Advertising

Contributors ad

Stephanie Levett

Stories from Stephanie Levett

05 Artstetten Castle Lower Austria
Beyond Vienna’s City Walls
A look at some of Austria’s most impressive forts and castles
Stephanie Levett
Ingrid Salazar
01/10/2009

The opulence of imperial life draws millions of tourists to Vienna every year. The Schönbrunn Castle, Belvedere Palace and Hofburg imperial palace are the highlights of any guided tour.

Yet, architectural beauty and noble family histories can be found beyond the city’s borders and off the tourist beaten track. Within two hours of Vienna, medieval and renaissance castles and forts speckle the land, charged with historical anecdotes and breathtaking views.

12 Hannah Zeitlhofer and Sojourner Morrell
Tradition and Change at the Spanish Riding School
It took the threat of bankruptcy for the venerable Viennese institution to open its doors to women.
Stephanie Levett
01/09/2009

A white stallion strides solemnly into the middle of the ancient arena behind the Hofburg, his hooves barely touching the ground as the rhythmic movements that seem to float across the turf leave a wake of enchantment.

03 Strassencafe
A (Mostly) Good Life
A new study gives insight to Vienna’s appeal for expats
Stephanie Levett
Michael Freund
15/04/2009
It is said that the Viennese always complain. Well, there’s one group in Vienna that doesn’t: the ex-pats living here. At least those who have a good job.
Wheels Without Hassle
Car Sharing - Or how to save money, the planet and nerves
Stephanie Levett
02/12/2008

Daniela Mohr doesn’t own a car, and since she launched her own events management business a year ago, this has started to be a problem. The solution? Car sharing: a growing trend in Austria that now serves 16,000 drivers a year.

According to a recent study by the Austrian Automobile Association (Verkehrsclub Österreich – VCÖ), this number is expected to grow as high as 100,000 by the year 2010. That was before the sub-prime loan meltdown sent shockwaves through the world economy. Experts now expect the numbers could be even higher.

Long Live SPÖVP!
Although unknown, new appointees have the credentials to complete the job
Stephanie Levett
01/12/2008
2nd Dec. 2008. It’s a beautiful Winter morning as Austria’s President Heinz Fischer comments on his good mood on national radio, informing his peasants that his country finally has a new government. The SPÖVP is dead! Long live the SPÖVP!

So, who are the people willing to carry the heavy load of responsibility for a whole country? A nation full of people that have the renowned habit of blaming their superiors, never themselves.

Fourteen positions in the government have been filled, only three carried over with the same appointees; Claudia Schmied (Education), Maria Fekter (Interior) and, of all people, the hotly debated Norbert “the Negotiator” Darabos as Minister of Defence.

01_skins_for_sale
Skin For Sale
Creating art on the human body raises ethical issues that are widely discussed and far from resolved
Stephanie Levett
02/10/2008

Tim Steiner sold the large tattoo on his back for €150,000, according to a September report by the Tagesanzeiger, a Swiss daily newspaper. The buyer of the bizarre work collects pieces by tattoo-artist Wim Delvoye -- who gained celebrity status by tattooing pigs with luxury labels such as Louis Vuitton. While shocking, the skin sale is probably most important for the questions it raises. Is there a potential market for human skin? And if there is, should it be allowed?

Advertisment