Vail
Most visitors flock to Vail during one season (winter) for one thing (snow sports), and with good reason. The largest single-mountain ski resort in North America — with annual snowfall of up to 30 feet of light, dry powder — boasts a whopping 5,300 acres of terrain with 34 high-speed lifts and 275 days of sunshine each year. It's no wonder Vail is a mecca for downhill skiers and snowboarders. But there is more than snow sports in the Bavarian-style alpine village that only comprises about 4.5 miles, where horse-drawn carriages meander down pedestrian-friendly streets, and the shopping and dining are world-class. The town is largely car-free and was designed to be pedestrian-friendly. To make transportation even easier for pedestrians, the Town of Vail provides a free year-round bus that takes visitors through the city, between the east and west sides, Vail Village, the business district and Lionshead, making it easy for visitors to get around and see the town. Summer is a wonderful time to visit, as the city hosts many festivals and sporting events like the action-packed GoPro Mountain Games in June; the Vail International Dance Festival showcasing all genres of dance; and Bravo! Vail, a classical music festival held in the breathtaking Vail Valley. Vail Valley also hosts many free concerts throughout the summer. Vail's elevation of 8,150 feet above sea level in the Rocky Mountains makes it a retreat from the heat of lower elevations and allows many recreational options in the summer months like golfing, rafting, hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Vienna
Vienna, Austria's largest and capital city, is home to over 2.5 million people including its metropolitan area and serves as the nation's hub for culture, politics and economy. It's also a very popular tourist destination offering its visitors a wealth of attractions from its most historic periods to showcasing the city's most modern elements. Renowned as a cultural center, Vienna is brimming with museums, art galleries, theater and, above all, music including the opera. With great museums ranging from ancient Roman excavations to modern and hip museums, Vienna offers quite a large variety of exhibitions. Mozart, Schubert, Strauss and many more Austrian composers have lived in this grand city. When in Vienna, don't miss the experience of a classical concert by one of Vienna's great sons of music in one of the main classical music venues like Musikverein, Konzerthaus, or the Vienna State Opera.
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