Final Notes and Trip Report

I need to put this wrap-up in perspective and explain how and why we decided to go to Vienna, which drove our expectations for this trip.   For the most part we had no expectations - we pretty much just let things happen.

I received my monthly statement from American Airlines, and realized there was a chunk of air miles that needed to be used.  Where could we go?

a)  Amazing Race finished at Schloss Schoenbrunn on Nov 3 after racing in Vienna and Tom thought that looked like a pretty fun city.

b)  Visiting Christmas Markets in Europe have always been on our bucket list.
c)  And it had to be somewhere neither of us had been.

Vienna became our destination for our pre-Christmas escape, and a month later we were there (Dec 4).  There was little time to study and pre-plan for our upcoming adventure so we just fell into things.   And boy did we have some great falls! 

 

 

One thing for sure five days is too short to take in everything the city of Vienna offers.  Albeit being a country boy, five days is about the right number of days to stay in a city… any city.   Will we go again?  I sure hope so!   Vienna is truly an international gathering point and has a mystique that is hard to describe.  Continually rated as one of the world’s best cities to live, one can still feel the vibe of days gone by.  From the great parties of the golden years to the surreptitious meetings in the alleys during the Cold War where spies exchanged nuclear secrets.  It is a place where one can stand on a street corner and hear many languages spoken at the same time... but do not fear English is widely spoken and communication was never a problem.

If you speak three languages you are considered International

If you speak two languages you are considered Cosmopolitan

If you speak one language you must be from the United States

 

 

Lodging:   Hotel Am Konzerthaus - MGallery Collection 

This hotel is part of the Accor Chain, which also includes Sofitel and Novotel brands.  The location was as the name refers very near the Konzerthaus (Concert House).  Located a couple blocks out of the center city it was a short walk to the Stadt Park Subway station and a pleasant walk downtown.

 

The rates for hotels outside the center city can be significantly less than hotels inside what is called “the Ring”.

The Hotel Am Konzerthaus offered a wonderful breakfast that can be included in the rate.  I highly recommend getting a w/breakfast rate.  There was something for everybody in the morning.  Food was plentiful and very good.  Another perk the hotel offered was a free (yep-free) walking tour of small streets of Vienna.  I am not sure which days the tour is offered, but our tour was on Saturday.   The walk was very informative and well done!  Of course if you read the blog you know Tom got lost or as he would say... left behind. 

Wi-Fi was free in the hotel and had a great signal.  We somehow ended up with a business class room on the corner of the fifth floor.  The room was spacious, clean, and had all the gadgets, do-dads, lotions, and potions that anyone could ever need in a room.  There were even umbrellas, which unfortunately we got to use.  The staff at the Front Desk we extremely friendly and helpful and always had a smile on when you entered or exited.  I cannot say enough good things about them.  The concierge was probably the only negative thing I would say about our experience at the Hotel Am Konzerthaus.  He always appeared wanting to be helpful, but never really was.  The front desk made up for any shortcomings we experienced with the concierge.

The rate for the room varied per night, but for us over the five days, with breakfast, and including all taxes the bill end up averaging to 140 Euros a night.  

Location:  Great |  Room:  Excellent  | Staff:  Excellent

Food:   We did not seek out the high end restaurants and pretty much just ate where we were when.  Usually food is a high priority on a trip from us, but this trip we decided to spend our fun money elsewhere.   We did not have a bad meal and some that were extremely good.  For local food, we enjoyed both the Lindenkeller, which is not far from St Stephan.  The GmoaKeller was also very good and is next to the hotel.

 

The one thing I would highly recommend is that you put time aside to go to a Viennese Coffee shop and spend some time.  No one is in a hurry, the treats are amazing, and of course the coffee is excellent.  It is a social event and just a wonderful experience. 

Transportation:  We used American Airlines frequent flyer miles.  40,000 miles per ticket plus $125 from Reagan in DC to JFK New York across the pond to Zurich and NIKI airlines for our last leg into Vienna. 

  

Our NIKI plane in Zurich

For the most part all went well on the way over, and unbeknownst to us we had a pre-TSA check in completed.  That sure made life extremely easy checking in.   I took a chance this booking the tickets and requested two aisle seats side by side.   My sweetie had three empty seats next to her and was able to stretch out and sleep pretty much across the pond.  Myself, I had the two seats window side and slept fine, but I always do when I fly.  Flight delays made things a little interesting, but nothing that was so bad to ruin the trip.  The way back was not as much fun due to the mystery snow.  We never saw any in NY or in DC, but we had to be bused from JFK over to LaGuardia.  US Airways, the new owner of American, brought us back to DCA.  A very very long day on the return.   Overall, I was pleased with our frequent flyer deal and the flights.  I would also definitely give big thumbs up to NIKI airlines – Great Crews and Service. 

Oh yeah and we did it with carry-on only which allowed us the flexibility to make quick switches when our flight appeared in jeopardy.  Or at least that was the plan.   See lessons learned.

Transportation in Vienna:  Vienna itself may have the best public transportation system I have ever used.  Whether you are above or below the ground there seems to be an option within a block of wherever you are.  We bought a three day public transportation pass (Wien Karte) for 19,90 Euro at the airport, which also gives you discounts to a bunch of venues in Vienna.  After traveling for better part of 24 hours we decided to walk the first day saving a day on our Wien Karte.  Remember you have to validate the ticket the first time you use it or big fines may follow.  There are little blue boxes everywhere to do the validation.  We activated our card for day 2, 3, and 4 and the last day bought a 24 hour pass for 7,80 Euro.  Money well spent indeed!  Although we ended up using very few of the discount passes, the ones we did made a difference of a few Euros, which adds up. Safe, clean, and convenient – what else can one ask for in a public transportation system.

Lessons Learned:

1)  The Fast Train from the Airport to Downtown Vienna is not part of your Wien Karte ticket.  Go ahead and just get the fast train ticket downtown and buy your Wien Karte at the hotel.

2)  We live in the DC area so we are lucky that almost all the museums are free to the public.  It was a little shocking how much some of the sights and museums did cost.  However, I never felt ripped off when I finished the tour, but yes there was some sticker shock.

3)  Bring really really good walking shoes.  The city has a multiple surfaces as you stroll around.  Many of which are still cobblestone and can be pretty slick when wet.

4)  Many of the traditional restaurants are very hard to get a table on a whim.   Make reservations as early as you can.

5)  ATMs work great and are probably the best way to exchange cash.  Do not forget there will be international charges depending on credit card.

6)  The Viennese are very nice and polite people, but can be very aggressive.  They will push or crowd you for position in lines and coffee shops.  Hold your ground and smile.

7)  In Europe carry-ons must be less than 12kg (~25lbs) and it is enforced!

8) Avoid Mozart's Balls!  There are much better sweets than these tourist souvenirs - Save the calories for the good stuff

9) Remember to dress warm is you decide to attend Mass - It is Damn Cold in that building

 

Conclusion:  Vienna was everything and more we could have wanted it to be for a magical getaway at Christmas time.  We were so glad we went in the winter.  The city must be beautiful in the spring and early summer, but I cannot imagine the size of the crowds.  (Remember I am country boy)  I can honestly say in our Five Day Adventure we truly kept moving no matter what the weather.  We did missed Phil at the finish line, but we gave it our best.

 

And yes Photoshop was used to add the Amazing Race Finish Mat