Bookishly Abroad

Recommendations:

• Hundertwasser House – worth a look just for the photos …
• Spanish Riding School – if you can’t go to one of the official performances, try to get tickets to the morning practice. It’s literally dancing horses!
• Stephansdom – 12th century Gothic cathedral with a jazzy Art Deco roof.
• Schönbrunn Palace – I have to confess we didn’t make it here as we ran out of time, but it’s the place I regret not seeing.
• Prater Park – highly recommended in nice weather. At one end there’s also a theme park with the Riesenrad Ferris wheel and the most vertigo-inducing chair swing ride I’ve ever seen.
• Naschmarkt – a sprawling food market where you can buy pretty much anything. There’s also a flea market on Saturdays.
• The Jewish Quarter – this was one of the most interesting section of the trip. There are several museums that document Jewish life in Vienna from about the 14th century onwards and the temporary exhibits are fascinating. In the middle of the so-called ‘Judenplatz’, you will also find the Holocaust memorial also known as the ‘Nameless Library’, featuring hundreds of books turned inwards.
• Sachertorte at a coffee house – you won’t need to look far, they are EVERYWHERE. General rule of thumb is the more dated looking the better!

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