Austria
Austria consists of 9 independent federal states and has approximately 8 million inhabitants.  Austria’s provinces boast landscapes to perfection at almost every turn. The landscape varies from ice-covered peaks, from bucolic vineyards to luxuriant pine forests, from gentle pasturelands to lush river lands.

Vienna
Vienna, the capital of Austria with its approximately 2 million inhabitants is situated in the heart of Europe. It is a popular location for conferences. Moreover, it is one of the United Nations Headquarters, and also home to a number of other international organizations. Vienna is a city on which its ever-changing history has left an indelible mark, reflected also in its rich cultural heritage. Viennese writers, musicians, artists and scientists have forged new directions for the modern world in every field. Today Vienna offers old historical palaces and modern shopping centers, Austrian food and cuisine, Viennese coffee houses and Greek restaurants, opera performances and jazz sessions, classical concerts and open air festivals, antique shops and elegant boutiques - all these contrasts are harmonized into something typically Viennese.

Fast facts
Status: Capital city and federal province of Austria
Area: 415 sq km
Population: 1,660,000
Boroughs: 23
Language: German
Currency: EUR
Religion: Roman Catholic 
Climate: moderate, continental
Time zone: +1 GMT
Member of EU: Yes
Telephone Area Code: +43-1

Venue
Hilton Vienna
Am Stadtpark 3, Vienna, Austria A - 1030
Tel: 43-1-717-000  
Fax: 43-1-713-0691

Set in the heart of Vienna, the hotel is just 15 minutes by direct train from the airport. Located opposite the famous city park, the hotel is within 10 minutes' walking distance of spectacular Vienna attractions such as the Opera House and St Stephen's Cathedral. All Hilton Guest Rooms feature garden or city views and wireless internet access. Home to Vienna's premier conference center, the Hilton Vienna hotel offers meeting space for up to 1800 participants.

Airport Information and Travel to Vienna
Vienna International Airport  (VIE) is located 20km from downtown Vienna and can be reached by the following means of transportation:
City Airport Train is an express train service to Vienna’s city centre (“Landstrasse – Wien Mitte”). The journey takes 16 minutes and trains leave every 30 minutes.
Schnellbahn (Line S 7) is a direct train service to Vienna’s city centre (“Wien Mitte”). The journey takes approximately 25 minutes.
Vienna Airport Lines bus service connects the city with Vienna International Airport. Buses leave in front of the arrival hall and bring passengers to the city centre (“Schwedenplatz”). The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Tickets are available for purchase on the bus.
Taxis are available outside the arrival hall level 1. The journey to the city centre takes approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic and costs approximately 35 Euro.

Transportation inside the City
Vienna offers a well-developed, efficient and modern public transportation network of underground lines, trams, buses and metropolitan railway (Schnellbahn) Vienna public transport is part of the Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region VOR (transport association for Austria's eastern regions). Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region is split into eight zones and includes parts of Lower Austria, the Burgenland and all of Vienna. The city of Vienna accounts for one full zone or core zone (Kernzone or "Zone 100"). A single ticket is valid for travelling one way in one zone. You may change to different lines in the course, but you may not interrupt your journey.

Opening Hours of Shops
Shops are generally open from 9:00 until 18:00 Mondays to Fridays. On Saturdays the stores close at either 12:00 noon or 17:00. Shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays.