Nothing focuses your energy quite like having only a bit more than one day in a city you’ve always wanted to see. When we booked our trip to the Czech Republic, we decided to stay in place in Prague and do a few day trips rather than being repeatedly on the move like our last few big trips. When we took a closer look at a map and saw Vienna a mere four hours away, we knew we had to do a quick trip into Austria to spend one night in the city of music. So what did 30 hours in Vienna look like? Here’s how we spent the first 12 hours after arriving just before lunch on the first Sunday in September.
12:30 Before going anywhere, we were in desperate need of a caffeine jolt. Across from our hotel was a coffee shop whose double espresso and lovely pastry got me ready to start exploring. With caffeine hitting our respective blood streams, we took a streetcar ride around half of the Ringstraße (ring road). If you envision the Ringstraße as a clock, we took a trip from 12 to 6 to get near the Vienna State Opera.
13:30 On my list of things to try in Vienna was the famous Sachertorte. Looking up from the map when we got off the streetcar, Hotel Sacher was right in front of us meaning it was time for the rich chocolate cake (with brandy!) and another double espresso.
I loved this cake. The chocolate icing was almost fudge-like. I could have had a second piece, but I was well into a deep caffeine and sugar buzz. Plus, my understanding wife who can’t eat gluten may not have been so eager to sit and watch me wolf down a second slice.
Bluenose Traveler 