Of course this post is about a trip there I did recently with.my friend Cathy.
We actually got a fantastic 6 night deal using cash and points through Avios which included flight from Heathrow and back plus a 4 star hotel including breakfast at the Wilmshof hotel, cost us around £180 each.
We did stay over in London the night before at the Park International Hotel on Cromwell road in Kensington which was ideal for getting to Heathrow as it was close to the Piccadilly tube line (Gloucester Road).
Was going to go to the West end but we decided to eat at the Holiday Inn next door, superb restaurant and even better could get discount through my Gourmet Society Card.
On to Vienna our hotel was a block away from the Praterson Station which we could get trains, subway & trams which was handy. We could catch the S7 train direct from the airport which was hany and would advise anyone to take this option rather than the CAT train. Much better value although stops a few times.
We purchased a vienna card which could be used for transport around the city.
Our hotel was in a working class area of the City and although a few small restaurants not too much else, however it was only a couple of stops on the subway or trams into the main city centre, ideal really.
Was very impressed we got a free upgrade at the hotel to a deluxe room on arrival (these things dont often happen to me). Room was really nice very big and even had under floor heating in the bathroom.
The staff were all nice, breakfast was simple buffet but adequate would certainly recommend the place.
So the 5 full days we were there we broke down into 3 self guided walks we had downloaded from the Frommers site (Days 1, 3 & 5). These were a great way of seeing the city, took a little following at times but allowed us to see many things great about Vienna.
Day 2 we visited the Zoo which is a must (our Vienna Card gave us discount) and its in a massive park.
Day 4 we went to the Prater the big fun fair close to our hotel went on the big wheel along with visiting Madame Tussauds. Its in another massive Park and afterwards we walked to the Ernst Happel Stadium, I've a thing about visiting major sports stadiums.
As for nightlife we avoided the Opera which street vendors everywhere where trying to push their tickets but we did visit a Jazz Club one night which was small, cozy and friendly. Music was good but the evening ended with a bit of Drama when an elderly gentleman was taken ill, Cathy got the job of holding him up until the medics arrived. Turns out he was a ex musician that had actually played with Louis Armstrong. He gave Cathy his buisness card.
Bit of a shortage of decent bars/pubs but one night we found a little place where the local Germans used, was actually a good laugh with a free juke box so we were able to play a few of our favorites.
Lots of good restaurants in Vienna and believe it or not we did 6 different types in the 6 nights we were there.
1. American - Only had burgers but they were the real meat homemade type and were excellent.
2. Italian - Charming little place (and i mean little), food was good but service average.
3, Chinese - As good a Chinese as you would find anywhere, superb.
4. Austrian - Close to hotel but we had to have a Schnitzel not really my favorite food but waiters were good.
5. Spanish - Lucky find another small place but really nice.
6. Greek - No far from hotel we spotted this one, really nice food.
On returning to London we stayed at the Holiday Inn express (term 5) and wasn't overly impressed especially with the bed which needed a new matteress, We did find a nice little Pub in Colnbrook for walkable from hotel, just a locals place but good beer and food.
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