Visiting Vienna, Austria for the Third Time

Austria’s capital has always been my favorite cities in Europe. Vienna is the first European capital I visited since I live in Europe for the first 4 years. My first visit last 2007 and was followed last 2011. I believed, I don’t get enough during those visits and it is the reason why I visited it again for the third time.  In fact, after that trip to Vienna, I was  inspired  to  travel and see more places and countries not only in Europe but also in  other parts  of the globe.

By saving money from time to time, I am proud that  I have been to over thirty countries worldwide and still counting. After my third visit recently, I  still want to visit Vienna  again. I was lured by the charm and beauty  of this city making it one of my top favorite cities in Europe.

The Austrian Parliament  Building in Vienna. The foundation stone was laid in 1874; the building was completed in 1883. This is where the two houses of the Parliament of Austria conduct their sessions.

When I received a travel flyer in one of the travel agencies in our area, I did not hesitated to book this trip because it was really very cheap. It was actually Christmas market trips to Vienna and other nearby cities like Bratislava and Budapest. Since I haven’t experience Christmas markets in these cities yet, I took the chance to book this offer.

Hofburg Palace in Vienna Austria. It is a palace that has housed some of the most powerful people in European and Austrian history, including the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria.It was our third day of trip and during that day, the target city way Vienna. We were only given 3 hours to explore it including the visit to its Christmas market. The bus driver dropped us in Ernst Happel Stadion. From there, we took the U2 or Underground train number 2.  I decided to stop at the end station which is the Karlplatz instead of stopping at the Rathaus or City Hall where one of the Christmas markets in Veinna is held.

The famous Albertina in Vienna. It is a museum that houses one of the largest and most important print rooms in the world with approximately 65,000 drawings and approximately 1 million old master prints, as well as more modern graphic works, photographs and architectural drawings.Thanks to this magazine I picked-up in one of the  gasoline station in Austria where we stopped to take a short break during our first day of travel.  This magazine contains the  map of the  U-Bahns or Underground trains and the most important sights to be visited in Vienna. It truly helped me during my short visit recently.

A German couple trusted to go with me since I have the map of the city.  The other German tourists who were with me during that group trip decided to stopped at the Rathaus. Others were even afraid because it was their first time in the city  and they don’t really know where to go. Aside from that, they don’t have a map of the city.

The weather that time was very unfriendly. It was raining during the whole duration of our stay in Vienna until we left the city. Thanks to my great leather boots and my good winter jacket that  made me comfortable while walking around the city.

From the Karlplatz, I miss seeing the Karlskirche, one of the beautiful churches in Vienna. It was already out of  my mind  because I was  considering the  weather and the  limited time given to us. I don’t want to be late in coming back to the bus.

On our way to  Augustiner Strasse, we passed-by at the Staatsoper (State Opera House), Albertina, Nationalbibliothek (National Library),  Hofburg, Michaelstor (Michael’s gate), Heldenplatz, Parliament, Burgtheatre and other sights along the way to the Rathaus or City Hall.

It was still raining when we reached  the  Rathaus. There is a Christmas market going on in this area. From there, we started to go around the different booths and wooden stalls  that sell  various kind of Christmas products, ornaments, arts and crafts, food items, local delicacies and many more.

We also went inside the City Hall. There were some  activities  for children going on inside. Some were taught how to bake, draw,  paint or make  Christmas decors. It was quite interesting seeing activities like these for  kids.

Even though my time was limited that day, I  am still thankful to visit and experience again once of the most beautiful cities I visited in Europe. I am hoping  one day, I can step on this lovely city again.