Walk with Sandra: Wien (Vienna), Austria

“Wien – Eine Stadt stellt sich vor” ~ Vienna – A city introduces itself”

This morning’s four-hour drive from Prague was uneventful - until we got lost (again) searching for the Meininger City Hostel. When we finally found it, the staff politely informed us that they were fully booked and, regrettably, had no record of my Expedia reservation - a teething issue, as the hostel had only opened the day before. I had already paid €171.60 for a two-night stay via credit card, but they took full accountability and arranged alternative accommodations at their expense.

It didn’t take long to find the other hostel (Porcellaneum Hostel), and upon checking in, we were pleasantly surprised to receive two separate rooms - a single and a double, with breakfast included. After settling in, we took a short walk to D'Landsknecht, a nearby pub, for an early dinner. The meal was enjoyable, and the total bill came to €52.10, tip included. The locals were welcoming and helpful, always ready to assist yet another lost tourist (like us). After a long day, we turned in early for some much-needed rest.

The next day, I got a parking ticket, marked at 4:45 p.m. (sigh). After a full day out, I decided to go for a brisk jog around the city, hoping to shake off the sluggishness from hours of driving and indulgent meals.

Also, I broke my "no-sugar" vow earlier in the day. I surrendered to temptation and tried THE original Sacher Torte and apple strudel at the Sacher Hotel Coffee House. No regrets - every bite was worth it.

Might I add, I was thoroughly charmed by the young host at the coffee house - he had a polished demeanor, sparkling blue eyes, and an effortless elegance. I restrained myself from taking a photo of him. :)

Wien (Vienna) itself felt like an extension of that refined charm - its people cultured, well-mannered, well-groomed, and soft-spoken. And, of course, the fake Mozarts in the Centrum provided a good laugh - some of them were quite the performers!

Above right: mixed meat platter at Restaurant D'Landsknecht

Above: potatoes (left); semolina dumpling soup (right) at Restaurant D'Landsknecht

Above left: Viennese beef stew at Restaurant D'Landsknecht

Above right: The Austrian Parliament Building with the statue of Athena (the goddess of wisdom) in front

Above left: The Secession Building served as the exhibition hall for the Vienna Secession, a movement of modernist artists, including Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka, who broke from academic traditions to explore new creative possibilities ~ chaos isn't evil per se, but it can be a catalyst to bring down old structures to make room for something entirely new and innovative.

Above: Naschmarkt, Wien (Vienna)’s most famous open-air market

Above: Wien (Vienna)'s Walk of Fame (near the Naschmarkt)

Above: Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper), opened in 1869 and rebuilt after World War II

Above: St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom), founded in 1137

Above right: Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church), founded in 1701

Above: The stunning Baroque interior of Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church)

Above: The Holocaust Memorial in Judenplatz, also called the Nameless Library ~ its concrete structure resembles a sealed library with books turned inward, symbolizing stories that were never told.

Above right: A charming artisanal watchmaker and clock repair shop

Above: Pestsäule, also known as the Plague Column, is a striking Baroque monument erected in 1679 to commemorate the end of the Great Plague that devastated the city.

Above: Kohlmarkt, a prestigious shopping street with high-end boutiques, jewelers, and historic cafes ~ the Hofburg Palace is recognizable by its green dome in the background.

Above left: Two salmon wraps - €5.90; Above right: The Hofburg Palace ~ it has served as the winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty and now houses museums and the Austrian National Library.

Above: This archaeological site in front of the Hofburg Palace reveals Wien (Vienna)'s layered architectural history, with remnants potentially dating back to Roman or medieval periods.

Above right: The entrance to the Hofburg Palace, flanked by two dramatic Hercules statues - one depicting Hercules battling a serpent, while the other shows him rescuing Hesione, a princess from Greek mythology.

Above: In der Burg, the central courtyard of the Hofburg Palace ~ the square is home to the monument of Emperor Francis II/I, surrounded by statues representing virtues like wisdom and strength.

Above: Swiss Gate (Schweizertor) in the Hofburg Palace complex ~ the inscriptions reference Emperor Ferdinand I and mark the gate's completion in 1552.

Above right: The Neue Burg, a wing of the Hofburg Palace complex ~ in front of the building is the equestrian monument of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Prince Eugene was one of Austria’s most celebrated military commanders, known for his victories against the Ottoman Empire.

Above left: The statue facing Prince Eugene of Savoy is the equestrian statue of Archduke Charles, a celebrated Austrian military leader known for his victories against Napoleon.

Above: Burgkapelle (Royal Chapel) in the Hofburg Palace ~ €4.50 entrance fee for three. Originally built between 1447 and 1449, its interior was later enhanced with baroque modifications in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Above: This chapel is known for hosting the famous Vienna Boys' Choir during Sunday Masses.

Above: The Michaelerkuppel, the grand copper-covered dome of the Hofburg Palace, crowns the Michaelertrakt, a wing of the palace complex that serves as a striking entrance from Michaelerplatz.

Above right: This humongous bratwurst cost €2.90.

Above left: Monument Against War and Fascism

Above right: The Albertina, an art museum housed in a former Habsburg residential palace, with Archduke Albrecht Monument in the foreground

Above left: Another view of the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper)

Above right: One of the Habsburg staterooms in the Albertina, a former royal residence. Admission for three people to the Albertina was €25.50.

Above left: Sacher Torte, apple strudel, and three espressos at Sacher Hotel Coffee House ~ €20 for a taste of tradition, indulgence, and history