Vienna in 4 days
Nov 20th, 2013, 09:10 AM
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Vienna in 4 days
Looking for suggestions as I will be in Vienna over the Thanksgiving weekend. I already plan on taking in some classical music but where? Are there any day trips outside of Vienna that I should consider? And what should I absolutely not miss as I would kick myself for not seeing/doing?
Nov 20th, 2013, 11:03 AM
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Stepansdome(the Cathedral) on the main pedestrian street.
Upper Belvedere Museum.
Jesuiten kirche, you will not be impressed outside, but wait to take a look inside!
Don't miss the wonderful apricot pastries at any good cafe!
Enjoy!
Upper Belvedere Museum.
Jesuiten kirche, you will not be impressed outside, but wait to take a look inside!
Don't miss the wonderful apricot pastries at any good cafe!
Enjoy!
Nov 21st, 2013, 02:40 AM
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It's easy to do a day trip to Bratislava, the nearby capital city of Slovakia. Has a historic old town and an imposing castle. We did this recently and took the fast Danube ferry on the way out and a direct train (slightly cheaper) on the way back.
In Vienna, in addition to what's been mentioned already, a visit to the Prater Park is always fun to see the very old-school funfare and the famous ferris wheel.
In Vienna, in addition to what's been mentioned already, a visit to the Prater Park is always fun to see the very old-school funfare and the famous ferris wheel.
Nov 21st, 2013, 08:07 AM
#7
Keep in mind that the only people celebrating Thanksgiving in Vienna during your visit will be we American ex-pats. A few restaurants offer Thanksgiving dinner if you're interested (The Marriott at Stadtpark comes to mind.)
The boat ride from Vienna to Melk (and back) may be enjoyable in pleasant weather (I haven't the patience to putter along the Donau any time of the year). This time of year, however, the leaves have fallen from the trees and grapevines; many of the heuriger are closed, and the Wachau Valley is just shades of fogged-in gray that turn to dark around 16:00. We spent a day at Burgruine Aggstein last weekend for its Adventmarkt and could see nothing from atop the ruins but fog.
Most if not all of the Advent and Christmas markets will be in full swing by next weekend. The Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathaus is as touristy and commercial as it gets, so try to visit at night when the lights make it magical. The Military History Museum hosts its medieval market over the weekend you'll be in Vienna, and that's a special kind of market (plus, the museum is open for free). Other markets offering more than the customary trinkets and tchtochke include those at Karlsplatz and Spittelberg. The Prater has a market, too, and should be livelier (and more colorful) in the evening. Personally, I would suggest skipping the Sacher Torte and instead savoring the Lebkuchen and other warm pastries with a mug of glühwein at the markets, as well.
At present the Winter Palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy is open for a short time. The Kunstkammer collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum would be worth seeing. Don't try to see Schönbrunn, Hofburg, and Belvedere in four days. Choose carefully, lest you end up like so many who think Vienna is nothing more than Imperial stuffiness.
The boat ride from Vienna to Melk (and back) may be enjoyable in pleasant weather (I haven't the patience to putter along the Donau any time of the year). This time of year, however, the leaves have fallen from the trees and grapevines; many of the heuriger are closed, and the Wachau Valley is just shades of fogged-in gray that turn to dark around 16:00. We spent a day at Burgruine Aggstein last weekend for its Adventmarkt and could see nothing from atop the ruins but fog.
Most if not all of the Advent and Christmas markets will be in full swing by next weekend. The Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathaus is as touristy and commercial as it gets, so try to visit at night when the lights make it magical. The Military History Museum hosts its medieval market over the weekend you'll be in Vienna, and that's a special kind of market (plus, the museum is open for free). Other markets offering more than the customary trinkets and tchtochke include those at Karlsplatz and Spittelberg. The Prater has a market, too, and should be livelier (and more colorful) in the evening. Personally, I would suggest skipping the Sacher Torte and instead savoring the Lebkuchen and other warm pastries with a mug of glühwein at the markets, as well.
At present the Winter Palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy is open for a short time. The Kunstkammer collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum would be worth seeing. Don't try to see Schönbrunn, Hofburg, and Belvedere in four days. Choose carefully, lest you end up like so many who think Vienna is nothing more than Imperial stuffiness.
Nov 22nd, 2013, 12:57 AM
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My day trip from Vienna was actually to another country, to another capital city -- Budapest. It's an easy train ride away, and while I think Budapest deserves more than just one day, it was a wonderful day trip which I don't regret.
The most obvious trip, however, is to Salzburg, which I also did. I wasn't lucky with the weather so I only stayed for a few hours and visited the castle, but it's a small city that can easily be seen in just a day trip from Vienna.
The most obvious trip, however, is to Salzburg, which I also did. I wasn't lucky with the weather so I only stayed for a few hours and visited the castle, but it's a small city that can easily be seen in just a day trip from Vienna.
