Vienna sits in the far east of Austria, the River Danube passing by, and with Slovakia mere miles away over the border. It’s a wonderful place to drive as you can hop from the city to the nearby mountains and lakes, through fabulous scenic drives.

You can find a handy guide to driving in Austria online, but the key points are that you’ll be driving on the right and overtaking on the left. Speed limits are 80mph on motorways, 62mph on roads outside of built-up areas and 31mph in urban areas. You’ll also come across various towns with an 18mph speed limit. It’s important to note that speed signs are in kph in Austria.

Parking can be difficult in the heart of Vienna, so take advantage of any arrangements your hotel may have. If you can find street parking, it’s free, unless you’re in a ‘Kurzparkzonen’ where you must pay. Be aware of trams in the city centre, and that vehicles coming from the right have priority.

If you arrive at the airport, you’re just over 10 miles from the city, and can head north-west on the E58 into Vienna. Negotiating the core of the city is easy by taking the Ringstrasse – the 150-year-old ring road along which many of the main attractions lie. Slovakia and Bratislava are a short drive on the A6/A4 motorways, while many locals head to Lake Neusiedl for recreation – take the A4 to get there.

If you want to explore one of the hidden gems of Austria, drive west on the E60 to Melk in the Wachau Valley, where you’ll find a Benedictine abbey, old castles and pretty little villages in picture postcard woods next to the Danube.

A city that has been central to European life for centuries, Vienna has a history that combines royalty, scandal, intrigue, art, music and more. But the people here aren’t just content to dwell on the rich past, they’re busy ensuring that Vienna is also a modern city, with new experiences and tastes.

Compose yourself

Home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Boys Choir – the latter of which dates from 1498 – it’s difficult to wander the cobbled streets of Vienna without becoming aware of the city’s central role in the development of classical music. The numerous theatres and opera houses testify to the Austrian impact on music, and Mozart, Mahler, Beethoven, Strauss, Liszt and Haydn all spent time composing in Vienna itself, while Schubert was born there.

There’s a wonderful gilded statue of Strauss in the Stadtpark, while you can visit the Mozart House, Beethoven House and Schubert Museum. If you’ve only got time for one, head for the Haus der Musik museum for an interactive potted history of the city’s cultural life.

Of strudel and schnitzel

A trip to Vienna can be a real belt-buster. A city steeped in café culture has developed a number of dishes designed to be rich and filling. The young chef Franz Sacher invented the Sachertorte in 1832 and this chocolate cake is still a favourite for locals and visitors.

Apfelstrudel is also ubiquitous here, while those without a sweet tooth in need of some sustenance will find Wiener Schnitzel on many menus. Try this classic breaded veal dish at Pfarrwirt, in a 12^th century building, or the pork version at Figlmuller, a stone’s throw from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the colder months, opt for the goulash or the boiled beef stews for a rib-sticking alternative.

Austrian architecture and art

The Habsburgs dug deep into the coffers for many of the over-the-top buildings that pepper the streets. The 17^th century Schloss Schonbrunn was their vast summer palace, with over 1400 rooms. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, with some 40 of the rooms open for you to visit. It’s worth getting a ticket in advance online for either the imperial or grand tour.

Another grand baroque palace is the Schloss Belvedere, constructed for Prince Eugene of Savoy. Again, tours are available, and the palace hosts a phenomenal art collection, including Gustav Klimt’s iconic Kiss and Judith pieces.

Lovers of all things equestrian should trot to the Spanish Riding School. The stunning interior balconies give the perfect view of the Lipizzaner stallions as they perform. Advance booking is recommended.

Culture vultures will also love the MuseumsQuartier, some 60,000 square feet of museums, cafes and restaurants. Here you’ll find the Leopold Museum with its extensive collection of Egon Schiele paintings along with more Klimt. The nearby Mumok is home to Picasso, Magritte and a wide collection of pop and political art, while you’ll also find the Architekturzentrum Wien and Kunsthalle Wien museums here. All in all, they span the history of modern art, and are a sign that Austria isn’t overly fixated on its glorious history.

With the fresh lakes and wooded valleys of the Danube nearby, car hire in Vienna makes all of Austria accessible.