The City of Music (and Psychoanalysis): Vienna, Austria
City: Vienna (Wien)
Length of Visit: 3 days
Primary Language: German (not Austrian, that's not a language)
However it is not the same German that's spoken in Germany. One of our tour guides likened it to English English vs. American English.
Known For: Music (Beethoven and Mozart), Hapsburgs, Sigmund Freud, Life Ball, Giant Ferris Wheel
Notable Places: St. Stephen's Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere Palace, the Ring, Spanish Riding School, Beethoven's Residence
City Atmosphere:
The tour guide described it as a "new old city". Unlike Paris, Vienna is a city defined by history. To me, it felt like it was suffering from an identity crisis and was trying to make the leap into the 21st Century but was struggling significantly. In the old days, Vienna was a capital of royalty, wealth, music, and importance. Now it almost feels...inconsequential. Not that Vienna actually is inconsequential because a lot of things still happen there, but it just couldn't compare to the scale of Paris. However, if you're looking for aspects of the modern era, you will definitely find them, especially in the town center. I overheard an American girl freaking out about a street in the center because it consisted of brand names like Chanel, Gucci, and the likes. In a way it was kind of sad, because what I loved most about Vienna was the rich history. Being there is like stumbling into a slice of the past with well kept buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and museums galore; it's a pity that Vienna needs more if it wants to be a thriving city today. As a matter of fact, Vienna has a smaller population today than it did 100 years ago despite being Austria's largest city. Even still, this city of music still has a lot to offer.
People:
Vienna seemed to me as one of those cities that thrived on tourism, meaning most of the people I encountered on the street were indeed tourists. And being tourists, were rather inconsiderate of all other tourists. I got stepped on. No joke. And not my foot, the back of my ankle! So, make sure to watch where you're going because running into someone on the street is no fun. Even if you're a tourist and don't know where you are, it doesn't give you permission to wander absentmindedly. Please keep that in mind. For your safety, the safety of all those around you, and the safety all future tourists. Thank you.
Aside from that, Vienna consisted of many elderly folks, large folks, and elderly large folks (see section "Cuisine" below). Whether they were locals or tourists I cannot be sure of. However, because the city has so many tourists, the restaurant and hotel staff are used to dealing with outsiders. Meaning two things: a) they speak impeccable English and b) they are some of the nicest people I have ever met! In other words, the service is excellent, just be wary of the other tourists. With few locals to give them dirty looks, rude tourists run free in this city. Oh and of course, do your best not to become one of them.
Cuisine:
Viennese food is very unique. You definitely wouldn't find this stuff floating around in the States just anywhere, but it's well worth a try! First, the portions are rather large so you'll definitely not go hungry. Second, the things they do with meat and desserts... just amazing. From beef goulash to wiener schnitzel, white asparagus specials (in season during the summer) to spaetzle dumplings and egg, sacher torte to kaiserschwarm, these foreign sounding foods were some of my favorites on the trip. Even breakfast was amazing. I'm not sure if it was just at our hotel, but the K+K had one of the most insane morning meal spreads I have ever encountered consisting of an assortment of sausages, cold cuts, cereals, fruits, bread, pastries, vegetables, eggs, and any drink you could have wanted including alcoholic beverages. I was always so full from breakfast that I didn't need to eat anything until 2 or 3 in the afternoon! If it wasn't for all the walking I did, I'm sure I would have gotten very fat indeed. It's no wonder that the older people who aren't as able to physically exercise end up a tad larger than those in Paris, where the food portions were tiny (but delicious).
Public Transportation:
The public transportation in Vienna is actually quite nice. There's a subway that can take you almost anywhere in the city, and an above ground tram system that is also able to take you to some of the palaces located a little outside. However, there appears to be a lack of regulation when it comes to the Vienna public transportation. There are no gates to stop you from just hopping on and off these trains, making me wonder if people actually pay for their tickets at all (we bought day passes in case you're wondering)? Or maybe it's like being on a train and occasionally checks are conducted. Even still, it wasn't often enough that we ever encountered one, but just to be safe you might want to buy a ticket anyway (or look into the topic some more if you're looking to save cash).
Weather:
It rained almost every afternoon for an hour or so consistently, even if the morning was filled with sunlight. Bring an umbrella if you visit in late May/early June.
Favorite Place(s):
I particularly enjoyed the Naschmarkt Flea Market which takes place on Saturdays and is just a short walk from Karlsplatz away from the Ring. The Naschmarkt itself, a great place to taste various worldly cuisines, is open Monday through Saturday. My family got some really delicious local sausage from a stand and a pastry filled with poppy seed (I can't remember the name) there. Plus the flea market itself has all sorts of trinkets and is a great place to pick up a souvenir or two.
Volksgarten, the gardens of Hofburg Palace, turned out to be a nice sanctuary of tranquility from the city streets. With flowers in the foreground and Vienna's beautiful buildings as a backdrop, the garden made for a picturesque stop.
Like the Bourbons, the Hapsburgs had a summer palace a little ways outside the city. Schönbrunn Palace is home to a Versailles-esque estate and grounds, and although it does not quite measure up in expansiveness to the French original it tried to copy, the size does not take away from its beauty.
This last one isn't really a place, but my family and I were lucky enough to be in Vienna the same time as the Life Ball.
An annual fundraiser, the Life Ball takes place in front of City Hall
and includes a red carpet and viewing stands for the public. It can get a
little crowded but the costumes people don are always interesting.
There are also many famous persona in attendance with this year's
celebrity list including Bill Clinton, Desperate Housewives' Marcia
Cross, and Ricky Martin. Plus, if you get hungry watching the red
carpet, Sigmund Freud's favorite cafe Cafe Landtmann is located nearby. You can always pop in for a full meal or an after dinner treat.
Tips:
Some things I missed out on due to the short duration of my stay in Vienna include a show at the Spanish Riding School as well as attending the Viennese Opera. If you're into horses, performances, opera, or any combination thereof, I would recommend checking out these two venues if you get the opportunity.
Another interesting cultural tidbit to note is that in local restaurants, there is a "seat yourself" policy. Don't stand by the door looking foolish waiting for the waitstaff to come seat you. Find an empty seat yourself and the service will commence. If you ever enter a restaurant where they have a "please wait to be seated" sign, chances are you're at a tourist destination (the famous Cafe Sacher at the Sacher Hotel is one such establishment, but they do have the original Sacher Torte).
Lastly, try to bring euros with you. Many establishments aren't as plastic friendly as you might be used to. It's less embarrassing if you don't have to run to the nearest bank before paying your check.
Next up: Salzburg!
 | |
| St. Stephen's Cathedral in town center |
Length of Visit: 3 days
Primary Language: German (not Austrian, that's not a language)
However it is not the same German that's spoken in Germany. One of our tour guides likened it to English English vs. American English.
Known For: Music (Beethoven and Mozart), Hapsburgs, Sigmund Freud, Life Ball, Giant Ferris Wheel
Notable Places: St. Stephen's Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace, Opera House, Belvedere Palace, the Ring, Spanish Riding School, Beethoven's Residence
City Atmosphere:
 |
| Hofburg Palace |
People:
 |
| Town Center |
Aside from that, Vienna consisted of many elderly folks, large folks, and elderly large folks (see section "Cuisine" below). Whether they were locals or tourists I cannot be sure of. However, because the city has so many tourists, the restaurant and hotel staff are used to dealing with outsiders. Meaning two things: a) they speak impeccable English and b) they are some of the nicest people I have ever met! In other words, the service is excellent, just be wary of the other tourists. With few locals to give them dirty looks, rude tourists run free in this city. Oh and of course, do your best not to become one of them.
Cuisine:
 |
| Sacher Torte |
 |
| Wiener Schnitzel |
Public Transportation:
The public transportation in Vienna is actually quite nice. There's a subway that can take you almost anywhere in the city, and an above ground tram system that is also able to take you to some of the palaces located a little outside. However, there appears to be a lack of regulation when it comes to the Vienna public transportation. There are no gates to stop you from just hopping on and off these trains, making me wonder if people actually pay for their tickets at all (we bought day passes in case you're wondering)? Or maybe it's like being on a train and occasionally checks are conducted. Even still, it wasn't often enough that we ever encountered one, but just to be safe you might want to buy a ticket anyway (or look into the topic some more if you're looking to save cash).
Weather:
It rained almost every afternoon for an hour or so consistently, even if the morning was filled with sunlight. Bring an umbrella if you visit in late May/early June.
Favorite Place(s):
 |
| The sausage |
 |
| The poppy seed pastry |
Volksgarten, the gardens of Hofburg Palace, turned out to be a nice sanctuary of tranquility from the city streets. With flowers in the foreground and Vienna's beautiful buildings as a backdrop, the garden made for a picturesque stop.
Like the Bourbons, the Hapsburgs had a summer palace a little ways outside the city. Schönbrunn Palace is home to a Versailles-esque estate and grounds, and although it does not quite measure up in expansiveness to the French original it tried to copy, the size does not take away from its beauty.
 |
| A view of Schönbrunn |
 |
| Life Ball red carpet at City Hall |
Some things I missed out on due to the short duration of my stay in Vienna include a show at the Spanish Riding School as well as attending the Viennese Opera. If you're into horses, performances, opera, or any combination thereof, I would recommend checking out these two venues if you get the opportunity.
 |
| Freud's go-to cafe |
Lastly, try to bring euros with you. Many establishments aren't as plastic friendly as you might be used to. It's less embarrassing if you don't have to run to the nearest bank before paying your check.
Next up: Salzburg!
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