The three most amazing ice skating places in Vienna

 The eastern part of Austria is still waiting for snow and the real winter. But although it has about plus six degrees outside, there are some possibilities of practicing winter sport activities, like ice skating. Vienna offers diversifying places, ranging from indoor to outdoor ones with a unique view over the city.

The most special one is probably ‘Wilhelminenberg on Ice’, where you can skate in the palace garden of Wilhelminenberg, over the roofs of Vienna. You can enjoy this unique and gorgeous view until mid of January; it’s opened everyday until 9pm.

If you prefer a place more centrally located, visit the Viennese Ice Skating Union. It is located near Stadtpark, between Inter-Continental and Konzerthaus. The frozen surface is 6000 square metres big and the Union offers also teachers, courses or dance evenings. Moreover you can borrow ice skates there, if you don’t have your own. This ice skating place is open until the beginning of March, everyday until 9 or 8 pm.

The Ice Dream in front of the Viennese Rathaus offers a very special ambience. Beside ice skating and curling you can buy hot wine punch to warm yourself a little bit up. The whole Rathauspark turns into a paradise of ice, and a 415 metres long alley leads you through a winter fairy-tale. The Viennese Ice Dream opens on January 19^th 2012, at 7pm starts the big opening evening. The ice skating park is open until March 4^th.

There are also a few more great ice skating places in Vienna, visit and explore them – it will be a great experience! It’s also perfect for city travellers, because at most of them you can borrow skates and need not to bring your own.

If you still need accommodation for your stay in Vienna, contact viennaresidence - business rental apartments. The agency will help you finding your perfect apartment in Vienna.

Christmas markets in Vienna turn the city into a Christmas wonder land

Vienna’s ‘Christkindlmärkte’ or Christmas markets are very famous and popular. With their sweet smell of hot wine punch, lebkuchen and biscuits, their unique Christmas decorations and gorgeous sea of lights the markets turn Vienna into a Christmas wonderland.

When those markets start into the new season, everyone gets into Christmas mood. During Advent a romantic atmosphere lies over the city.

Here you have a little overview of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Vienna:

Viennese Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz

On Rathausplatz, between Rathaus and Burgtheater, you’ll find this best known and biggest market in Vienna. There’s a big Christmas tree and the park is beautifully decorated. There are many tourists every day.

It is opened from November 12^th until December 24^th, every day from 10am to 10pm.

Christmas market on Spittelberg

With his its small alleys and backyards this market is definitely one of the most beautiful markets. You can buy unique handcrafts there too.

Spittelberg is openend from November 17^th until December 23^rd, every day from 2pm to 9pm.

Schloß Schönbrunn

Famous Schloß Schönbrunn offers a unique historic scenery and a huge decorated Christmas tree. You will find there inventive ideas for presents, Christmas decorations, delicious culinary, and of course hot wine punch in all variations.

Christmas market in front of Schloß Schönbrunn is opened from November 19^th until December 26^th, every day from 10am to 9pm.

Market on Karlsplatz

On Resselpark, in front of the Karlskirche the market concentrates on unique art and culture. In a great ambience you can watch the production of glass, wood and jewellery live.

This Christmas market is opened from November 18^th until December 23^rd, daily from 12 until 8pm.

Christmas village in ‘Altes AKH’

This gorgeous Christmas village on University’s campus offers a young atmosphere. You can try various hot wine punches and walk through the small alleys.

It is opened from November 12^th until December 23^rd, daily from 2pm until 10pm.

Christmas village in front of Belvedere

This Christmas village in front of the baroque Belvedere offers a magic atmosphere. It is one of the newest Christmas markets in Vienna and offers diversifying culinary.

The Belvedere Christmas village is opened every day from 11am to 9pm.

Winter in Museumsquartier

The winter season in Museumsquartier offers a modern way of drinking punch. In lighted ice pavilions unique punch-creations are offered. Lounge music accompanies the modern atmosphere.

It is opened daily from 2pm until 11pm, from November 10^th until December 23^rd.

There are many other Christmas markets, like on Freyung, Maria Theresien-Platz, Am Hof, Riesenradplatz, in front of the church Mariahilf, etc.

Have fun drinking punch and buying Christmas presents!

www.viennaresidence.com