Adrian took me to Vienna for our 1st anniversary together. It was a surprise, I literally didn't know until I was at the airport which makes packing extremely difficult. I was told a bikini wasn't a necessity so I gathered I was going somewhere pretty cold. Though I must admit I don't think anything could have prepared for the minus temperatures of Vienna town. I actually think it was below freezing, or at least felt that way.
After a very early start we spent our first day circumnavigating the city on the trams, trying to gain an appreciation of where all the main attractions lied. I was completely useless of course as I dont speak a single word of german and didnt have a clue where I was or what even the most basic of signs read. Luckily enough Adrian speaks pretty good Deutch (even though he'd have you believe he can on just 'get by'). The Austrians were pretty accomodating too and helped a lot by replying in German. After stopping for my favourite dessert 'Apple strudel' and what turned out to be adrians worst nightmare 'Nocci' - (apparently this has to the taste of opal fruity pasta - if thats posible to imagine) and he promptly caved in for the first time ever and couldnt finish his plate. Poor chap. That gave us a short time to defrost with a warm drink and reassess where we wanted to go. We found loads of people smoke quite freely in restaurants there which we found a bit off putting as I spent a large amount of time choking over smoke fumes and it was just generally unpleasant but I suppose strangely gave it the continental feeling.
The hotel was beautiful, hidden down a side street, a stones throw from the train and tram station - a perfect location.
Vienna was full of all number of undiscovered gems. I say undiscovered but mean 'not in the guide book', which made places like the cathedrals beautifully quiet and much more picturesque without all the public. Of course, we are both photograph mad so we spent loads of time snapping away.
We had a plan everyday to see certain sights but often ended up off the planed route and trundling into all sorts of places. The city itself is pretty busy and with the Christmas season coming in the lights decorating the streets were beautiful. As with most european cities, there are plenty of buskers and Vienna certainly has no shortage of break-dancers on its streets. Though its worth noting that a lot of them need quite a bit more practice.
Everyday held its own merits but for me our visit to Schonbrunn palace was one of the most memorable. Of course photography is not permitted but we couldn't resist taking a few sneaky shots (see below). The palace gardens were equally as impressive and had a good wander round.After a very early start we spent our first day circumnavigating the city on the trams, trying to gain an appreciation of where all the main attractions lied. I was completely useless of course as I dont speak a single word of german and didnt have a clue where I was or what even the most basic of signs read. Luckily enough Adrian speaks pretty good Deutch (even though he'd have you believe he can on just 'get by'). The Austrians were pretty accomodating too and helped a lot by replying in German. After stopping for my favourite dessert 'Apple strudel' and what turned out to be adrians worst nightmare 'Nocci' - (apparently this has to the taste of opal fruity pasta - if thats posible to imagine) and he promptly caved in for the first time ever and couldnt finish his plate. Poor chap. That gave us a short time to defrost with a warm drink and reassess where we wanted to go. We found loads of people smoke quite freely in restaurants there which we found a bit off putting as I spent a large amount of time choking over smoke fumes and it was just generally unpleasant but I suppose strangely gave it the continental feeling.
The hotel was beautiful, hidden down a side street, a stones throw from the train and tram station - a perfect location.
Vienna was full of all number of undiscovered gems. I say undiscovered but mean 'not in the guide book', which made places like the cathedrals beautifully quiet and much more picturesque without all the public. Of course, we are both photograph mad so we spent loads of time snapping away.
We had a plan everyday to see certain sights but often ended up off the planed route and trundling into all sorts of places. The city itself is pretty busy and with the Christmas season coming in the lights decorating the streets were beautiful. As with most european cities, there are plenty of buskers and Vienna certainly has no shortage of break-dancers on its streets. Though its worth noting that a lot of them need quite a bit more practice.
On the night of our anniversary we chose a posh restaurant down by the Rathaus which had traditional Austrian cuisine, Adrian opted for the Vienna Schnitzel which I think it retrospect he might have been best to avoid. He didn't look impressed when a frankfurter and pot of horseradish arrived in front of him for 8 Euro!!! He gave me a beautiful necklace with two entwined hearts and a diamond which I have hardly taken off since. We went on to rush across the city to get to a performance of a Viennese orchestra and ballet. We took a chance when we booked it on the street from a vender who promised a good show. We had champagne (which we were later reliably informed was fizzy white wine) in the interval and had a great, but exhausting night.
As anyone who knows me will know, I seemingly have an obsession with visiting zoos in new cities 9strange I know). Vienna was no exception as we went to Tiergarten Schonbrunn. It has previously had some bad press, way back when, for not providing the animals in its care the best care or offering them enough space but its certainly changed this. It was good to see the endangered being well kept and having so much space to roam. Adrian befriended an anteater and I've since tried to adopt him one with the WWF but it doesn't seem like a very easy thing so we may have to just go back and visit. I also saw a panda in the flesh which was a first for me. Had a fantastic day and hope to get the chance to go back some time.
Our final night was finished in style as we visited a revolving restaurant at the top of a tower. We got there so late that we didnt think we'd be able to order but we were just in time and we got some fantastic views of the Danube river and the whole city by night. Well worth the effort of getting there.
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