InterContinental Wenen

Vienna is one of the most liveable cities in the world. Decisive for its top position are the diverse cultural offerings, the well-developed health care system, public transport, the recreation areas and the low crime rate.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and the smallest of its nine provinces. The metropolitan area is subdivided into 23 districts and has a population of around 1.8 million. Vienna is located in the heart of Europe on the banks of the Danube. A large stretch of the city's limits is defined by the Vienna Woods providing fresh air for its inhabitants. Over 45 percent of the city’s area is accounted for by gardens, parks, forests, and woodland, another 15 percent is farmland and 5 percent water. 35 percent of all journeys in the city are by public transportation – a European record. Vienna is also the only major capital with a significant wine-growing industry – cultivating mainly white wines on some 700 hectares – within the city limits.

Vienna is the only major world capital with an extensive winegrowing industry operating within its city limits. Around 700 hectares of vineyards shape the cityscape, among which there are a few very special ones. Vienna's smallest vineyard, measuring just a few square meters, can be found near the hotel at Schwarzenbergplatz 2. Every year, the mayor of Vienna harvests the grapes in person. The 50 or so bottles of Wiener Gemischter Satz field blend in each vintage are auctioned off for charity.