(Picture: Rebecca Lewis/MylesGoode)

Brexit happened and no-one knows what comes next.

But right now, us Brits are still part of the EU so it’s time to start making the most of cheap flights and easy access – and where better to start than Vienna?

Think of Vienna and you may think of cake, the waltz, and opera.

But the capital city of Austria is more than just those things – and with centuries of history to explore, a former Empress of Austria who was basically the Kim Kardashian of her day, and a wine tavern on every corner, this is why Vienna should be at the top of your travel bucket list.




Booze

Let’s start with the one thing most of us want to know – where can we find the best bars?

Danube Canal (Picture: Getty)

Luckily, Vienna is a city full of rooftop bars, riverside bars, and tiny little wine bars.

The best tip is always to wander and discover something unknown.

Museumsquartier (Picture: Getty)

We did exactly this and found dozens of pop-ups along the Danube canal selling beer in steins and cocktails for seven euros, and courtyards in the Museums Quarter with even more pop-ups.

Walk around any corner in Vienna and you’ll find a bar with tables and chairs, perfect for resting and enjoying a 3pm beer just because you can.

(Picture: Rebecca Lewis)

One of the best rooftop bars is Dachboden.

With a retro 70s vibe full of lampshades that wouldn’t look out of place in your nan’s living room, the views alone are worth it, but luckily the prosecco is less than five euros too.

History

Gone are the days of flying two hours just to party all night and sleep all day – goddamn it, we actually want to see some culture when we spend our hard-earned cash.

And nowhere is better for this than Vienna.

Belvedere Palace (Picture: Getty)

Once the heart of the Bohemian crown lands, Vienna was ruled by the House of Habsburgs for eight centuries.

After the First World War and the defeat of the Central Powers, the family went into exile – mainly because after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne, it was Emperor Franz Joseph’s decision to declare war on the Kingdom of Serbia, leading to four years of horror felt around the globe.

(Fun fact: It is now written into the Austrian constitution that no member of the Hapsburg family is ever allowed to hold office in Austria again.)

Imperial Palace and Schonbrunn Palace are the winter and summer residences of the long-reigning family, and both are now open to the public with Imperial Palace is home to the Sisi Museum.

Sisi was Empress Elisabeth of Austria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph, and she was basically the Kim K of the 19th century – a woman obsessed with maintaining her public appearance but who also focused on public and political issues to great success.



(Kim has yet, however, to stake a claim on bringing two countries together like Sisi did with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.)

St Stephen’s Cathedral (Picture: Getty)

St Stephen’s Cathedral is in the heart of the city, and entry is free for what has become a symbol of national identity for Austrians – it has been through too many wars to count, and was reportedly intentionally saved by retreating German forces at the end of World War II.

And of course any self-respecting music fan will visit Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetary), the resting place of Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert.

(Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis)

Horses

If you’re allergic to horses, Vienna might not be the ideal holiday for you.

Horse and carriage rides can be found all over the city – and nowhere more so than in front of the Spanish Riding School.

(Picture: Rebecca Lewis)

One of the oldest schools in the world, the SRC is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses as well as an international centre for classical dressage.

During the summer months the stallions pop out of the city for a little holiday themselves, but the mares and their foals come into the city to offer an insight in to the life of a future star.

Sit, stop, and contemplate

Even though it is tempting to go away for the weekend and fill every waking minute with culture, take some time to sit and think about where you are.

The city is full of green spaces in which to take some me time, to stop and rest those feet.

The Volksgarten park (Picture: Getty)

Volksgarten, Burrgarten, and Staddpark are all in the city centre.


Zentralfriedhof is as good a place as any to pause, or stop at one of the many outdoor bars for a soda and lime (or a beer) in the city’s parks.

Pavillion Volksgarten (Picture: Getty)

Volksgarten’s Pavillion in, you guessed it, Volksgarten, is highly recommended.

Sausage and schnitzel

When in Vienna, do as the Viennese do and eat all the sausage.

There are dozens of stands across the city selling ‘wurst’ – with ketchup, with curry, with cheese, as a hot dog, sliced – the choices are endless.

Bitzinger was a personal – trust me, I tried (nearly) all of them.

Schnitzel must also be consumed in Vienna – veal is the traditional meat of choice – and it’s served with cold potato salad.

Mmmmmmm schnitzel (Picture: Rebecca Lewis)

The city is also full of middle-eastern inspired restaurants – try Neni, in the heart of Naschmarket – or one of the many pizzerias and pop-up burger vans.

And, whatever you do, do not forget to visit Hotel Sacher and try the original sachertorte, a delicious chocolate sponge cake served with whipped cream.

Naschmarkt

Speaking of Naschmarkt, the city’s best known market has more than 120 stands and restaurants selling everything colourful and culinary.

A meeting point for young and old, Saturday morning sees the city’s cult flea market attach itself to the permanent market stands, and it’s the best place to sit in the summer, and watch the world go by.

(Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis) (Picture: Rebecca Lewis)

Coffee culture

The city is famed for opera, being the cause of World War One and Two – and coffee.

Currently in what many call the third wave generation of coffee houses, it is still best to visit the older houses where everyone from Sigmund Freud to Leon Trotsky met to discuss the day’s politics, arts, and how to set the world to rights.

Frauenhuber (Picture: Getty)

Cafe Museum, Cafe Griensteidl , and Cafe Frauenhuber are all leftover from centuries past – and Frauenhuber is where both Mozart and Beethoven played before they found fame.


But if you do want something a bit different, then Supersense and Vollpension are the coffee houses to visit – Vollpension in particular is a joy to visit as it is famous for employing elderly people who are at risk of isolation and loneliness.

You can watch them baking bread and cakes in the kitchens, and have a chat if you feel like it.

That Ferris wheel

Once the world’s tallest extant Ferris wheel – until 1985 anyway – the Wiener Riesenrad is famed in Vienna for it’s towering height and offers the most gorgeous views across the city.

And if, you’re a movie buff, you’ll recognise it from The Third Man, Before Sunrise, and James Bond thriller The Living Daylights.

Where to stay

I stayed at 25 Hours Hotel, in the heart of the Museums Quarter and a five minute walk from Volkstheater station.

A standard room starts at £86 per night prepaid, and £101 per night as normal rate. Breakfast costs £16 per person.

Because Vienna is so small, despite being in the seventh district, it was less than a ten minute walk to Imperial Palace, and twenty minutes to the city centre.

And, bonus points, it was circus-themed.

How to get there

I travelled from London Heathrow to Vienna International Airport with British Airways.

British Airways flies from Heathrow to Vienna 34 times a week and from Gatwick to Vienna six times a week.

Return flights from Heathrow start from £92 including taxes and charges. Return fares from Gatwick start from £90 including taxes and charges.

Once in Vienna, take the CAT train for £16 return direct to Landstraube Wien-Mitte where you can change to the underground.

The underground system is extensive and cheap – a 72 hour all-inclusive ticket for underground, bus, and tram, costs just over £20.

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