Panorama from gardens of Schönbrunn Palace
Two weeks ago I set off to visit one of my good friends in Vienna. I've been several times before and I keep going back because I love the charm of this cosmopolitan European city.
Shopping
Vienna has a lot to offer but the "Shoes Paradise" on the 6TH Floor of the department store Steffl on Kärntner Straße in the centre was just about my definition of heaven. Forget the Selfridges Shoe Galleries, Shoes Paradise the greatest selection of luxury shoes I've ever seen for, wait for it, 50-70% mark down!! We're not talking stuff that's two years old or no one's opinion of taste, there was an incredible collection of some of the season most popular styles.
YSL Hortense Sandal
EXAMPLE: the YSL Hortense Black wedge, whose summer plum coloured counterpart has just about sold out everywhere. Imagine my surprise when I found 6 pairs of them just chilling on the display. I bought these lovely for just 285£, 50% of the original price!
YSL Easy Ankleboot
That's the other YSL pair I snatched up but the hard part was tearing myself away from a pair of Celine heels and another pair of Givenchy booties. I mean, you can never have too many black heels, can you?
Kärnter Straße 19
A-1010 Wien
U-bahn: Stephansplatz (U1, U3)
Culture
There are three excellent exhibitions currently the museums of Vienna. The first is a retrospective of the Der Blaue Reiter at the Albertina Museum feating works of the artists in the early 20th century movement, including Kandinsky, Klee, Marc and more. Then when you are done with that, there is a small showing of Lichtenstein's black and white works in the same museum as well! Both exhibits close May 15TH, 2011.
MARC, Franz. Rotes und blaues Pferd. (1912)
Albertinaplatz 1
1010 Wien
U-bahn: Karlsplatz (U1, U2, U4)
The other exhibition of note is Dynamik! which just opened at the Belvedere palace.
ULLMANN, Marianne. Bescheiden. (1925)
Renweg 6
1030 Wien
U-bahn: Stadtpark (U1)
Straßenbahn: D, 71 (Unteres Belvedere)
Food!
Wiener Küche or Viennese cuisine is world famous for being a mish-mash of all the cultures surrounding the country, kind of making it the original "fusion" food. In my opinion, there are 3 must try dishes that I encourage anyone who visits to go out and find:
1. WIENERSCHNITZEL
WARNING: Wienerschnitzel are normally MUCH larger than this
A favourite of tourists Vienna, the tender pan-fried escalopes of pork, veal or chicken are world famous and available at just about every restaurant/sandwich bar in the city. Personally, I recommend Figlmüller in the Center. It's always full of locals and tourists alike because the quality cannot be beaten.
Wollezeile 5
1010 Wien
U-bahn: Stephansplatz
2. KAISERSCHMARRN
Kaiserschmarrn in pan with cranberry compote
Kaiserschmarrn was an accidental find of mine the first time I visited Vienna. Directly translating to "the Emperor's mishmash", it is basically torn-up, fluffy pancakes with raisins, cranberry compote and a sprinkling of icing sugar. At Heindl's however, the range of condiments and flavourings is seemingly endless, making it well worth the visit.
Köllnerhofgasse 4
1010 Wien
U-bahn: Schwedenplatz (U1)
3. SACHERTORTE
The Demel Sachertore
The origin of the famous Sachertorte is actually the subject of a contentious debate between the Hotel Sacher and Demel patisserie. Supposedly the chef created the cake at Demel defected and started up the Hotel Sacher, the later now claiming total rights over the recipe. Whatever the truth, the Sachertorte at Demel's with their afternoon tea service is difficult to beat.
Kohlmarkt 14
A-1010 Wien
U-bahn: Herrengasse (U3)
I love Vienna so much and cannot wait until my next chance travel there.
Tschüs!
k
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