On a recent trip to Vienna (the city is wonderful, shame that it is inhabited by the Viennese), I made the mistake of buying a box of chocs from above store. I didn't notice at the time that the cashier failed to give me a receipt. Back at our hotel, my boyfriend and I were feeling peckish and decided to attack the chocs to find they were all mouldy despite the good sell-by date. Took them back to the shop to be told by an extremely rude bloke to bog off as I couldn't prove I had bought them there. Don't make the same mistake, be sure you get a receipt!! Later in the day, we visited St. Stephen's Cathedral to be bawled at by another extremely rude Austrian to get away from some triptych thingy he was explaining to a group of Japanese. Two highly unpleasant experiences ruined an other wise goodish trip to the Austrian capital, as I said, if it weren't for the smug, rude inhabitants!

In case staying some days in Vienna in lovely summer time do not forget to visit the finest "Biergarten" in Prater, Vienna. You can taste the excellent czech Budweiser with rear knuckle of pork, what is the best choice in my opinion.

On August there's a market on Rathausplatz, where you'll be able to eat food from all over the world: India, China, Italia, and of course Austria.

Austria is very well-known for its cakes and so; in Vienna there are lots of "Konditorei" but they're often a bit expensive... The Anker stores are everywhere and there you can buy tasty cheap cakes and so.

After visiting the Mozart's birthplace (very exciting if you are one of his fans...like me!) and his statue (impressive, indeed!), their famous Opera House and Cathedral, take a walk along *Getreidegasse*, the most famous street in Salzburg! Not only that is filled with an amazing number of shops (check out the wrought-iron signs put above the entrances,for each type of business!), but will also be able to buy Austria's most famous delicacy: Mozart's kugeln! These chocolate balls are simply a MUST! Once you try them, you will simply get addicted to their delicious taste, so you better buy couple of extra boxes: for yourself and your dearests... :)

How Australian it really is I wouldn't know (never made it down under), but this definitely is a nice pub to relax, chat, and get a decent burger. Or fried grasshoppers maybe. Be warned though that the grasshoppers apparently get fried in the same pan as the fries, so you might end up with a grasshopper leg amidst your fries...

This typically Viennese restaurant offers excellent food at average prices. Situated at Johann Strauss-G. 42 in the 4th district (close to Südbahnhof; Phone 503 15 56), it might be a little hard to find, but it definitely is worth the effort. Also recommendable for vegetarians. Picks: try the Scharner's Special (spinach, potatoes, and fried eggs), Mohr im Hemd (chocolaty dessert), and most of all, the famous Backhendl-Salat (salad with fried pieces of chicken). Open Sun-Fri, 5 pm to 1am.

Pancho; Blumauergasse 1a (off Taborstrasse, 2nd district, Tram no. 21); open Mon-Sat 17-2; excellent fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas. Relaxed atmosphere. On Fridays and Saturdays reservation indispensable.