This is a city I often fly to, but I rarely stay. This time it was for a business conference and I would stay for three days. The first evening, I had a pleasent surprise. A good friend of a good friend, whom I also know, was also in Vienna for the day and we decided to go out for dinner. In Vienna you get around easily and quickly if you use a combination of the tram and the U-bahn, i.e. the subway.
I got out at the Karlsplatz station and Yiannis was waiting for me in the open cafe in front of hotel Sacher, next to the Vienna Opera. The famous opera house, is opening every night to the public by showing the evenings live performance, on a giant screenon on the street. Anyone can sit on the benches and enjoy the show with german subtitles. An excellent effort that I wish more opera houses copy.
The center of the city is beautiful by standards and shouts “imperial capital”. A quick visit at St. Stephen’s Cathedral where the mass was taking place. We walked the beautifully lighted streets with the luxury outlets and ended up in an upscale restaurant for some good italian food.
I had one more opportunity to visit the center, this time during the day, on my way to the airport, together with some business colleagues. This time it was busy with plenty of tourists and local people and the cafes along or nearby Kärntner Straße were packed.
Next to St. Stephen, the horse drawn carriages are waiting for a city ride.
I am not sure whether Vienna has many exciting options to offer to a resident, but it is definitely a beautiful destination ofr a short city break.