It was a magical arrival in Vienna last night. Soft snow was floating down and all the streets were blanketed in white. Without any help from Penelope (who went into a complete meltdown over the one way road system), we found our way into the centre of the city and a good little hotel tucked away in an ancient one way lane. Accidently discovering the city's oldest restaurant, a hangout for Mozart Snr and Jnr, we enjoyed a delicious schnitzel. I mean to say, "What else would you order in this town?" And still the snow continued to fall. It was at least a foot deep when we turned for the walk back to our hotel.
And yet...in the morning.. it was a like a dream. All Vienna's streets had been swept clean of snow. Using a combined attack of snow ploughs and hoses, the busy workmen had cleared every last flake of snow! We had a double take when we threw open our curtains to greet the morning. We were so disappointed. The city had looked so special last night garbed in its white gown. It's a bit like the princess had returned to being cinderella. But I guess the reality of daily operations in a city under snow are less than special and hence the super-human clearing effort.
Vienna is deservedly one of the best cities in the world. Aneki.com rates Vienna as the world's fourth best city for quality of life, behind Zurich, Geneva and Vancouver. Not hard to believe, especially if you are a lover of music and art. As you walk around this beautiful city, every turn brings to life a different and equally spectacular vista. Incredible churches, concert halls, civic building, parks and fountains. Words really cannot do this city justice.
2/ The Austrian Parliament. But check out the building perched on its roof!
While the city was bombed late in the WWII it is fortunate that more destruction didn't occur and the Viennese were committed to spend the time & money to restore the city's heritage. The city positively brims over with music concerts, theatrical performances and art exhibitions....except on Monday 23 February!!
2/ The Concert Hall Feb Timetable. Note the gap for 23 Feb!!
For some reason, tonight is one of the only nights in February when hardly a note will be played in the whole of Vienna!! In desperation, we returned to the visitor centre early in the morning to confirm that one of the only possible concerts is a small ensemble performing Strauss and Mozart classics. Since beggars can't be choosers we took ourselves off to the concert this evening to hear the classics by Vienna's most famous musicians - Mozart and the Strauss Bros.
The concert was definitely a tourist offering. Combining a small orchestral ensenble with an occassional operatic performance and dancers - the show was surprising good. I guess when you enjoy Vienna's depth of talent in musicians, opera singers and dancers, even the middle of the road were excellent.
Vienna is a city that is not done justice by a one day visit. This is a place I would love to come back to. I would love to spend a week, wandering through museums, listening to the awesome music offerings and luxuriating in all the cultural experiences this town has to offer. I would like to press my ear to the stone buildings and listen to their stories. Maybe some day!!?
Both Graeme and I are sad to be leaving this breathtaking city...! We're also dreading the thought of more driving!!
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