Winter in Vienna is a feast for all the senses. I had a chance to experience to visit this wonderful city in freezing December last year. I was with a group of students performiong in streets of different European cities to collect funds for the victims of the Pakistan earthquake. A good deed plus a travel opportunity. I had to be insane not to join them.

The beautifully decorated christmas market, the hot ’punch’ in freezing weather, the operas, historical churches with hanging calenders and a lot more forms a part of Vienna’s festive season. With the city’s well developed transport network, consisting of metros, trams and buses, nothing seemed distant. The day started with a tour of the Imperial Palace, viewing the private roomsof Emperor Francis Joseph (ruled 1848-1916) and those of his wife, Empress Elisabeth. It was important to keep an eye on the time because at 12 noon, at Hoher Markt, the art nouveau ‘Anker clock’ will strike ...
And this clock with a procession of life-size figures is a spectacle in itself. This was followed by the visits to a couple of museums Lipizzaner and the Leopold Museum, one of the largest cultural quarters in the world.

The first performance that the group decided to have was in front of the St. Stephen’s Church where all the students assembled in the afternoon. Within a few minutes a huge crowd could be seen, admiring a young choir which sang english,african, italian, german and chinese songs, and not to miss the christmas carrols. The group managed to raise 88 euros and 60 cents that day. The evening brought a bit of a challenge for a group of students who missed the last bus and had to walk a distance of 7 kms at 11 P.M. in a temperature of –14 degrees. But nevertheless, they were all thrilled as the sun shone the next day. This was a special day. The choir was invited to the Vienna International centre for a performance in the UN building. Along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi, Vienna is one of the four Headquarters duty stations of the United Nations. More than 4,000 employees from over 100 countries work for the VIC-based organisations.

Dressed up as perfect ladies and gentlemen this time, the students made a great show. It was a moment of great pride, even though this performance was not meant to collect funds. The last day in Vienna was spent singing in the various christmas markets and visiting other places of historical interests.
Next day alas, it was time to leave. It was perhaps the most enjoyable and friutful trip of my life.

Type of Travel:	Student Travel
Duration of Stay:	7 days approx
Average Expenditure:	Budget (less than Rs.1000/day)
Group Size:	Ten to twenty
Best Suited For:	Friends
Best Time to Travel:	Mar - May