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Phili's is a blast of color along the Gumpendorferstrasse.

When looking for unique handmade gift items or indulgent treats for yourself, make Phili's...With Love your first stop. The shop is chock full of gorgeous feminine handcrafted items including great jewelry in captivating original designs. The earrings in particular, by designers like Tosh, are irresistible. The store also sells a slew of cute change purses, carrying cases, and handbags ...

A large sign hangs above the door of the shop.

Great Austrian music on CD can be found just around the corner from Vienna's Hofburg Palace. Musik Palais Havlicek is a quaint independently run music shop carrying some of the best classical and folk music Vienna has to offer. On the Musik Palais shelves, you'll find quality recordings of some of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's (Wiener Philharmoniker) most ...

Konzert Haus facade

The Konzert Haus (Concert House) is probably Vienna's second most popular place to hear top quality classical music. Occasionally, the Konzert Haus also serves as a venue for performances that are a bit off the beaten path for such a stately building. Recently, for example, the Konzert Haus hosted Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and in the past, Sting and Lambchop have also performed there. On a ...

Burgkino's main entrance

The Burgkino movie theater's weekly showing of "The Third Man" is definitely worthwhile if you're a fan of Orson Wells or are curious about the state of post-war Vienna. The British film, which is shown in English about three times every week, stars Wells and incorporates a large amount of post-WWII footage of Vienna. Included in the film are shots of the war-ravaged Stephansdom ...

Skating is popular during the day and evening.

When interested in an outdoor winter activity in Vienna, head over to the Vienna Ice Skating Club (Wiener Eislauf-Verein). Admission for adults (18+) costs €6 Monday - Saturday and €7 on Sundays and holidays. Children's admission prices are €2.50 for ages 3-6 and €5 for ages 6-18. Discounts apply for students, some government employees, senior citizens, and groups. Skate rentals ...

A beautifully lit tree stands in the center of the market.

The Christmas market in front of the Schönbrunn Palace offers some of Vienna's best seasonal entertainment, gifts, and edibles. The market is easy to reach and is popular with both visitors and locals because of its classy ambiance and offerings. Market stalls form a ring around a huge Christmas tree and small performance stage and sell items ...

luminous chandeliers near Stephansdom

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the cobblestone paths leading out from Stephansdom (Vienna's grandest cathedral) are filled with some of the city's most beautiful holiday decorations. A major highlight is the enormous chandeliers made of tiny lights on the broad stone path leading from Stephansdom to the Hofburg Palace. Stopping for a Gluhwein (hot spiced wine) at the Lions Club stand along ...

The Maria-Theresien Platz market is nestled
between two of Vienna's best museums.

A great Christmas market at the Maria-Theresien Platz has sprouted up only within the past few years. The market stalls form a ring around the monument between Vienna's Natural History Musuem (Naturhistorisches Museum) and Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum) and offer a nice assortment of handmade ornaments, foods, beverages, and other gift items. The market has more ...

Pedestrians take the streets during Advent.

This past Saturday marked the first of Mariahilferstrasse's "open road" Advent Saturdays for 2007. Each Saturday during Advent, the city of Vienna closes the Mariahilferstrasse to vehicle traffic and permits bikers, walkers, and other pedestrians to move freely up and down the street in addition to the adjacent sidewalks. The result is less cramped and more pleasant holiday shopping in Mariahilferstrasse's premium ...