1. Some of Vienna's most fascinating buildings are its churches. St. Peterskirche tucked away between Vienna's premier shopping streets shouldn't be missed. Augustinerkirche (part of the Hofburg) is breathtaking also, as is St Michaelskirche. Regardless of whom you pray to when in a state of worship, you should devote a couple of hours to visiting them. Most have free admission.

2. You don't need to be a member of Vienna's bourgeois to enjoy a night at the opera. The hoi polloi can enjoy such masterpieces as 'La Traviatta' also for as little as €3.50 (once you don't mind standing). To get these tickets queue up at the opera house about 2 hours before the performance at the 'standing tickets' sign on the right side of the building.

3. Both trams number 1 and 2 loop Vienna's Inner Stadt on the city's 'Ringstrasse', a collection of 8 streets and one quay. You can jump on anywhere on the ring in any direction and a ticket costs €1.80. The round trip takes approximately 45 minutes and passes many of Vienna's most impressive buildings including the Rathaus (city hall), the Burgtheater (National Theater) and Parlament which is the seat of two federal assemblies.

4. Vienna is a surprisingly large city and its public network system is an integral part of any tourist's quest to see as much of it as possible. If you are travelling in a pair, buy '2 for 1' tickets where two people can travel for €2, rather than pay €1.50 each. Other tickets where you can make savings on are the day cards (€4.40), or 3-day cards €12.