Full photo sets are already on FB, so I'll just post one or two key ones here that will help with recognizing the places.
A few things to keep in mind as you read this somewhat-travel-journal:
a) I under-budgeted; which means I spent more than I intended of my initial RM5K for the entire trip covering everything. That said and done, it is possible to keep it to that amount if you don't spend on souvenirs, gelato and other unnecessary stuff. I'm being absolutely serious.
b) My days started really early - which means waking up at 7am on average because I like to go to places before the world comes crowding in, and I'm back in the hostel before 7pm as this is my first time travelling and I'm paranoid about being out late. Again, this is a personal preference, and I definitely can see how it will be altered if and when I travel next time round. I'll probably do a "What-would-I-do-next-time" post, just to summarize some lessons I learnt
c) I was sightseeing more than being absolutely delving into the history or attractions in the different cities which was my initial intention. It was not till the end of the trip that I realised this, but again, awesome lesson for the next travel(s). So read this as if you are reading a first time noob traveller who probably fell into every tourist trap (both on purpose and on accident). Plus, I was not (or trying not to be) rushed, so I was not very particular with making sure I saw every single possible attraction within my time or money's value - not a proud trait, but it was how I chose to travel.
d) I have to admit that I did not do much research on my part especially with regards to stories behind a lot of the cities because i) I am lazy and ii) trip was mostly done on a whim. So it was more of going through the list of places on the Internet that I should be visiting as a first timer and then reaching the place then deciding how to go about it. I mostly do this in between visits (i.e. during lunch). The bulk of my research went to what food should I try because I was really keen on the gastronomy aspect of culture. Again, it's personal preference.
e) I visited in mid-September where weather was relatively sunny (too hot at times) and sunlight was still long; sun rises about 6.30am, sets about 7pm, 12 hours of sunlight is really good for travelling. Of course, the more the better.
Enough of ladida-s, let's begin, with Austria, zooming in to Vienna.
Might I say, I LOVE VIENNA.
Perhaps it was the first city I ever visited on my own (outside of UK), perhaps it's because there is a 90% similarity of the city name to my own name, or perhaps because of its understated elegance.
I would compare it to Paris, which a lot of people do, but it was less of a hustle-bustle and it was cleaner and calmer. I was not a big fan of Paris when I visited, so I thought Vienna was a lovely understated reincarnation.
I spent 3 days in Vienna.
Transportation: Pretty awesome, used the Metro/underground mainly. It was timely, clean and wasn't even crazy jammed pack even during weekday peaks.
Base/Hostel: Hostel Ruthesteiner (http://www.hostelruthensteiner.com/)
Location: 4/5
Environment: 4/5
Dorm: 3/5
Map was pretty good, so it was quite easy to find the hostel. And true to its website, it was really near the Westbanhof station which is a key train station. It's just a street away from the main road so when I arrived I was a bit worried as the street it was on was a bit quiet, though that turn out to be a good thing actually. As the hostel is made up of various disconnected buildings, don't be concerned if you are sent to the opposite street (as I was) for your dorm. I liked the environment, common area was well-lit, pretty gardens. The common kitchen and eating area was pretty busy, so it was a good place to get to know people.
The dorm was relatively comfortable, with a proper working hot shower. Again, I think with dorms it depends a lot on your dorm mates, whether they are obnoxious or nice, and I do hear about cringe-worthy stories.
Day 1
Evening arrival to Vienna
Walking around
Sigmund Freud Park
Freyung
I usually spend my first days in cities walking around and trying to get a feel of my base in comparison to the places I want to visit. As orienteering is not my best strength, it does take a few turns before I actually get hold of a visual map in my mind.
Didn't do much on the day, trying to settle to the fact that I am actually in Vienna and am actually travelling.
As a Psychology nerd, the first thing I did was to go find Sigmund Freud park, I mean, it's Freud okay. Just to realise I'm probably the only one excited over it. HAHA. People were just laying there, rubbish strewn around, not the prettiest park. I guess I should have gone to his museum instead, but I decided on buying a bratwurst and walking around Freyung.
From what I guessed, Freyung is probably the more upmarket area of Vienna. There were expensive looking shops, and the cobblestone streets were all proper and seriously clean. It was nice to take photos though, and it was here when I realise that although Viennese buildings are mostly grey and really modern looking, if one looks into the "tunnels" between buildings, there are often really really PRETTY courtyards. It's like you would think that it's one-dimensional flat structure, but beyond the tunnels, there is a more classic world, and quite different architecture than what is seen in the front. I loved Vienna for that, it's like little pleasant surprises.
Also, it was really easy to walk around Vienna. If you had sensible shoes, you can actually walk to a lot of the attractions without needing the metro.
Met some dorm mates who were pretty cool, they shared some lovely stories. Note that I chose female-only dorms for all the cities I visited.
Day 2
Albertinaplatz
Schonbrunn Palace
Stephansdom
Judenplatz/ Jewish Museum
I made a mistake on the 2nd day. I wanted to try Palmhaus, which is a really famous coffee house as I thought it was open for breakfast, it was not. So I should have gone to Schonbrunn Palace, which was much nearer to Westbanhof than go to Albertinaplatz which was the opposite end in the city. I made quite a few mistakes like this, mostly due to lack of research really.
And I really wanted to go to the Schonbrunn Palace, so after an expensive breakfast, I took the metro all the way to Schonbrunn and spent a good 2-3 hours there. I bought a ticket for the Palace itself, Garden and the Gloriette (a viewpoint). There was also an option to go for a apfelstrudel (apple strudel) demonstration class, but it was on hourly basis so that did not match my time. My feet almost died walking the gardens, and no, it was too huge to complete in 3 hours.
Schonbrunn Palace
The Gloriette, you must pay to climb to the top
Note that Stephansdom was in Stephanplatz, a popular tourist area where shopping is aplenty if you like. Mostly clothes and stuff, a couple of souvenir-ish shops, but I don't fancy shopping when I travel unless it's for souvenirs.
View from the top of Stephansdom
Look for this building, Figlmueller http://www.figlmueller.at/en/
There was more walking around because with Vienna, there is quite a lot of sights worthy of photographs so I was walking from Karlplatz to the Museum Quartier, to the Burggartens, Volksgarten which really, are all walking distance.
I took some time to find the Jewish museum because it was hidden in a courtyard and I cannot read maps to save my life. With my lack of history knowledge, I think I could have done more to understand the history of the Jews in Vienna even though the museum I went into gave some insight on the life of Jews since the immigrated over to Vienna.
The courtyard with a Jewish memorial in the middle
Then I ended up in Palmhaus (FINALLY) for an afternoon tea and some reading, mostly to avoid the rain. If there is one thing to learn about the European weather, when it's crazy hot and humid today, it's probably going to have a torrential downpour tomorrow.
Day 3
Naschmarkt
Karlskirche
Michaelerplatz
Museum Quartier
Ringtrasse
So the rain continued into the next day which made it pretty difficult to get good photos or have a scenic walk. I went to the Naschmarkt early, TOO EARLY. All the stalls were barely opened, but to be fair, it would have been a better lunchtime option, as it was mostly food stalls. And for those who are staying longer and planning to cook, they seriously provide a good selection of ingredients. I took about an hour plus there, just walking up and down and having a "standing" breakfast. As with most European countries (at least with Austria & Italy), it is almost certain that you will have to pay a cover/service charge when you sit for coffee - in Austria it's usually a bread basket charge). Wandered around, took some photos. I especially love this teapot shop somewhere in the middle of the market, basically the market is made up of two streets with a row of shops/stalls down both sides, and in the middle. The teapot shop had a really good collection, and was seriously tempting me to buy (I didn't).
Then I moved on to Karlsplatz and ended up in Karlskirche which is another church, but this one had a museum attached so I paid a student price to get into the church, up the church and in the museum. Pretty good deal. The church was quite gorgeous, different architecture than Stephansdom, perhaps more modern with the use of mosaics.
After that it was to Michaelerplatz, and this was another silly mistake because I didn't realise I actually passed by this place when I went to Freyung. It was actually side by side, but the Spanish Riding School was there, and the architecture was gorgeous. At this point of time, horribly insensible shoes and wet feet made my feet hurt so bad, I could barely walk so I was really hobbling quite slowly and taking long stops.
View of the gate into Spanish Riding School + Empress Sissi's Apartments
I intended to visit the Demel Cake House, another famous cake place but it was so packed, I changed my mind to a tea place called Heissenberger. It was a good change from the coffee.
After that, it was more walking around, and attempting to take photos. I took the tram on the Ringtrasse which is basically a tram service that takes you around the inner city and allows you to see most of the attractions. I did not think too highly of it though I think it's mostly due to the rain and gloomy weather so there was not much to see.
Finally, I made my way to the Museum Quartier, which is basically an area where all the art museums are located. It was late so I did not make the final entrance, though I am not sure I would have appreciated the interior especially with its price. The Leopold museum which I wanted to visit was about 18 Euros.
Courtyard of the Museum Quartier
Another place I would recommend for food is the Mozart Cafe near the Hostel Ruthesteiner, relatively cheap and good food.
This concluded my Vienna leg of the trip as I took the early train into Salzburg next morning.
Do try:
- Visit the Schonbrunn Palace : I enjoyed learning about the Habsburg Monarchy, and the audio guide provided was quite informative. I don't understand the fuss about Empress Sissi other than how she maintained the good relations with Hungarians because she was mostly admired for her beauty (and her madness in keeping it). She was all over touristy items.
- Visit Stephansdom : Not only its architecture is quite different, it's free and located in a central area so it's a good place to go when you are short of visit time. I think it stays open till quite late
- Visit Freyung/Michaelerplatz/Judenplatz area: All within walking distance and make a lot of good photos, plus there are some nice cafes dotted around
- Visit Naschmarkt: Seriously best when it's fully opened and you are looking for food. Probably quite good for souvenirs as well
- Eat Wiener Schnitzel @ Figlmueller: MUST TRY, I cannot emphasize the worth of the money for this piece of deep-fried sin.
- Eat Sacher-Torte @ Cafe Sacher: If you are a first timer, try it where it originates, this chocolate cake was AMAZING.
- Eat beef-related dishes: Whether it is Plachutta (which is a beef-based restaurant with a few restaurants dotted around the city) or any other place actually - try the Mozart Cafe I suggested, quite damn good
Tips:
- Get the Vienna Student Card for transportation: Although I'm not sure if a student visa is a valid student identification, no one actually checked. And if you are going to visit places that are further than the inner city (i.e. Schonbrunn Palace), it is probably a good bet
- Don't eat Viennese breakfast at cafes in touristy areas, not worth it. Better to find a bakery, even a chain bakery, stand up, have a good brioche or croissant with melange (coffee & milk), cheaper and much better.
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