Vienna Shopping

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Weihnachtsdorf am Uni-Capmus is listed in some booklets as one of the bigger x-mas-markets in Vienna, BUT I think this place is of NO real interest for the tourists : No special scenery around this place, it is ment mainly for the local people with a lot of food-stands and attractions for the children. When you have a hotel just around the corner, why not going there, when you have a long way to go there, simply skip it, you would not have missed anything special.
In 2009 this market is open Nov. 14th till Dec.23rd
Monday-Saturday: 02.00p.m. - 10.00p.m.
Sun+December 8th : 11.00a.m. - 10.00p.m.

What to buy: Even the cups that you may get there for 2 euros deposit are not really very fancy or beautiful, but at least there are some restaurant-gardens where you may sit at large tables, while all the other markets will offer just standing-places !

What to pay: Same prices as in the other x-mas-markets !

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The Adventmarkt am Steinhof is the only christmas-market in the outskirts of Vienna that is worth seeing for some special reasons : First of all it is quite small and rather old-fashioned and all of the handicrafts that you may buy there are made by the mentally sick people in the "Otto-Wagner-Spital". So you also make sure that these people may see the "fruits of their work" and you get something, that you will not find at any other place.
Adventmarkt am Steinhof was open in 2008
only the first 3 weekends of Advent !!!
ONLY Friday-Sunday + December 8th
from 02.00 p.m. till 07.00p.m.
On each saturday you may combine it with a visit
of the "Otto-Wagner-Kirche"
For the children : Pony-riding
FOR 2009 I DID NOT YET FIND ANY INFO !!!

What to buy: stationary, nativity-cribs, candles, mirrors in mosaique-technique, wooden handicrafts, ceramics etc. all made by the mentally sick people of the hospital

What to pay: Prices are average, Punch and other drinks are obviously ONLY available NON-alcoholic !!!

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Weihnachtsdorf am Maria-Theresien-Platz is mainly important and worth seeing, because it is set in the middle between the Kunsthistorisches and Naturhistorisches Museum around the giant monument of empress Maria Theresia. All of these sights are illuminated at night and so that market is really very scenic.
Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz is open
in 2009 from Nov. 18th till Dec. 24th
daily between 11.00a.m. and 10.00p.m.
At December 24th they close already at 03.00p.m.

What to buy: You will find the same items as at most of the other x-mas-markets and maybe you like to keep their porcelain-cup as a souvenir (see my last picture !) - You get all drinks served in that cup and have to pay 2 euros deposit for it. Bring it back or take it home as a souvenir !

What to pay: prices are the same as at the other markets !

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Altwiener Christkindlmarkt Freyung is maybe the only christmas-market in the old Viennese tradition of the 19th century. It is quite small with just a few tiny huts and food-stands and they also have a place , where you may watch people, while they produce old-fashioned goods in the traditional way. There is also a small live orchestra performing traditional christmas-songs.
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt at Freyung is open
in 2009 between Nov. 20th and Dec. 23rd
daily from 9.30a.m. till 09.00p.m.

What to buy: The cup of this market shows some angels, see it at my last picture. Hand-made baskets and other traditional goods that you will not find at any of the other markets may be bought there !

What to pay: Mostly the same prices as at the other markets.

What to buy: It is one of the most famouse Viennese culinary chocolate cake. It is invated by Franz Sacher in 1832.
The recipe of the original Sachertorte is a well-kept secret but this cake tastes almost the same.

What to buy: What to say? They are the world brand and if you in Vienna its consider that you must buy even if you are not fun of chocolate things. They are simply divine.
The Mozartkugel originally known as the “Mozartbonbon”, was created by the Salzburg confectioner, Paul Fürst in 1890 and named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

What to buy: For the traditional Wiener Schnitzel, the Viennese normally use veal, and lard to fry it. But you can also use pork, chicken or turkey and oil to fry it. It will taste just as delicious either way!
They serve schnitzel hot with fresh lemon and potato salad!

Mariahilfer Strasse is the best street in Vienna for shopping. The choice of shops is amazing and the U Bahn line 3 runs to it. Sure there are shopping streets with fancier stores like Kohlmarkt Street with it's Tiffany's, Louis Vuiton and Burberry stores but lets face it, most of us can't afford those places anyway. So if your budget is more Benetton and Esprit then head for Mariahilfer Strasse.