Dollar-for-Euro Value in Central Europe's Star Cities

Dollar-for-Euro Value in Central Europe's Star Cities

Sprawling metropolises. Sleepy towns come to life. Musical pedigrees and monarchies. Models, Mozart, and mulled wine. Modern art in baroque buildings. Old objects adorning 21st-century architectural temples. Hearty food, richly rinsed with flavorful beer—and unexpected wines. Duck. Duck. Goose. And Christmas.

Seven star cities in Central Europe—Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Salzburg, Dresden, Budapest, Bratislava. All a seemingly disparate mix of cultures, pleasures, and traditions. But one thing that ties them together is their value. Free concerts in Salzburg and Munich. Free exhibits and museums in Berlin. Festivals (free), Christmas markets (free) and wonderlands (free). Inexpensive transport, and hotels that start at ten Euros a night.

Late fall and winter are ideal times to take advantage of these values. Cheer is abundant, traditions comforting, and the air crackles with energy.

Berlin
 

Sexy? Yes. Historically fascinating? Without question. Cutting-edge? In the extreme. Expensive? But not at all. Read on, for great deals in Europe’s “It” city.
 

With a little savvy and some insider’s tips, visitors to Berlin can take part in serious value. Let’s crunch some numbers.

The 10-Euro Hotel Room
Berlin has no shortage of accommodations: the city is home to 721 hotels offering an astounding 108,000 beds. In 2008, three- to five-star hotel rooms cost an average of 138E—less that half the rate of a similar room in London (289E) or Paris (335E). Budget hotels start around 10E!

Admission-Free Museums
The admission-free museum is a Berlin phenomenon. Thanks to the generosity of public and private funds, a whopping 175+ Berlin museums decline to charge admission fees—some of the time, or all of the time. Here is a sampling:

· The Schinkel Museum is always free.
· On Mondays, attend contemporary art exhibitions at the Deutsche Guggenheim  for free.
· Every first Monday, the Bröhan Museum offers free admission to its Art Nouveau exhibition.
· Thursdays, admission to the permanent exhibitions of the New National Gallery, Picture Gallery, Pergamon Museum, Old National Gallery, Museum for Photography / Helmut Newton Collection, the Egyptian Museum, and the Antiquity Collection is free beginning four hours before closing time.

Is It A Festival Or A Party?
When revelers are out in force, it’s difficult to tell exactly what the occasion is. But one thing is for sure: Berlin’s annual festivals are fun—and often free of charge. Act like a local, or meet locals, at the city’s:

· Carnival of Cultures (May 21-25, 2010): a four-day celebration of Berlin’s incredible diversity.  www.karneval-berlin.de
· Fête de la Musique (June 21, 2010): a comprehensive music event that brings together all of Europe—and its combined talents. www.fetedelamusique.de
· Day of German Unity (October 3, 2010): can you believe? Next year marks the 20th anniversary of unified Germany.

Free Attractions
Berlin’s most popular sights can be visited without tuppance, including the top of the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and the Eastside Galley.

For more information about Berlin, please visit www.visitBerlin.de

 
Bratislava

Bratislava isn’t what you might expect. Over the past century, urban bustle replaced the city’s pastoral tranquility, transforming the sleepy Slovakian capital into a vast and vibrant metropolis.
 

Where farms and vineyards once stood are now villas and apartments, cafés and restaurants.

But once a winemaking city, always a winemaking city. Bratislava grape cultivation dates back to 500 B.C., and today, this ancient tradition is hardly forgotten. It comes to life at the Museum of Viticulture, in Apponyi House in the city center.
Wine tasting and wine dinners are also occasions to commemorate the city’s traditional burciak, or red and white “must” wine from the Little Carpathian region. Once a year, the city raises its glass at the Wine Harvest Celebrations. November sees the onset of two wine events: the St. Martin Fair & Young Wine Festival (November 6-11, 2010) and the Open Wine Cellars Day (November 20-21, 2010). Also, just ten miles outside Bratislava, the villages of Slovenský Grob and Chorvátsky Grob are home to cozy, home-style restaurants worth making the trip for.

There are other ways to explore Bratislava, too. Come fall, Bratislava Jazz Days (October 23-25, 2010):  make the air sultry and thick. Soon after, roast goose and duck, accompanied by lokse (potato) crepes and stewed cabbage, create a beckoning aroma delicious enough to see.

Christmas begins early here, and not a minute too soon. The Christmas Market rolls out on November 27, 2010, and when it ends, it’s only a week until New Year’s Eve, and the city’s wild Welcome to Partyslava Festival.

For more information about Bratislava, please visit visit.bratislava.sk 
 

Budapest
 

The sun sets at 5, and when night falls, Budapest’s lights play twinkling xylophone on the sparkling blue Danube. They’re competing for attention: this city has the world’s most abundant set of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Andrássy Avenue is one such World Heritage Site. This wide, architecturally graced boulevard is lined with unique buildings from the turn-of-the-20th-century. Nowadays, it’s also adorned in a different way: by shops. Here is where one finds the world’s greatest international labels, from Oktogon Square to Deák Ferenc Square and Fashion Street.

To get a real look at this graceful city, head to Normafa, its highest point. Hop on the Fogaskerekű cogwheel train, which goes from the heart of the Buda side straight up to one of the most popular green areas of Buda, the János Hill. When there’s snow, one can ski here amongst the strudel shops and boutiques. On weekends, the popular Children’s Railway (Gyermekvasút) also launches here hourly.

Budapest’s ancient thermal baths are marvellous and abundant. The Gellért, Széchenyi and Lukács baths have mosaic walls and unique architectural features. Take a steam or sauna or get a massage, and feel the day drain away.

End your visit with winter’s splendor: Christmas. From November 20 to December 29, Vörösmarty Square is home to a holiday fair full of festive lights, warm treats, and music. Shop for handmade Hungarian crafts while sipping a glass of mulled wine.

For more information about Budapest, please visit www.budapestinfo.hu and www.budapestwinter.com.

 
Dresden
 

The fair capital of Free Saxon is a party town through and through. Its residents love to laugh as much as they love to revel and dance, and the holiday season gives ample reasons for all: Christmas, New Year, old traditions and new parties.

In December, the city on the Elbe turns Christmas. No fewer than nine Christmas market inhabit the Saxony state capital.

The biggest and oldest of these is the Striezelmarkt, held on Altmarkt (Old Market Square). As the market celebrates its 575th birthday, it gets a surprise: instead of a 45’ pyramid – the tallest tiered structure of its kind in the world – as its centerpiece, this year’s main attraction will be a candlelit 16’ archway sure to stun.

This year will be a first for Advent auf dem Neumarkt, a new Christmas market to be held in front of the restored Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady).

Christmas concerts run throughout the season, either in their traditional venues—Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) and Frauenkirche—or in the uniquely baroque surroundings of the Dresdner Zwinger and Schloss Wackerbarth.

On December 31st, the festive season continues with Silvester auf dem Theaterplatz (New Year on Theatre Square), a party entirely new to Dresden. Known for its nightlife, Dresden needed to wow its residents. The space is magnificent: in front of the Semper Opera, perhaps the most visually stunning concert hall in Europe. Guests will dance the night away on a heated floor.

The Semper Opera Ball happens just two weeks later. This is the German version of Dancing with the Stars: on January 15th, 2010, they’ll be unfurling the red carpet for celebrities and lovers of classic ballroom dancing. And as Saxony celebrations go, this one will be no different: open air dancing will take place in front of the Opera House for some dancing beneath the stars as well.

For more information about Dresden, please visit www.dresden.de
 

Munich
 

Much ado is made of Oktoberfest. But avoid the crowds and visit Munich in the heart of winter, when the beer still flows but it’s Christmas, cars, and new art that light the air.

A New Museum
On Sundays year-round, public museums charge just one Euro for admission. There’s no exception: not even for the new Museum Brandhorst, a collection of works by late-20-century trailblazers such as Cy Twombly, Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, Georg Baselitz, Gerhard Richter and others. Also included are three world-famous Pinakothek museums, which provide a comprehensive (and critically acclaimed) retrospective of art from bygone centuries.

And on Mondays (except for national holidays), visit the Hypokunsthalle in the city center for half price.

Car Culture
Car enthusiasts flock for free to BMW Welt (BMW World), the world’s largest permanent exhibition of BMWs. www.bmw-welt.com.

Christmas
From November 25 to December 31, 2009, Tollwood Winterfestival draws visitors with its atmospheric Christmas market. In addition to the usual ornaments and handicrafts, several tents stage free theater and music performances. www.tollwood.de

November 27 to December 24, 2009 sees the original Christkindlmarkt on Munich’s Marienplatz. A huge Christmas tree towers over the sea of stalls. Every day at 5:30, carolers match its lights with song on the Town Hall balcony. Among the family-friendly attractions is a “Heavenly Workshop” (Himmelswerkstatt) and a “Krampus" run. www.christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de

From late November, 2009 to late January, 2010, visitors can rent skates and race around the Münchner Eiszauber (ice rink) on Stachus plaza. www.muenchnereiszauber.de

For more information about Munich, please visit www.munich-tourist.de.
 

Salzburg
 

A sparkling designer outlet center. A hangar full of art—and collector airplanes. Heavenly music—in its rightful place. And a Christmas season that takes into account past and present.

Baroque buildings, rococo interiors, and Sound of Music references aside, Salzburg is a thoroughly contemporary city. Case in point: the sparkling new designer outlet mall.

Adjacent to Salzburg International Airport, NEW Designer Outlet Salzburg is a shopper’s absolute dream. Specifically European finds include Rosenthal dishware, skiwear from Bründl Sports, women’s wear by German designer Jil Sander, and men’s wear by Ermenegildo Zegna. www.designeroutlet.at

Next, tour Hangar-7 (www.hangar-7.com), a vast hangar that’s an architectural stunner—and shaped like one of the historic airplanes housed inside. Gaze at the airplanes or the artwork, and eat at the in-hangar restaurant.

Both Vienna and Salzburg lay their claim to Mozart. But only this city is graced with the student body of University of Music Mozarteum. During the school year (October to June), performances are often free of charge, or available by donation. www.moz.ac.at. Sundays are made beautiful with free organ concerts at the St. Franciscan Church (9 am) or Cathedral (10 am).

Christmas
Much ado is made of Christmas all over Europe, but especially in Salzburg, land of wishes. The city’s Christmas Markets are open as early as Thanksgiving-time, and they stay open until the day after Christmas. Revelers celebrate daily in the city’s many monuments and plazas, including Hellbrunn Palace and Cathedral Square, where carolers gather to sing every day from 5-5:30 pm.

And for a 2000-year retrospective of nativity scenes, travel to the courtyard of the Residenz or at the Heimatwerk Salzburg. www.sbg.heimatwerk.at

Enable yourself to experience all of this with a Salzburg Card: 22E buys you 24 hours of free access to select attractions, the metro line, and buses, and discounts to select events and shops. 48- and 72-hour cards are available, too. www.salzburg.info

For more information about Salzburg, please visit www.salzburg.info.

 
Vienna
 

The smell of Yuletide baking and hot punch fills the air. Year after year, Christmas markets stake their claim on the city’s most imaginative plazas. Each one is different. Rathauspark turns into a winter wonderland, while a solemn Advent wreath presides over City Hall. Gospel choir music hovers around the statue of Maria-Theresien. A brass band plays. 

From November 14-December 24, 2009, the Vienna Christmas Market at City Hall Square is one of the largest and best. 150 stalls hawk handcrafted gifts, ornaments, hot toddies and sweets. Neighboring Rathauspark twinkles with a hundred lit Christmas trees. www.christkindlmarkt.at

Mere blocks away, in front of Vienna’s grand Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz is bathed in brass from November 18-December 24, 2009. Brass bands, that is. Gospel choirs round out the mix. www.weihnachtsdorf.at

From November 28-December 23, 2009, tradition rules at Freyung’s Old Viennese Christmas Market—founded in 1772. There are more gifts to be had; despite the centuries-old roots of this market, new cribs and ceramics hail youth and fresh beginnings. Around 4 o’clock, Advent music rings out on the square—a 300+-year tradition nearly unbroken. www.altwiener-markt.at

From November 21-December 26, 2009, Culture and Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace is held on the cour d’honneur of this former Habsburg summer residence. The romantic market stocks a rich selection of traditional handicrafts, handmade jewelry and rustic decorations for the tree. Kids’ programs run all day, as well as an intriguing exhibition devoted to Christmas customs in Austria. www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at  

From November 20.-December 23, 2009, Christmas Village at the Belvedere Palace– another former royal summer residence– is backed by Baroque architecture and formal gardens. www.weihnachtsdorf.at 

On New Year’s Eve, all calm and contemplation is shattered. New Year’s Trail is a citywide parade that begins at City Hall and weaves its way through the old city, ultimately leading to Stephansplatz, the epicenter of the celebration. Revelers waltz their way into the New Year. www.wien-event.at

For more information about Vienna, please visit www.vienna.info.