St . Stephen ’ s Cathedral Interior Photo : WienTourismus / Daniela Stallinger
DO & CO , Stephansplatz Photo : WienTourismus / Peter Rigaud
BELVEDERE PALACE
Draped in glittering gold and bright flowers , the laurel-crowned lover presses his tender lips on the blushing cheek of his paramour , who wilts beneath in passionate surrender . The image in Gustav Klimt ’ s The Kiss remains as provocative as ever , as evidenced by the couples stealing their own before its gaze . Hung in the Belvedere Palace , the early 18th-century summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy , it shares walls space with masterworks by Egon Schiele , Claude Monet , Vincent van Gogh , and many others . The palace itself is a work of art , oozing with Rococo charm inside and out , from the
Marble Hall to the cascading fountains and Baroque statuary in the tiered gardens .
CANDLE LIGHT DINNER IN RIESENRAD FERRIS WHEEL
Orson Welles may have had sinister plans when he stepped onto this 19th-century Ferris Wheel in the famous scene from The Third Man , but the main goal for those entering the fully enclosed red compartments today for a 15-minute spin is to embrace the views of Vienna ’ s old town , river , and surrounding forests . It glitters even more during a candle-lit “ Romantic Crystal Dinner ” inside a private Swarovski crystal-lined cabin . The three-course meal comes with a selection of Viennese classics and plenty of wine to toast to love . Be sure to arrive at least an hour early though to enjoy a stroll through the Riesenrad ’ s home , the Prater . The former hunting grounds of the Hapsburgs , it ’ s now one of Vienna ’ s favorite places for a quiet stroll or mechanized excitement on the rollercoaster , flying swing , or planetarium .
WALTZ DANCING COURSE AT PRIVATE DANCE ACADEMY
Refined in the suburbs of Vienna from old Austrian folk dances , the waltz caught fire throughout Europe in the late 18th century for its graceful movements , scandalous coupling , enlivening rhythm , and ease of instruction .
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