New York to Vienna = 8 1/2 hours
Berlin gets all the credit, but Austria—that nation of Klimt-worshipping, Sacher torte–eating operagoers—practically invented nightlife. Vienna’s fantastical balls date back a hundred years and continue to rage till dawn in the high season; the throbbing scenes at superclubs Volksgarten (Burgring 1; 43-1-532-4241) and Flex (Augartenbrucke 1; 43-1-533-7525) recall Limelight in the eighties; even Red Bull, the clubgoer’s elixir of choice, is headquartered here. Meet like-minded revelers at Hotel Topazz (from $217; Lichtensteg 3; 43-1-532-2250), which opened April 12 and is already booking rooms for the fashion elite. Follow the “It” kids into Le Bol (Neuer Markt 14; 43-699-1030-1899), where pretty young things flirt over salads at a vast communal table. Swill basil mojitos ($14) in the eighteenth-floor penthouse bar of architect Jean Nouvel’s new Sofitel Vienna Stephensdom (Praterstrasse 1; 43-1-906-160); catch a D.J. set at electronica haven @Rhiz Bar (U-Bahnbogen 37; 4-31-409-2505); then sweat it all out from 11 p.m. till whenever in the subterranean lair that is Albertina Passage (Stubenring 20/6; 4-31-512-0813), a pedestrian walkway turned underground bar decorated like the set of The Pink Panther and soundtracked with vintage Motown.