A very personal and loving accumulation of things to do in Vienna/Austria

February 9, 2011

Some cities are like strippers – their in your face and all exposed.

But I guess those are only good for japanese hardcore europe-in-24-hours-tourists or those white-socked and birkenstocked visitors who run around dark alleys with big maps and ask drug dealers for directions, totally oblivious to culture, local habitat and, uhm, common sense.

Vienna is not a stripper. It’s more a Burlesque dancer, mysterious, two-faced at times, disguised as a pretty lady with whipped cream on top. But not unlike a chocolate Moelleux, you have to take a proper bite to truly taste it, to smell it and to enjoy it.

Like in most interesting women, the true beauty of the city lies beneath, has to be discovered, pulled out and sought for. Go take a stroll in the small passageways in the first district, find Franziskaner Platz and sit in the Kleines Cafe, drink black coffee and watch the scene consistiing of of old artists, writers and young intelectuals. Try the Schnittlauchbrot, dark, crusty bread with chives on top when you’re there, it’s a speciality and they do it best.

Wander around the Zentralfriedhof on a misty afternoon and get lost in the memories of those who lie here. Take a lover and make out while realising that life is finite.

Grab a planket and take a car up to the Himmelwiese (in summer) which is surrounded by meadows and wineyards, read or listen to what your life is all about in the Lebensbaumkreis and wander around the woods behind it to find the quarries. Then walk on to Cobenzl and watch grannies nibble on their afternoon cakes.

Try amazing Sushi at Hidori in the 7th district, sample an authetic tarte au citron at Le Bol in the city center, reserve a table at Motto in the 5th district if you like it gay and sceney, go to the Schweizer Haus after a rollercoaster ride in the Prater and stuff youself with a Stelze.

More? Techno the night away at Sass, Prater Sauna or Fluc, go have a sausage at 4 o’ clock in the morning at the Würstelstad am Neuen Markt and on Saturdays, go to the fleemarket on Naschmarkt starting from 5 am to find some stuff you may never use again but that will always remind you of a great night. If you’re still not tired, walk towards the city on the Rechte Wienzeile and dance until noon in Goodmans (also try their Goulash, it might save your soul) or watch the nights leftovers and sidekicks at Cafe Drechsler trying to revive themselves with food and more beer.

If you have a car, eat a Schinken-Käse Kipferl and drink Soda-Himbeer-Zitron at Salettl in the 18th district and enjoy the never changing interior of that glass house or evesdrop on your neighbours conversation.

If you wanna spend some money, check out Lena Hoscheks fifties inspired clothes in the very pretty neighbourhood of the Spittelberg, see what the latest fashion is about in ubercool and superunfriendly Park, buy one of their self-designed leather bags at Pitti, browse through mainly french pret-a-porter in the small but well equipped Perfect Selection, find the perfect pair of sunglasses at Brillenmanufaktur in Neubaugasse or try on the exquisite hats at Mühlbauer. If your’re all shopped out, hide away at Loos Bar on a saturday afternoon and try their delicous Pimms Nr. 1.