Anyone been to Vienna?

[WelshMoth]

Christmas markets especially? I'm tempted to book a weekend for Christmas shopping but not really heard of many others going.

Seychelles or Mauritius

Wrong thread sorry!

Aargh Rice! I got really excited to see the replies then you sod

We went about 20 years ago pre-kids and loved it! The markets were great. I love Austria.

Hi
Yes I’ve been there and had a great time, but I do like a fancy hotel and a little bet at a casino .😉

But on a serious note it’s a great city , my husband went on a tour of the Spanish Riding School and he said it was amazing.
I on the other hand loved the huge Casino and all the lovely shops and especially the chocolate Torte .
Oh and it’s a beautiful city with lovely friendly people .
Xx

Yes a month ago
Beautiful city so much history
I would go wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be
We went to a roof top bar and did an secret Vienna walk on air B and B experiences then got a boat to Bratislava

Loved vienna can't wait to go back

'@Thirza38 where about did you stay? Decent restaurants?

www.booking.com/hotel/at/rafael-kaiser-premium-apartments-city-centre.en-gb.html?label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaBWIAQGYAQm4ARjIARTYAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgS4Aq-GiOwFwAIB;sid=881268548676bd611ad88c9dc0a2d113

We stayed here in the summer for 3 nights. Brilliant apartment with Ubahn nearby and tram to centre right across the road.

Agree with pp it wasn't expensive as I was expecting. We did a horse drawn carriage ride and the Third Man tour. I haven't seen the film for years (DH is a fan) but it was a fascinating tale of post war Vienna.

Fabulous city, lived there for several years (a few years ago), a part of my heart will always be there! Main market in front of the Rathaus is a bit commercial (in my opinion). My recommendations would be divinaart.at/, www.weihnachtsmarkt.at/ and spittelberg.at/de/ amongst others.

I went with work and found this sign most amusing - apparently you can get avalanches from roof tops......

Cafe central has been recommended to me a few times. Would this be somewhere I could book for an evening meal?

The rooftop bar - ok for a winter's 50th celebratory drink?

WelshMoth - have been to Cafe Central many times but only during the day (99% for coffee). Yes you could book for dinner but in my opinion it's best for Frustuck (breakfast) or cafe & kuchen (coffee & cake). Dinner would be better at a Heuriger, take the 38 tram from Schottentor (central Wien - Vienna - out to Grinzing it's very easy.

Went last year for Christmas markets

Beautiful place, going back for my 40th next June

I’ve stayed at the a Intercontinental in Vienna before several times (work relate). I have been to the Christmas markets and was not overly gone on them 🤷🏼‍♀️ There’s better out there.

@Longdistance where would you recommend re markets? Or do you mean Viennese markets in general?

I'm getting so many mixed reviews re markets. I was under the impression that every seller is vetted thoroughly so that no 'tat' is allowed?

I suppose it depends on your definition of tat.
I liked the markets but they didn't set my world alight. I preferred Düsseldorf for the markets themselves but 100% preferred Vienna as a city itself

If you've never been to Vienna go - it's a fantastic city and so much more than a weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) destination. I'd go at the drop of a hat.

Yes, it was perfect. Christmasy, but not packed out, not freezing cold and superb museums that were giving out free glüwine.
My boyfriend had the suprise of his life as he thought he'd booked us tickets to Venice.

I've re read your post, market wise it wasn't anything that you wouldn't get in a German Christmas Market in UK cities at Christmas. But I had a lovely time.

I’ve been and it was lovely. Quite a classy city. It snowed, and we had a turn on the old Wiener Riesenrad.
Go and see the Klimts at the Belvedere. That’s where The Kiss is.

Thanks loads everyone. I'm really looking forward already. Despite it being only September still, it's really nice having something to look forward to.

Jeans, warm tops, skiing jackets and bobble hats?

I went in January with a group of friends for my thirtieth, we stayed right by the palace, it was snowing and so cosy and pretty.

I would recommend visiting the library, there was an Austrian parade going on, lots of people in traditional costume, horse and carriages, interesting things to see. We also climbed the cathedral and visited a sky bar near it where we had the most amazing apple strudel.

We also went to the Ritz for drinks one night but were shocked at how thick the cigarette smoke is everywhere. Just a little warning, I’m a non-fussed ex smoker and there were smokers in our group, but even for us it was a bit much. They put heavy curtains over the doors everywhere to keep the heat in but it does make the bars in to real smoke boxes.

We had a delicious evening meal at Paul not far from the Ritz.

We discovered they party very hard there when some businessmen in our hotel invited us in to their work’s party, they were still going strong until about 6am in ballgowns and tuxedos, then all down at breakfast by 10!

It was absolutely lovely. Trams were easy to use and get around on. Everything easy to find (some of us know basic German which made it easy to translate most things.)

Enjoy your trip! You’ve made me now look in to doing a German market next year :)

I also second what others say, it is a classy city. Everyone in discreet designer wear and oozing casual wealthiness.