Should we go to Vienna?

Old Sep 27th, 2016, 06:44 AM
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Should we go to Vienna?

I know for some of you this sounds crazy. Everyone wants to go to Vienna, right?

Here is why I asked the question. My wife and I love traveling in Europe but are not museum fans. Nor are we into classical music or opera. We have been to Rome 3 times and never once been to the borghese gallery. We loved places like the Amalfi coast and Santorini and also Salzburg.

Am I missing something?
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 07:10 AM
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I don't think everyone wants to go to Vienna at all. Of my relatives and friends whom I discuss travel with, not a single one has ever said they were dreaming of going to Vienna or that was what they'd really like to do. I wanted to go because I am a big classical music aficionado and that was what I enjoyed most -- visiting a few composers' homes, the classical music museum, and then I did like the main art gallery. Other than that, I wasn't even that crazy about Vienna, so given what you said, I would suspect it should not be at the top of your wish list. Why are you even bringing it up? There are plenty of cities that I might visit if I had tons of extra time or money, but are not at the top of my wish list. Nothing wrong with that.

Do you feel some obligation to tick off some boxes of the main European capital cities and thus feel you "have" to go there, even if you don't really get excited about it or want to?
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 07:39 AM
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Christina,

No, I don't "have to go anywhere". I chose to go to places that interest me.

The reason for my question is to find out if I am missing some aspect of visiting Vienna that I don't know about. Having not been there means I don't know what I don't know, if you know what I mean?

Have a nice day!
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 07:48 AM
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Aside from the pictures of the interiors of Schönbrunn (is that a museum?) and a couple copies of postcards, this is Vienna:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...927111169/show

For you to decide if it's worth it.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:03 AM
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Michael,

Thanks for the thoughtful response. The pictures were a nice touch. Vienna does look like it would be a good place to visit.

Anyone have suggestions regarding sightseeing tours?
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:04 AM
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No, not everyone wants to go to Vienna. I went once and have no desire to go again. Or anywhere else in Austria for that matter. It has some beautiful architecture and scenery but it's not a country or a culture that I admire in the least
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:12 AM
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What was it you liked about "the Amalfi coast and Santorini and also Salzburg"?

Vienna doesn't have the scenery of any of those. The main attraction for me is the history, museums and art galleries, but it may have something related to what you do like.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:28 AM
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PatrickLondon,

We liked the natural beauty of the places I mentioned.

Of the things you liked about Vienna, I do like to visit historically significant places. Castles, palaces and formal gardens are also interesting to us.

My favorite thing to do is to sit outside at a restaurant in a town square and have drinks and people watch and talk with visitors from other countries.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:28 AM
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I always wanted to go to Vienna. I'm not sure why, but I finally went in 2012. I found it a lovely vacation with a nice mix --Klimt's The Kiss painting and his other paintings in several different museums, an exhabit of Monet paintings, a Vivaldi concert in a beautifulsmall church - St Ann's?? near Karnerstrasse, shopping, coffee houses, architecture, a performance of the Lippizaners and seeing the horses come from the stables to go over to the ring. I stayed at a lovely hotel right on Kartnerstrasse, just walk out the door and everything there. Do I need to go back? No - it doesn't draw me like LOndon and Paris and Italy. But I'm definitely glad I went.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:54 AM
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For me, Vienna is worth many visits. I don't know how many times I've been there~~3, 4, 5~but I always enjoy it. Perhaps that's because of my travel style requires a lot of wandering around, popping into churches, drinking cappuccinos at sidewalk cafes. Very low key.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 08:55 AM
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I live in Vienna, and so have the luxury to dismiss or to embrace the city as it suits me.

What is it that might draw you to Vienna? Art? The city can fill your days with the subject. Architecture? It has that, too. Cafe culture? If you desire to sit and people-stare with your Wiener Melange or whathaveyou, you'll be fine.

Do you want to experience the lives of the Hapsburgs, who ruled the great Austro-Hungarian empire? There is more than enough to fill several days, depending on your interest.

Are you into a culinary experience? Vienna has you covered. At a cost, certainly, but your tastebuds will be sated. My adopted city offers more than Schnitzel and Sacher Torte, though we have taken great epicurean pleasure from certain street food vendors.

Is it a more local experience you desire? Head to the hills and wander the vineyards, experiencing the simple pleasures of good hiking, good food, good wine, and the company of good friends. There ain't nothing more Viennese than that.

If none of that appeals to you, then by all means skip Vienna.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 09:05 AM
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StCirq, it is disappointing that you find Austria so not up to your standards. The country is so much more than its capital.

The beauty of Austria is in its genuiness. Once outside of Vienna, the county is nothing like its capital. With even our modicum of language proficiency, we have enjoyed over our four years in country many remarkable weekends. Hiking, Biking, culinary pursuits, spa weekends and everything in between. Austria offers it with aplomb. Perhaps you should consider a visit.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 11:08 AM
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OK, Fourfortravel, you obviously don't look at the same travel (and it is pretty obvious, to me, anyway, the other) "aspects" which comprise Austria as a country that St. Cirq does and that's OK. What is less so is your implication that somehow St. Cirq's "standards" aren't as good as yours are.

In some ways they might very well exceed your own. A little understanding that not everyone travels the same way or looks for the same things would serve you better IMO.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 12:14 PM
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I am glad I visited Vienna but have no desire to return.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 12:44 PM
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Fourfortravel, the genuineness of Austria involves a lot of xenophobic history that I'd rather not indulge in. IMO the food is mediocre (let's talk the vastly overpriced Sachertorte that is a culinary abomination), the people are dour and stuffy, the whole atmosphere is uptight IMO. I speak German well and can get by in Austria just fine, thank you. My problems with the country are not linguistic. I have "considered a visit" a few times and have been out of Vienna to the countryside, and frankly, I just dislike the whole ultra-conservative closed nature of the country, not to mention its anti-Semitism, which though perhaps fairly well disguised these days, is still rampant.

My "standards," if I have any, are decency and tolerance, and I find Austria lacking in those. There are plenty of lovely places to visit in Europe where people aren't living on their 15th-century close-minded laurels.
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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 11:16 PM
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Dukey1, my apologies. I have been on the forum long enough to have observed that most here have higher expectations and standards than my own. I am sorry that you misinterpreted my comment.

St. Cirq, I apologize that you took my comment on speaking the German language the wrong way. It was my intention to point out that we are more comfortable speaking German outside of Vienna; here in the capital it's a frustrating exercise of almost always being corrected. And I 100% agree with you that Sacher Torte is a dry, overpriced, overhyped abuse of chocolate and sugar. But, my husband rarely passes an opportunity to enjoy the torte.

I also completely get that not everyone travels as I do, or looks to do the same things I do, or wants to dine where and how we enjoy a meal. In this very post I offered only suggestions for the OP based on what might interest them, not what they "must" do. We live in Austria yet we don't ski; aren't into opera; don't swoon over Klimt or Otto Wagner's buildings; and have yet to attend one of the city's famous balls, but for some of our friends that is epitome of fine Austrian living, and for some travelers, the very reasons they come to Austria. Each to their own.
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 04:39 AM
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We just returned from Europe and Vienna was a huge surprise.

Way beyond expectations, our 5 days there was not nearly enough. The palaces & gardens were spectacular. The extensive pedestrian streets in the city center were filled with outside cafes to sit, visit, & people watch. The food & wine excellent. We stayed at a small B&B near the Opera House & were able to walk to many sites. The big, high end hotels were plentiful...if that's your vibe.

Our day trip to Melk Abbey on a warm, sunny day was wonderful. We took the train to Melk, visited the spectacular Abbey, had lunch in a quaint, small town restaurant, then a 2 hr. Boat ride on The Danube, and the train back to Vienna. Easy to do on your own.

We were not there on a day that the Lipp. White horses preformed but enjoyed a practice in the stunning, chandiler filled area where the performance happens.

The Imperial apt's right in central Vienna and the Summer Palace & gardens, Schonbrunn, were absolutely fantastic.

Just one couple's opinion----everyone is drawn to different experiences.
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 04:55 AM
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I've been to Vienna and liked it. I am not a museum fan so didn't visit any and I am not into opera so didn't see any. I went for the Christmas markets and had a great time. I had good food, I people watched, I went to the castles, I took in the Danube views and St. Stephens. This was enough for me. I have a friend moving there in the next year and am so excited that I may be able to visit again at a different time of year as I would like to visit Hungary again and see some other things.

Not everyone travels the same or likes the same thing which is ok. I like it that way. No one has to go Vienna just like no one has to go to Rome, Paris or London.
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