Christmas In Vienna!

Welcome to a city that celebrates Christmas in the most magical way!

As we all end 2020 living a #quarantinelife, I am sharing a few magical holidays I’ve had in some of the most unique places in the world.

Vienna is the capital of Austria, a European country that has a “frozen in time” feel to it in places, while still being vibrant and modern as well.

The city sits on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud.

As you can see, the blend of modern and classic gives it a perfect feel for the holidays.

No matter where you look, you’ll find something unique and memorable to take a picture of!

Vienna’s Legendary “Christkindlmarkts!”

The Christmas markets in Vienna are called “Christkindlmarkt” because the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria is called “Christkindl” (“Christ-child”).

In 2020, Vienna’s prettiest squares will still be transformed into magical Christmas markets until Christmas. The aroma of Christmas baking, hot punch and toasted almonds hangs in the air. My wife Alex and I had the chance to experience it and dream of going back!

Yes, there was food everywhere you looked, and I had to have a traditional Vienna hot dog with lettuce and mayonnaise – and I loved it!

Yes, there was plenty of Christmas cheer to drink as well – hot mulled wine kept the chill away…and we bought these two mugs to take home!

As much fun as the Christmas market is, wait until you see how Vienna lights up the city during the holiday…an incredible festive light show!

The Old City and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights that create an incredible Christmas atmosphere in Vienna. As you can see, they really know how to dress up for the holidays in Vienna!

The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, where they also have an incredible Christmas market!

Welcome To Schoenbrunn Palace!

This incredible palace is easy to reach and has incredible gardens just like Versaille!

If you walk up the hill as you see here, you can look back at the majesty of the Palace!

As their website notes:

“the Schönbrunn market is perhaps the most aristocratic (in the positive sense) of the Viennese Christmas markets. Around 80 stalls form a giant circle around the palace courtyard, offering booth after booth of high-quality arts and crafts from the workshops of candle makers, glass blowers, wood carvers, potters, needleworkers, and other artists and artisans.”

The market has tons of ornaments and collectibles, as well as all kinds of food to take home or eat there – and so that is what we did – along with more hot mulled wine!

Alex sampled some of the food, I think this was Spaetzle!

Hanging Out With The Vienna Boy’s Choir!

We capped our magical trip to Vienna by attending Christmas Eve mass, where we were seated not he same level as the Orchestra AND the Vienna Boys Choir!

Afterwards, Alex posed with one of the Choir Boys!

We LOVED Vienna for the holidays, with so many unique experiences…

Oh, remember how I said that Vienna sat on the Danube River?

Well, so does Budapest Hungary!

You see, that’s “Buda” on the left and “Pest” on the right – together they are an incredible Eastern European city that is vibrant and fun…and yes, they have Spaetzle as well!

That’s Spaetzle with Goulash that Alex ordered at the city’s food market, which was incredible! We felt OK eating this rich food because we walked for miles and miles and miles, ending up high above the city, overlooking the Danube!

Here’s a look at our trip there in 2018 – and the street food we had at their incredible “Ruin Bars” – see it all by clicking on my story here:

https://johnrieber.com/2019/02/28/budapest-after-dark-tour-their-incredible-ruin-bars-hungary-nightlife-with-a-history/

And we have also spend New Years Eve in Paris, where you get this:

Yes, the Eiffel Tower sizzles at New Years…and we also decided one year to eat our way through the city – one potato dish at a time!

Click here to see these incredible mashed potatoes plus much much more!

https://johnrieber.com/2018/01/27/a-guide-to-the-potatoes-of-paris-baked-mashed-fried-roasted-cheesy-a-cake-as-well/

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Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite place to spend Christmas!

Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Food, food blog, Food Review, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Wacky Food

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