If you're trying to lose weight and you're in Vienna, be careful when you go to the Graben. In addition to being one of Vienna's most interesting shopping streets, the Graben and adjoining streets are home to many cafés, which serve all kinds of incredibly fattening cakes. This is a proud Viennese tradition with an interesting history.

In 1683, the Turks tried to invade Vienna but were forced to retreat. They are said to have left behind large quantities of coffee beans. This led to the rapid popularization of coffee in Vienna, to the point where the coffee restaurants -- cafés--became an important facet of social life, particularly in the 19th century.