On Friday, July 19, 2013, after work, we went to Leipzig Airport and then to Vienna with Austrian Airlines. The flight, in the small Dash 8Q-400 from Austrian Airline, was pleasant and we were sweetened with a small waffle treat.
Arrived in Vienna we took the train to the city. We had planned to take a 48-hour ticket for the U-Bahn and S-Bahn for this weekend. But it turned out to be more difficult than expected to book it at the ticket machine. So there was a normal single-ride ticket to get to our hotel. It takes a while to get into town by regular train (the Airport Direct Line (CAT) would be faster as it doesn't stop at every stop, but it's also more expensive). We had to get off at the stadium and then walk to our hotel. Luckily this wasn't a long road.
Are you still looking for a flight to Vienna?
Der Internationale Flughafen von Wien ist ganzjährig von vielen deutschen Städten zu erreichen. Günstige Flüge, findet ihr über die Onlinereisebüros wie z.B. Flugladen.de,ebookers.de,Expedia,lastminute.deorSkyscanner.
Hilton Vienna Danube
Our hotel thatHilton Vienna Danube, was right on the Danube, albeit in a socially difficult part of Vienna. However, that did not detract from this great hotel. A class from Mexico traveled with us, which really messed up the whole registration and the staff.
Our room with a view of the Danube had a king-size bed, a corner sofa and a desk. A huge luxurious room for just two nights. We were already quite tired, so we quickly took a shower and got into the super comfortable and huge bed.
The next morning we enjoyed the extensive breakfast buffet, with everything your heart could desire. Then it was well strengthened in the city.
Are you still looking for a suitable hotel in Vienna?
You can find a hotel that suits your budget via the various online travel agencies, e.g.Agoda,Booking.com,ebookers.de,Expedia,Hotels.com,lastminute.de, opodo, otel.com or Venere.com.
Schönbrunn Castle
Our first port of call was Schönbrunn Palace. Now we had also found out how easy it is to buy the 48-hour ticket and so we were able to travel across Vienna. Some of the subways were new and air-conditioned, which was really good given the hot weather. Arrived at the castle, we decided not to do a guided tour in the castle due to the short time we only had in Vienna, but rather to enjoy the beautiful park. We had never seen such a great and well-kept park before. Huge, with fountains and more. A dream! And that in the middle of the city. We walked up the hill to the Gloriette where there is a restaurant. From here you have a great view over the castle and the city behind it. In the distance you can even see St. Stephen's Cathedral.
In the park area of the palace there is the zoo Schönbrunn. We had already bought the tickets for the zoo online before our trip as we could save a bit of money that way. The Tierpark is the oldest existing zoo in the world. Very nicely built and partly still in the conversion and expansion. We really had fun between the many small children who were out with their parents that day. A whining here, a shout there and an “I want an ice cream” came too. ;) If you are in Vienna with children, you must definitely visit this zoo. Unfortunately, the battery of our camera failed due to the heat and therefore there are no pictures of the zoo.
Snack market
In the afternoon we were pretty exhausted from all the running and we decided to return to the hotel for a dip in the hotel pool right on the Danube. But on the way to the hotel with the subway, we noticed the Naschmarkt station. We had planned this destination for our trip, but unfortunately we couldn't find out exactly how to get there. Now we suddenly heard the announcement and got out immediately. As the name suggests, the Naschmarkt is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. As well as the regular fruit and veg stalls, this market is home to a variety of fish, meat, confectionery, cheese and anything else you can think of. Small bites are constantly being offered from left and right. This is a market hustle!
Arrived at the hotel, the bathing suits are quickly put on and then off to the pool. What a relaxing refreshment. Well cooled after the hot day, it's off again in the direction of the Prater, or Wurstel-Prater, as the hype is properly called. A huge amusement park with everything you can imagine in terms of rides for young and old. And of course the famous Ferris wheel in Vienna. We walked across the area and had a bite to eat before heading back to the hotel.
Belvedere Castle
On Sunday morning we got out of bed a little later. We just needed a hat more sleep. For the last time we enjoyed the sumptuous breakfast, you can actually let yourself be thrown out afterwards. Today we take the subway to Belvedere Palace. A smaller castle right in town. Again we decided to look at the garden and not the castle itself as it is free to enter. Unfortunately, we had to realize that the landscape architect missed his job somewhat. It was quite bare and only sporadically provided with low trees.
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Afterwards we went into the city to the Stephansdom. It was Sunday and there were crowds of people. There was mass in St. Stephen's Cathedral, so we couldn't go all the way inside. But the splendor of this building could also be seen from the entrance area. What a beautiful cathedral! The colors of this Gothic building shone in the light of the hot summer sun. It was downright magical.
Then we went for a walk through the city, actually quite by accident we passed the Hotel Sacher, which a colleague recommended to me to look at. On the way back to the hotel to get our luggage, which we had left there after checking out, we walked briefly through the Vienna City Park. Past the Danube and a pool boat in the middle of the Danube. A great idea as a public outdoor pool in the middle of the city.
Austrian Airlines Lounge Wien
The way to the airport was quickly behind us and after checking in we enjoyed the airport lounge of Austrian Airlines a bit. The return flight to Leipzig was absolutely calm like the outward flight and again there was a little waffle licking. The Austrians are really good at that.
Alles in allem können wir nur sagen, dass es nicht unser letzter Ausflug nach Wien war. Es gibt noch so viel zusehen, wovon wir uns aufgrund der geringen Zeit nur einen kleinen Teil anschauen konnten. So eine nette und offene Großstadt gibt es selten.
