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© Georg Mantler

11. 05. 12. - 15:00

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11. 05. 12. - 15:00

Enjoy the river in spring

Spring is a good time to discover Vienna’s rivers and wetlands by boat, and there are many boat companies to choose from.

From April to October, cruise operator DDSG Blue Danube offers a choice of five different sightseeing tours on the Danube and the Danube Canal. The different cruises give visitors the chance to take in well-known Viennese landmarks such as the Urania observatory; the Ringturm tower and the Kaiserbadschleuse lock system from a completely different perspective. The DDSG pleasure cruisers dock at the Reichsbrücke Bridge and Marina Wien on the Danube proper and at the Wien City boat terminal on the Danube Canal.

The high-speed Twin City Liner catamarans that shuttle between Vienna and Bratislava have permanent berths on the Danube Canal. From April until the end of October the service operates between the two capitals twice a day. The downstream Vienna-Bratislava leg lasts an hour and a quarter, while the upstream return journey takes fifteen minutes longer. Passengers travel in premium air-conditioned comfort, while first-class seating, panoramic windows and the captain's lounge complete the luxury inter-city travel experience.

Between May and October the National Park Boat, which also berths at the Danube Canal, takes nature lovers to the Lobau wetlands direct from the city centre. This unspoiled natural paradise is part of the Donau Auen National Park. Upon arrival, specially trained park rangers lead visitors on an hour-long walking tour of the wetlands and surrounding woods before the round trip concludes with a boat ride back to the city.

• DDSG Blue Danube, www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
• Twin City Liner, Schiffsstation Wien City, Schwedenplatz, 1010 Vienna, www.twincityliner.com
• National Park Boat, www.donauauen.at, book in advance, tel. +43-1-4000-49495

Vienna Times

Army officer sentenced over getting recruits to lay flooring at his house
The state court of Vienna sentenced a second lieutenant of the Austrian Army to nine months in jail due to misuse of authority. He had three recruits lay the flooring in his own house.

Child injured on zebra crossing
A ten-year-old girl was severely injured in a car accident in Vienna-Margareten yesterday (Wed). A car hit her on a zebra crossing. It remained unclear whether the girl or the driver was supposed to wait.

Long Night of the Churches
Hundreds of churches Austria-wide to open their doors for the "Long Night of the Churches" (original: "Langen Nacht der Kirchen") on May, 24.

Cheapskate Tourist Almost Died In Sewer Visit
A German tourist had a lucky escape after he decided to go underground to get a view of the Vienna sewers, and fell badly breaking several bones including his hip and his leg.

Preparation for Life Ball begins
The preparations of the Life Ball in Vienna are at full blast after delays due to bad weather last weekend. Star guests like Eva Longoria and Carmen Electra are expected at Vienna Airport on Friday.

Woman killed by Vienna tram
A female pedestrian tried to cross a street in Vienna Hietzing yesterday afternoon (Tues) without paying attention to the traffic. She was hit by the tram number 60 and died at the scene.

15 minutes free parking instead of 10
The 15-minute parking ticket will replace the 10-minute parking ticket in autumn. The only alternative is to buy your parking ticket with your phone. A parking clock does not protect you from a fine.

Lightning storm causes damage in Lower Austria
810 lightning strikes have been counted in Lower Austria last night (Tues). Meteorologists state that this is not an extraordinary number but some lightning strikes resulted in fires. The fire brigade had to set out in several towns.

Spanish Riding School for everyone
The riding centre of Heldenberg, district of Hollabrunn (Lower Austria) is now offering exclusive courses: professional riders of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna teach interested riders.

Vienna advocates a ban on pesticides
Vienna has now joined those Austrian states that advocate a cooperative strategy for a ban of the neonicotinoids pesticides. Apparently, there are tested alternatives for the pesticides that are harmful for bees.