VIENNA
The country known not only for its rich history but also for its architectural gems, natural beauty and endless entertainment. All this was a music to our ears. Our southern neighbor has a lot to offer and we decided it’s the right time to go for a short city break and explore Vienna in full…
Since it is not far from us to Austria, we went on a trip by our car. The trip went perfectly well until the moment when we got a puncture on the rear tire in Berg. We park the car at the curb, put on the vests, and started replacing the tire. Slight delay at the beginning of our journey but nothing we couldn’t handle. We were more worried about the thunderstorm, which was heading in the same direction as us…
Since we were accommodated on the outskirts of the city, we managed to bypass the evening traffic jam in the city center. Accommodation in Autocamping Wien had a good location with a nearby underground station and was at a reasonable price, so it immediately appealed to us. We quickly put our things together and went on a quick tour of evening Vienna.
A short underground ride took us directly to the city center and we got off on the famous Ringstrasse boulevard, where world-famous gems such as the Vienna State Opera, the Hofburg, the Museum of Art History, the Austrian Parliament, and the town hall are located. We started our city tour at the building of the Vienna State Opera, which is one of the most beautiful buildings on this street. Then we gradually moved along other historic buildings towards the Austrian parliament building.
The majestic parliament building, which was inspired by ancient Greek architecture, covers an area of about 13 hectares. It serves as the seat of the Austrian parliament and also as the place of the oath of every Austrian president. Then we moved towards the town hall building and that was our last stop for today.
2. day – Schonbrunn Palace
Schonbrunn Palace is considered one of the most beautiful European castles, which is beyond doubt, and is often referred to as the Viennese Versailles. It is definitely worth going inside the castle as well, but we were fine to explore the exterior.
The castle gardens are the best you can see here. It is a popular place not only for tourists but also for locals. The castle and the park are registered with UNESCO. There is also a labyrinth where you can get lost easily. The large park with castle gardens has many fountains, mazes, and 2 glasses with botanical exhibits. One of them is Palm’s house and the other is called the Desert House.
The area also has the oldest zoo in the world, where you can see more than 500 animals. The main landmark of the park and the overall best of is definitely the Glorietta Foreign Victory Arch. The building was built in honor of the Habsburg dynasty after the victory over Prussia. Inside there is a pleasant cafe, which we also recommend visiting and at the same time enjoying the amazing view of Vienna.
3. day – City center and fun
What would it be like to go to Vienna if we didn’t visit the world-famous amusement park – Prater? The park covers an area of about 6 km2 and is located between the Danube and the Danube Canal. Admission is free but you pay for the visited attractions. The most famous and oldest attraction is the huge wheel Wiener Riesenrad, from which you can get the best view of Vienna. Then we tried Dizzy Mouse and it was a real bit…
We are heading back to the city center and our next stop is the iconic Hundertwasserhaus. It is one of the most famous works of an architect of the same name and you shouldn’t miss it. Before it became a tourist attraction, this house served as accommodation for socially disadvantaged people.
From there we continue straight to the heart of Vienna to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The Gothic Cathedral, which is the dominant building of Vienna, is one of Austria’s most famous monuments. It has several towers and is known not only for its richly decorated interior but also for the catacombs. It is located on the vibrant Stehansplatz square with many shops, cafés, and restaurants. This place is a must-see. It’s also the best place where you can get the famous Sacher-Torte cake.
For museum lovers, we recommend a visit to the Museum of Art and History or the opposite lying Museum of Natural History. These museums are among the most important in the world and are definitely worth a visit. We move on to one of our last stops, which is no less important imperial residence – the Hofburg. The former seat of the king’s emperors is currently the seat of the Austrian president and was inspired by the French Versailles.
A few words at the end. The Austrian capital is an amazing city and we strongly recommend visiting it. With many beautiful parks and gardens, historic buildings, and some monuments also included in the UNESCO Heritage, theaters, and museums, Vienna is one of the most beautiful European cities we have ever visited. If you get a chance, definitely come here and spend a few days in Vienna. You won’t regret it…
Tip 1: Use the Vienna metro. It’s the quickest and cheapest way how to get around the city.
Tip 2: Don’t forget to visit the famous square Stephansplatz in the city center with the world-famous St.Stephen’s Cathedral.
Tip 3: To visit Schonbrunn Castle you might need a whole day. Apart from the castle, there is also a botanic garden and the ZOO.
Total costs: 2 nights: £50.00
(Prices as of September 2006)
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