Vienna feels like a fever dream because I remember almost nothing about the city. I went back to look at the pictures for this post and it definitely sprang something in my memory but not much.
The trip was eventful even before it started, a friend and I lost the bus and had to wait 1.5h to get the next one while our 3rd friend went ahead (why? Nobody knows). To this day, I firmly believe my reason for missing it is valid (will be covered in a post about Zagreb at some point) but not everyone feels the same. Moving on…
We arrived at Vienna in the afternoon, checked in at the airbnb and went to Lidl. We were staying for 3 nights (had to check that) but we literally bought food for a week. Anyway, back from the supermarket I almost got hit by a tram which I absolutely never saw coming, but my friend pulled me back on time (and he never shuts up about it) and all was well that night.
Day 1
I don’t recall if it was the first time in the city for all of us but the point is we didn’t have a plan of what to do/see.
We had an idea but nothing concrete. So we went by public transport from our place to Museumsplatz and then walked to a very famous cafe that everyone recommended, Café Mozart.
It’s a must-visit destination, a historical place going back to 1794 that had established itself as a gathering point for many artists, intellectuals and locals over the years.
After that, we took the electric scooters and went on a long tour along the river (paid a lot), but it was very nice and we had fun.
A walk in the old town is a must of course, Michaelerplatz and The Hofburg are very beautiful places.
More museums and beautiful parks. I really love how walkable Vienna is.
Day 2
Of course, when everyone thinks about Vienna, they think of the Schönbrunn Palace.
Believe it or not, I don’t have a decent picture of the palace or the gardens. I only have one overlooking Gloriette Schönbrunn
I loved this little spot inside the gardens and on the way to the palace, though!
If you’re not particularly fond of the museums or the galleries, I guess Vienna will occupy you for 1 day only. Admittedly, I didn’t care much about sightseeing when I visited, I think I was more into the company I had and having a good time with them rather than taking the history and beauty of the city. It seems like a waste now, but I don’t believe that our experiences are wasteful in any way. Plus, I’m still living in Europe – I can always visit (famous last words).
So what did we do? We went ice-skating and to the Schönbrunn Zoo! Both, totally random activities for me, firstly coming from a warm country, we don’t know how to ice-skate! And Vienna, I found out, had this amazing ice-skating ring that is apparently one of the biggest in Europe and has two levels and a “terrace”, meaning you have to skate upwards?? And then down, of course…it was an experience I have to say, I probably fell down around 5 times and they were all painful.
My first time to a zoo as well! I’ve always been ideologically against zoos. I could expand my reasons, although they may be self-explanatory, so I’ll refrain. However, in this trip, one of my friends was very helpful in expressing the “other side” and all the good things that zoos have done for animals and endangered species. And specifically, the Schönbrunn Zoo had been awarded the title of the best zoo in Europe for many years, including recently when we were there. So, I took the plunge and I was so damn amazed.
Frankly, I didn’t have anything to compare it to, but it was amazing – the area is massive and specialised to the animals’ needs. We watched a cheetah sprint and chase its food, I saw a polar bear for the first time, a tiger, lions, a unique tropical enclosed area that was extremely humid and the penguins! My favourite animal.
Just look at them. So freaking cute!
I reckon it’s a perfect note to end this here. The Vienna adventure was quick but lovely ☺
Till next time…
