Vienna has more than 1,500,000 residents, making the capital Austria's largest city. In fact, 20 percent of the country's total population lives in Vienna and its suburbs. Vienna Woods, Austria's largest forest, is a wilderness of beech and fir trees that sprawls just outside of the city and stretches all the way to the Alps. It is covered with hiking trails and one of Beethoven's greatest compositions, the Pastoral Symphony, was inspired by his walks there.

Baroque architecture, so typical of the city's buildings, transforms Vienna into a fairyland of palaces and churches. A grand castle called the Belvedere ("beautiful view") houses Vienna's Museum of Baroque Art and the Staatsoper (State Opera House) is another example of the city's legacy of fabulously ornate buildings. The Opera Ball is held there annually, continuing the city's tradition of being the waltz capital of the world, thanks to the many compositions written by the waltz king of all times, Johann Strauss, Jr. Besides being the musical center of Europe in the 19th century, Vienna was also the birthplace or adopted homeland of classical and Romantic composers such as Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Mahler. In 1762 six-year-old Mozart first played for Emperor Maria Theresa at the court in Vienna. Today, Vienna is home to one of the country's most famous musical institutions, the Vienna Boys' Choir that was originally established as a church choir in 1498. The choir consists of eighty-eight boys, chosen on the basis of the sweetness of their voices as well as their knowledge of music. Thousands of young Austrian singers long to become a part of this choir that travels the world.

Another remarkable Viennese institution is the Spanische Reitschule (Spanish Riding School). Here, white Lipizzaners, a breed of horses that originated in Spain, prance in precise weaving formations to baroque music. The riders are also highly trained and the spectacle is a thrilling experience for the audience.

The Viennese are legendary for their enjoyment of life and a good example of this is the Sachertorte that originated at the Sacher Hotel in Vienna, about 150 years ago. A rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam under its thick, smooth icing and served with plenty of Schlag (whipped cream), this is one of Austria's finest pastries.