The Third Man Tour

The 'Third Man Tour', based on the film of the same name, is conducted in English and is about the most popular tour offered. It departs at Monday and Friday from the U4 Stadtpark station (Johannesgasse exit); a torch and good footwear are prerequisites. It costs a little extra, but takes in all the main location spots used in the film, including a glimpse of the underground sewers, home to 2.5 million rats. You'll discover that the sewers are not linked together, so it is impossible to cross the city underground as Harry Lime did in the film.

Music Mile Vienna

A trail of marble stars runs from Stephansdom to Theater an der Wien and commemorates some 70 musical geniuses related to Vienna in one way or another. Audio guides and booklets provide background information and are available from the following locations between - . Musikmeile Wien Servicestelle (Stephansplatz); Wien-Ticket Pavillon (Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz) and Theatershop, Theater an der Wien (Linke Wienzeile 6).

Cityrama

Cityrama (www.cityrama.at) offers a range of half- and full-day tours of Vienna and attractions within a day's striking distance of the city, including Salzburg, Budapest and Prague. Some tours require an extra fee for admission into sights, such as training at the Spanish Riding School.

A Top Day in Vienna

It's hard for me to choose a top day in my city of choice, but as I write this, in the heart of summer, the following would satisfy my current urban needs. I kick-start my day with a paprika and tomato omelette at Kent, the best Turkish restaurant this side of Istanbul. Once this has settled nicely in my stomach, I wander the Brunnenmarkt searching for fresh fruit and vegetables to accompany me on my day's outing. A quick ride on the J tram down to the MuseumsQuartier (MQ) follows, where I make a beeline for the Leopold Museum and spend far too long gazing in awe at Schiele's work. Back in the expanse of the MQ, a bit of sun and a milky coffee are perfect refreshments. My feet then lead me across the Ringstrasse and into the Innere Stadt via the Hofburg and the National Bibliothek's glorious Prunksaal. Once my system is overloaded with baroque splendour, I make a few quick phone calls to determine who's up for lunch and a beer at the Kleines Café. As the afternoon heat scorches the city, I make a beeline for the Alte Donau for a long, lazy swim before crossing town to my apartment, where I spruce myself up for the evening's festivities. If the weather is still holding, it's back to the MQ to enjoy the last of the day's heat and the circus of tourists and locals parading up and down the square's long thoroughfare. Once the entertainment has subsided, it's homeward bound, only to be ship-wrecked at Rhiz, my local and, unsurprisingly, favourite bar in town. The hours slip away until I realise its well past the witching hour and the lure of my bed is too strong to ignore.

Author: Neal Bedford

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