3 days in Vienna

The one place I wanted to visit before heading home for the holidays was Vienna. After a suggestion of a friend who once mentioned that Vienna was beautiful during Christmas, I was convinced that it was going to be my big trip for the first term. I am so lucky that I was able to travel to so many beautiful places this first term, and I am so glad I was able to finish it off with a solo trip to Austria. 

That's right! I went solo....and....it was LOVELY. As much as I love being silly with my friends and having companions to explore, I really enjoyed the solitude and independence of a solo trip. I was particularly excited about the opportunity because Vienna is filled with art and museums. As a self proclaimed art nerd, I was looking forward being able to stroll through my choice of museums for however long I desired.

I sort of knew about Vienna, and remembered that the Haspburg dynasty began there, but I didn't realize how much history, art and culture is centered in Vienna. Vienna has so many beautiful palaces, and important cultural centers to reflect the years as the center of the Hapsburg dynasty during Holy Roman Empire AND the Austria-Hungary Empire. There have been so many important kings and emperors, most notably Maria Theresa who was known as the "Mother in Law of Europe" for having 16 children and then marrying them off to all the kings and queens around Europe.

Vienna is also known for their Christmas Markets. It was almost as if every corner there was another adorable Christmas Market filled with good food, cute mugs and amazing crafts and products! I basically spent three blissful days going from museum to museum and in between stuffing my face at the markets.

I arrived in Vienna around mid-afternoon. Once I got settled at my airbnb, I walked around and grabbed a traditional hotdog from one of the Christmas markets. Then I joined a free walking tour which was super informative, long (about 2 hours) but I was able to acclimate myself to the city and learn so much about Austrian history! Anyone that knows me, knows that I love a good tour, and I love some fun facts. The next morning, I had an early start and headed to the Belvedere Museum. This museum is gorgeous, and holds some amazing Gustav Klimt paintings.

Once I finished the Belvedere Museum, I walked to the Karlsplatz and ate some food at that Christmas Market. Then I walked over to the Leopold Museum where I saw some more contemporary stuff as well as a really cool exhibit about Austrian artists. From there, I did even more Christmas markets! I walked around the gorgeous city and checked out all the Christmas lights. I finished the night by attending mass at the St. Stevens Cathedral. If I went to mass, I was able to go into the Cathedral with no cover. Luckily, Catholics do the same thing all over the world so I could almost follow a mass in German.

On Sunday, I headed to the Schnobrunn Palace, a huge palace from the Haspburg dynasty built by Maria-Theresa. At this point, I had already spent a lot of money, and for the price I paid for this palace I would recommend unless you love palaces or former empires, skip the tour inside and check out the gardens in the back instead. And of course, check out the Christmas Market in the front! I walked through Vienna some more and went to the open market. I had a delightful, lighter lunch and was able to rest my tired feet. After lunch, I went to the History Museum at Museumplatz. I saw another Christmas Market and then headed into the beautiful museum. The artwork was stunning, and the building was INCREDIBLE. I just walked around with my jaw dropped for the two hours I wandered around.

I finally had to gather my things from the train station and make my way towards the airport. After a giant glass of wine, and a flight delay, I made it home to Madrid, only to fly back home to the states two days later! Each day was sprinkled with getting lost, finding more markets, buying souvenirs and sitting on benches soaking it all in. Vienna is one of the most unique and beautiful places I have ever visited and I am so glad I was able to enjoy the city at the best time of the year!

Belvedere Palace!!

Belvedere Palace

I don't know what any of it is, but I ate it.

Schonnburn Palace

Art History Museum 

XMas Markets and Magic

Look at these colors!

Belvedere Museum magic

An interesting way to display old Greek busts... 

A tour group taking photos infront "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt 

Greetings earthlings

Another friendly solo traveler "on holiday" took this photo of me. We bonded about how beautiful everything was. 

See a pretty building, and there's always a cute Christmas market below.  

Inside the Cafe Demel, one of the oldest and grandest cafes in Vienna. It reminded me of the Henri Bendel store on 5th avenue with the prices of the Plaza Hotel. 

Everyone recommended getting the "Sachertorte" ( I didn't spell that right). A chocolate tarte with an apricot jelly in the middle. It was started by a baker at the Demel Bakery and was made for a special prince or something. Anyway, long story short everyone loved it and now you can pay 4 euro for a tiny chocolate tart at a fancy cafe. It was good, and I love some cute packaging. Vienna even has a national holiday where they celebrate this tart.

And that's that! I am home in the second most beautiful place I've ever been...New Jersey. Expect diner inspired instagrams and complaining about NYC Christmas tourists....and I'll catch up next year!