Orson Welles' famous speech in the Third Man (comparing the artistic achievements of the degenerate Borgias with Switzerlands 500 years of democracy, culminating in the invention of the cuckoo clock) took place on Viennas Riesenrad ('giant wheel' in German, or Ferris wheel). This epic scene immortalized English engineer Walter Bassetts 19th century big wheel, and now a spin on this splendid creation is an absolute must for all vistors to Vienna. The wheel moves slowly so you can take in the views before descending into the pleasures afforded by the Prater funfair. Not to be missed.

When viewed from afar, the Danube Tower might appear to the untrained eye more like an odd over sized lighthouse in which one would not suspect in a 1000 years contains a restaurant with a stunning panoramic view. Guests are delivered in a matter of seconds (30 actually) to either the viewing terrace at 150 meters (492.12 feet) from water level; or the restaurant. It is only after a short while that most guests realize that the entire room of the restaurant is, in fact, rotating. Signs are programmed to point out all the sights as and when they appear. A tip for visitors: any sunset observed from this point is not soon forgotten.

In the late 19th century, the main course of the River Danube was straightened to allow larger vessels to dock. A parallel channel was cut in the 1970s, creating a long, thin artificial island, officially known as Donauinsel, (Danube Island) though often called the Copa Cagrana after Kagran, the 22nd district in which it is situated. The original course of the Danube, to the east of the Neue Donau, was then used to create the semi-circular nub of land known as Kaisermühlen, home to Vienna's UNO-City. To be honest, the Donauinsel (measuring 20km by just 200m) is pretty bleak; nevertheless, it is a paradise for cycling and rollerblading. In summer, the Viennese flock to the beaches here. At night, there are numerous bars, discos, restaurants, and food stalls, centered around the Donauinsel underground-station.

Il faut se réserver une journée entière pour visiter le parc et château de Schönbrunn, le choix d'activités y étant extensif: vous pouvez vous promenez dans le beau parc royale, visiter le serre à palmiers qui est le plus grand d'Europe, ou aller dans le zoo le plus vieux du monde. Le château lui-même a été construit entre 1696 et 1713 et est devenu une résidence favorite pendant le règne de Maria Theresia (1740-1780). Café in der Gloriette, le point le plus haut du parc, propose une vue sensationnelle du château et de la ville.