A new goal in Vienna

Footy fans are revved up and ready to celebrate the UEFA Euro 2008 and all eyes are set on Vienna.

In June, football will reign supreme in the Austrian capital, where six deciding games will be played, but for truly electrifying action, fans will have to wait until Sunday, June 29, when the new European football champion will be determined in the final match at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna's Prater.

But while the ball is at rest, the city has heaps of tantalising off-field action to keep you tingling.

SHOPPERS' HAVEN

The Viennese love to look good and so will you after spending some time in the beautiful boutiques around town. Vienna offers everything from funky fashion to sublimely elegant European designer creations.

Worth a visit: Pia-Mia, Turek, 2006FEB01, Song, Mühlbauer. But that's not all.

As international luxury is highly prized in Vienna, exquisite brands can be found at a wealth of stores spread throughout the city.

Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, Escada, Hermes, Gucci and Chanel stock everything that is exclusive, exquisite and expensive.

A further highlight on the international designer scene is the recently opened multibrand store, No 7, at Kohlmarkt, which includes creations by Kenzo, Scherrer and Yikai.

APPETITE ADDRESS

Don't sit inside while the sun's shining. Get out! Along the banks of the Danube Island, you'll find heaps of cafés and bistros with outdoor tables and great views of the sea.

For a truly Viennese experience, grab a giant-sized cold drink and stretch out on the sand of the Danube “beach'' and mull over the matches while catching some rays.

Schweizer Haus: One of Vienna's most popular and authentic local restaurants, Schweizer Haus is just a drop kick from all the action in the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Sit at a table under the trees and feast on roast meat and cool potato salad.

Sacher Café: This opulently decorated shop is the best place to indulge in a slice of Original Sacher Torte, the most wickedly delicious chocolate cake in the world.

And just in case you want to pack some of it to take back home, the adjacent shop is where to stock up on beautiful gifts and beautifully boxed Sacher Tortes.

SUNDOWN REVELRY

Schön Schön Restaurant: Dine in style at the sleek and chic eatery that is designed as a revival of the 19th-century Viennese salon experience, which is perfect for meeting people and social interactions.

Its long table, complete with massive silver candelabras, grabs everyone's attention before they go into raptures over the fabulous food — which is a modern take on classic Viennese dishes.

Phoenix Supper Club: A former cinema, this is where you'll find a veritable festival of the senses.

The restaurant-cum-club is decked out entirely in white, but high-tech lighting creates unique impressions as it paints the rooms in up to 16 million different colours.

Between the courses, the guests are entertained musically, visually and theatrically by performing artistes.

DANCE AND PARTY

OK, you got your tan by day, but the recreational area along the Danube Canal is where to show it off by night.

Strand Herrmann: Under the open sky and with its great views and party atmosphere, this is where the party should begin.

You'll find fun music and refreshing drinks in this semiofficial after-match-chill-out area. It's immensely popular with the young Viennese sporty types.

As the night draws on, you can continue the celebrations at any of Vienna's crazy night spots.

Most of the action is centred along the thoroughfare Gurtel Strasse. Built into the brick arches which carry the overhead trains, the beat pounds out until after sunrise.

Some places you can't miss:

Chelsea: Started by a former professional football player, it's a stellar experience and attracts loads of famosos with live music by international groups and top DJs pumping out Britpop and Techno-Punk.

Shiraz: Offers more relaxed music downstairs, exotic fruity drinks and pick-me-up snacks in a decidedly Oriental scene.

Lay back with a water-pipe and just chill before moving to the upper floors for more serious moves with upbeat dance music.

Jazzland: This centrally located club with an underground cellar atmosphere , where top international and Austrian jazz musicians and vocalists perform regularly, attracts jazz afficionados.

EXPLORE THE CITY

For those who know the history of the place and marvel at its opulence, here are some choices.

The Imperial Palace. Crammed full of priceless art, antiques and the sparkling State Jewels, it's a fascinating glimpse of how Vienna's Hapsburg royals, including the ever-popular Empress Sisi, lived.

In fact, for those who are keen to find out a little more about her life, there are continuous special exhibitions of her clothes, jewels and personal belongings.

Museums Quartier: Directly behind the palace, the Museums Quartier precinct offers stunning contemporary architecture as well as art-themed shopping.

The imposing massive white cube is home to the Leopold Museum, which displays works by Austrian artists, Schiele and Klimt.

Museum of Modern Art: The huge, black, basalt structure boasts top-liners such as Pablo Picasso and David Hockney as well as more recent works of cutting-edge art.

Feeling a bit lazy but yet want to see the sights? Just jump on-board one of Vienna's classic red-and-white trams and take a leisurely trip around the Imperial Ring, eyeing the many beautiful historic buildings as you pass by.

FAMILY FUN

Prater: Just a short ride on the U Bahn from the football stadium, this open-air amusement park offers over 250 rides and attractions.

At its centre is Vienna's iconic Ferris wheel, which has enchanted visitors since the late 1800s.

Climb aboard one of the enclosed glass cabins and take a spin.

The views across Vienna from the top are stunning. For more hair-raising fun, try the roller coaster, the Ghost Train, bungee-jumping or the electrifying Ejection Seat ride, which will leave both your adrenaline and blood pumping.

For the little ones, there are merry-go-rounds, dodge 'em cars and costume characters to meet. During summer, the Prater also hosts open-air concerts at night.

MATCH-WATCHING

With a huge 100,000 sq m of open-air space, the Ring in central Vienna, from the Rathausplatz right to the Heldenplatz, will become the official viewing lounge for non-ticket holders, with six massive screens showing all the matches.

Combine this with the food-and-drink booths and its a perfect place to shout “Goooooooal!''.

BEST BEDS

Set right on the famous Ring and surrounded by famous landmarks, the Hotel Ring is a sleek, cool place to stay.

The opulent lobby, with its new-look Viennese-style decoration, oozes charm.

Start the day in the fresh and exciting At Eight Restaurant, which offers excellent views across the lush tree-lined streets.

Upstairs, in the rooms and suites, you will be treated to luxurious fabrics, crisp cotton sheets and beautiful amenities.
For those who want to keep in shape, the rooftop gym and fitness centre, which comes complete with a spa and a sauna, is perfect. Reservations on www.theringhotel.com

— Scott Adams is a Madrid-based freelance writer

Go there ... Vienna ... From the UAE

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