{"id":7300,"date":"2014-10-29T18:38:33","date_gmt":"2014-10-29T18:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/avidcruiser.com\/livevoyagereports\/?page_id=7300"},"modified":"2016-06-29T08:11:34","modified_gmt":"2016-06-29T14:11:34","slug":"day-5-vienna-fabulous","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/live-voyage-reports\/viking-baldur-danube-waltz-christmas-markets\/day-5-vienna-fabulous\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 5 – Vienna The Fabulous"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vienna Waits For You.<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/a>

The Christmas Markets of Vienna, Austria are as stunning at the city itself. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

December 3, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before dawn, Viking River Cruises\u2019 Viking Baldur<\/em><\/strong> silently came alongside in Vienna, Austria<\/strong>. Which is a bit of a misnomer; ships can\u2019t actually<\/em> come alongside in Vienna simply because the Danube doesn\u2019t run through the historic city center. Instead, they dock further out, near what could best be termed \u2018Modern Vienna.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Three<\/a>

Three Vikings, side-by-side in Vienna. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Vienna is a bit like Paris or New York: you can spend weeks here admiring just the museums and never scratch any of the city\u2019s other charms, like it\u2019s historic cafes, opera houses, grand hotels and notable monuments like the Wiener Riesenrad (literally the \u2018Viennese giant wheel\u2019) \u2013 a Ferris wheel that has adorned the Prater since 1897.<\/p>\n

Of course, it being December, our explorations would be focused solely on Vienna\u2019s magnificent Christmas Markets. There\u2019s over a dozen in all, and you\u2019d need to spend days<\/em> here to even have a hope of scratching the surface.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/a>

How do you get to Vienna? You can take a bus tour…or come with Viking’s guides as they show you how to use the Viennese U-Bahn system! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Viking gives guests plenty of choices here in Vienna, though. For first-time visitors, a comprehensive city tour is offered along the Ringstrasse<\/em>, the ring road that encircles historic Vienna. This is coupled with a walking tour of Vienna\u2019s major city sights, and the option to return to the cozy Viking Baldur<\/em> for lunch or to return via one of the continuously-running shuttle busses that pick up passengers from the Schwedenplatz<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Gothic interior of St. Stephen’s Cathedral – less than half an hour away from the ship if you take the subway. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019ve been here before \u2013 or are up for a bit of adventure \u2013 Viking offers a tremendous excursion that I wish would catch on with more river cruise lines. From the ship, they\u2019ll walk you approximately 600 feet to the Reichsbrucke \u2013 <\/em>or Reichs Bridge, where you\u2019ll ascend a set of stairs and walk along a pedestrian path inset into the bridge deck. From there, you\u2019ll be guided to the Vorgartenstrasse <\/em>U-Bahn subway stop. Total walking distance: perhaps 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

Then, you\u2019ll be shown how to purchase your \u20ac2.20 one-way ticket, validate it (this is important!), and catch the U1 Red Line train towards Stephanplatz<\/em>, where you will disembark and emerge in the shadow of St. Stephen\u2019s Cathedral.<\/p>\n

\"Vienna's<\/a>

Vienna’s largest and most famous Christmas Market takes place in front of the Rathaus, or City Hall. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Once you know how to do this, you\u2019ll never take the shuttle bus again. Traffic can be atrocious as cars and busses approach the Prater, and the drop-off point at Schwedenplatz <\/em>is still a ten-minute walk to St. Stephen\u2019s Cathedral. The coach can take up to an hour each way. By taking the subway, you accomplish the same journey in less than 25 minutes \u2013 and you\u2019re dropped right smack in the heart of historic Vienna.<\/p>\n

Being experienced with the subway system in Vienna, I comfortably disembarked Viking Baldur <\/em>at my own pace and set out for a day of exploration and delicious Gluhwein <\/em>tasting in one of my favorite European cities!<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Don\u2019t automatically assume that all markets are created equal; the one in front of the Rathaus<\/em>, or City Hall, is one of the largest in Vienna, but arguably the most commercial. The place to go for crafts is the tiny Altwiener Christkindlmarkt <\/em>situated near the end of Freyung Passage not far from the famous Caf\u00e9 Central, while the Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresienplatz <\/em>is attractively situated in between the Kunsthistoriches Museum (Art Museum) and the Naturhistoriches Museum (Natural History Museum) at Maria-Theresienplatz<\/em>. This year, a (very) small market even popped up in front of the Hofburg<\/em>, the palatial residence of the once-powerful Hapsburg dynasty.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>

This year, a small market even popped up in front of the Hofburg Palace. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Each market offers its own unique crafts, food vendors and spiked drinks, all of which are made differently than the last market. Hot beverages like Gluhwein<\/em> (spiced mulled wine) even come in cups that change with each market, making them highly collectable. They also change the cups roughly every year or so, meaning if you\u2019ve been here before, you\u2019re likely going home with a suitcase full of mugs this time, too. After all \u2013 how do you not <\/em>take home the \u2018boot cup\u2019 from the Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresienplatz or the heart-shaped cup from the main Frohe Weihnachten <\/em>Christmas market in front of the Rathaus? You just can\u2019t pass them up!<\/p>\n

For me, Vienna is a special city at any time of year \u2013 but it is at its most beautiful in the dark, sleepy days of December, when the Christmas Markets are in full swing.<\/p>\n

Some photos from our time ashore:<\/p>\n

\"Ornamental<\/a>

Ornamental Wonders. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"No<\/a>

No two markets in Vienna are alike…and most are within walking distance! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"If<\/a>

If a Carriage ride isn’t your thing…Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"...perhaps<\/a>

…perhaps a warming cup of Gulaschsuppe is? Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Even<\/a>

Even at Christmas, a stop in one of Vienna’s famous coffee houses is a must. Shown here is Cafe Griensteidl, next to the Hofburg. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"It's<\/a>

It’s True. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Of<\/a>

Of course, you can also check out Vienna’s massive shopping district…Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"....or<\/a>

….or stumble upon an impromptu ceremony! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, after a long chilly day outside, it\u2019s nice to come back to the warm Viking Baldur<\/em>. One of the things I love most about Viking River Cruises is how \u2018at home\u2019 they make you feel, regardless of whether this is your first or fifty-first river cruise. It\u2019s just a nice, relaxing atmosphere that is cultivated onboard, served by a dedicated crew of Europeans and surrounded by the soothing Scandinavian design of the Viking Longships.<\/p>\n

\"Viking<\/a>

Viking Baldur Waits To Welcome You Home. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Cozy, comfortable – and connected. The laptops shown are available for guests to use to access the internet, which is complimentary. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019ve never tried river cruising before, it is days like today that will turn you into a river cruiser for life. Tonight, Viking Baldur<\/em> un-docked from her berth at 23:00 and glided silently away from Vienna, bound for the Austrian towns of Durnstein and Melk. Another great Viking day has come to a close \u2013 but there\u2019s more to come, as our Danube adventure is far from over.<\/p>\n

Until then, I\u2019m turning in to rest my head on Viking\u2019s comfortable pillows after a long day of exploration. And dream of what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Our Live Voyage Report <\/em><\/strong>aboard <\/em>Viking River Cruises\u2019 Viking Baldur<\/em><\/strong><\/a> continues tomorrow as we sail for the quaint Austrian towns of Durnstein and Melk! Be sure to follow along on twitter by following <\/em>@deckchairblog<\/em><\/a> or the hashtag #LiveVoyageReport.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our full journey:<\/p>\n

\"Illustration<\/a>

Illustration courtesy of Viking River Cruises.<\/p><\/div>\n

Viking Baldur - Danube Waltz Christmas Markets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
DAY<\/B><\/th>PORT<\/B><\/th>ACTIVITIES<\/B><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
November 29, 2014<\/a><\/td>Budapest, Hungary<\/td>Flight from Bordeaux, France to Budapest, Hungary. Overnight in Budapest at the Kempinski Budapest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November 30<\/a><\/td>Budapest, Hungary<\/td>Embark Viking Baldur; free time to visit the Christmas Market. Traditional Hungarian dinner onboard.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 1, 2014<\/a><\/td>Budapest, Hungary<\/td>City tour of Buda and Pest, including Castle District - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 2<\/a><\/td>Bratislava, Slovakia<\/td>City tour through Slovakia's capital<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 3<\/a><\/td>Vienna, Austria<\/td>Ringstrasse tour or free time; optional excursion to the Christmas Market at Schonbrunn Palace; optional evening concert. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 4<\/a><\/td>Durnstein & Melk, Austria<\/td>Free time or optional walking tour in Durnstein; tour of Melk Abbey. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 5<\/a><\/td>Linz, Austria \/ Salzburg, Austria<\/td>Full day excursion to Salzburg, Austria; free time. Return to ship late at night. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 6<\/a><\/td>Passau, Germany<\/td>Walking tour & free time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 7, 2014<\/td>Passau, Germany<\/td>Disembark Viking Baldur; transfer to Munich, Germany for onward journey home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vienna Waits For You. Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports December 3, 2014 Before dawn, Viking River Cruises\u2019 Viking Baldur silently came alongside in Vienna, Austria. Which is a bit of a misnomer; ships can\u2019t actually come alongside in Vienna simply because the Danube doesn\u2019t run through the historic city center. Instead, they dock further out, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7227,"parent":21107,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7300\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21107"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}