Oh Vienna

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Mazbar

Now you are definitely going make sure you have proper Wiener schnitze with potato salad absolutely lovely. One other thing eat proper meals, you will eat lots of cakes and have lots of coffee you won’t feel like eating a normal meal but make sure you do I felt quite ill because all I was having was coffee and cakes no proper food.

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Thank you, that is good advice. We’ve looked at a few vlogs and the cakes look amazing but we will definitely have to eat them in moderation. We love trying new foods, especially street food, in new cities so we’ll make sure we eat meals

[skb 123]

I spent a few years living in Vienna more than 30 years ago now. Had the time of my life.

May will be lovely. Weather could be quite warm. All the cafes/restaurants will have their outside tables set up. For a taste of proper Austrian food and drink, make sure you take a trip out to a Viennese Heurige - I remember we used to frequent Grinzing and Heiligenstadt in the summer months.

https://www.wien.info/en/dine-drink/...urige-2-347736

If you have enough time for day trips out of the city, I would recommend visiting Klosterneuburg Abbey.

Another must for that time of year would be a boat trip down the Danube along the Wachau Valley, taking in Krems, Durnstein Castle (where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, according to legend) and the spectacular Benedictine Abbey at Melk.

Feel free to ask any questions. Which part of the city is the apartment in?

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by skb 123

I spent a few years living in Vienna more than 30 years ago now. Had the time of my life.

May will be lovely. Weather could be quite warm. All the cafes/restaurants will have their outside tables set up. For a taste of proper Austrian food and drink, make sure you take a trip out to a Viennese Heurige - I remember we used to frequent Grinzing and Heiligenstadt in the summer months.

https://www.wien.info/en/dine-drink/...urige-2-347736

If you have enough time for day trips out of the city, I would recommend visiting Klosterneuburg Abbey.

Another must for that time of year would be a boat trip down the Danube along the Wachau Valley, taking in Krems, Durnstein Castle (where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, according to legend) and the spectacular Benedictine Abbey at Melk.

Feel free to ask any questions. Which part of the city is the apartment in?

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Thank you, it will be lovely if it’s warm enough to sit outside at the cafes. A boat trip will be nice too.

We are staying a little out of the centre, as it’s cheaper, in the Neulerchenfeld district. The apartment is in the part of the district closest to Josefstadt which is closer to the centre and the apartment is only 3 minutes from the underground and has a bus stop nearby too. We’re happy to walk quite a bit too, we usually end up walking 20-30000 steps on our city breaks and as there’s 3 of us, we often find Uber/Bolt works out cheaper than buses/trains for us.

[skb 123]

I believe your apartment will be in the 16th district where I won't have ventured much. But as you say, it is well connected by public transport. I was lucky enough to live in the 1st district and work in the 3rd district, where I used to enjoy my summer lunch breaks in the gardens of the Belvedere Palace. Another must do!

Just my opinion but the Hotel Sacher and Sachertorte itself are nothing special. Demel is a real tourist trap. I liked Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Central and Cafe Schwarzenberg.

We visited as a family about 6 years ago to revisit some of my old haunts. My kids, who were then young musicians in their late teens, loved the Haus der Musik, which is an interactive museum of sound and music. We also went to one of the Mozart concerts at the Musikverein or Konzerthaus which was very good.

I was again fortunate enough to have seen both Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras at the Staatsoper, but there is also the Volksoper where you can still see great quality opera at a more realistic price. Quick check of their schedule for last week of May lists the Marriage of Figaro and the Sound of Music!

Finally, don't be tempted by Mozartkugeln chocolates everywhere - they are the most disgusting thing I have ever eaten in my life!

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by skb 123

I believe your apartment will be in the 16th district where I won't have ventured much. But as you say, it is well connected by public transport. I was lucky enough to live in the 1st district and work in the 3rd district, where I used to enjoy my summer lunch breaks in the gardens of the Belvedere Palace. Another must do!

Just my opinion but the Hotel Sacher and Sachertorte itself are nothing special. Demel is a real tourist trap. I liked Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Central and Cafe Schwarzenberg.

We visited as a family about 6 years ago to revisit some of my old haunts. My kids, who were then young musicians in their late teens, loved the Haus der Musik, which is an interactive museum of sound and music. We also went to one of the Mozart concerts at the Musikverein or Konzerthaus which was very good.

I was again fortunate enough to have seen both Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras at the Staatsoper, but there is also the Volksoper where you can still see great quality opera at a more realistic price. Quick check of their schedule for last week of May lists the Marriage of Figaro and the Sound of Music!

Finally, don't be tempted by Mozartkugeln chocolates everywhere - they are the most disgusting thing I have ever eaten in my life!

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Thank you, that’s great tips. Always good to hear from someone who’s lived there as they know where to avoid as well as where to go 😀

We have said that we definitely want Sachertorte but Hotel Sacher is out of our price range for it. We try to make sure we do as much as we can but within the budget (which is why we’re staying a little further out) The apartment is lovely though so will be a good base for us.

Belvedere Palace is on our list. Haus de Musik sounds great, I’d not heard of that. We’d love to see Sound of Music in Austria, I will check when it’s on as we are there the 13-20th so may be too early if it’s the end of May.

We love chocolate so thank you for letting me know not to try the Mozartkugeln 😂

Edited: just checked and sadly we’re not there for Sound of Music, disappointed as it would be amazing.

[Melbatb]

I agree that the Mozartkugeln is hideous!

DS is there at the moment and he did go to Hotel Sacher for the cake! He said it was delicious but has no comparison! It was expensive though he said!

He also went to a dress rehearsal of The Winter’s Tale ballet - they offer seats at 10€ for under 27s (no use for you I know) but may be of use for others visiting - it works for the opera too for the dress rehearsals! List of shows is here

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Melbatb

I agree that the Mozartkugeln is hideous!

DS is there at the moment and he did go to Hotel Sacher for the cake! He said it was delicious but has no comparison! It was expensive though he said!

He also went to a dress rehearsal of The Winter’s Tale ballet - they offer seats at 10€ for under 27s (no use for you I know) but may be of use for others visiting - it works for the opera too for the dress rehearsals! List of shows is here

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We’re giving the chocolate a miss then 😂

I hope your son is having a great time, and he’s still got some spending money left after buying the Sachertorte 😀

The dress rehearsal seats are a real bargain, shame it’s only under 27’s (although DD would be eligible) I’ve found the opera for Romeo and Juliet is on the first night we get there, and tickets start at €15 so I’m going to see if the others fancy trying that. It would be a great opportunity to see opera at a beautiful venue

[Melbatb]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

We’re giving the chocolate a miss then 😂

I hope your son is having a great time, and he’s still got some spending money left after buying the Sachertorte 😀

The dress rehearsal seats are a real bargain, shame it’s only under 27’s (although DD would be eligible) I’ve found the opera for Romeo and Juliet is on the first night we get there, and tickets start at €15 so I’m going to see if the others fancy trying that. It would be a great opportunity to see opera at a beautiful venue

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Romeo and Juliet would be a good one to see- at least you know the story 🤪

[DisneyDaffodil]

Originally Posted by Melbatb

Romeo and Juliet would be a good one to see- at least you know the story 🤪

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That’s what I thought 😂