Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.wienerriesenrad.com
; 02, Prater 90; adult/child €9/4; 9am-11.45pm, shorter hours in winter; ;
Praterstern)
The Riesenrad is a towering, modern symbol of Vienna. Built in 1897 by Eng-
lishman Walter B Basset, the Ferris wheel rises to 65m and takes about 20 minutes to ro-
tate its 430-tonne weight one complete circle - giving you ample time to snap some fant-
astic shots of the city spread out at your feet. It survived bombing in 1945 and has had
dramatic lighting and a cafe at its base added. This icon achieved celluloid fame in
The
Third Man
, in the scene where Holly Martins confronts Harry Lime, and also featured in
the James Bond flick
The Living Daylights
, and
Before Sunrise
, directed by Richard
Linklater.
Sailing School Hofbauer
( 204 34 35;
www.hofbauer.at
; 22, An der Obere Alte Donau 191; Apr-Oct; Alte Donau)
Hofbauer
rents sailing boats (from €14.80 per hour) and row boats (€8.40 per hour) on the eastern
bank of the Alte Donau and can provide lessons (in English) for those wishing to learn or
brush up on their skills. Pedal boats (€11.80 per hour) are also available for hire.
BOATING
Wienerwald
(Vienna Woods;
www.wienerwald.info
)
To the west of the city, the rolling hills and marked trails of
the Wienerwald are perfect for walkers. A good trail heading in the woods to the north of
Vienna starts in Nussdorf (take tram D from the Ring) and climbs
Kahlenberg
(484m), a
hill offering views of the city. On your return to Nussdorf you can undo all that exercise
by imbibing at a
Heuriger
. The round trip is around 11km, or you can spare yourself the
leg-work by taking the Nussdorf-Kahlenberg 38A bus in one or both directions.
WALKING
Strandbad Gänsehäufel
(
www.gaensehaeufel.at
;
22, Moissigasse 21; adult/child €5/1.70; 9am-7pm May-mid-Sep; Kaisermühlen Vi-
enna International Centre)
Gänsehäufel occupies half an island in the Alte Donau. There's a
swimming pool and FKK (read: nudist) area, playground, minigolf, tennis and volleyball
court, and a climbing zone.
SWIMMING
Prater
Forest and parkland walking trails criss-cross the Prater (
Click here
)
.
WALKING
Tours
