I'll be in Modling for work (for about a week) in early September. I'm interested in going to Heinrich Harrer's Museum in Huttenberg while there. Can anybody tell me how far it is? Transportation options?
Further, I intend to learn some respectful German phrases prior to going, but is it easy to get by on English?
Finally, can anybody recommend some "authentic" restaurants / pubs, sights, etc?
Thanks very much.
but is it easy to get by on English?
I'm sure it's possible! :)
Hüttenberg is quite far from Wien! It takes about 4 hours to get there by train and bus. Take a train from Wien-Südbahnhof(Vienna - Southern Railway Station) to Klagenfurt, get off the train at Treibach-Althofen and transfer to bus no. 5394 to Hüttenberg.
I got all this info from the useful website of ÖBB(Federal Railways of Austria): [http://www.oebb.at]
Check if you can fit into your schedule a visit of nearby Hochosterwitz castle! It's just about 15km more from Treibach-Althofen on the rail line to Klagenfurt.
I recommend the following authentic(not touristy) restaurants in Wien:
Huth
[http://www.zum-huth.at/gastwirtschaft/]
Gasthaus Ubl (This is more traditional than Huth.)
Pressgasse 26.
Plachutta also serves great, authentic Viennese food, but unfortuntely it's too famous!
you're staying in moedling. there are many good places to go.
just look out for "Heurigen" there are plenty between moedling and vienna ( i like the ones in Perchtoldsdorf)
if you are more for beer: Fischerbraeu in vienna (Bilrothstrasse, 9. district, Fischerbraeu )
and of course you have to go to a typical kaffeehaus: Cafe Sperl, Cafe Prueckel , ........
there are so many places to go.......
As schabernack already mentioned, the "Heurigen" are nearly always a good option to go to if you like wine, and there are more than enough in the area around Mödling.
In Vienna I can also recommend the Siebensternbräu (also sometimes written 7*-Bräu) in the 7th district. They brew their own very tasty beer, and the price is somehow affordable (especially if you are travelling from the UK and are used to expensive beer). Although the beer there is really wonderful, the dishes are mediocre at best, especially compared to the prices they charge.
Another good option is the Brandauerchain, where you get good food and beer for reasonable prices.
And for a good view over Vienna I can recommend the restaurant on the Kahlenberg (hill in the north of the city), especially in the evening the scenery is awesome. I also heard that the food should be delicious, but I never tried it.