Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and this year, it was named the most liveable city in the world by international consulting firm, Mercer, for the eighth year in a row. So what exactly is it that makes it so wonderful, and why can't visitors from around the globe get enough of the Austrian capital? See also: How I Travel: Alex Malcolm Of Jacada Travel Below are five reasons why you should start planning your getaway to Vienna:

1. They love to have a ball

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board

Vienna has been the undisputed ball capital of the world for over two centuries. Ball season in Vienna usually starts on November 11 and runs until Ash Wednesday or the beginning of Lent, with January and February being the busiest time. Specialised shops in Vienna rent out ball gowns and tuxedos, and dancing schools offer classes on waltzing and other ballroom standards.

A ride in a glamorous horse-drawn carriage from a pre-ball dinner to the ball venue can also be arranged, making it the most fairytale-like ball experience ever.

2. It's the world's classical music capital 

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board

Being the place where great composers like Mozart, Mahler, Haydn, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss lived, there isn’t a better place for music lovers than Vienna. Classical music can be enjoyed year-round, as the Vienna concert schedule features over 15,000 events of various sizes and genres every year.

The New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra ushers in the new year with a light-hearted and festive concert. Although tickets can only be obtained via an online lucky draw, Palais Coburg Residenz offers a New Year’s Concert special package that includes two tickets to the world-famous concert and a four-night stay in one of its most exclusive suites.

See also: 7 Of The Best First Class Flying Experiences

3. It has the highest quality of living in the world 

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board

In 2017, Vienna ranked highest for quality of living for the 8th year in a row in the Mercer Quality of Life Survey. Not only is Vienna a liveable city, it is also a loveable place where locals take pride in everything including the city’s drinking water—there are hundreds of water fountains all over the city that provide free water for locals and visitors—and lush greenery.

Vienna is dotted with elegant parks like Burggarten and the Baroque formal gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, just to name a few. If you happen to visit the city during Christmas, the charming Viennese Christmas markets are definitely something you should not miss. 

4. Stay for the museums

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board

Vienna has over 100 museums, ranging from global calibre institutions to quirky, sometimes bizarre, independent museums. There's the dark but fascinating Bestattungsmuseum, or "Funeral Museum", and coffee lovers will get a kick out of Kaffeemuseum, which houses over 50 years worth of coffee culture memorabilia.

If you want to go the more conventional route, Vienna's renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Albertina feature artworks by world-famous artists like Gustav Klimt, Albercht Dürer, Caravaggio and Pieter Bruegel.

5. An unexpected culinary haven

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Above Photo: Courtesy of the Vienna Tourist Board

While Vienna is famous for its signature dishes like schnitzel, tafelspitz, sacher cake and apple strudel, there's also a number of innovative Michelin-starred restaurants like Amador, Mraz und Sohn, Silvio Nickol, and Steirereck. As vegetarianism and veganism have taken off in recent years, there are also plenty of plant-based options like Tian and vegetarian bistro Harvest Bistrot, which has a great view of the Karmelitermarkt.

Don't forget to stop by a coffeehouse to enjoy a cup of coffee and some traditional Viennese pastries, and if you can, schedule some local vineyard tours and tasting sessions.  

Austrian Airlines has direct flights to Vienna from Hong Kong every week. For more information, check out the online travel guide for Vienna at wien.info

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