In an audacious and humorous bid to challenge its winter reputation, the Austrian capital has issued a royal summons to the world's leading authorities on the matter: the residents of Dull, Scotland.
A Wax-Sealed Invitation to the Experts
On 29 November, representatives from the Vienna Tourist Board embarked on a mission to the Perthshire village. Their task was to hand-deliver a wax-sealed invitation and Viennese goodie bag to every household in Dull, population approximately 100. The offer? An all-expenses-paid weekend in Vienna this January to deliver the ultimate verdict.
"Who better to judge whether Vienna is 'dull' than the citizens of Dull themselves?" quipped the board. This tongue-in-cheek cultural initiative aims to settle once and for all whether the Austrian capital falls flat after the Christmas lights are packed away.
From Scottish Hills to Viennese Balls
The tiny Scottish settlement, known for its sheep-scattered hills and historic former monasteries near Loch Tay, is no stranger to quirky fame. It has been officially twinned with Boring, Oregon, in the United States since 2012.
Come January, its residents will trade the quiet countryside for the opulence of Vienna's renowned Hotel Imperial at the start of the city's famed ball season. Their tailor-made itineraries are designed to showcase Vienna's vibrant winter social scene and include:
- Dance lessons and styling sessions for the Vienna Ball of Sciences.
- Exclusive tours of museums and imperial palaces.
- Evenings at the opera and visits to the Spanish Riding School.
- Ice skating at the popular Vienna Ice Dream.
The tourism board insists that January, far from being a quiet month, is actually one of Vienna's liveliest seasons, brimming with balls, ice skating, traditional coffee house culture, sausage stands, and cosy wine taverns.
A Mission to Redefine January
Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board, explained the thinking behind the unusual campaign. "We're proud of our museums, our concerts, our balls and our winter magic - but we also enjoy a good sense of humour," he said.
"January is often considered the dullest month of the calendar, which is exactly why we wanted to bring Dull to Vienna. It's the perfect opportunity to show how vibrant this season can truly be."
He added that the board is calling on the residents to confirm a simple statement: Vienna is not 'dull' - not even in January. The tourist board is now eagerly awaiting the response from the Scottish villagers and their subsequent, highly anticipated expert judgment on the Austrian capital's winter charms.
