TRAVELLING TIPS: EVENTS AND SIGHTSEEING IN AUSTRIA

Here some tipps and infos about what's going on in Austria in October:


Bierfestival 2008
BierIG organizes the 6th "Festival der Biervielfalt" from Oct. 24th to Oct. 25th 2008 in Salzbourg, Austria. During this popular craft beer festival hundreds of unique draft beers are presented and tasted.




Experience Vienna
Vienna has a long tradition of culinary culture. The „Hotel Am Stephansplatz“ lies within a 2-minutes-walking distance to the historical city centre of Vienna. This proximity will give you the opportunity to discover the beauty of 1000 years of art, architecture and music. The agenda of the congress is designed to leave you at least 3 hours of spare time each day in order to explore the city and connect to the other participants.

Located in the heart of Europe, Vienna lies within a half-day-travelling time by car to some of the most beautiful historical cities of Europe (like e.g. Salzbourg, Munich, Prague or Budapest). On request we would be happy to assist you in planning your individual tours for the weekend following the congress.


Tipps for Vienna´s sightseeing:

The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad)
Visitors to Vienna can look forward to a full schedule of arts and culture.
Schönbrunn, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Lipizzaner are just as much fixtures of the must-do list in Vienna as a ride on the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, a landmark visible from afar on the Vienna skyline.

Palace Schönbrunn (Schloß Schönbrunn)
Schönbrunn Palace together with its ancillary buildings and extensive park is by virtue of its long and colourful history one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. Scheduled as a listed monument, the whole ensemble, including the palace, the park with its numerous architectural features, fountains and statues and not least the zoo – the oldest of its kind in the world – was placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1996.
www.schoenbrunn.at

Donauturm
Take the express elevator up to the observation platform - 150 m above ground and enjoy the fantastic few over cosmopolitan Vienna to its fullest. Day and night!
www.donauturm.at

Aqua Terra Zoo Vienna
More than 3.500 animals are shown on an area of 6.000 m².
In the section for terrarium animals you see crocodiles, poisonous snakes, constrictor and saurians.
The main attactions of the tropical seawater section are the huge fish tanks, the sharks, sea turtles, many different corals, as well as gorgeous fish. The center of the tropical freshwater is the aquarium containing piranhas.
A sensation is the new tropical house with free-flying birds and free-running monkeys and the new crocodile park.
The mediterranean sea section gives an overview over different life-forms of this ocean, starting with anemones to snakes, shells, crabs, sea urchins, starfishs and fish.
www.haus-des-meeres.at

GENERAL INFORMATION

In order to start the congress fresh and relaxed, we recommend to arrive on October 22nd. The congress will start on October 23rd, 10 am and finish on October 24th at approx. 5pm.

hotel transfer:
You have the following options to get to the congress at the "Hotel am Stepfansplatz" (please arrange individually for your transfer):

• Taxi: pick up at Vienna airport in front of the arrival hall; price approx. 45 EUR
• hotel shuttle service: The 'Hotel am Stephansplatz' offers a shuttle service to and from the airport for a fare of 40 EUR. Kindly forward your inquiry or reservation to reception@hotelamstepahnsplatz.at
• CAT (City Airport Train): non-stop service to Vienna city center (station "Wien Mitte"); ride approx. 16 minutes; train station is located near the arrival hall at Vienna airport; price 8 EUR
• Bus: non-stop service to various locations in Vienna (Schwedenplatz, UNO-City, Südbahnhof, Westbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz and the city of Baden); ride approx. 35 minutes; bus station is located in front of the arrival hall; price for ride to Vienna city center: 6 EUR.
  

hotel check-in & check-out
Check-In after 2 pm; Check-Out until 12pm. Please let us know, when you are planning to arrive. If you arrive on Oct. 22nd feel free to join us at the Welcome-Lounge near the reception area of the hotel for some drinks and snacks.

valet service:
The hotel offers a valet service for guests who arrive by car. This service includes pick-up and returning of the vehicle from and to the hotel (7:00 am until 11:00 pm).

money:
Shops and restaurant accept the most common creditcards (American Express, Mastercard, Visa etc). There are ATM machines on almost every corner in the city where you can get EUROs (Maestro card and other common ATM cards accepted). Money exchange is offered at the airport (near baggage claim) and on various locations in the city.

getting around in Vienna:

The fastest and greenest way to get around in Vienna is public transportation. One ride (anywhere within the city zone) is 1.70 EUR, 24-hour tickets are 5.70 EUR. Tickets have to be bought in advance (vending machines are in any metro station; you can pay cash or with ATM card) and must be punched in a blue ticket cancelling machine in the tram or bus or at the barrier before you board the underground train.

>> interactive underground map of Vienna city center
>> maps of public transportation in greater Vienna