Visiting Vienna

Kati, Womens Open Player and Team Sunshine

A must see is Vienna's old town, the first district. Just have a stroll or, if you like it more organised, book a walking tour at the agency of one of our touch players at http://www.viennaexplorer.com/. Your guide will make sure that no questions remain unanswered!

And if after that cultural highlight you want to catch the summer beach feeling, then just relax at Donaukanal. Here you'll find open air bars – many of them with their own beaches (e.g. Strandbar Herrman, Adria Wien) with sunchairs and all of them with yummy Spritzers (white wine and soda water) on their menu. On the Kanal you'll also find clubs on permanently anchored ships. One of them even has its own swimming pool (→ Badeschiff)!

Maritini, Men's Open Player and Touch Acrobat

My favorite ‘sphere’ in Vienna is the atmosphere surrounding the Republic of Kugelmugel. This Micronation, located in Vienna Prater, declared independence in 1984, after disputes between artist Edwin Lipburger and Austrian authorities over building permits for the ball-shaped house which he built in the countryside in Lower Austria and which was moved into the park by the authorities. The house is enclosed by a barbed-wire fence and is the only address within the proclaimed Republic. Its address is "Antifaschismusplatz" (Anti-Fascism Square), and the founder is the head of state of hundreds of non-resident citizens. Lipburger refused to pay taxes to the Austrian government and began to print his own stamps, for which he received a prison sentence in court. Only a pardon by the Austrian President saved him from going to jail.

But what about the atmosphere? The border fence of the Republic is also the border between a huge green park and a colorful amusement park the “Wurstlprater” with Vienna’s ferris wheel, roller coasters, Schnitzel houses and other weird stuff.

Amy, Women’s Open Captain

I love the Rathaus (Vienna City Hall). It is such a beautiful Gothic building. I could sit in the gardens and look at it all day. Whilst home to the Christmas markets and the world's longest ice rink in winter, in summer it is equally atmospheric with the open air cinema running from July to September, supported by lots of stands offering food and drink from all over the world. See the programm here.

If you cross over the road from the Rathaus you come to Volksgarten. Whilst many tourists know the Hofburg Palace and Heldenplatz, many do not venture into the beautiful summer rose gardens next door. Everywhere you turn you stumble upon new statues, Renaissance fountains and pools and then suddenly the Temple of Theseus! It is never crowded and always feels that it belongs to you, as its name Volksgarten (Garden of the People) suggests.

Evelyn, Women's Open Player, MC Organisation

My favourite spot in Vienna is around the "Alte Donau" - a beautiful lake in the city of Vienna. Get off at tubestop U2 Donaustadtbrücke and stroll along the water towards tubestop U1 Alte Donau. So many things to do there - swimming, boating, biking or even wake boarding.

Find fine places to eat next to the water, like traditional Austrian food at www.strandbeisl.at, one of the best spare rips in town at www.strandcafe-wien.com, or a tasty fish platter at the sailing club www.ufertaverne.at. You want something cool for your team? Rent a party and dinner boat on the lake www.partyboot.at

Isabel, Women’s Team Mastermind

One of my favourite spots is the park behind Schönbrunn Palace (U4 Schönbrunn). I especially love the view from the Gloriette - this is the "small" building on the hill behind the palace. You can feed ducks or sit in the sun and have a coffee or tea and enjoy the view.

Eva, Women’s Open Player and Rugby 7s Champion

Mainland Cup time is summer, for summer there are plenty of spots!

One of my favourite places is definitely Museumsquartier (U2 Museumsquartier or U2/U3 Volkstheater). Plenty of restaurants and cafes which offer a big variety of good food and drinks, you can sit outdoors and enjoy the summer breeze in the shade. There are also lots of cultural things to explore, e.g. Leopold Museum. Around the corner, you have Vienna's biggest shopping street - Mariahilferstrasse - where you can find delicious ice cream stores :-)

Another good spot to be is Sand in the City if you are up for food and drinks in a beach atmosphere - the prices are reasonable and the floor is full of sand, so you can sit down in a beach chair and stuck your toes into the sand while enjoying a cocktail :-). If you are more energetic, you can try yourself on the beachvolleyball court. Take U4 to Stadtpark and walk from there (see link above for directions).

Shani, Women's Open Player and Party Officer

One of my fave places in summer is the wakeboarding place by the donau :) Has a great vibe with good music and all day long sunshine - even if you don't want to wake board - you can take your swimmers and jump in the Danube and there's a great restaurant/bar there too :)

Or spend the afternoon/evening watching the sun go down from the wineries in the hills of the 19th district. Lovely walking treks to get there. Particular faves (reservation):