On my second visit to Vienna, I had an epiphany, I don’t holiday. I mission. My first visit was to ice skate. And see as much as I could…. this included – eating the World famous sacher torte – a very rich chocolate cake – invented by Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Wenzel von Metternich.
On that first visit, I indulged in a horse drawn cart ride through the city. The driver kept leaning back to share secrets about the city – but frankly I could only understand every second or third word (there was a lot of smiling and nodding in response). Also I visited a couple of art galleries, trouped through the beautiful streets, shopped just a little and ate my way through the city.
My second and further visits were slightly more relaxed, but still at 100 mile per hour.
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is certainly a beautiful thing to see. The horses are from Slovenia originally. They were instrumental in battle and are very nimble. Photography is strictly forbidden and the staff very quickly stop any happy snappers.
Vienna’s ice rink is in front of the parliament square – the Rathaus – a beautiful building. And the primary rink is right in front. Ice paths circle around beautiful sculptures and trees.
If you like Vienna, consider a trip to Seville, Bilbao, Rome and Budapest.