Day 5 - photo day

Day 5 - photos, cafés and conclusions

It was pouring with rain so after a lazy breakfast and a break in the weather, I headed back to the Schӧnbrunn Palace to take pictures of the famous Royal Pavilion at the local U train, designed by Otto Wagner (like Christopher Wren in London or Haussmann in Paris).

I then hopped on a train to Karlplatz were there is another Wagner Station:

I then headed over to the iconic Musikverein (The Friends of Music Concert Hall).

Again I was not able to take photos inside but got to see the famous Golden Saal and sit in the 1000€ seats (not very comfy!) and we got shown around the new smaller performance rooms and the Brahms room. It was interesting to see the iconic hall from the New Year's Day concert. It is beautiful and the tour is definitely something I would recommend (which is the only way to see the hall without going to a concert).

I then headed off to take pictures of the Historic centre of Vienna and visit the iconic St Stephen's Cathedral.

The famous State Opera House

A fountain outside the Opera House

A Church

St Stephen's Cathedral - with it's famous tiled roof

Another fountain - hidden around a corner

The original looking Medieval gate

Inside was interesting - Instead of side chapels; all of the chapels face East and towards the Altar, there are also icons attached to the pillars in the Nave. You can also get the lift up the tower but I decided against this because the weather was still a bit wet (but clearing up). Here are some pictures from inside the Cathedral:

This curious guy

One of the icons or altars in the Nave

Down the Transept

I then decided to have a proper Viennese café experience so I headed to the famous Central café. It was close to lunch so there was a bit of a wait but eventually I got a seat by the cake display!

The cake display

And the other side

A lovely creamy cake and very bitter coffee

I was surprised at the very bitter coffee I was served but the cake was delicious and it was nice to just sit undisturbed in a pretty place and see who was visiting.

I headed back to the flat so we could plan our last afternoon/evening together (it was going to be a short one as I needed an early night due to my early flight tomorrow). 

I needed to buy some souvenirs so we headed back to the Neubaugasse which is near Maria Hilfer gasse so I could buy so Viennese Wine, Manner Biscuits and Mozart chocolate. I had expected the wine to be more expensive (it had been in the bars we had been too) so I was able to make sure that I had money to spend in the airport (I had a transfer at Munich). I head home to make sure all my goodies would fit in my bag and enjoy another evening on the balcony before another lovely homecooked meal and an early night ( you really notice how own the local church bells go off when you are trying to sleep!).

I got a taxi to the airport (https://www.atav.at/ ) as I had to be there at 4am! I had a delay in Munich so having some left over currency was great but I was very tired when i got back home!

Conclusion

Vienna is a very grand city and has some iconic building and places to visit, you can really indulge your love of music, food and drink as well as art and history. It has great transport links; if the Underground doesn't get you there then a tram or bus will. However, while it is an easy to walk city; it is difficult to navigate being compact, almost Medieval city, you sort of go around the corner and you find a museum or church which will help you find your way but I found this uncomfortable. I also found that unlike other cities there was an expectation that you would ask or expect a level of service and if you didn't then that was your look out. Again this made me, a slightly awkward British person, a little uncomfortable but I am glad I came to see the place and go away with some new artists I want to explore.