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Destination of the Day

Vienna, Austria

Get ready to pack your bags! Once again, Vienna has been named the world's most livable city. The City of Music looms large in the popular imagination as a European city that's steeped in history and elegance. Its reputation for quaint—or even old-fashioned—style is a firm one. Yet the capital of Austria is more diverse and contemporary than you might imagine.

Things to Do

Vienna is the sort of city where, in a single stroll, you might pass by horse-drawn carriages and stumble on the coolest contemporary art museum you've ever visited. And while the pace in Vienna is certainly more relaxed than more Berlin, Paris, or London, there's a ton to see and do. Admire opera houses and imperial palaces, party in nightclubs, or hunker down for an afternoon in one of the city's 100-plus museums.

What to Eat and Drink

Local dishes are influenced by a number of traditional cuisines, including Germanic and Eastern European. Vienna's unpretentious restaurant scene melds innovation with tradition, with specialties such as Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte chocolate cake, and Tafelspitz having seen numerous creative spin-offs and adaptations. Meanwhile, the city's traditional coffeehouses aren't simply an excellent place to try a typical Viennese melange (similar to a cappuccino) or espresso. They're the center of a vibrant, casual food culture, and a place to meet friends over lunch or an early dinner.

Day Trips From Vienna

Vienna is surrounded by beauty, culture, and history. Close to Slovakia, Czechia, and Hungary, it affords travelers plenty of great getaways with minimum hassle and expense. It's also in close reach of idyllic countryside villages, vineyards with wine-tasting opportunities, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. From the Wachau Valley to Salzburg, these are the best day trips from Vienna.

Vacation Like a Pro

Enjoy annual events such as the Long Night of Museums, which sees the capital's major museums open to the public for free through most of the night in early October.

Courtney Traub
Contributing Writer

Your Packing List

If you're seriously set on moving to Vienna (and honestly, we can get behind you on that), you'll want a nice luggage set that can fit all your essentials. If long-term functionality and keeping your belongings protected is your top concern, you can't go wrong with Samsonite's Winfield 3-Piece Set. Our tester specifically noted the zippered compartments that were sturdy and helped with organization.

For summer, you'll want plenty of breathable warm-weather clothes, as well as waterproof shoes, a jacket, and a sturdy umbrella in case of wet and stormy days. Vienna can get quite cool in the evenings, so we also recommend bringing long pants and long-sleeved shirts even in the warmest periods.

Temperatures begin to dip considerably starting in early October, so make sure to pack sweaters, warm trousers, and long-sleeved shirts or blouses for colder days and chilly nights, as well as lighter items for the odd, unusually warm day. Always ensure you bring a pair of waterproof shoes (ideally boots) and a jacket, particularly if arriving in late October or November.

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Get Inspired

Located in the North Atlantic, between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands have been an up-and-coming adventure destination for several years now. Visitors to the islands will find plenty of great hiking trails to explore, along with options for fishing, kayaking, and even rock climbing. Don't leave without a trip to Mykines, where you'll be sure to see dozens of puffins along the cliff sides, as well as the country's only gannet colony.

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