Wander-lust. Joyes of travelling.

Hey you,

I can tell, in 2012 I have been to 9 different countries.
Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, UK, Spain, Italy and...Vatican if you like to call it country.
I had basically no money, stayed at friend's places, or 8€ per night hostels, had endless rides on cheap night trains or 20 € flights. (And I don't even eat that much...)
I spoke languages I knew, and had a shot at speaking Portuguese and Czech. I was kind of ridicolous but it felt great and made people smile.

Is there anything better than travelling? Is there something that makes you feel so alive, like the way you feel when you're talking to someone from some hundred-tousend-miles away countries as if they were close friends of yours, learning a local language, counting local money, facing a local dish you have no idea what is in, walking alone getting lost in the city with a map in your hand having no clue if the place where you are at is in the map, listening the voice in the metro calling the next stop in a whole different way that you thought? Not for me.
Oh, that was the best year ever. :')

And you, what feelings make your travel best? What gives you the joy of travelling?

Vienna – words of a (very melancholic) insider

Wake up and get down to the center, it's my first time alone in Vienna. I get off at Herrengasse, the smell of horses and their... “product” confirms to me that I am in the city center. Just a couple steps away is the Hof, regular residence of the emperor, and after crossing it I'm at the Volksgarten – amazing for spring/summer pic nics- and the Burgring. Straight ahead is Maria-Theresien-Platz, nice green square surrounded by museums (Nature and Arts), while on the right there is the Parlament, City Hall (stunning and always hosting events in the square in front of it), Opera and the University.  

But I cross Maria-Theresien-Platz, and I am at Museumsquartier, one of the biggest cultural areas in the world: sorrounded by art museums people sit and relax with a cup of coffee at day time, and with a beer/cocktail during the night. Definitely my favorite place in Vienna.

(Museumsquartier. Source: Wikipedia)

Vienna is THE city of art, home of Hundertwasser, the singular artist, father of the Hunderwasserhaus/Kunst Haus (Untere Weißgerberstraße 13 – U Bahn Landstraße-) a must that cannot be missed. Can't leave Vienna without seeing it! 

(I have a few pictures but I decided not to upload them, as they don't really impress as much as the house seen live)

What I love about Vienna is that, even if being a very modern and up-to-date city, it gives you the feeling of living in the Habsburg times, thanks to its historical buildings. At least two must be mentioned: Belvedere, baroque palace and summer residence, and Schönbrunn, the amazing palace surrounded by stunning gardens. You might not have time to get inside, but gardens and Thriuphtur Gloriette are a must. From the Gloriette you get a breathtaking panorama of the whole city.

(Gloriette Hill, picture of mine)

Keen on having a walk up the hills? Kahlenberg is your place. Highest place in Vienna. Amazing panoramic view assured.

Amusement park? Then Prater.

(Prater Riesenrad, picture of mine)

Walk in the green? Stadtpark (city park with lake, flower art and Strauss golden statue).

Chic drinks and stunning panorama? Hotel Sofitel at Schwedenplatz. Schwedenplatz itself is quite chic with its many small bars, all of them located near each other. This party area is also called „Bermuda Triangle“.

Shopping? Stephansplatz and surroundings (Kärntner Straße). And check Stephansdom as well, the cathedral is one of the symbles of the city.

Chill out on the river? Praterinsel.

Vienna has so much to offer. And what about nightlife?

Have a drink at Museumsquartier (you can also take your own. Actually, most of people do so!) and be ready to go. My favorite bar is definitely Travel Shack, backpacker bar owned by Australian guys in the nearbyes of Westbahnhof. Good/cheap beer, “interesting” shots, up-to-date music (rock, pop). You never leave Travel Shack without having met a new friend!

For rock music I suggest Chelsea and CharlieP's, student parties at Loco and RideClub and last but not least, the legendary Praterdome. I am a withness, I walked in and everytime I did I was given a ticket for 10€ free drinks. No jokes. Well they actually give you a card which you return when you get off the club, if you consumed more than 10€ you pay the rest, otherwise you're just fine. Don't lose the card, it will be an endless tragedy to get out of there. And don't mix it up with your friends, on the card there is your picture registered.

I heard they made some changes in 2013, so they might have eliminated the 10 € free drinks card. I will be happy to hear updates.

U4 club also has to be mentioned, as they build up pretty good parties with different types of music.

Attention! In Austria it is legal to smoke inside of clubs. It was so annoying for me. Thumbs down, Austria. :(

Hungry? Try Apfelstrudel, Apfelstreusskuchen, Sachertorte (they all say this: too much chocolate! But it's delicious). Just enjoy Viennese pastry, it's all good!

Vienna is very easy for vegetarians/vegans, you can find tofu/soy products in many supermarket, and there a few vegan restaurants. My favorites are Loving Hut (there are two in the city).

What do Viennese people drink? BIER! Ottakringer, Egger, Gösser, Stiegl (I love it!), Puntigamer, Villacher, Zipfer... And also tones of wines, mainly dry ones.

(Picture from http://www.kingoli.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/austria_biere.jpg)

Further tips if you have a little time:

Karlsplatz and its baroque church, Zentralfriedhof the huge monumental cemetary (important history/culture characters are buried there), Albertina Museum (one of the biggest painting collections of the world).

Have I forgotten something? Maybe. If I did please let me know your tips :) 

I left Vienna 24 months ago and I am still stunned/touched everytime I think about it.