The Vienna Experience

The magnificent roof with the Hapsburg coat of arms

The spire of St. Stephan's

We had made great time in reaching Vienna and after check in we had at least 3 hours before the planned trip to Draw’s favorite restaurant in downtown Vienna. We started on a walk to circle the park adjacent to the hotel and after a few meters simultaneously said, “let’s get the bikes!” We cycled for an hour, there was an unusual combination of different lake front access, varying from small beaches, rocks, decks and docks and simple steps. The city as is Europe is in the midst of a heat wave, thus the beaches were crowded with all ages. On gazing at the scene I could not help wonder as to why older men insist on wearing Speedos, who must tie them up using visual aids due to the acquired visual impairment for the task from their pannus of abdominal girth, or why in a similar vein only rotund women dare go topless.

Although crowded, the cyclists and walker are mutually respectful with safety always in the forefront. Here we were 2 miles from downtown Vienna and here was this wonderful recreation destination. Much of the lake was surrounded by 1 and 2 room cottages, a wonderfully accessible retreat from the heat.

We cycled an hour and returned the bikes to the hotel garage and final good byes were repeated.

We had to take 2 taxis to the restaurant, max capacity being 4 people. Fifteen Euro and 10 mins later we were at the Wissen Rauchfangkehrer. The décor was original, the service professional and the meal and presentation up to Drew’s standards.

The next day we split up, Drew and the McGuire’s cabbed to the centre of the city as Drew was to check in to a hotel directly across from the Rauchfangkehrer. We took the U1 subway to the hop on hop off bus. This service is not quite up to London, or Paris standards, but we did do a loop of Vienna, seeing the major sites from the outside. 

We settled on visiting the Leopold museum, and thoroughly enjoyed the displays of  Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. It was interesting that Schiele was born in Tulln, partly educated in Krems and his last school was in Klosterneuberg; all towns we had visited on the trip. He died at age 28 from the flu of 1918, he was truly prolific and avant guarde for his generation.

We decided to dine in a square adjacent to the magnificent St. Stephan’s Cathedral and returned to the city after a quick shower. Our total transportation costs by the subway were equal to 1 cab fare downtown, more importantly it was faster with trains coming every 2-4 minutes.