Vienna: Franz Joseph Liked It, So He Put a Ring on It

The Vienna Philharmonic just held its incredibly yearly outdoor concert in the gardens of Schloss Schoenbrunn, and it was quite the sight indeed. The concert draws out much of the city, who overflow from the sweeping promenades up onto the hill overlooking the whole of Vienna. It's a perfect showcase for the beauty of a city that still revels in its imperial past. Now that the concert's passed, it's probably a better time to see the gardens for yourself, as you might have a little bit more breathing room to explore the expansive estate. The Schloss is just west of the city center and the famous Ringstrasse where most of the luxury hotels are located, and you can get out there with just a short cab ride or metro trip. Commissioned by Leopold I and popularized by Maria Theresa, the Schloss was the centerpiece of courtly life for much of the reign of the Habsburg empire, the most famous of the ruling Austrian families. 

To see this jewel of the city, simply stay at any of our luxury hotels in the center city, on the architecturally varied Ringstrasse. Built around the Fin de Siecle as a testament to the city's opulence by Emperor Franz Joseph I, the buildings of the Ringstrasse attempt to capture the architectural style of just about ever major epoch, from neo-classical to renaissance to gothic. Taken together, they're a breathtaking experience. Vienna has to be one of your must-see destinations in a tour of Europe's hotspots.