Everyone knows that as quickly as a perfectly rational human becoming goes on holiday, they lose all popular sense and finish up getting trinkets and knick-knacks at astronomically priced souvenir shops. You’ve quite possibly also visited a tourist mecca and heard all about can’t-miss shows and sights – only to shell out a wad of revenue and leave sorely disappointed. Vienna is no unique. On the other hand, I’m here to help you steer clear of vacation letdowns and come across Vienna highlights.
Tourist Trap #1: The Lipizzaner Horse Shows
The Spanish Riding School was founded in 1572, creating it the oldest and most prestigious in the world. With wonderful Baroque architecture nestled within the Hofburg palace, the architecture alone is worth visit – not to mention the majestic Lipizzan horses. On the other hand, just before you pay up to 173 euros for the performance (do not bother with a low-priced or standing ticket – all you will see are people’s heads and a few white specks pirouetting about), why not watch their morning training? You will see the horses up close and private (12 euros) or add a guided tour of the stables with a combo ticket (26 euros).
Tourist Trap #2: Grinzing – or any other restaurants with tour buses in the parking lot
You’ll want to try authentic Viennese cuisine though visiting Vienna, and there’s no greater location than a traditional Heurige (wine tavern/restaurant). One primary Viennese attraction is Grinzing, a collection of Heurige in the vineyards overlooking Vienna. Instead of jostling past hordes of Japanese tourists, you’ll be significantly happier venturing just outside Vienna to Heurigefrequented by locals. There are fantastic Heurige in Austria’s Weinviertel (Wine Quarter) in Stammersdorf and Hagenbrunn or in the picturesque town of Perchtoldsdorf to the south. All of these villages are within effortless reach of Vienna.
Tourist Trap #three: Hotel Sacher
Whilst in Vienna, one must attempt the globe-well-known Sachertorte. This globe famous dessert consists of two layers of chocolate cake separated by a layer of apricot jam in the middle and covered in a dark chocolate glaze. Now, Hotel Sacher holds the ideal to the “Original Sachertorte,” which makes it the most high-priced, but undoubtedly not the greatest. Even though Cafe Sacher, situated straight across from the State Opera House, gives a sumptous atmosphere, if it’s a genuinely wonderful Sachertorte you are right after, then I’d personally recommend L. Heiner, located at Wollzeile 9 or Tirolerhof in the city center.
Tourist Trap #four: Cafe Central
Cafe Central was one of Vienna’s most venerable coffee houses. Intellectuals and authors such as Peter Altenberg, Theodor Herzl, Egon Friedell, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Anton Kuh, Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Loos and Leon Trotsky would meet here to talk about politics, philosophy, economics and the like. With such famous patrons, lengthy history and a attractive atmosphere, it is no wonder that every tourist guide recommends it. Nonetheless, all of this is slightly deceiving. The genuine Cafe Central was located in an additional part of the constructing, the Palais Ferstel, and closed at the end of WWII. Though you’ll see these celebrities of old beaming at you from informative indicators around the cafe, they by no means really sat at your table. In addition, there’s certainly absolutely nothing unique about this cafe. The architecture’s pretty, but the food/drinks are mediocre and in my opinion not worth the inflated prices. If you want a to check out a Viennese coffee house, try Cafe Prückel or Cafe Hawelka, exactly where they have fresh Buchteln, sweet yeast dough dumplings with jam fillings. Under no circumstances should you select a Starbuck’s and thereby pass up the opportunity to experience the special personality of every single Viennese coffee house.
Tourist Trap #five: Any souvenir shop in Vienna’s 1st district – the city center
I know, I know – you are in Vienna, 1 of Europe’s most stunning cities. You’ve traveled around, observed the sights, had a great time and want a keepsake to remind you of your stay here. On the other hand, just before you decide to purchase a klimt poster for 50 euros (there are some excellent poster/print shops in Vienna), why not reflect on a) whether or not you certainly will need it and b) if you are wasting difficult-earned revenue on a real piece of Austrian culture, probably manufactured cheaply in China. My advice: don’t even bother walking into a souvenir shop in the city center – there’s nothing you want there and it’s not worth the price. So, before you take that snow globe to the cash register, attempt out some of the following places for some special Viennese keepsakes:
Museumsquartier Gift Shop: out-of-the ordinary memorabilia, cool, but not necessarily inexpensive
Naschmarkt: why not take home some Austrian specialties like schnapps or pumpkinseed oil?
Antique shops: there are excellent finds hiding just beyond the city center – in particular in districts 4, 6, and 7.