Across the famous River Danube the 21st
century is marked with glass and steel buildings including a United Nations
headquarters; one of four in the world.
The
astonishing array of monuments, palaces, museums, and churches left us
awestruck. We toured imperial palaces and meditated on a pew in centuries old
churches. Visited art galleries that had rooms full of Ruebens or Rembrandts or
Picassos, and one of my favs Dürer.
Strolled through the Naschmarkt (literally snack-market) with its
intoxicating smells and vibrant colours.
And when our feet got sore, or our
brains too full of input, there was always a tranquil park with blossoming tress
and lawns sprinkled with colorful crocuses or tulips to rest in.
When our
tummies rumbled we enjoyed Wiener Schnitzel or Wiener Würztchen. For dessert,
or just because, there was always Kaffee und Kuchen to savour. Vienna is famous
for its coffee houses; they have been an essential part of Viennese life for
centuries. Not just frequented by tourists but lots of locals seem to use them
as a meeting place or as refuge from city life. They are more than just a place
to go to drink coffee and have a sweet treat. They are somewhere to linger;
an oasis of gemütlichkiet.
I’m not
sure what I was expecting about our trip to Vienna. We had been to Salzburg a
couple of years ago and I think I expected Vienna to be sort of like it. It’s
not. It’s less kitchy touristy. It has elegance and grandeur that isn't pretentious. The people we encountered were warm & friendly, kind &
helpful. From the wait staff that were attentive without hovering, to the
transit ticket seller who told us about a better deal, to the shop owner in the
Naschmarkt that came out after us with free glasses of wine and chatted with
us. We relished every moment of our visit and look forward to visiting there
again one day.
Up next....a video "highlights reel" of our visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment