In 2010, I experienced Vienna for the first time and I was instantly enamored with the city. I went to the city by myself and took in the lovely buildings, silently shed a tear watching Don Giovanni, and ate the famous Sacher Torte. I returned in 2011 with a good friend, but always felt I wanted to return with someone I was in love with as the city is so romantic. Fast forward to December 31^st, 2014. My now husband and I were in our gala attire ready to embark on a fairytale journey: the Hofburg Silvesterball.  The Silvesterball marks the start of the ball season in Vienna. If you travel to Vienna during the month of January, I highly suggest you pack a ball gown or tuxedo since you will be tempted to waltz away in the lovely settings of the city. 

The Ballroom at the Hofburg Palace

Getting to the Hofburg Silvesterball

Ballerinas at the Grand Staircase

Getting Tickets

At the Ball

Dance we did as the clock was approaching midnight. We are no expert waltz dancers but we soon found out the level on the dance floor was quite diverse as well. We let our insecurities go and swayed around the grand ballroom. It soon became midnight and we kissed to welcome 2015. 2014 was a year filled with ups and downs and this New Year began in a very beautiful way.

Debutantes at the Ball

A Viennese ball has been on my bucket-list since my first trip to Austria.  I love the formality of the Hofburg Silvesterball. Every year, I am always excited to get dressed up in my evening dress uniform to celebrate the Marine Corps Ball. Love the old world glamour and elegance of these events. I’m thankful we had the opportunity to experience this event.  The music, décor, and atmosphere were truly magical.

The verdict: if you’re in Vienna during the ball season, the Hofburg Silvesterball is a must do. 
Tickets for 2017 Ball: 
Grand Ticket with gala dinner from € 480.–
Star Ticket with table reservation from € 215.–
Circle Ticket € 165.–
Student Ticket € 70.–
How to book: Head to the Hofburg Silvesterball website:www.hofburgsilvesterball.com or email: silvesterball@hofburg.com 

Spending more time in Vienna? Here’s our ideal itinerary…

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We’re headed to Austria this summer.  What should we see & do with five days in Vienna? – Victorino & Gloria, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Day 1: Arrival.  With five days in Vienna, it gives you enough time to discover the city little by little without feeling rushed.  To me, Vienna’s heartbeat is the culture that exists throughout the city.  There’s something beautiful and refined in every corner of the city, starting with its museums.  Start by discovering the early works of celebrated painters such as Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt at The Leopold Museum in their permanent collection.  Where to eat? Sabrina recommends to indulge in a Wiener schnitzel (the local dish) at Figlmüller, just a 20 minute walk from the museum. Apres dinner, head to Café Hawelka not only for coffee and deserts but to get a feel for the beloved Viennese café culture.

Day 2:  Start your day early to head to The Belvedere Museum. This former imperial palace turned Museum is a day trip on its own.  Between the permanent collections (main draw is Klimt’s most famous work, The Kiss), and its gorgeous gardens, there’s plenty to see and do for several hours.  Hungry? The museum café is just as impressive. There, you can order lunch, have dessert, and even a glass of Grüner Veltliner, the grape that is grown in the local area. Dining Traveler Tip: The Belvedere is ALWAYS busy! I highly suggest to go during a weekday and pre-order your tickets online.  Walk back to the city center to get a vibe of the residential area. In 20 minutes, you will be at the Naschmarkt, one of my favorite places in Vienna. This outdoor market is vibrant all year round with stalls to include everything from exotic spices to Austrian wine. Where to eat? I’ve dined twice at Fisch Viertel, a fish restaurant. With its cozy, refined atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to catch an early dinner.   If you have five days in Vienna, you must see the opera.  The Vienna State Opera offers performances almost every day, with tickets starting as low as 13 Euros for some shows, which you can book online.

Day 3:  Although I have been to Hotel Sacher and had the beloved Sacher torte, I found the pastries at Cafe Demel much better and with a cozier atmosphere.  Start your day at Café Demel with coffee and a pastry, the afternoons there can get quite crowded.  Walk over to the majestic Hofburg Palace to learn about the Habsburg Empire.  Afterwards, head to St Steven’s Cathedral, with its impressive architecture and interior décor.  We had the opportunity to go to mass on a Sunday and it is quite impressive with its live classical music and choir.  For lunch, take in a traditional wurst at Bitzinger Wurst stand just a short walk from the church.  Save the afternoon to take in the Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family.  You can take a guided tour that will take you deeper into the history of the Austro-Hungarian empire or just walk around the grounds and take in the beauty of the palace.  Where to eat: Spending five days in Vienna this summer? Marie suggest you head to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) for their gourmet evenings. The museum stays open for diners until 9pm and the multi-course meal is 44 Euros. Dinner must be booked ahead online, book here.

 

 

 

 

Day 4:  Take the morning to go to the Hundertwasser Museum.  It is not only the museum experience that it is worth it, but also getting there.  The museum is located in the northern part of the city which gives you a glimpse of local life as you take the tram and walk through residential neighborhoods.  Where to lunch? Sabrina recommends to dine at Figls, located in Grinzing, a noble district in the north of the city.  From there, head further north (15 minute drive, a bit longer via public transport, Vienna has Uber) to two local cellars and heurigers (wine restaurants), Christ and Bernreiter .  I had the opportunity to discover these family owned cellars and restaurants and the experience was unforgettable.  We dined at the Christ heuriger and we observed a neighborhood affair.  Everybody seemed to know each other while drinking the wine made in house and indulging in hearty Viennese fare. No five days in Vienna itinerary is complete without a heuriger experience!  Still have energy to go out? Head to the Museum Quarter as it comes to life after hours with live DJ’s and bars open until late.

Day 5:  Marie suggests to start the day with a traditional Viennese bakery with a modern twist – Joseph Patisserie and Bistro. You can get everything from a vegan breakfast to traditional Viennese breakfast with local breads, cheese, and cured meats. Walk breakfast off at Stadpark, just a short walk from Joseph’s.  Take a walk around this urban green space. Are you a flower lover? The park has 400 different variety of roses to choose from.  If you still have time before your flight or train, I recommend to walk back from the park into the city center of Vienna to explore and discover the small treasures the city has to offer.

The verdict:  There’s so much to see and do in the city that five days in Vienna almost seems too short!  Although I have visited the city several times, I always find new things to see, and most importantly new places to eat. Although it’s tempting to have an aggressive agenda and see it all, I do recommend to walk around the city, take it in, enter a random café and experience the Viennese café culture, and most importantly enjoy your trip to one of the most elegant cities in the world.  Dining Traveler Tip: Suggest to purchase a Vienna Card (you can get them at the Vienna Tourism office) as it covers public transportation and offers discounts at many museums, attractions, and shops.

Lodging Suggestions:  For a boutique hotel, I recommend Hotel Altstadt: I stayed in this hotel several years ago and loved its inconspicuous location in a residential area, a short walk from the Museum Quarter.  For modern luxury, the newly renovated Hilton Vienna Plaza has spacious rooms, a decadent breakfast buffet, and an attentive concierge team (more about my stay here).  For luxury and central location:  The Le Meridien Vienna is my favorite property.  I stayed there during my first trip to Vienna and the service is second to none. The rooms are beautifully decorated with minimal luxury and their deep bath tub is perfect for a soak after a day of hard core sightseeing.  If not staying at the hotel, still suggest a trip to their bar pre or post opera.

 

 

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1. Schloss Belvedere: When it comes to museums in Vienna, The Belvedere has a special place in my heart. It’s not only my favorite museum in Vienna but will dare to say my favorite museum in the world. I just can’t get enough of the place. Tip: the complex is quite large, make sure to plan at least a half a day to discover both palaces and the orangery.  When you enter the Upper Belvedere, you take in the majestic feel of a former imperial palaces. The ceilings are high, held by marble pillars, and lit with glorious crystal chandeliers.  In my opinion, the highlights of the Upper Belvedere are the works of Austrian artists Klimt and Schiele. It is not surprising to be taken by the beauty of Klimt’s masterpiece, “The Kiss” but my favorite painting of Klimt is Judith, there is something about the raw sexuality of his subject. (Would have loved to share a photo but photos are not allowed on this part of the museum).  However, my favorite painting at the museum is “The Embrace” by Egon Schiele. You can truly see the emotion of a lovers embrace through this work of art.

My most recent visit was this past January where it was cold but in warmer weather, make time to have a picnic at the garden and visit the Orangery. However, if you want to stay warm and take a break from the beautiful art, head to the cafe at The Belvedere.  You can have a decadent Sacher torte or a nice glass of Gruner Veltliner in the beautiful salon with beautiful chandeliers and art. Tip: In the high season admission lines can be quite long. You can buy your ticket online. 

2. Leopold Museum: As I mentioned previously, I am a big fan of Klimt and Schiele and the Leopold Museum has the largest Schiele collection in the world.  From paintings of his earlier years to photographs of the artist, his spirit is live and well in the museum. You can get a glimpse of the history of the artist. It is easy to get lost in this large museum filled with not only turn of the 20th century Austrian art but also visiting collections of modern art and sculpture.

3. Museum Hundertwasser (Kunst Haus Wien):  Getting to the Hundertwasser Museum is a 30-minute journey in tram from the city center. As you leave the streets lined with museums and theaters, you take a glimpse of real Viennese life. As you walk by an unassuming neighborhood, you encounter this confusing, colorful structure, sandwiched by two average residential buildings.

In a city that is surrounded by classic buildings and art, this structure brings a pop of color to the city not only in its facade but also with the art work of the Austrian Artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Contrary to works from centuries ago in the other museums inVienna, you can still feel the life of the artist in the walls and spirit of the museum (he died in 2000).  The art space is small compared other museums but it is worth the visit with its unique take on art and architecture. Not to miss: the museum has a vegetarian cafe with organic desserts. 

4. Kunst Historisches Museum (Historic Art Museum):  Take a trip in time at this museum.  One of our regrets is that we did not dedicate enough time in our agenda to this place. We had two hours and were pretty much kicked out at closing time.  During our visit to the museum, a temporary exhibition of Diego Velazquez was taking place.  With works from El Prado to The National Gallery, it was an impressive collection to witness in the grand setting of the museum.

During our express walk throughout the museum, we could not help to stop and observe all the artifacts from the Egyptian Collection of the museum. From the coffins sitting in the darkness of the room, it made me imagine what would it have been like to live in the times of the Pharaohs. Tip: You can get discounted tickets at the museum with a Vienna card.  

5. Schloss Schonbrunn:  Although technically not a museum, there is plenty of culture at the Schloss Schonbrunn to experience. Another former imperial palace, it gives you a glimpse of life during the time of Sisi (Empress Elisabeth of Austria) as you can tour the rooms of the palace, kept in the same decor of the 19th century, the grand era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although I did not have the opportunity to go to Schonbrunn during this visit, I did have the opportunity to take a guided tour in 2010 and automatically became intrigued with the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is a must see, especially in the summer as you can explore its many beautiful gardens.

Although this post only highlights five museums, there are plenty more to see in the city, such as the Museum of Natural History, The Hofburg Palace, The Albertina, and plenty more to discover in Vienna. For a comprehensive list of the 100+ museums in Vienna, check out the Vienna Tourism website.  I wish I would’ve had more time to experience more museums in Vienna, but it gives me an incentive to return.  Tip: book ahead, research which collections appeal to you and set enough time to experience them, and don’t forget to have a coffee or a glass of wine at the lovely museum cafes. 

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Just imagine taking a tram or bus to sample a Grüner Veltliner at a sunny terrace in the Viennese city limits or staying warm and cozy with the locals at a Heuriger during winter.  A Heuriger  is a tavern located in the cellar property which serves only the wine it produces with local food.  During my January trip to the city, I spent the day discovering three unique Vienna wine cellars and learning about traditions passed on from generation to generation in Austria.

First stop: Weingut Christ.  On a snowy morning in Vienna, we arrived to Weingut Christ. What better way to warm up than with a hearty Austrian red, right?  We met Rainer Christ, the owner of the cellar for a tasting and a tour. The Christ family has been in the wine business for over 400 years.  Rainer has been making wines since his twenties, learning from family tradition and traditional education.  Now in his late thirties, you can see how he incorporates modern with traditional in his cellar.  You can see it from the design of the tasting room, with its clean lines to the traditional wood lined room of the Heuriger.  We enjoyed their rich reds, especially the Blauer Zweigelt.  Weingut Christ, Amtsstraße 12, 1210 Wien

Second Stop:  Lenikus.  Compared to other wineries that have been in Vienna for years, Lenikus is a new kid on the block, producing its first vintage a few years ago.  In an area that tradition means everything, Leinkus wine is just taking its first steps but does not fail in delivering quality wines. The Lenikus cellar is nestled in a posh residential area literally in front of a tram stop in Vienna. It currently does not have a Heuriger, but it is planning to open one this summer.  You can feel the youthful innovation in the wines from its team: Erich the winemaker and Bernhard in sales, two young Austrians in their late 20’s developing a brand from scratch.  From the unforgettable hints of honey in their 2012 Grüner Veltliner to the innovative labels of their bottles, this is a creative cellar.  Note that the labels: they are designed with drawings of fossils indigenous to the Danube area adapted from the Museum of Natural History of Vienna. Wein Lenikus, Cobenzlgasse 2, Wien

Happy from a day of drinking everything from an Austrian Shiraz to Rose Sekt (Austrian sparkling wine), we ended the day where it all began: at Christ.  Peter Bernreiter and Rainer Christ are neighbors and eat at each other’s Heurigers.  It was an Austrian version of Cheers, everybody knew one another, everybody approached Peter to say hello. As we ate roasted pork and dumplings, we were grateful to have the chance to explore the Vienna wine scene, straight from those who so passionately craft these wines in the city of Vienna.

* This experience was sponsored by Austrian Wine USA. As always opinions are my own. 

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Rolling Hills of Styria

Dirndls and Wine in Gamlitz

Our hostess had a very busy agenda for us but it was great to experience so much in such little time.  We took in a gorgeous view of the city at Schlossberg , where we experienced one of the beautiful elevator rides, riding on the inside of the mountain to the top, where we took in the sunset followed by dinner and drinks. The following morning we headed for a day tour of Graz.  The city is filled with beautiful decorated buildings which make you want to waltz around the square! I even took the opportunity to buy a summer Dirndl for our winery tour. After our tour of Graz, we headed to Gamlitz for a tour of the Tement winery.

The view from the winery was gorgeous: rolling hills of vineyards and perfect sunny weather.  We were even able to see Slovenia from the terrace of the winery.  The wine tasting was composed of six different local wines.  What was even more surprising was the fact we only paid 10 Euros for the tasting which includes a guided tour. One of the things I’ve enjoyed the most about my three trips to Austria is the quality of service and the politeness of the people. Gamlitz did not disappoint. To end the evening, we headed to the Skoff winery for dinner.  We tried all the local specialties, plates of local cheese, hams, and vegetables. My favorite of the dinner was a bean salad with one of the staple ingredients, pumpkin seed oil. Ten bottles of wine later and some schnapps, we were singing show tunes at the bar of the winery!

Where Artisan Schnapps is Made

I am grateful I had the opportunity to experience such a beautiful landscape Styria has to offer and the warmness of its people.  I may be a little hesitant to share this experience because I want to keep this place for myself.  It was lovely to walk around the vineyards, seeing local families dressed in dirndls and lederhosen and not huge group of tourists.  I know I will return to the land of waltz, dirndls, and most importantly, schnapps! This is a great memory I fondly talk about whenever Austria comes up! Again, thanks to Sabrina for making it happen!

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