Vienna
In June 2008, Austria and Switzerland will host Euro 2008 (www.uefa.com), the European Football Championship. Second only to FIFA's World Cup, the competition has been held every four years since 1960. Vienna won the privilege of hosting several matches, along with the all-important final championship game.
The centrally located Levante Parliament Hotel (15 Auerspergstraße; tel. 01/5354515; www.thelevante.com) is housed in a building originally constructed in 1908 as part of the Modernist movement. This gay-friendly hotel has been built to reflect its history, featuring a minimalist design and inclusion of technology in its décor. The Levante doubles as an art gallery, displaying the glassworks of artist Ioan Nemtoi in the lobby and also hosting an exhibition of photographs. Rooms feature designer bathrooms and sleek furniture with clean lines. Do & Co Hotel (12 Stephansplatz; tel. 01/24188; www.doco.com) is the first design hotel opened by restaurant and catering company Do & Co. Located across from St. Stephen's Cathedral, the hotel is housed in a glass building which offers breathtaking views of the city, especially from its rooftop bar and lounge. The spacious rooms have hardwood floors and feature many glass accents, reflecting the architecture of the building. Bathrooms come equipped with a unique transparent shower, walled entirely in glass. The newly renovated Golden Tulip Wien City (23 Wallgasse; tel. 01/59990; www.goldentuliphotelpresident.at) lies just outside the heart of Vienna. The hotel offers 60 standard rooms with double or twin beds and 12 business rooms equipped with free Internet access. The 7-story building also includes 5 studios with rooftop terraces overlooking the historic area. Located near Vienna's retail and fashion quarter, close to Café Central is the new Radisson SAS Style Hotel (12 Herrengasse; tel. 01/22780; www.radissonsas.com). This contemporary hotel features 78 designer rooms and suites, decorated with modern art and sleek furniture and equipped with flat-panel TVs and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Sapori, the hotel's restaurant, offers a hip setting and serves Italian gourmet cuisine, while the stylish H12 Wine & Bar serves local and Italian wines and cocktails to an elite crowd. The hotel is also outfitted with a fitness room and a relaxing sauna.
Minutes away from Vienna's MuseumsQuartier is Das Möbel (10 Burggasse; tel. 01/524-9497; www.dasmoebel.at), a unique blend of a high-concept furniture shop and café. As you sample the fare from the small kitchen and full bar, you can test out the furniture as much as you desire. There are no salespeople to chase you away, yet the furniture -- though none of it is in pristine condition -- is all for sale. Every few months, Das Möbel puts out a new display, changing both its inventory and the décor of its café.
The Danube Valley
A new trend to watch out for is the rise of high-end medical tourism. The InterContinental Resort & Spa (tel. 800/424-6835; www.intercontinental.com), the InterContinental Hotel Group's first-ever luxury hotel that is linked with a healthcare complex, is slated to open in Krems in fall 2008. The resort will be part of a healthcare complex, and will be located next door to the state-of-the-art Austrian Heart Centre, which specializes in treating heart disease. The 119-room hotel will offer a peaceful environment for both recuperating patients of the adjacent health clinic and for guests who are simply looking for a relaxing holiday. With views overlooking the Wachau Valley and a spa with ample wellness amenities, the resort should serve as a tranquil getaway.
If you're interested in seeing the sites along the Danube River, the new Danube Family Bike Tour (tel. 877/462-2423; www.biketoursdirect.com) takes families downhill through Austria's Wachau region. This 7-day, family-friendly bike excursion averages 16 miles per day and traverses over the well-maintained Danube River Bike Path, past farms, medieval castles, and the vineyards of Krems. Families with children will enjoy the stops at zoos and a 110-year-old Ferris wheel. Both guided and self-guided packages are available, with stays at primarily four-star hotels.
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