"VIENNESE WHIRL" a Vienna Travel Page by Ekaterinburg

I'm no Julie Andrews but in Vienna for some reason, phrases from that 'favourite thing' song kept going round in my head. I think it was slavering over the 'warm appple strudel' in Demel, which started it off. That and the hot chocolate I had with it which was actually melted chocolate topped off with fluffy clouds of rich whipped cream. There were of course other ingredients in my personal Viennese Whirl and here are just a few:

Christmas Decorations in Streets and Shops
Schiele
Hundertwasser
Klimt
Churches
Emperors and Empresses - Imperial Vienna
Cafes
Christmas Markets
Sacred Music
Strauss & Mozart
Sunshine
Dry Crisp Weather
Cafe Central
Wiener Schnitzel
Gluehwien Aroma on the Streets

That's an awful lot of pluses so I feel duty bound to mention one minus:

DUMPLINGS,
Especially Liver Dumplings

Viennese cuisine relies very heavily on dumplings which I found completely loathsome. But it's also responsible for Sacher Torte so I suppose I can live with ( though definitely not eat) the odd dumpling or two.

The title of this Chapter refers to a type of cake we have in Ireland called a Viennese Whirl - a sweet, swirly concoction that immediately delivers a big hit of sugar-induced serotonin. My week in Vienna was a bit like that - an eclectic whirl of sights, experiences and sensations and it delivered a long-lasting hit of great memories and a desire to return.

Well I just couldn't stay away and June 2007 found me back again for a VT meet to welcome Tiabunna ( George ) and his wife Pauline to Vienna. This time I experienced the city in a very different way.There was no pressure to see and do everything on a 'to do' list and most of all there was no compulsion to constantly take photographs. I substituted my own eye for that of the camera and looked at things in a more relaxed way. The excitement I'd felt in December was not repeated - I suppose that only happens once - but the easy familiarity I felt while strolling round the centre and the pleasure of revisiting old haunts was almost equally enjoyable

Summer meant loads more activity on the streets and definitely way more people. On Graben and Kartnerstrasses and especially in front of Stephansdom Cathedral, acrobats, dancers and of course musicians played to large crowds each evening. Vienna is all about music and the buskers here are of a very high standard. Piano playing and operatic arias will accompany you as you wander round each night in this most civilised of cities.

Although enjoying the company of my fellow VTers was high on the agenda on this trip, I did take the opportunity to do one or two things I missed out on last time. On my own and without constaints on time, I was able to spend several hours in the Kunsthistoriche Museum, as opposed to just dashing in and out which was all I would have had time for on my previous visit. This is a fabulous collection and if you are into Northern European Renaissance painting you will be in heaven. Italy and Spain are very well represented also with work by Raphael, Carravaggio, Velazquez and many,many others.

I have a new accommodation tip, transport tip and an account of the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition at the Kunstlerhaus, in the 'General Tips' section. There are also some updates on existing tips and additional info on Wagner and a trip to the Seccesion Building.