Vienna

A romantic blend of art, music and gastronomy with wedding cake architecture, Austria’s capital Vienna is a treat for all the senses.

The city was the birthplace of artists Klimt and Schiele, the home of Beethoven, Mozart and Sigmund Freud.

After your private charter flight lands at Vienna International Airport, it’s just a 20-minute drive into the city centre.

For a taste of royal life, check into the centrally-located Hotel Imperial which was built for the Prince of Wurttemberg in 1863.

The marble lobby, grand chandeliers and Royal Staircase have welcomed everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II over the years.

If you’re staying in a suite, liveried butlers will do everything from iron your morning paper to draw you a bath, while you explore the rooftop sauna and the lounge bar.

For a more contemporary stay, try Do & Co. The postmodern, urban chic hotel sits in front of St Stephen’s Cathedral and the historic city centre’s main square.

Floor-to-ceiling windows give you stunning views, while the luxurious, moodily-lit dark interiors are a perfect backdrop for a cocktail or glass of wine in the hotel bar.

Hotel Sacher Wien is the only family-run luxury hotel in the city, known for the secret recipe of its famous chocolate cake which draws crowds to its iconic cafe.

Even the toiletries in the plush marble bathrooms are chocolate-scented, with mini sachertortes available in guests’ bedrooms.

Vienna is not only famous for its chocolate cake, strudels and schnitzels, it also has a booming contemporary gastronomy scene.

O Boufes is an industrial chic bistro serving small plates and natural wines in a venue that combines bare walls with sprinkles of gold. Tuck into ox with egg, dashi, hazelnut and cauliflower or prawn saganaki.

Mochi specialises in Japanese fusion with Iberico pork with truffle teriyaki glaze and dragon rolls.

For a modern take on the traditional Austrian classics, book a table at Pramerl & the Wolf. The Michelin-starred restaurant bills itself as ‘casual fine dining’ with a set menu and a sprawling wine list.

For a classic foaming stein of beer after your meal, try 7Stern Brau or enjoy a saffron-infused tequila with a stunning view of the city at Das Loft Bar & Lounge.

Vienna not only has a world-class dining and drinking scene, when your private jet lands you also have some of the best museums and art galleries on your doorstep.

The MuseumsQuarter (or MQ) has the world’s finest Egon Schiele collection and a sculpture/mini golf course, while Klimt’s The Kiss is on display at the Upper Belvedere Palace.

Visitors can enjoy the Sigmund Freud Museum, the world’s oldest Jewish museum, which tells the story of the city’s Jewish population from the Middle Ages to the present day or indulge in some music at the stunning Vienna Opera House.

To enjoy Vienna’s natural charms, the best times to charter a flight are April-May or September-October, for warm sunny weather perfect for a stroll.

Visitors also flock to the city in December to enjoy the Christmas markets, despite the chilly temperatures.

But whatever time of year you visit, this grand city’s cultural legacy – and its chocolate cake – will charm you.