After the whistle-stop tour of Bratislava, we made the short train journey to one of my favourite cities in Europe: Vienna. I could write a book on my love for this vast marvel of a place, but for just now I think I'll keep it short and sweet for you.
Vienna has a grip on me. This was my third visit to the city in as many years and each time it seems to charm me that little bit more. The city was as pristine as ever and its buildings, most of which I've seen before, did not fail in taking my breath away again.
Every time you turn the corner in Vienna you are faced with some of the most attractive buildings in the world. Stephansdom (or St Stephen's Cathedral, for those lacking in German) is just one example of the never-ending supply of jaw dropping architecture. It's located in the heart of a busy shopping area and, with a twinkle in its eye, it peaks around the corner as you approach it.
Unfortunately, as with most of the other places on my trip, there was some maintenance work being done on the cathedral. Nevertheless, its beauty is there for all to see. Another charming element to this part of the city is the buzz that is created by the throngs of tourists and busy street cafes. Vienna has a rich atmosphere that I've not felt anywhere else, and it should be soaked up any all who visit it.
Although we were only in the city for about two days, we managed to pack a lot in. I acted as a little bit of a tour guide for my travel-mates, one of whom had only spent a day in Vienna before while the other was making his first visit. I have a familiarity with a number of cities across Europe, but Vienna is second only to Edinburgh.
My favourite place in Vienna isn't actually in the city itself. Schönbrunn Palace is located about twenty-five minutes (on the U-Bahn) south-west of the city centre. The buildings are wonderful themselves, but the Palace boasts the most attractive gardens I've ever seen. I'll let it speak for itself.
This was my second visit to Schönbrunn and it was something of a pilgrimage for me. I've had a picture of the Palace as my desktop background for over two years now so everyday in the library I would see it and long to go back there. This was always going to be a highlight of my trip and, as with the rest of Vienna, it did not disappoint. Schönbrunn is the type of place that I want to take all of my favourite people to and watch as they marvel at it. This place, for me, encapsulates the beauty of travel and is somewhere I will go back to again and again.
So Vienna is yet another place for which I have found room in my heart. Have I any bad things to say about it? It's an expensive city but I would never let that put me off going back. I also believe that it's not the easiest city to fly to - at least not from Scotland. I've always been there as part of a bigger trip so I might advise others to do the same. The train from Bratislava to Vienna only takes about an hour, just as an example. However you get there though, just go.
I'll leave you with a video that I shot on my phone from the rotating bar at the top of the TV Tower in Vienna - the tallest structure in Austria no less. The editing credit must go to my friend who, on a quiet night in Ljubljana turned a thirty minute video into what follows - be sure to stick it in HD! Enjoy and thanks for reading.
