Vienna is a paradise for museum aficionados. The museums honor many subjects including art, historical events, death, and even toys. Some of the collections are world famous while others focus on ideas that are fresh and new. With more than fifty of these in and around Vienna, there is an exhibit for everyone.

The capture of the city of Vienna had long been a strategic aspiration of the Ottoman Empire, due to its inter-locking control over Danubean (Black Sea-to-Western Europe) southern Europe, and the overland (Eastern Mediterranean-to-Germany) trade routes. The grand viziers already tried to seize the city back in 1529 and in 1683 they tried again.

Vienna, hugged between the Danube River and the Alps, is a city where history meets the modern world. The stunning scenery sets the stage for the historic and culturally rich Austrian capital. The extensive assortment of sites ensure that visitors do not leave disappointed.

March 12th 2008 marked the 70th anniversary of the Anschluss (or political union) between Austria and Germany. Although exhibitions and public events have been arranged throughout the year to commemorate this event many Austrians will be having mixed feelings about the anniversary.

There are many world class cities in the world, but for many visitors there is simply no place like Vienna. This historic city is rich in culture and packed with great things to see and do. From world class opera houses to magnificent palaces, Vienna is simply one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, and it is well worth a visit for European tourists.

While it would take many pages to explore all that Vienna has to offer, listed below are some favorite sites to consider

The Congress of Vienna, convened in late 1814, was one of the first instances of international cooperation, and an extraordinarily — and surprisingly — successful one at that. The gathering, agreed to as a result of the Treaty of Paris drawn up earlier in the year, drew more than 200 diplomats from all of Europe’s nations except Turkey.

If you're planning a weekend break in Vienna, here's some advice: leave the diet sheet and the calorie calculator at home. The lure of the Viennese Kaffee Hausen will rob you of all your self- control when confronted by the vast array of cakes and pastries that are an essential ingredient in this traditional Austrian experience. Forget Starbucks, and any other coffee chain you might have frequented in the past... this is a totally different ball-game.

Present-day Vienna was known as Vindobona in Roman times. The name derives from the Celtic “vedunia,” meaning forest-stream. Human occupation of the region goes back much further to the Neolithic period. Archeological excavations have identified a flint works, indicating settlements existed around 5000 BCE. By 1800 BCE the area was home to the Glockenbecherleute, so named for their distinctive round pottery. There are indications that this was already an important trading center.