As it is now really Christmas time, we had the Christmas playlist on for HOURS in the car, we decided to dedicate our time in Vienna to their famous Christmas markets. Two whole days just on Christmas Markets, and we did not even see all of them!
We started our market tour with meeting Robyn’s gym friend, Jenni and her son Adam at the Stephansplatz, right next to the cathedral (origins date back to the 12th century, and has been extended multiple times over the centuries). We enjoy our first cup of Gluhwein, in boot shaped mugs, and walked our first market. As the girls were hungry we went with a garlic soup in a bread bowl. It was very quickly devoured!
We then slowly walked the streets towards the the Rathaus Platz. Along the way we found number of other Christmas markets (Am Hof Advent market that was just packed with people, and the Old Viennese Christmas Market) where we had more treats. We had to try out the famous Sachertorte! Unfortunately the girls were not huge fans of it, much preferring the ungarnische Baumkuchens we found at the markets.
Eventually we got to Rathausplatz, with this year “Dream Christmas Market”. It is HUGE. Lots of stalls, a massive Ice rink that is set up as ice roads (super cool), and small experience area. There was this whole huge tree, The Herzerlbaum, filled with red hearts, and “The Christ Child” sends his big heart every day from a 13-meter-high tower over a rope that is stretched across the town hall square to the Herzerlbaum. It travels approximately 75-meters, to a dark tree and when it gets there, it gradually illuminates the Herzerlbaum. It is stunning. There were other attractions there as well, one of which was a little ferris wheel that we took the girls on.
The next day we first started the day with a bit of sight seeing, where we saw the opera house and the Imperial palace (known as the Hofburg), which has been the principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty in Austria. It was built in the 13th century and expanded several times afterwards, and it is massive.
Right next to the palace is Maria-Theresien-Platz with another Christmas market, sandwiched between 2 museums. This time we got some more Viennese pastries to go with our gluhwein. yum!
The last Christmas market we managed to get was the one at the Karlsplatz, with the beautiful Karls church in the background. This market had the Arts and Craft theme to it, which was strongly reflected in the stalls and the atmosphere. Whilst we were there we managed to catch a great music performance of a band with a violinist as the lead player. The whole crowd was swaying and dancing with the music. It was sad when we had to leave to head home.
Leaving Vienna, we know that we have to return, and experience the more historical and cultural side (like a Mozart concert and the Gustav Klimt museum). So we have some good reasons to return to Vienna.
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