Dear friend,
How are you getting along?
I am at a loss for words as I try to capture the beauty of Vienna, Austria. The city and the Danube River are like a poetic painting interwoven with mystery and charm, feeling like I have wandered into a fairy tale with no ending. Every street corner whispers stories of subtle wisdom and the buildings stand as guardians reflecting the profound knowledge that is kept in the city’s veins.
I'm stuck for words trying to capture the beauty of Vienna, Austria
Riding through Vienna on an electric scooter called a lemon felt like conducting my own symphony, gliding from the grandeur of cathedrals to the grandeur of palaces. My journey took me to the Museum Quartier, a realm where classical monuments mingle with contemporary art collections. It’s a city that effortlessly blends old and new, a testament to Vienna’s enduring appeal.
Like Klimt's masterpiece - "The Kiss", Vienna embraced me and my companions with a feeling that was both intense and tender. It was like a long invisible kiss, asking the question: is this reality or a wonderful dream? The city with its romantic atmosphere, replaying the adventurous and curious feelings of the movie "Before sunrise" and the lyrics of Kath Bloom's song "Come Here" still echo in my mind like a melodious friend.
Vienna embraced me and my companions with an affection that was at once intense and tender.
"Come here. Come here.
Well, I'm in no hurry.
You don't have to run away this time.
I know that you're timid,
but it's gonna be all right this time".
The youthful dreams of wandering through Vienna have come to life, stepping off the train into a cozy and peaceful place. This is a clear contrast to bustling cities like Paris or Barcelona, creating a feeling of longing that can only be filled by hours reading in a small cafe called Kleines Cafe, overlooking a square with a small fountain.
I arrived at the end of summer, greeted by the city glowing in the golden light of autumn. And the trees changing colors. It felt like I was chasing time.
Vienna is peaceful, a stark contrast to bustling cities like Paris or Barcelona.
It is also worth getting a ticket to a musical at the Musikverein, where classical orchestras, dressed in traditional costumes and wigs, transport you to a fairytale world. The ancient but dreamy rectangular hall, decorated with crystal chandeliers, is a witness to every art lover. From centuries past to the present.
Walking, running and lying in the park, whispering prayers at Saint Michael's Church – these moments soothe the soul.
Vienna forced us to walk until dawn, a sleepless night with eyes filled with immense innocence. We believed that if we just closed our eyes once, the charm would disappear – a silly but sincere feeling. “You have passion and pride, but don’t you know that only fools are satisfied? Dream on, but don’t imagine that they are gradually becoming reality. When will you realize that Vienna is waiting for you?” A few groups of young people still intoxicated, singing along to Billy Joel’s endless song, the melody resonated in our hearts, inviting us back into its embrace.
In every poetic word and simple sentence, Vienna evokes nostalgia, painting a picture of love and longing for a city that will always hold a part of my heart.
And I sit waiting for the dawn. See you soon!
If I only had 1 day in Vienna, I would go to:
St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Europe and has been a witness to many important events in Austrian history.
Every detail, big and small, in the church is so exquisite that I could stare at it for hours. Inside the north tower hangs one of the largest bells in Europe, the Pummerin. Legend has it that Beethoven realized he was deaf when he watched birds fly out of the north tower of the church but could not hear the Pummerin bell.
Central Cafe
UNESCO once described the old coffee houses in Vienna as places where “time and space are used, only the cup of coffee is charged on the bill”. In the capital of Austria, coffee houses have become a very unique cultural feature, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Cafe Central is one of the oldest and most famous cafes in Vienna. The only suggestion is to book a table at least one day in advance. With its classical architecture and meticulously carved high dome, I felt like I was stepping into another world. A world of happiness and art when I was immersed in the melodious piano music, the pleasant aroma of coffee and the sweet smell of baked goods mixed in the space.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
A must-see when visiting Vienna is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This is a treasure trove of art and culture, containing wonderful works from centuries past. Stepping into the impressive space of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, you will be immersed in masterpieces from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Each painting, each object, tells an interesting story about the past.
Not only that, the museum also owns a huge collection of two talented Venetian and Flemish painters. You will be guided through time, back to the past to admire the important milestones of art and culture.
Alt & Neu
If you happen to be a music lover and also a fan of the movie Before Sunrise, then you must visit Alt & Neu. This is where Jesse and Celine visited to share their musical preferences. No matter what genre of music you like, you will definitely be satisfied here. What I like most about Alt & Neu is that the staff here are very knowledgeable about music, can help you choose the right product or recommend new artists.
Belvedere Palace
And the final destination in Vienna is Belvedere Palace. Located right in the heart of the capital, Belvedere Palace is one of the most beautiful Baroque structures in Europe. It is also the most important art museum in Austria, displaying works by famous artists such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh. The palace is extremely large, so you should spend at least half a day exploring it!
Bring comfortable shoes to help you explore fully.
Tips for traveling in Vienna:
- Famous tourist attractions are all very large so prepare comfortable shoes to help you explore fully.
- The cuisine in Vienna is not very special but in general it is quite easy to eat. In addition, the restaurants specializing in Asian dishes are also very diverse here. Especially Vietnamese dishes appear quite a lot so you do not need to worry too much about food when visiting Vienna.
- Vienna has public water fountains everywhere so you just need to bring a bottle of water and don't need to buy one.
- The public transportation system in Vienna is very developed and easy to use. If you fly to Austria with EVA Air, you can book tickets on the airline's website quite conveniently. Because EVA Air has partnered with many famous railway companies in Europe such as Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) or Deutsche Bahn (DB BAHN).
- You can also experience the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour in Vienna if you have not yet arranged a sightseeing schedule here. The bus will take you to the most famous places in the Austrian capital. There is also wifi and commentary equipment on the bus to help you understand more about the culture, history and beauty of Vienna.
About the author:Tran Quang Dai has been active in the art field since a very early age. Not only is he known as a famous model with elegant fashion sense, he is also a travel blogger loved by young people, for his lifestyle and inspirational sharing on social platforms.
