Vienna, Austria –
My main goal for visiting Vienna was to see lovely friends who are on exchange here (oh hey Charlotte and Liam). I didn’t know what to expect from Vienna but what I found was a vibrant and historic city filled with energy, milled wine and historic buildings.
Night one was a traditional Viennese American thanksgiving with Charlottes friends (I didn’t get any turkey for Canadian thanksgiving as I was in Milan so this was a great treat.) Afterwards was perhaps the best apfelstrudel I have had to date with a great hot chocolate at a cafe called Elies which is apparently a Vienna institution.
Next day was spent exploring the city. The buildings here are so intricately carved and huge. It’s like they are meant to strike fear and awe into those that look at them – as it is impossible not to feel small and insignificant next to them. I started out walking at Volkstheater and walked to look at Stephensplatz which held a cathedral with a gorgeous mosaic roof. I worked my way through the luxurious shops to end up at michaelsplatz which houses a grand semicircle building with imposing gates. Afterwards I met up to liam and we lurked around Christmas markets admiring Christmas ornaments, wood carvings and the food (and enjoying the mulled wine which comes with a mug you can keep! Yay free mug!)
We went to a castle called Schonbrunn Palace which is a humongous complex rivaling Versailles that housed the Austrian emperor. The palace consists of intricately landscaped grounds, fountains, a zoo, labyrinth like paths, a butterfly atrium and so much more. Very cool place where I could have spent hours exploring. We passed by the Vienna state opera which was just as impressive as I had imagined it- with statues guarding the top and columns opening the entrance. Afterwards we enjoyed a traditional Viennese chocolate cake at a cafe called hotel srocher.
In the evening Charlotte and I, being the example of grace and class went to see an opera. We saw marriage of figaro and even though it was in German so I understood less than half of the words it was brilliant.
Right now I am at the bus station in Vienna waiting to catch a bus to Bratislava.
Tips:
– Walk around – Vienna, while large, has a great downtown area that is easily walkable
– If you need to take transit buy 24hour pass (or however long you are there) it will save time and money
– Want to go to an opera? You can get standing room tickets from 3€ and get discount tickets as well for the seated
– Go at Christmas – all the Christmas markets were absolutely wonderful
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