Drove from Salzburg to Vienna, stopped at a local vinery for lunch just on the outskirts of Durnstein.
Very nice.
Accommodation at Pension Nossek. Thanks to those that recommended this place, great location. If you come here book a room on the lower floor facing Graben, there are 4 rooms with small balcony. We enjoyed watching the street scenes from there. Spotlessly clean, large room full of character. Very friendly staff, my only gripe here is the little add ons like paying extra for orangne juice or egg at breakfast. Why don%26#39;t they just increase the room rate slightly. Still, a small niggle only. He who dares wins on arrival :-) I drove and managed to find my way in to Graben and followed the taxi example of slowly driving onto the pedestrian st and parking by the hotel to off-load. Police saw me and not concerned. Did same on leaving. Maybe I was just lucky or it was bravado succeeding but I%26#39;d recommend anyone doing the same instead of parking down a side street and walking with luggage.
Parked at Erdburg, take a good map. If you are used to city driving it takes around 15 mins to get to the car park, it%26#39;s on the U Bahn, 6 stops takes you to St S just 100 yds from Pension Nossek. 30min round trip. 3 Euro a day. It%26#39;s probably not a good idea for those nervous of driving, so horses for courses. Worked for us.
Loved Vienna, great sights and architecture. We ate at Reinhalters Basle and Purstners. The rest of the time had snacks and seafood from the always useful Nordsea chain, two in the pedestrian zone of Vienna.
I probably wouldn%26#39;t return to Vienna as it%26#39;s a big melting pot IMO, for me, for life it compares with many cities without being outstanding because of the city rush. I can%26#39;t speak German but I understand Russian and many Eastern European languages and in the centre of the city it was widely spoken. Reminded me of London in that regard, big mix of cultures. Don%26#39;t get me wrong, it%26#39;s a very civilised and cultural city but not the highlight of our trip
as I thoght it may have been.
Went to The Golden Hall/Musikverein. Nice little concert, (Vienna Mozart Orch.) light and touristy but it was for our young daughter so we didn%26#39;t want anything too heavy. Excellent IMO, pity about some of the ettiquette or lack of shown by some of the audience. Didn%26#39;t spoli it but I don%26#39;t know where some get their manners.
Euro 2008, a match was on when we arrived. No problems or huge noise. The only shame was during the day the stands spoiled some of the views around the palace area - but still, there was positives too.
Only stayed 3 nights days and headed for Salzkammewrgut. Recommend Vienna certainly.
Thanks to Vertical, Ulrike and all the locals who helped with planning, much appreciated.
One final thought about Vienna, as with Salzburg. The people very friendly, a very clean and civilised city and culture - Austrians should be proud.
Headed for the lakes %26amp; mountains, report there.
Regards
Stoofer
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As a matter of interest Stoofer, as vienna didn%26#39;t quite make the grade for you, what were the highlights of your trip?
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Hi Norman
I think I%26#39;ve written my comments badly, I certainly didn%26#39;t mean that Vienna %26#39;did not make the grade%26#39;, not in the negative sense you have perhaps read.
It%26#39;s a great city to visit, I simply meant for me, that once the main sights are taken in, it was, in terms of life for a visitor, not exceptional from the point of view of let%26#39;s say Cafe society, bars, restaurants that are affordable, ambience etc. It%26#39;s also a very busy city full of diverse people, Graben could be many places. Actually reminded me of the main shopping street in Belgrade.
Sometimes it%26#39;s hard to get a point across. I expected to rave about Vienna and want to rush back, just didn%26#39;t feel that way. I can say the same for many great cities, personal preferance, great city but once seen I need not return. I%26#39;d return to Salzburg before Vienna for the views and ambience I%26#39;ve not seen in other cities around Europe. It doesn%26#39;t mean I don%26#39;t like the city or wouldn%26#39;t recommend it - it%26#39;s a must see destination for sure.
The highlight for me was the stunningly beautiful villages in the mountains and around the lakes. Can%26#39;t compare with a city of course but next time in Austria I%26#39;ll probably miss out both cities.
I%26#39;ll do a swift report on our experience of Salzkammergut later. We based ourselves in St.Gilgen.
Stoofer
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In my opinion you did not really complain, your expectations weren%26#39;t just fulfilled. This is a common occurrence.....
You diplomatically mentioned the culture mix in Vienna, which is a big (political) issue here as locals feel that %26quot;the boat is full%26quot;. It is hard to find the proper words as everything related to immigration is sensitive and often exaggerately taken as verbal attack. I personally disagree with the major paroles like %26quot;Great city with multi-cultural society...%26quot; as most people (worldwide!) have very different opinions about that. I basically accept and agree with migration but there also downsides, which have to be discussed, but may not be outlined because it could initiate another very emotional (and dumbish) discussion. Most are tired of that.
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Hi Mickey
No you are right, I didn%26#39;t complain, I merely observed.
You are also correct that it%26#39;s wrong to discuss multiculturalism here, the thrust of my comments were based that for a visitor, not knowing the local haunts, the shopping and dining experience will be very similar to other cities. IMO, in that respect Vienna just lacked a bit of identity. No doubt residents and locals will feel different.
Sitting outside Reinhaulters with locals I had an insight but many visitors will miss that.
As I said - great city. One you Austrians can be proud.
Stoofer
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As I am living in Vienna I have to say that Vienna is not only the 1st district within the Ring, but has many special places and districts with special atmosphere in areas which tourists normally will not easily discover - like in the 5 - 8th districts. There you will find small streets with cool shops and cafes/restaurants.
Did you also go to the wine hills in the north of the city? It is very special there with the winieries/restaurants %26quot;Heurigen%26quot; (not the touristy ones) and some have awesome views of the whole city while you have the feeling you are already in the countryside.
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Any visit to Vienna during the recent period of Euro 2008 provides an unfair view of the true value of city in my opinion.
Just during the period June 20- 26 matches involving Croatia , Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Russia were played in the Stadium.
This distorts the %26quot; Melting Pot%26quot; and look of the city center streets and surroundings.
The Fan Zone along more than 1 kilometer of the Ringstrasse and adjacent areas destroyed the fine look for that area and caused much change to traffic and public transport .
Any recent impression ofViennais certainly not one of the city during normal times.
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Capital cities are, by their nature, bound to be multicultural both because they are full of tourists from all over the world and because a large number of people who emigrate to a country settle in the capital. Some, such as London and New York, even have areas where a particular ethnic community have settled in large numbers and these areas can be fascinating. However, to get a true feel for a country%26#39;s identity, I often find that you have to leave the capital and explore some of the quieter areas that are, perhaps, off the mainstream tourist radar. When we visit a city we often try to take a trip out into the countryside to smaller towns or villages. As Ulrike says, it%26#39;s not too difficult to do that in Vienna. Of course Vienna has been multicultural for a lot longer than many cities being formerly the capital of a sprawling empire which drew people in from many quite different European ethnic backgrounds. The names over the doors of many of Vienn%26#39;a businesses are testament to that to this day. Although half Austrian by birth I have Czech and Hungarian blood in me as well!
By the way, Ulrike, I was delighted to read on your posts of your pregnancy - congratulations!
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Thanks Norman! But unfortunately my pregnancy keeps me from another summer vacation in Hawaii...the Dollar would be at a perfect rate...;)!!
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All points noted.
As I said, people will have different opinions and mine were not really negative.
Euro 2008 did not bring a totally false impression of the whole city. Yes, it ruined photo opportunities in the fan zone area. But then again, on the peripheries the city was quieter than usual when a game was played. This was conformed to me by the hotel and many people we spoke to, so that was probably a plus. We left before the busy period of games in Vienna referred to by Vertical.
I think people can have different opinions, my perceived %26#39;negative%26#39; point was a personal one and regarding %26#39;the soul%26#39; of the city for a visitor who doesn%26#39;t know it well outside of the tourist areas.
Others will think differently.
Norman %26amp; Ulrike, yes we drove out and we spent time away from the city. But going to Vienna was for a city break, we enjoyed before heading for the hills. I have a home in Belgrade and used to live in London so I know how to enjoy city life and of course I understand tourists can alter perception. I%26#39;m pretty well travelled as was looking beyond that from my personal opinion.
Loved Austria as a country and would recommend Vienna to anyone.
Stoofer
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