Destination: Austria

Austria is notorious for its far-right (even racist and bigoted) national politics. But Vienna is a bastion of tolerance. In fact, while the current national government may not support gay rights, the big city — Vienna — greets you with crosswalk signs that show gay couples crossing the streets. While Austria’s Green Party has never wielded much power at the national level, it is strong in Vienna. In fact, it’s part of Vienna’s ruling coalition, which it joined on the condition that it would gain control of the city’s transportation department. That’s why, when you travel to Vienna, you’ll notice people-friendly (vehicle-unfriendly) streets, lots of bike lanes, and traffic lights that seem to say, “Gay or straight, everyone is equally welcome on our streets.” Waltz with me through the happy streets of Vienna.

My favorite dress-up restaurant in Vienna just got better and less expensive. Here’s a look at the Black Camel Restaurant (Zum Schwarzen Kameel) — which is now the Black Camel Bistro. I was working through my night’s list of restaurants to check for my Vienna guidebook, with about 12 visits down and three to go, when I was seduced into a chair by the fun energy of this place. On my last visit, it was a fancy restaurant with an affordable bistro tucked into a corner. Now the bistro dominates, and the fancy restaurant is tucked into the back. Join me in this clip as I discover a new wine and learn how a rum-punch pastry, pink on the outside and brown on the inside, has some very interesting political connotations.

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It’s Day 64 of my 100-day trip to Europe, and I’m on the streets of Vienna, making sure my Vienna guidebook readers have the best eating options. And just a couple of blocks from the crowds, there are some amazing opportunities to eat well, memorably, and cheaply.

Information is power, and when it comes to travel, I want my guidebooks to give you lots of muscle.

Great art often hides in less-famous sights — like the Albertina Museum, in a distant wing of Vienna’s Hofburg Palace. Throughout my travels this year, I’ve noticed that huge crowds don’t always gravitate to the most enjoyable sights. If you read your guidebooks, you’ll know about attractions where peace and elegance trump crowds and chaos. Here at the Albertina, I’m enjoying some quality time alone with the creative genius of my favorite artists.

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