Friday, April 4, 2014

Vienna

I’m at the end of the first week of Spring Break.  It’s been lovely, but I haven’t been too creative blogging wise.  Feeling a little neglectful, I’ve been wracking my brain for something to write about.  And we all know what happens when you do that…nothing!!!  Anyhow, the creative juices have been flowing into other endeavors this week, so here’s a Christmas travel post.

For months leading up to my trip, I heard oohs and awws over going to Vienna.  And it didn’t disappoint.  Vienna, Austria is an amazing city; it’s very grand. 

Dec2013 123 Dec2013 157 The Christmas market in Vienna is HUGE.  It is one of the most well-known markets in Europe.  It was very large, but I didn’t find that their goods were as unique as Budapest’s had been.  A lot of repeat booths.  Even so, the hustle and bustle of Christmas was in the air – the good parts – and the food and gluhwien were good.   Dec2013 159

Dec2013 163 Dec2013 171 Dec2013 167Traditional Sachertorte in one of Vienna’s many coffeehouses.  Dec2013 180_1 It was fun to visit Vienna’s Spanish Riding School and the Lipizzaner horses.  Unfortunately, there were no shows while we were there due to the holidays.Dec2013 137 Dec2013 191 Dec2013 207Whenever I travel to the big European cities, I’m always so taken with the size of the old buildings.  They are massive!

One evening was spent at the Christmas market.  It was really beautiful all lit up and so festive with music and cold weather.

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My last evening in Vienna was spent at a Mozart and Strauss (Sr. and Jr.) concert.  Photos weren’t allowed, so I enjoyed it sans camera.

Two days wasn’t really enough time in this city.  I could definitely go back and explore some more.

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8 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 4, 2014 at 1:36 PM

    I love that you are able to travel so much! I want a piece of that chocolate pie : ).

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    1. Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly)April 4, 2014 at 6:18 PM

      I do too - I'm lucky that I get to go to new places. The torte was pretty good. It's on the dryer side (compared to what we'd think of chocolate cake), but it was nice with a cup of coffee. It has apricot preserves in the middle which added some tartness.

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  2. AnonymousApril 4, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    Oddly enough it was always seen as a transit hub, never as a truly single destination city like Paris or Rome. I think that was largely because the Hapsburg's were old crowned heads and developed Vienna as the civil service centre making it far more fun to go to Budapest, Bratislava or Prague. Or back into the mountains. Then in the inter-war period it was a backwater being a 'former' imperial city. Then it became a free city where the CIA and KGB played their games. It really only since the 1990s that it became a 'place'. Nowadays people visit for the weekend.

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    1. Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly)April 4, 2014 at 6:59 PM

      I can see that the appeal wouldn't be the same as come other European cities - it isn't at the top of my cities' list either, but maybe that's what I liked about it. It didn't "feel" touristy. There were places I would have liked to have visited while there and didn't get a chance to. Although, that happens anywhere really. And the CIA you say? Ahh, no wonder I liked it. ;)

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    2. AnonymousApril 5, 2014 at 1:14 AM

      Yep, the CIA and MI6 too. Remember when you came from Budapest you crossed the Iron Curtain. Other than Berlin and she was an enclave inside, Vienna was the the front line of the Cold War

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    3. Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly)April 5, 2014 at 4:09 PM

      It was a few years back that we traded spies with Russia in Vienna. I kind of remember side stories wondering if it were still the hotbed of espionage it used to be. Unfortunately, I didn't see any assassination umbrellas or shoe phones while I was there. Maybe if my stay had been longer. :) All kidding aside, I'm sure with all the technology at their disposal it's not quite as cloak and dagger as it used to be.

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  3. MApril 4, 2014 at 6:34 PM

    WoW! Looks like a fun visit...and two days is too short for almost anywhere....I hope to visit there someday when I retire :)
    TGIF!!

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    1. Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly)April 4, 2014 at 7:01 PM

      Yes I agree, 2 days is not enough time for any large city. Heck I have lived here most of my life and have never seen a lot of it.
      Is it Friday? Everyday has felt like Saturday this week. :)

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