Ok the Weinerschnitzel wasn't that bad but it seemd to be on every menu. I call it the "hamburger of Wein"!

I am at work and hungry right now and could go for a Figlmuellers!

Charlie, OH! I forgot I did go to Grinzing one warm evening. I sat outside at one of those silly Beisl's and listened to people sing and play the accordian. This was just so campy! The food was decent and mugs of wine wine were great!

Forgot to mention that those small cups of coffee can be traced back to the Turks who invaded Austria years ago. They left behind their very strong coffee which could only be consumed in small amounts, much like the chickory coffee is in Louisiana. Everything in Europe is based on tradition and/or custom. Guess that's one of the things that make it so interesting to Americans. If everything was like it is in the US, then why bother to go?

Richard, Your report came at a perfect time since we will be going to Vienna next week. We will definately use your suggestions. Good idea to go to the supermarkets. With 3 kids we will need alot of snacks.

RE: bettyk's comments on the small cups of coffee.

I see your point, but .... Vienna is a great place and would be even better if they served a larger cup of coffee, and, lord forbid, gave you a refill! I'm going back some day, but not for the expensive and tiny cups of coffee.

You people act like Vienna is the only place in Europe where you don't get refills! It's more surprising when you DO get refills! This just isn't the custom in most of Europe. Get over it!

bettyk,
I share your fustration. I'll take a small (well, Grosser brauner)cup of wonderful Vienna coffee any day.

Chill out bettyk. We are "over it" Its not a huge issue - certainly not one to get upset over. Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning or what?

If it's not such a huge issue, then why keep bemoaning the point. Vienna has small cups of expensive coffee, period. That's their tradition and they probably won't change it because some Americans don't like it.

RE: bettyk

Sorry we "got your goat". I think you are the one who is over reacting to some innocent, semi-serious grousing from folks who know and love Vienna. It must be nice to never find fault with anything or place in europe. So, what do you think about those tiny, little showers with no doors and the slippery hand-held water wands?

Two additions...

1. Consider part of that expensive cup of coffe as rent. After you order you can stay as long as you like.

2. If Starbucks conquers this city they will think twice about high prices. You can get nearly 4x the coffe at Starbies. Although I am not a fan of Starbucks takeover of a city, I think they can teach Vienna a thing or two. Think of what happened when Starbucks opened in may US neighborhoods, they put mom and pop out of business. In cities like NY and LA the concentration is so high there is no room for competition. When Satrbucks feels threatened they buy the competition which is what the recently did in London and Seattle. Starbuck just bought their biggest competitor, Seattles Best Coffee. A few years ago they also bought Pasqua in San Francisco. Who know perhaps someday Dunkin Donuts?

In case you care, Dumas, My shower in Vienna was huge.

Richard - you are on thin ice with bettyk over your recent starbucks and Dunkin Donuts post. She's sure to go through the roof thinking about jellyrolls and bearclaws replacing Mohr im Hemd and Apfel Strudel.

Here's an interesting fact about the coffee in vienna: According to legend, Vienna's first coffee beans were brought to the city in 1683 by a Turkish army that had laid siege to the city. After the Turks were defeated by the Austrian troops and their allies, the first coffee house was opened by a Polish immigrant, Georg Kolschitzky. Fluent in Turkish, he had operated behind enemy lines during the siege and gathered military intelligence for the Austrian troops. Armed with his inside info, the outnumbered Austrians and their allies knew the weaknesses of the opponents and were able to defeat them. The Polish immigrant declined monetary payment for his services. As payment, he requested the vast stockpile of "camel fodder" that had been left behind by the Turkish Army. Soon afterwards, Kolschitzky opened the first Viennese coffee house using the "camel fodder" of the Turks.

Having lived in Vienna for 2 years, I think I "know" Vienna. I just think it's a little ridiculous to go to a city as fabulous as Vienna and grouse about little cups of expensive coffee. Many cities in Europe are more expensive than Vienna -- London, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, etc. Things are always going to be different when you travel to foreign countries. That should be one of the reasons you go.

I disagree Betty...

As a frequent traveler to Paris and London I think Vienna is more expensive, not by much. In fact, I was in London the week before I was in Vienna and it was easy to se the difference.

Don't get me wrong. Vienna is a fabulous and beautiful city. The people are some of the friendliest and most helpful in Europe. I was not impressed by the coffee. I also have to say I am a espresso and Starbucks addict. Actually I like Starbies regular coffee and hate their espresso. I also think their fancy coffees are over rated and over priced. Like fine wind I feel that i have a palatte for fine espresso. Now in Rome they know how to do it!

OH! I also never suggested that a Dunkin Donuts open in Vienna! I hate that place. I hate their coffee and their donuts. BUT.... Since their is a Subway store in Vienna could Dunkin be far behind?

dumas, actually, I'm having a wonderful day, but thanks for your concern.

Has anyone here attended any of the auctions at the Dorotheum? I think that would be a fun thing to do also while in Vienna.

Richardab

Thanks so much for your very thorough report, especially as Vienna is on our plans for next year. I laughed to read your comments about the behaviour of Viennese pedestrians, because where I live New York tourists always comment on our fastidious attention to the traffic lights. If I ever get to NYC, I'll have to learn to be a lot more assertive. : - )

On the great Coffee shop debate - my dim memory of my last trip to Wien 20 odd years ago was that many coffeeshops were fantastically decorated and the service impeccable - I felt part of the price was for this 'show.' I quite like Starbucks coffee, but the atmosphere isn't the same.

Thanks for your honest impressions - and I'm glad overall you enjoyed your trip. One question: what criteria did you use in selecting your "best" list?

My "best" list is just personal preference. Since I fear I suffer from ADD, spending hours in a museum looking at painting bores me. I like to be on the street, especially if the weather is good. I suppose if it was raining or cold I would like to be in a nice museum.

You are also right about the decorated ciffe shops, but again maybe I did not get to close to them because it was nice outside, the interiors were very hot and I couldn't see any reason to sit for very long (ouch my aching feet).

Sue_xx_yy

If you have time, you might enjoy Belvedere Palace. Its easy to get to, has some nice art and gardens and doesn't take more than 1-2 hours. Go early to Schonbrunn Palace and you can do a long walk in the woods behind the Gloriette Pavilion if the weather is nice. On your first day, you might want to do a City Orientation Ride (via tram#2 on the Ringstresse) and then hop off and see the Kunsthistorisches Museum.