Sign in with Facebook"Vienna" Vienna by Penelope4
Vienna Travel Guide: 7,174 reviews and 17,491 photos
Vienna is the first city I've visited outside the Philippines. It was in September 1991 when I set my feet on the Austrian soil. Although I studied for 5 years in Baguio City which is known for its low temperature, I've never felt so cold until that day I landed in Schwechat. Remembering how cold and how isolated I felt when I heard people speaking in German, I did not, at that time, thought that I would love Vienna.
What does Vienna have that other cities don't have? Well, there's Mozartkugel and Einspaenner, for example. Kidding aside, it is the Viennesse people and their culture that made me like Vienna. Most of the Wiener keep abreast of news, they love arts and music, they go for fine cuisine and conservative clothings, they maintain their parks and gardens, they are very punctual, clean, orderly and reliable, they love good wine and and and....German is a key to knowing the real Viennesse people and I enjoyed learning the language.
There are so many ways you can spend your idle time in Vienna. There are old and new coffee shops which provide newspapers aside from aromatic coffee and great cakes, there are beautiful gardens, there are many museums, theatres and concert halls...And the transportation network is excellent that you can go from one district to the other as you wish.
In summer, while the parliament is in recess and while many Viennesse spend their vacations in other countries, I, like many tourists, look forward to the open-air concerts at the Rathaus, walks in the parks/gardens and visits to the Heurigen. Cafes are a nice hiding place anytime of the year. But if you're watching your sugar intake, just enjoy the ambiance and different sorts of coffee which will make you not forget Vienna easily. From Vienna, there are a number of boat trips - my favourite destination is Krems but you can also go to Bratislava (if you reserve tickets in advance). Shopping malls are a plenty. The nearest one from my flat is Donauzentrum. You can take the fast train to Baden to see its lovely park, small shopping centre and if you have time you can check out what physical therapies are being offered because this place is famous for such. From Baden, get off at the Shopping City South (SCS) where you could at least 4 hours of (window)shopping. Not to miss also in Vienna are visits to the different churches like Michaelerkirche, Peterskirche, St. Stephen's, Votivkirche, to name a few.
Schoenbruenn is one of the landmarks of Vienna. Viennesse love to take a stroll, jog or walk their dogs around Schoenbruenn which is in the 13th district of Vienna. It can be reached by tram or better yet by metro (Underground No. 4). Either you walk straight then to the left or to the right, you may enter this area which is really huge as it has a zoo, a palace, botanical garden, Japanese garden, butterfly house, fountains and rosegarden. One always aims to walk up the slope where a nice view awaits. One can't make up his or her mind whether to have Viennesse coffee and the finest cakes at the Gloriette or to take pictures. Those who have problems with their legs do not have to give up the nicest view of Vienna because there's a cute train to bring you up there. From atop, all directions will lead you to places of the area which offer this or that. You have to see for yourself.
In summer, I see to it that I visit Grinzing and Kahlenberg, no matter what. It's fun to take the public transportation. From the endstation of U4, Heiligenstadt, I take bus 10A which brings me to Cobenzl where everyone can have a beautiful view of the city, then I take the same bus to Grinzing. One shouldn't be alone when you go for a drink or two in Grinzing. There's heuriger music to enjoy in the first place and eating Viennesse delicacies with the year's wine is more fun when you're with your partner or a group of friends. From Grinzing, take the same bus to Kahlenberg. There are two very nice and friendly restaurants waiting for you there - not to mention the beautiful church and a great view of Vienna. You can take a walk up the Leopoldsberg!
- Pros:Great coffee houses, great concerts, great walks
- Cons:I love Vienna - I can't think of anything to write here.
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Comments (18)
Very nice Vienna page, Penelope! I enjoyed your pictures and picked up some great planning tips. Thanks for sharing. Tom
Hi Penelope:-) Great Vienna page! I was in Vienna this summer, and loved it a lot. I am coming to Bergamo and am staying at the hotel Piemontese.
Hope to see you there:-) Ellen
Hallo, Penelope! Wien ist wunderschön! Ich würde die Stadt gerne noch einmal und länger besuchen...~
Hi Penelope, Xmas blues? bah Humbug!! Wishing you a Merry Xmas, "frequented by the intellectuals in Vienna (Cafe Prueckl)" - is there some reason you didn't tell me about this? ;-) Karl
Hi Penelope, You provide some very helpful insider tips about Vienna. I agree with you -- the Viennese coffee houses are great meeting points for conversation -- I wish we had similar ones where I live. Cheers, Bill
I have to visit Vienna soon. Have a good sunday!
I liked a lot last when I went Feb! (my second visit though)
Thats a nice page !
Have been to Innsbruck but hope to visit Vienna one day. Thanks for sharing your wonderful tips. CHeers, SL :)
a lot of excellent tips about my hometown, thanks for sharing, Penelope !