The weather in Vienna is so unpredictable! I wasn’t lucky both the times and my clothing choices turned out to be poor because I didn’t pack enough layers.
Being the last day in the city I was on the verge of finishing my cash but since I was in no mood to withdraw more euros, I wanted to make do with what I had. That meant choosing between two options:
Option 1: Seeing the whole of Belvedere Palace and Austrian National Library. Spending about EUR 30 for the visits.
Option 2: Seeing the Belvedere gardens (free entry) and the Austrian National Library. Skipping the Belvedere Palace completely. Spending less than EUR 10 for both.
Needless to say, I chose Option 2.
Belvedere Gardens
An easy 15 minute tram ride from the centre of Vienna, the Belvedere Gardens have more locals than tourists! At least on a Sunday morning. The locals were exercising and running amongst all that glory, just very casual!
One of the locals clicked a photo for me and we got to talking. It turned out how she and her husband had lived in the South of India about 16 years ago! She even knew a little Tamil and Hindi and we ended up speaking a lot about India. I was impressed by her friendly demeanour, something a little unusual in Vienna.
Belvedere Gardens
Belvedere Gardens
Belvedere Gardens
I wouldn’t have ever thought that I would be speaking Hindi in the Belvedere Gardens in Vienna! I think she stole a bit of thunder of those French styled gardens. But all in all it was a great visit.
Belvedere Gardens
Belvedere Gardens
Belvedere Gardens
Austrian National Library
The Austrian National Library costs EUR 7 (as of 2016) to visit. When I visited, there was an exhibition celebrating the life of Emperor Franz Joseph (1830-1916) who ruled for over the country half a century.
Emperor Joseph was known to be very creative and imaginative so the whole library was such. There were his collection of letters, drawings, photographs and paintings all around me and it was wonderful how well they were preserved. The Library had a unique collection of ancient books that were not to be touched. If I had a better camera, I could have got more shots but standing there was better from what I remember.
Austrian National Library
Austrian National Library
I secretly wished to have a look at all those books! The library would have been more fun had a section been opened to the public. Hence my visit was short but I learnt a lot about the history of Austria.
Vienna as a city has a lot to offer because of its fantastic transport system, old world cafes and cultural life. However, the locals were not as friendly. Despite visiting twice and for longer intervals, I have no friends from the city. I think people need to be more open and kinder especially towards Asians.
Have you traveled to Vienna?? What was your experience??
25 Comments
Bellewether
July 25, 2017 at 4:19 amNice tour recommendations! I missed the Hundertwasser house this time but hopefully when I’m in Vienna again I can give your route a go 🙂
Ishita
August 28, 2017 at 3:52 pmI hope you can!! Thanks for your comment xx
HelsinkiBudapest
July 20, 2017 at 9:14 pmI always had problems at the border in Austria when I traveled there, even though my German is strong (ok, I speak it at native level, but I dont want to be mistaken for a German 😂). The people themselves were nice. It’s the capital, and they’re proud of it, so everyone else who comes to visit from the provinces is a mere peasant whose presence must be tolerated. Like Paris (I say this as an exiled Parisian with my tongue firmly in my cheek). 😀
Ishita
July 21, 2017 at 11:46 amHaha not mistaken for a German.. Why?? Yeah they are very proud and closed I’d say
HelsinkiBudapest
July 21, 2017 at 7:01 pmMy experience in school there was filled with xenophobic, anti-Semitic and bigoted experiences. But then, even most Germans hate that corner of Germany. What I also experienced everywhere was that people would start speaking “pidgin German” to either of my parents, who are not native speakers. I’ve had History teachers who blatantly denied the Holocaust in class. And I’ve had Germans physically move their baby carriages, children, and themselves away from us when I was with my Turkish friends. Outwardly it’s very “we are open, sorry for what we did in WWII.” Reality is different.
Of course, not everyone is like that. I have less than a handful of German friends who know how I feel. But these negative experiences outweigh the positive ones. Though, now when I think about it, these positive experiences all have to do with foreigners I met in Germany. Plus, when people attack your family and friends, you’re less likely to forgive.
Oh, and that sense of superiority. Which is interesting, because I get that with other nations, too. But with Germany I’m less forgiving.
I know Germany is hugely popular, and you’re not supposed to say anything bad against it. And, of course, this is my opinion, based on my own experience. But I always felt that if the Germans I knew could badmouth America without having been there, just because it was cool, I’m more than justified giving my opinions based on my own experience.
Funny thing is, in Finland they follow the law to the letter, too. But there you get the impression it’s for human safety. In Germany I always get the impression that it’s for the sake of the law. I always call them the robots of Europe.
I have good friends who hate France with a passion, or America. And it doesn’t bother us. We can still be close. But I know their reasons, I may not accept them, but I know they come from their own experiences, and are valid.
So, that’s it in a nutshell. 😀
Dr. John Flynn
July 24, 2017 at 7:22 pm“That corner of Germany”? Austria isn’t Germany.
Darlene
July 19, 2017 at 2:36 amI love old libraries like this. The one in Melk Abby is amazing. Austrians are very nice people, just quite reserved, not warm and open like Italians. I only had a day in Vienna but loved it.
Ishita
July 19, 2017 at 12:37 pmSomeone mentioned it to me when I was in Vienna. Wish I had the time to visit Melk. Too reserved I’d say. Or maybe I am used to the Italians too much 😉
Maria Matthews
July 18, 2017 at 11:59 pmI have never been but often wondered about it, now thanks to your post it is added to my love to visit list.
Ishita
July 19, 2017 at 12:37 pmHow wonderful Maria! Let me know if my post helps you in Vienna..xx
liveurdreamweb
July 18, 2017 at 10:00 pmI live in Vienna and I love this city, the people need only some more time to be friendly. I have made many friends there all these years and they always help the tourists as they are also eager to talk in English. 😀
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 10:25 pmThanks for your perspective. I certainly think they do. Agree about the English bit.
Manja Mexi Movie
July 18, 2017 at 8:27 pmYes, I noticed the Hundertwasser House immediately. It was one of the reasons why I loved Vienna so much. I had his Uneven Floor text on the first page of my favourite photo album. As a curiosity, his original surname is Stowasser, but when he learned that “sto” means “hundred” in several Slavic languages (including Slovenian), he changed his name (to mean “hundred waters”).
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 8:47 pmSo interesting about the surname. Did you blog on Vienna ever?? If you have please share 🙂
Manja Mexi Movie
July 18, 2017 at 11:52 pmOh no, I haven’t, I was there in the pre-digital era, and have only been blogging for the last three years and a bit.
Ishita
July 19, 2017 at 12:37 pmSomehow I love that pre-digital time….. Sounds like another world now
mytimetotravel
July 18, 2017 at 6:30 pmLove libraries – you should see the one in Coimbra, Portugal some time.
Also love Vienna – have been several times. After you hit the famous museums, try the Museum of Globes, the Furniture Depository and the Hundertwasser.
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 6:39 pmI went to Hundertwasser too 🙂 Loved it!! very quirky. The Portugal one has been on my list too. xx
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 6:39 pmThe pic of Hundertwasser is added!! You may have missed.
Tanja
July 18, 2017 at 1:26 pmI loved the library too. Austrians do tend to be a bit standoffish in general
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 1:29 pmwe have such similar tastes in travel. Yea standoff is the right word.
eliza
July 18, 2017 at 1:20 pmwow good pics!
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 1:21 pm🙂 Cheers!!
Francis
July 18, 2017 at 12:35 pmLovely post Ishita. Must visit the library next time! You may be interested in our experiences at the Belvedere at https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/an-eternal-kiss/
Ishita
July 18, 2017 at 12:36 pmThanks Francis. checking it out now. So Vienna and Trieste- we get two places in common for our European love!