In the cityof Vienna, the capital, largest city, and one of the nine States of Austria

 "O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

-- Percy Bysshe Shelley
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(in the eastern part of Austria) Vienna, the capital, largest city, and one of the nine States of Austria, is Austria's most populous city. It is the sixth-largest city proper by population in the Europen Union and the largest city on the Danube River. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Vienna was the largest German-speaking city in the world, and before the splitting of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War I, the city had two million inhabitants. Today, it is the second-largest German-speaking city after Berlin. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, including the UN, OPEC, and the OSCE. The city is also close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary -- which work together in a European Centrope border region. Along with nearby Bratislava, Vienna forms a metropolitan region with three million inhabitants. In 2001, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, Vienna has been called the "City of Music" due to its musical legacy, as many famous classical musicians such as Beethoven and Mozart called Vienna their home. Vienna is also said to be the "City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud. Vienna's ancestral roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that transformed into a Medieval and Baroque city. It is well known for having played a pivotal role as a leading European music center, from the age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The historic center of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque palaces and gardens, and the late-19th-century Ringstraße lined with grand buildings, monuments, and parks.

+ The city's beautiful environment and attractive scenery have contributed to giving Vienna the title of 'The Goddess of Danube.' The magnificent Vienna Forest is located in the west of the Alpine foothills and the east overlooks the sparkling Danube River and the snowy Carpathian Mountains. Schonbrunn Palace (shown here) is the former summer residence of the Habsburgs and Vienna's most popular tourist attraction. With its Baroque palaces and manicured gardens, Vienna is all elegance and charm. Yet, it is not all history at its (literal) finest. To see a modern side, check out MuseumsQuartier, the creative district packed with exhibits, shops, and restaurants. Coffee culture is a real thing here, and there are lots of cozy cafés where you can enjoy an espresso and a slice of sachertorte while hanging. Should you want to trade your coffee for something strong, head to a vineyard (there are some 400 of them) or a wine tavern for drinks and Wiener schnitzel, which is a type of schnitzel made of a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet. (It is one of the best known specialities of Viennese cuisine, and one of the national dishes of Austria.)