On Friday, July 19, 2013, after work we went to Leipzig Airport and then flew to Vienna with Austrian Airlines. The flight, in Austrian Airlines' small Dash 8Q-400, was pleasant and was sweetened with a small waffle treat.
Arriving in Vienna, we took the train into the city. We had planned to buy a 48-hour ticket for the subway and commuter rail for the weekend. However, booking it at the ticket machine proved more difficult than expected. So, we ended up buying a regular single ticket to get to our hotel. The journey into the city on the regular train takes a while (the Airport Train (CAT) would be faster, as it doesn't stop at every station, but it's also more expensive). We had to get off at the stadium and then walk to our hotel. Luckily, it wasn't a long walk.
Are you still looking for a flight to Vienna?
Vienna International Airport is accessible year-round from many German cities. You can find cheap flights through online travel agencies such as Flugladen.de., ebookers.com, Expedia, lastminute.com or skyscanner.
Hilton Vienna Danube
Our hotel, the Hilton Vienna Danube, It was located right on the Danube, albeit in a rather socially disadvantaged part of Vienna. However, this didn't detract from the fact that this was a superb hotel. A class from Mexico arrived with us, which caused quite a stir at reception and among the staff.
Our room, overlooking the Danube, had a king-size bed, a sofa area, and a desk. A huge, luxurious room for just two nights. We were quite tired, so we quickly took a shower and then went straight to the super comfortable and enormous bed.
The next morning we enjoyed the extensive breakfast buffet, with everything one could wish for. Afterwards, well fortified, we headed into town.
Are you still looking for a suitable hotel in Vienna?
You can find a hotel that suits your budget through various online travel agencies such as. Agoda, Booking.com, ebookers.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, lastminute.com, opodo, otel.com or Venere.com.
Schönbrunn Castle
Our first stop was Schönbrunn Palace. We'd finally figured out how easy it is to buy the 48-hour ticket, so we could travel all over Vienna. Some of the subways were new and air-conditioned, which was a real treat in the hot weather. Once we arrived at the palace, we decided, given the limited time we had in Vienna, not to take a guided tour but to enjoy the beautiful park instead. We'd never seen such a stunning and well-maintained park before. It was enormous, with fountains galore. A dream! And right in the heart of the city. We walked up the hill to the Gloriette, where there's a restaurant. From there, you have a fantastic view of the palace and the city beyond. You can even see St. Stephen's Cathedral in the distance.
Within the grounds of the palace is Schönbrunn Zoo. We bought our zoo tickets online before our trip to save some money. It's the oldest continuously operating zoo in the world. Beautifully laid out, and some areas are still being renovated and expanded. We had a great time among the many small children who were there with their parents that day. There was a bit of whining here, a bit of shouting there, and even a shout of "I want an ice cream!" ;) Anyone visiting Vienna with children absolutely must see this zoo. Unfortunately, the heat killed our camera battery, so we don't have any pictures of the zoo.
Naschmarkt
By the afternoon, we were quite exhausted from all the walking and decided to head back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool right on the Danube. But on our way back to the hotel by subway, we noticed the Naschmarkt station. We had planned this destination for our trip, but unfortunately hadn't been able to figure out exactly how to get there. Then we suddenly heard the announcement and got off immediately. The Naschmarkt is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth, as the name suggests. Besides the usual fruit and vegetable stalls, this market boasts a huge selection of fish, meat, sweets, cheese, and just about anything else you could imagine. Small snacks are constantly being offered to you from all sides. It's a bustling market!
Arriving at the hotel, we quickly changed into our swimsuits and jumped into the pool. What a relaxing refreshment! Nicely cooled down after the hot day, we headed back towards the Prater, or Wurstel-Prater, as the amusement park is officially called. A huge amusement park with every imaginable ride for young and old. And of course, the iconic Ferris wheel, a Vienna landmark. We strolled across the park and grabbed a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel.
Belvedere Palace
On Sunday morning, we got out of bed a little later. We simply needed a bit more sleep. We enjoyed the lavish breakfast one last time; you could practically roll out of bed afterward. Today we're taking the subway to Belvedere Palace, a smaller palace right in the city. Again, we decided to visit the garden rather than the palace itself, as it's free to enter. Unfortunately, we had to conclude that the landscape architect hadn't quite chosen his profession. It was rather bare and only dotted with a few low trees.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Afterwards, we went into the city to St. Stephen's Cathedral. It was Sunday, and there were huge crowds of people. Mass was taking place inside, so we couldn't go all the way in. But even from the entrance, the splendor of this building was evident. What a beautiful cathedral! The colors of this Gothic structure shone in the light of the hot summer sun. It was truly magical.
Afterwards, we took a stroll through the city, and quite by chance, we passed the Hotel Sacher, which a colleague had recommended. On our way back to the hotel to collect our luggage, which we had left there after checking out, we took a short walk through Vienna's Stadtpark. We walked along the Danube and past a pool boat in the middle of the river. A fantastic idea for a public swimming pool right in the city.
Austrian Airlines Lounge Vienna
The journey to the airport was quick, and after checking in, we enjoyed the Austrian Airlines airport lounge for a while. The return flight to Leipzig was just as smooth as the outbound flight, and once again we were treated to a little waffle snack. The Austrians really do make those!.
All in all, we can only say that this wasn't our last trip to Vienna. There's still so much to see, of which we could only explore a small part due to our limited time. It's rare to find such a friendly and welcoming city.
