Grüß Gott from Vienna!

You already know that the Danube metropolis is one of my favorite cities. The good thing is: Vienna also offers the returning traveler undiscovered and inspiring things. A highlight of my current stay in Vienna is the visit to the State Hall in the Austrian National Library. In the 18th century by Emperor Karl VI. commissioned, the State Hall is one of the most beautiful and spectacular libraries in the world with 200,000 books from four centuries. Already last year an exhibition about the great Maria Theresia was shown in this impressive ambience. This year I was tempted by an exhibition about the secrets of the Freemasons in the Hofburg: 300 years of Masons – the real secret. Absolutely worthwhile with interesting insights and backgrounds about the mystery and myths entwined secret society. Unfortunately, only shown until January 7, 2018!

The Prunksaal in der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, the State Hall in the Austrian National Library

As art is known to make you hungry, you can go to the Café Francais after, where you will find typical French snacks such as the wonderful ‘Salade Paris’. A MUST are the homemade fries: Just yummy, especially the curry dip! A good choice for lunch is the Café Le Bol – popular not only because of the delicious salad variations. Speaking of delicious: Breakfast I had in the dairy farm this time. Picturesquely located on the Danube Canal in the midst of the Vienna City Park, the dependance of the star Restaurant Steirereck actually resides on the foundations of a former dairy farm, where dairy products were produced in the Emperors time. The owners of the Steirereck – the Reitbauer family – have made this a duty and offer here alone 150 cheese specialties, which the guest selects under the expert advice of the cheese sommelier.

Me infront of the “Madonna with child” at the Albertina

For all Old Master fans, a visit to the Raffael exhibition shown in the Albertina is a MUST. Again, there is a hurry, because the exhibition will only be shown until January 7th. (For this there will be a detailed report on MyStylery). After so much enjoyment of art, it takes a little breather – or should I say a sugar shock? On to the Christmas decorated Hotel Sacher for a hot chocolate and a piece of the same named cake. Both of course with whipped cream – let’s go the whole hog! I do not just love the culinary here. The lavish decor at the Sacher just now at Christmas time is beautiful and a feast for the eyes.

Vienna – City of lights. I never get tired looking at this splendor. Is there anything comparable?

Afterwards, the calories burn up almost by itself, because let’s go to the Christmas market. This year, for the first time, I visit the market in front of Belvedere Palace, where I admire the magnificent rooms of the Upper Belvedere and the artworks on display there. Above all, of course, the famous works of Gustav Klimt: ‘The Kiss’ and the portrait of the beautiful Judith Holofernes.

The Christmas Market infront of the Schloss Belvedere – too beautiful

In Vienna you let yourself drift through the streets, immerse yourself in the centuries-old architecture of the Inner City, which is so authentically and wonderfully preserved that it would not be surprising if Mozart and his contemporaries suddenly stood face to face. I look forward to the evening and the upcoming premiere of Joseph Roth’s Radetzky March at the Burgtheater. Unfortunately, I did not particularly like the staging, but the more impressive ambience of this world class theater.

The restaurant Salon Plafond is very popular in Vienna. Tip: When reserving ask for a place inside. It’s way too cold on the window side

The culinary question of the evening will be answered with a visit to the Salon Plafond restaurant. We enjoy duck and scampi, the beautiful interior and the friendly service alike. The newcomer to Vienna’s Gastro scene ‚Spelunke‘ is also in great demand (reserve on time !!!) and popularity. Unfortunately, I had to cancel my table because the performance at the Burgtheater took three and a half hours. From the Burgtheater, I took a direct course on a nightcap towards the trendy Bar Fabios , where fabulous cocktails make up for a lot of things. Also about the approaching farewell. But Vienna, you know, I’ll be back!  BvH

Looking for some Christmas presents – it’s never too late ;-))

Magnificent light!

Breakfast in the Meierei (dairy farm) is served from 8 am to 12 noon. A reservation is advisable on the weekend and during Christmas time…

…We chose cheese omelettes and the Viennese breakfast with its excellent apricot jam and homemade bread…

The expert’s advice of the cheese sommelier

Strolling through Vienna with my lovely daughter

The famous but incomplete Wenceslas Bible from the 14th century at the State Hall of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

At Café Francais you will find typical French snacks such as the wonderful ‘Salade Paris’…

…A MUST are the homemade fries: Just yummy, especially the curry dip!

Also a good choice: Café Le Bol – Who loves soups and salads, is at the right place here

Vienna in the Christmas glow: what an opulence, what a glamor! For me, Vienna is by far the most beautifully decorated city in the Christmas season

Impressing: The State Hall of Schloss Belvedere…

In the Belvedere the permanent collection of important impressionists and expressionists is shown and finally I could admire Gustav Klimt’s portrait of the beautiful Judith Holofernes …

…and also “The Kiss”

The best hot chocolate is available at the Hotel Sacher!

…Of course with fresh whipped cream…

…and in an elegant atmosphere

Vienna is always good for a surprise: Suddenly I find myself in this dreamlike staircase again, an architectural jewel in the 1st district

Window shopping in the festively decorated Vienna: The shopping heart is laughing

In the 7th district make a detour at Lena Hoschek . Here, the Austrian designer has a charming boutique with a living room atmosphere and lovely details in the midst of the romantic Spittelberg district

Bye bye Vienna…

Tip for Vienna:

Book your taxi from Schwechat Airport to the city (and back) online in advance on flextaxi-flughafentaxi.at at a very low fixed price!

The post A perfect day in Vienna III appeared first on My Stylery.

How about a hot chocolate with whipped cream at Café Hawelka for breakfast?

There’s nothing more beautiful than sitting in a Viennese coffee house. And this also applies for breakfast. There are lots of those historical institutions such as the Café Central or the Café Landtmann where you will find lots of tourists queuing up and patiently waiting in front of the doors of those coffee houses, especially now during the winter season. This is the exact reason why you should avoid those cafés and instead rather go to places like the Tirolerhof or to Café Hawelka in the first district where you will find the real Viennese people. You can also have a very nice but rather more modern breakfast at places like Café Francais or Ulrich. But now it’s time for my very well and in advance prepared cultural program! Let’s go visit Sisi and Franz Josef!

The representative home of Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Josef I: Schloss Schönbrunn in Vienna

A visit to castle Schönbrunn is – even for less romantics  – definitely an excursion destination worth seeing. With an audio guide the “Grand Tour” will lead you through 44 staterooms of the palace. Visitors acquire history knowledge as well as small anecdotes about the royal life at the time of the great Empress Maria Theresia and of the legendary Empress Sisi. Wonderful! Worthwhile is a following walk through the castle garden, no matter the weather.

Also during winter a feast for the eyes: the park of castle Schönbrunn

Everyone coming to Vienna in the near future will experience Christmas magic all over the city. In front of castle Schönbrunn you will find one of the many cosy and inviting Christmasmarkets of Vienna. The Christmasmarket in front of the town hall of Vienna fascinates with its thousands and thousands of little lights that are installed where ever you go. My personal favorite under all markets takes place at Spittelberg, which you will find in the seventh district. The market with its little unique, baroque houses coils itself through the parallel resided Kirchberggasse, Gutenberggasse and Spittelberggasse. Whilst strolling through the Burggasse I get inspired by the small, individual shops and I rummage for original clothes in shops like Goldstück-Wiener Kreation and the Conceptstore Burggassse 24.

Baroque facades wherever you go: after hot, delicious negus at my favorite Christmasmarket at Spittelberg I’m walking towards the inner city centre

Did you know that Vienna is also an Eldorado for fans of antiquities? Especially in the seventh district like at Siebensterngasse you will find lots of small merchants with trash and art with affordable prices. However it well get much more expensive in the city centre where you will find lots of antique dealers at Dorotheergasse. A must for every collector is the legendary auction house Dorotheum, a mecca for art where you can find objects of all epochs and, of course, their according price categories. Nevertheless: the inspiration is for free.

In the famous auction house Dorotheum you can purchase pictures, silver and jewellery for direct sale on the second floor

Visiting the famous Naschmarkt is always a must when I visit Vienna. Ideally under the week because on Saturdays its usually very crowded. (By the way: the Naschmarkt is closed on Sundays, but the little restaurants next to it are still open). For lunch I choose one of them, called the On Market, where I enjoy its delicious Asian fusion kitchen. Afterwards I walk towards the city centre with its Christmassy light installations, I amble along the dandified streets Kohlmarkt, Graben and Habsburgergasse. And it’s just magically!

Christmassy light installation along the dandified streets Kohlmarkt, Graben and Habsburgergasse. Pure magic!

How about a little rest? A great tip is the ‘Sky Bar’ on the roof of department store Steffl at Kärtner Straße from where I enjoy the view over the housetops of Vienna. Whilst drinking a cup of tea I enjoy the colourful patterns of the Stephansdom in the light of the sinking sun.

View from the noble department store Steffl and its ‘Sky Bar’ over the roofs of Vienna – in the background the mountains

What luck! In the evening I finally get to see the Wiener Philharmoniker (Vienna philharmonic orchestra), which has always been a dream of mine. I have tickets for a concert with world-class musicians who accompany pianist Rudolf Buchbinder at the Wiener Konzerthaus. What an awesome evening with music by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Grieg and Tschaikowsky! For dinner I recommend one of the most fashionable restaurants you will currently find in town: The Brasserie ‚The Bank‘ at the Park Hyatt Hotel. The name says it all: in a former ticket hall of a bank the guests dine in finest art nouveau ambient. On the menu you will find delicious dishes such as Beef Tatar or Tagliatelle with fresh truffles. Everyone who still doesn’t have enough goes onwards to the panorama bar ‚Das Loft‘ of the Hotel Sofitel which guarantees a spectacular view over the Donau, Prater and the inner city. The service could be better, nevertheless the Cosmopolitan is perfectly mixed. I let the day pass and already know that I will come back to Vienna very soon.  BvH

Cecilie and I in a joyous expectation before the beginning of the concert of the Wiener Philharmoniker at the Wiener Konzerthaus

Tip for Vienna:

Book your Tickets for museums and concerts online in advance! Thereby you avoid queues and you can plan your trip more efficient!

The legendary Café Hawelka with his – framed – founder Leopold Hawelka; always the cavalier with a sunflower in his hand

Schönbrunn Palace in its baroque splendor

Apparently this is the Grand Gallery – the baroque hall of castle Schönbrunn – where imperator Franz Josef I. asked his Sisi for her hand. Who would have said no?

In these rooms of Schönbrunn the great Maria Theresia already resided

Christmas Market infront of Schloss Schönnbrunn

Beautiful shop in the 50s look: Goldstück in the seventh district …

… with „Wiener Kreationen“ (The “Viennese Creations”) …

… dresses out of chequered and flowered fabric – all handmade

Small finds for every taste at ‘Goldstück’

Vienna totally hip

The grey painted walls at restaurant ‚On Market‘ are decorated with colorful panels with flashily, graphical patterns. Even the opulent ceiling light consists out of fabric

Perfect and hip location especially for lunch: restaurant ‘On Market’. The food – for example avocado-mango maki …

… or cocos-curry-noodles with mussels – tastes delicious and is also affordable

The Viennese Naschmarkt with its fruits and vegetable stands – happy sellers inclusive

Magnificent evidence of the past:

… the houses of baroque and art nouveau at the Naschmarkt

Original: Conceptstore Burggasse 24 …

… Here you will find unusual clothes and accessories …

Snack and drinks will be served at the bar. A heating stove provides cosiness in living room atmosphere. Store Burggasse 24 – very cool!

Vienna, only you …

Gloriously: The Stephansdom festively illuminated!

Door detail with imperial ornaments

Shopping mall Palais Ferstel in the inner town centre with its inviting gastronomy and its noble shops

Vienna and the Christmas Market infront of the townhall! Beautiful, isn’t it?

In-Restaurant The Bank at the Park Hyatt Hotel …

… where I enjoyed a yummy tartar

Lots of marble, elegant opulence and heavy lustre at ‘The Bank’

A final cocktail at ‘The Loft’ with a spectacular view over the Donau, Prater and the inner city

Bye bye Vienna!

Merken

Merken

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