Rust is a Free Royal City status it earned in 1681 by paying the Habsburgs 60,000 guilders and a quantity of Ausbruch wine, the sweet botrytized white that Rust has produced for over four centuries. The village sits on the western shore of the Neusiedler See with pastel facades, stork nests on every chimney, and vineyards running to the lakeshore. The Ausbruch is still made here and is considered one of Austria's finest sweet wines. Hotels are small-scale and good, with wine-focused restaurants that warrant booking in advance on summer weekends. Bus connections from Eisenstadt take about 25 minutes; the drive from Vienna is about 60km. Plan 1-2 nights. Rust is the most interesting overnight option on the lake for travelers who want wine culture alongside the water.