A Toast To Vienna

An exclusive afternoon tea was hosted by the Vienna Tourist Board and partners yesterday (May 15) at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto in an event designed to showcase all the Austrian capital has to offer.

The event coincided with the launch of a new Viennese High Tea Experience at The Ritz. High Tea will be served daily in the Ritz Cafe from noon until 4 p.m. (Monday to Friday) until June 15.

Partners on hand for the event included Austrian Airlines, which showcased its new Premium Economy cabins, and Vienna International Airport, conveniently located and a major hub for Eastern Europe destinations.

Elke Bachner of the Vienna Tourist Board took guests on a virtual “perfect weekend” in Vienna – which she noted can take place any day of the week – and included such things as a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, shopping, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a coffee house experience, a visit to Swarovski’s flagship store, fine dining and Viennese ballroom dancing. (For those that may not necessarily know the steps, Bachner noted that private lessons are available.)

It was noted that tourism to Austria is on the rise and a new city card, Vienna Pass, is now available in 24-, 48- and 72-hour segments, offering visitors free entry to more than 60 of the city’s top attractions, as well as Hop On, Hop Off Vienna Sightseeing Tours.

Along with high tea, guests were treated to a strudel-making demonstration by Ritz-Carlton pastry chef Gael Moutet.

Pictured above at the Toronto event are (l-r) Belina Neumann and Enrst Holzer of the Vienna International Airport, Bachner and Sherif Sedhom of the Lufthansa Group.