You got to love its run down 70s interior and the smoky atmosphere. As a local you go to the Beisl to drink, play and philosophise all evening. Here everyone is equal: young and old, rich and poor, bohème and bourgeoisie! (Waiter excluded, he is always the king.) The legendary – and very smoky – Café Bendl is probably Vienna’s most famous Beisl. From young beer drinking students to famous actors and intellectuals, everyone is hanging out here. Steman on Otto-Bauer-Gasse in the 6th district is also a splendid example of a Beisl and has been a meeting point for all generations for more than 100 years. A similarly long history with a nicely retained patina in the guest parlor can also be found at Rebhuhn in the 9th district, not far from the Sigmund Freud House. Dom Beisl at St. Stephen's Cathedral is the luxury version, featuring sophisticated Viennese cuisine.

Vienna happens to be one of the safest cities in the world. Even though it is one of the most visited cities of Europe, and with tourist season being open all year round, the city has not been witness to many violent crimes.The city is one of the safest destinations - harassment is not common. In fact, the only crimes that are likely to involve tourists are petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching. It's recommended that visitors keep valuables out of sight, and use facilities such as hotel safes to safeguard important travel documents, large amounts of cash and jewellery.

One of the world’s finest art collections has been housed since 1805 in the Albertina, a grand Viennese palace in the neoclassical style. Today it is Vienna’s largest gallery and the collections cover 130 years of art history. Masterpieces by Schiele, Cézanne, Klimt, Kokoschka, Picasso and Rauschenberg are displayed in the rotating exhibitions. On permanent display in the Albertina's new exhibition collection are the most exciting art movements of the last 130 years: from French impressionism to German expressionism to the Russian avant garde and the present. Monet's "Water Lily Pond", Degas' "Dancers" and Renoir's "Girl" can be gazed at in wonder, as can paintings by Beckmann, Macke, Chagall, Malevich, Rothko, Rainer and Katz.

Night owls with style party in the first district at the dinner club Albertina Passage (Opernring, 1010) at the jazz club Porgy & Bess (Riemergasse 11, 1010) or at the Volksgarten Pavillon. Hipsters go to Pratersauna (Waldsteingartenstraße 135, 1020) or the club Chaya Fuera (Kandlgasse 19-21, 1070). Dancing and “chilling” of the highest quality – Vienna’s electronic music scene is world-renowned. Clubs such as Flex at the Danube Canal were selected as one of the best locations worldwide.

Should you arrive on the weekend before the conference you may be interested in a little hike in the Vienna woods, a large forest adjacent to Vienna in the west and easily reachable by public transport or rental car in a twenty minutes’ ride. Known for its spectacular view of the city, Kahlenberg is a very traditional spot for the Viennese to watch the sun rise over the city with your loved one after a long ball or for a spectacular jogging experience. Small simple local taverns allow you to rest and drink the new wine and are often chosen as the place to take the family out for a Sunday family lunch. It is difficult to be more “Viennese” than here….