Verena Mayer
After falling in love with the city on an Interrail trip over 10 years ago, Verena is finally living in Vienna. She’s an editorial intern at Metropole and about to finish her master's degree in journalism at Deutsche Journalistenschule in Munich. Her favorite topics include food, culture & people.
Cafés and Restaurants
Farm to Fork
Katharina Schinner-Krendl of Heu und Gabel has a missionary’s zeal; when she rhapsodizes about the sourdough bread from the Waldviertel’s Kasses bake...
General
The New Sobriety
Sobriety: Juice pairings, sober bars, 0% rum – the range of sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages is growing. Is society changing? Or is it just a fleeting trend?
Business
How Viennese Hotels Hold On During the Pandemic
After years of seemingly endless growth, the pandemic plunged the tourism sector into deep crisis. Vacillating between hope and despair, Vienna’s hoteliers summon resilience and creativity
General
Nikolo & Krampus – the Tradition Lives in Austrian Families
On December 6th, Austrian children are traditionally visited by St. Nicholas, who brings presents and words of kindness. What lies behind this custom?
Books
Alice Urbach’s Stolen Cookbook
The bestseller by a society caterer and celebrity chef in interwar Vienna was aryanized, her name erased from history. Now, a century later, her granddaughter reveals her story.
Politics
Multilingualism: Treasure or Burden? Probably Both.
Conflict over remedial German classes in schools continues, as politicians, experts and teachers debate how best to support children with poor language skills.
Coronavirus
The Ischgl Report – Misjudgment, Misconduct and Misinformation
An independent review of the outbreak response to one of Europe’s first COVID-19 clusters blames federal and state officials for their slow reactions and poor communication.
Politics
Enforcement of Mask Rules by U-Bahn Security Triggers Accusations of Racism
A routine intervention by Wiener Linien staff escalated into alleged use of excessive force; feelings run high while body-cam evidence may prove critical.
Vienna News
Facing the Closed-Door Topic of Migrants and Sexual Assault
While most crime is down, alarming increases in violence against women, often by recent migrants, increases the pressure on efforts to support successful integration.
Coronavirus
(Anti)Social Distancing at the Universities
The start of the winter semester places Vienna’s students – including thousands of freshmen – firmly under the shadow of the pandemic
City Life
Hometown Explorers
As travel restrictions eviscerate Vienna’s hospitality sector, the city’s tour guides show locals the oddities, hidden spots and secrets of the city they call home.
Art
How to Enjoy an Art Fair
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the wide world of contemporary art – but enthusiasm and courteousness helps.
