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City Guide - Vienna - Shopping | ||
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Shopping The most interesting place to shop in Vienna is the inner city with its narrow streets and elegant façades. The large pedestrian zones on Kärntner Strasse and Graben meet at the strikingly modern Haas Haus, whose mirrored façade seems to mock St Stephen's Cathedral opposite. In addition to exclusive shops, the Haas Haus has a platform on the top floor for those who would like a more face-to-face encounter with the cathedral. There are a number of architectural gems in this district, small shops whose façades have been designed by some of Austria's most famous architects and the smaller side streets often hide unique and interesting shops. The Ringstrassengalerien offers the convenience of a shopping centre just a short walk from the State Opera House. The traditional shopping street of the Viennese is Mariahilferstrasse, which stretches from the Ringstrasse towards the Westbahnhof rail station (above the U3 U-Bahn line) between the sixth and seventh districts; the street is home to major international stores selling clothing, music etc, as well as the department stores, Gerngross and the Euro-Center. Among the many markets in the city, the most popular with locals and tourists alike is the Naschmarkt, a colourful array of fruit and vegetable stalls, shops and eateries. Between 0800 and 1200 on Saturday, the Flohmarkt (Flea Market) comes alive at the far end of the Naschmarkt. Here can be found some incredible bargains in second-hand clothes and goods, and more than a few unusual items. There are a number of Christmas and Advent markets in the city during the festive season. The most popular is the Christkindlmarkt, which is held in front of the Rathaus. Those in search of souvenirs can choose from the many gifts that bear an image associated with Vienna - St Stephen's Cathedral, the Giant Ferris Wheel or the Lipizzaner horses - or something a bit more distinctive, like the Art Deco works produced by the artisans of the Wiener Werkstätten, available from the shop, Joh Backhausen & Sons, Kärntnerstrasse33. Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur Augarten, Europe's second oldest porcelain manufacturer, supplied its hand-painted wares to the Imperial family; now visitors can tour its factory at Augartenpalais in the second district (tel: (01) 211 2418; fax: (01) 216 6833). Following strict criteria, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce allows a limited number of companies to use the 'Wien Products' logo - a symbol of high quality craftsmanship (website: www.wienproducts.at). Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 0800 or 0900-1800; Saturday 1200-1800 (shops are increasingly open until 1900). The Value Added Tax (VAT) can be reclaimed - on goods with a value exceeding öS1000 - at the airport, if travelling to a non-EU country (otherwise, the claim must be made in the final EU country visited). To make a claim, the tax-cheque must be filled in at the time of purchase. After check-in at the airport, the purchased items and tax-cheque must be taken to customs clearance. The customs official will provide a tax stamp, which may be redeemed at any of the airport banks for cash in a variety of currencies. The rebate is approximately 13% of the purchase price. |