of central Vienna were busy as usual after the police warning. The increased police presence at the city's St Stephen's Cathedral was barely noticeable.

More than three hours after its tweets alerting the public to the possible threat, the police sent just one update to clarify that an initial reference to a risk of an attack against churches in fact meant not only Christian churches but various religions' places of worship and other buildings.

The police did not elaborate but said the special measures remained in place.

17 Sweet Travel Destinations For Chocolate Lovers, Wonderful Places To Consider After Travel Restrictions For Coronavirus Are Lifted.

1

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Gary Burke via Getty Images

Home to The Hershey Co., this destination in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, features Hershey's Chocolate World factory store and tour, Hersheypark theme park, The Hotel Hershey and its "chocolate spa," and many other attractions for lovers of all things chocolate.

2

St. Lucia

FREDERIC J. BROWN via Getty Images

The Caribbean island of St. Lucia is a popular chocolate tourism destination with its cocoa farms, chocolate-themed hotels, chocolate heritage month and more.

3

Barcelona, Spain

Museu de la Xocolata

Barcelona is a great city for chocolate lovers. In addition to the delicious cocoa cuisine (shoutout to churros dipped in chocolate), there are also chocolate walking tours and the famous Museu de la Xocolata, which covers the history and production of chocolate and houses impressive chocolate sculptures.

4

Switzerland

AGF via Getty Images

Switzerland is an obvious chocolate travel destination. Many of its famous chocolate brands offer on-site factory tours to visitors wanting to learn more about the production (and try some samples). Popular tours include Maison Cailler in Broc, Läderach in Bilten and Camille Bloch in Courtelary.

5

Bariloche, Argentina

Christian Ender via Getty Images

San Carlos de Bariloche, aka Bariloche, is a town in Patagonia famous for its Alpine architecture and chocolate production. Many chocolate shops and cafes, including the popular Mamuschka, line Mitre Street.

6

Vienna, Austria

ullstein bild via Getty Images

Vienna boasts a rich cultural history that includes the invention of Sachertorte, a delicious chocolate cake that's become an Austrian staple. You can sample this sweet treat at a variety of spots, including Demel pastry shop and Hotel Sacher.

7

Oaxaca, Mexico

Phil Clarke Hill via Getty Images

There are ample places where cacao lovers can taste delicious chocolate throughout Mexico, but the best destination is probably the Oaxaca area. Although it's not a major growing region, Oaxaca's gastronomical history centers largely on cacao. Popular specialties include champurrado (a hot chocolate drink) and mole sauce prepared with chocolate.

8

Brussels, Belgium

ullstein bild via Getty Images

Visiting the source of Belgian chocolate is another obvious move in the world of choco-travel. Brussels is home to the Choc-Story museum, as well as famous chocolatiers like Neuhaus, Pierre Marcolini, Mary, Wittamer and Godiva.

9

Birmingham, England

PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images

In 1824, John Cadbury began selling tea, coffee and drinking chocolate in Birmingham, England, and over time his business grew into the confectionary brand we know as Cadbury. Today, visitors to Birmingham can check out Cadbury World to learn about the history of the company, shop in the world's largest Cadbury store, sample Cadbury treats and participate in a variety of chocolate-themed activities.

10

Ecuador

RODRIGO BUENDIA via Getty Images

Ecuador produces world-renowned chocolate, and tourists can take farm and factory tours. Pacari Chocolate in Quito and the Guayas province-based Chchukululu offer popular tours.

11

Cologne, Germany

picture alliance via Getty Images

If you find yourself in Germany, consider checking out The Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum aka The Chocolate Museum in Cologne. The scenic museum presents the global history of cocoa and a look at contemporary chocolate production, as well as a popular cafe and shop.

12

San Francisco

Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images

Although the factory is no longer there, Ghirardelli Square still features a popular ice cream and chocolate shop from the brand. Visitors to San Francisco can also tour the Dandelion Chocolate factory and sample artisanal chocolates and cocoa treats throughout the city (special shoutout to Fog City News).

13

Vietnam

HOANG DINH NAM via Getty Images

Vietnamese chocolate has been described as "unlike any other." Tourists with a sweet tooth can explore the offerings from Marou or Azzan, which both offer tours.

14

Paris

Richard Bord via Getty Images

If you time your Paris visit right, you can experience the annual Salon du Chocolat trade fair, which includes fun events like a chocolate fashion show. Paris also has world-class chocolate offerings throughout the year, like the amazing chocolat chaud at Angelina and chocolatiers like La Maison du Chocolat and Jean-Paul Hévin .

15

Peru

Fotoholica Press via Getty Images

Peru has "ChocoMuseos" in Cusco and Lima, as well as popular chocolatiers like Roselen, and cacao jungle tours.

16

Ghana

Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images

Ghana is the second-largest producer of cocoa in the world, so the Ghana Tourism Authority recently launched its Cocoa Ecotourism Initiative to promote cocoa farms as a tourist attraction. Indeed, travelers can take tours to learn about the history and current practice of cocoa production in the country.

17

Tuscany, Italy

Amedei

Although Tuscany is probably best known for its wine, the region also has a lot to offer to chocolate fans. The so-called Chocolate Valley is a triangle between Pisa, Prato and Pistoia that boasts many small chocolate manufacturers, including Amedei.

Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chocolate-travel-destinations_l_5db342ace4b05df62ebebfec

Vienna Travel Update, Summer 2018.

 

Photo gallery: unmissable treasures in Vienna’s museums There are more than 100 museums in the capital of culture. This photo gallery puts some of their greatest treasures … more

Beyond the vineyards Viennese wine is world famous. But it is not the only alcoholic beverage produced in the city: vermouth, gin, vodka and herbal liquors are all made here … more

Vienna voted the world’s most livable city for the ninth time What millions of visitors to the capital have experienced first hand was recently confirmed for the ninth time … more

Viennese market photo gallery With their colorful stands and restaurants, the capital’s markets are important amenities for the communities they serve and a popular place to meet … more

Gourmet news from Vienna New restaurants, new concepts: the latest developments on Vienna’s restaurant scene … more

New arrivals on Vienna’s hotel scene New hotels are going up all the time in Vienna – around Hauptbahnhof, in the old town and in its flourishing … more

 

 

Austrian Airlines Announces Flight Service From Los Angeles To Vienna

• Austrian Airlines flies from the west coast for the first time
• Up to six direct flights per week on a Boeing 777 from Los Angeles to Vienna starting April 10, 2017
• As of summer 2017: up to 44 weekly flights from North America with Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines will add a new long-haul destination in North America to its flight schedule in the summer of 2017. Starting on April 10, 2017, a Boeing 777 will take off to Vienna from Los Angeles, up to six times a week. 

“After Chicago, Newark and Miami, Los Angeles is now the fourth new flight destination and the so far biggest leap into the USA. We will fly to the West Coast with our existing fleet and are already very excited about this new venture,” said Austrian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andreas Otto. Initially, the Los Angeles-Vienna route will be served seasonally in the summer 2017 flight schedule. 

Angelenos will particularly enjoy the direct access to Vienna on the country’s home air carrier. One of the great European capitals, Vienna was the stomping ground for the Habsburg rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for centuries. The empire is long gone, but reminders have been preserved by the Viennese. Past artistic glories thrive due to the cultural legacy of the artistic geniuses nourished in this city—including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, and Gustav Klimt. Today's visitors discover a city with a special grace and a cohesive architectural character that sets it so memorably apart from other European cities. Austria, at large, is a country that has not forgotten the elegance of a time gone by.

Those traveling from Los Angeles will also be able to easily embark on onward flights to other destinations. In fact, about two-thirds of passengers will transfer flights at the Vienna hub.

In its summer 2017 flight schedule, Austrian Airlines will offer a total of up to 44 weekly non-stop flights from North America. This will include up to five times per week from Miami, a maximum of six weekly flights from both Los Angeles and Toronto, and up to one flight a day from Washington and Chicago. Austrian Airlines will continue to offer thirteen weekly flights from New York. However, flight times from New York JFK will be adjusted as of March 27, 2017. Of the six weekly flights from New York, four of the departures will be shifted (see schedule enclosed).

Flight Times from New York JFK to Vienna till March, 26, 2017:

Route	Flight number	Flight days	Departure – Arrival (local times)
New York JFK – Vienna	OS 088	varies; up to daily	5:40 p.m. – 8:20 a.m. (next day)
Vienna – New York JFK	OS 087	varies; up to daily	10:45 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.

NEW: Flight Times from New York JFK from March, 27, 2017:

Route	Flight number	Flight days	Departure – Arrival (local times)
New York JFK – Vienna	OS 088	Tuesdays, Thursday	5:40 p.m. – 8:20 a.m. (next day)
	OS 086	Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays	NEW: 10:05 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. (next day)
Vienna – New York JFK	OS 087	Tuesdays, Thursday	10:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
	OS 085	Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays	NEW: 5:10 p.m. - 8:20 p.m.

Austrian Airlines will operate a Boeing 777 from Los Angeles:

Route	Flight number	Flight days	Departure – Arrival (local times)
Los Angeles – Vienna	OS 082	Daily except Sundays	3:05 p.m. – 12 p.m. (next day)
Vienna – Los Angeles	OS 081	Daily except Sundays	10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The Lufthansa Group flight offerings from Los Angeles, starting with the summer 2017 flight schedule:

Route	Flight number	Flight days	Departure – Arrival (local times)
Los Angeles – Frankfurt	LH 457 LH 451	Daily Daily	3:25 p.m. - 11:20 a.m. (next day) 7:15 p.m. – 3 p.m. (next day)
Frankfurt – Los Angeles	LH 456 LH 450	Daily Daily	10:15 a.m. - 12:55 p.m. 2:05 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.
Los Angeles – Munich	LH 453	Daily	5:05 p.m. – 1:30 p.-m. (next day)
Munich – Los Angeles	LH 452	Daily	12 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Los Angeles – Zürich	LX 041	Daily	7:40 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. (next day)
Zürich – Los Angeles	LX 040	Daily	1:15 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.