Vienna is my favourite city in Europe. I have been there a dozen of times and each time I discover new places of history. The photos you will see shortly have been taken last year in february, that’s why they have that rough, metallic feel you would expect from winter camera sessions.
After jumping out of the train at the main station you can cross a few streets to enter Belvedere. The building provides a space for an art gallery - you can observe dangerously similar trend for any noncontemporary building you find here. The back façade invites us through, to the front garden with a fountain pond and a quaint view, standing a bit over the roofs of the city.
The City Centre
Even though the Ringstrasse is exceptionally wide and encircling the whole city centre, inside its permiter there are lots of narrow alleys and streets. The centre also features a few wide boulevards, with the most famous one being the Graben, which you can see at night on one of the photos below.
The cathedral right as the moon is rising above it. It is a must see in Vienna, as it presents the most gothic soul of the whole architecture inside the city centre. Very difficult to portray, as the streets are narrow and the building is of enormous height.
There are lots of activities available in the centre of the city. One of which is to try and understand the role of the complex of buildings that takes almost a third of the very center. The Hofburg featured in the banner of the article was used as a residence for the Habsburg dynasty. It has been divided into a few sections, one of which has become the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments. The second part is the National Library and the Spanish Riding School. And the rest has been designated for the Austrian President and the government offices.
The story of Elisabeth of Bavaria is filled both with both pride and sadness. She was married to Franz Joseph I for 44 years and was seen as an icon by her people. She was known for her beauty and sense of fashion, until her assassination by an Italian anarchist in 1898.
The view that is usually connected only with the south - late night hours with empty streets, yet still full of life in the restaurants. That’s how the vicinity of Hofburg shines in the dark. The Graben boulevard, during the day, is known for the most expensive and exclusive stores in the city.
Graben, The New Bond Street of Vienna.
The Schönbrunn Palace
The district of Hietzing is located in the western part of the city. It is known for the Schönbrunn Palace - the former imperial summer residence, and seen as an ideal discrict for families. Having taken a walk near the Schönbrunn Palace, we have found a whole small town of gardener’s houses, horse stables, the whole zoo, orangeries and many other buildings. The palace presents the most beauty during the summer, however during the winter I was able to snap the photo from behind the main fountain, that was during maintenance, awaiting the spring.
Having gone up the hill, we have found a cafe with a view on the whole city. Even though they serve Sachertorte, I have decided to ultimately eat one in the Sacher Hotel, as it is the real birthplace of the cake. The reward for the decision was a later view on The Opera House, accompanied by champagne.
The Airport
Austria fortunately doesn’t have what you would call a secondary far away airport, like many other countries, such as France with its Beauvais or England with Luton. It brought me the most of joy when I realised the commute to the city centre is easy, fast and cheap.
It wouldn’t be an understadment having said that the airport in Vienna is one of the best in Europe. It is located right next to the city and the train station is just downstairs from the arrivals. The ÖBB train ticket is inexpensive (~4€) and the train features an onboard restaurant.
Take look on how clean the baggage claim area is. It is brand new, almost as there was still some bubble wrap here and there.
I was very keen on trying the train menu, however the trip was too short. I am sure next time I take a train to another city, such as Salzburg or Innsbruck I will have a chance to try and rate the food, not to mention the view on the Alps that awaits me as well.
An unexpected winter treat
To our surprise we have found a great ice ring in front of the city hall. The whole space from Ringstrasse to the city hall building was covered with ice and people were skating around. There were many interesting pathways to take, similarly to the ones you would find in a water park. Close by, there a few food trucks selling mulled wine and sausages.
We joked about the word Traum having completely opposite meaning in German and Polish. In German it means dream, while in Polish it means a nightmare. You can guess what was our opinion on the venue.
Take a look at the sheer distance between the street and the building. To your left there’s The Hofburg, The Museum of Natural History and The Parliament. Behind you a speaker announces the repertoire for The National Theatre (Burgtheater).
