A Very Vienna Christmas

While Vienna is a magical and unique city, it truly comes to life during the Christmas season. In the weeks leading up to the big day, my friends and I relished in the joy and cheer created by Austria’s Christmas Markets, Glühwein and punsch stands, brightly lit streets, and seasonal food.

Robyn, Sandrine and I in front of Stephensdome



Cows at Spittelberg



We frequented the markets, and the mulled wine stands even more. For some reason I was under the impression that the wine stands within the Museumsquartier (one U-bahn stop from my apartment) would last until mid-winter, and am now rather sad that they are gone.

Fuel for shopping (amazzzzing)

One of my favorite days was the marathon shopathon with Nisha. We literally went to three grocery stores to stock up on holiday treats before hitting nearly every Viennese Christmas market, lists in hand. This was the Saturday before Christmas. While exhausting, this was hilarious and much fun.

Marathon= successful

There was also the Sunday I got royaly lost while on my way to see Meredith in Eisenstadt. Long story. There were still cookies baked. We had a wonderful time!

I don't know where this is...but it was beautiful

We had such a lovely time, and I now have many wonderful memories of Wien during the Christmas season. My favorite market was probably the Spittelberg Market, as it is situated amongst the winding old streets of the 7^th district. The Market itself is full of handcrafted ornaments and gifts, along with traditional food and of course mulled wine. This was also an easy walk or U-bahn ride from my apartment. Karlsplatz was wonderful, and had a very unique and crunchy (yes!) vibe. People sold handmade hats (think pilot c hats decorated to look like a Yetti..yes I know that sounds strange but it was SO cool), ornaments, candles, glass things, the list goes on. This is also where I found my favorite punsch- pear vanilla yumminess.





Hand painted ornaments



I frequented the Schönbrunn Market by far the most. The Palace is one of my favorite places in Vienna, and this was only made more magical by live music, mulled wine (are you sensing a theme yet?) and cool and classic gifts.



The highlight of Christmas was of course my MOM!!



Immediately after her arrival on the 24^th we went to the nearest Christmas Market and purchased a giant Cinnamon roll. Mom promptly passed out until mid morning the next day, and set a personal sleeping record of around 18 hours. I gladly hung out with my roommate and her boyfriend talking about their Romanian New Year’s traditions.

Christmas day was lovely. We exchanged gifts, and enjoyed some Austrian sweets- Lebkuchen, or the sort of equivalent of gingerbread cookies, only soft and sometimes dipped in chocolate, and Kipferl- small sugar cookies coated with more sugar. We then walked around the first district. The weather was wonderful, sun and clear skys. We skyped dad! After a dinner of bratwurst, veggies, and potatoes (mm) we set off for the Opera to see the ballet Dornröschen. Magical!

Our seats...a bit high up

In the following days we continued to wander the city and the Vienna woods, enjoy food and enjoy everything Austrian. We took a day trip to Gmunden, and lake town within the Salzgammergut mountains. Gorgeous is an understatement. The town is clearly very touristy, but during the winter/Christmas season relatively quiet. Mom and I spent the day walking, exploring, taking pictures, eating delicious food/chocolate, wondering what the heck happened there hundreds of years ago, dog watching, and enjoying the fresh air. I haven’t spent time on or by a lake since leaving Ithaca, and I simply couldn’t get enough of this magical setting. The train ride was also very entertaining.

Mom makes a friend by the Hofburg

I make a friend while taking a picture by IES

It was so refreshing to see my mother, and her stay was far to short. I felt like it went by in the blink of an eye. I really enjoyed myself while she was here, and it was great to relax together and enjoy Vienna. This was such a nice reminder of home, and simultaneously a reiteration of why I love Austria so much.

Love you mom!!

Austrian Muffin