A gloomy walk

The weather didn’t quite cooperate as I had hoped. I imagined arriving in Vienna with bright sunshine and warm summer weather, quickly checking into my hotel, and then relaxing in one of the many parks or sitting in a café. But when I arrived, it was quite the opposite — cloudy, windy, and raining. Luckily, I had brought an umbrella. Still, the heavy rain waiting for me when I got off the subway was unexpected. It was only about a seven-minute walk to my hotel, but by the time I got there, I was soaked — wet feet and jeans. Fortunately, I was able to warm up a bit at the hotel and even got a free cappuccino. I didn’t let the weather ruin my plans, though. After warming up, I grabbed my things and headed straight into the city.

I started by going to the Stadtpark to see the golden statue of Johann Strauss Jr. After that, I made my way to the Albertina because I really wanted to see the painted staircase. I love it when art moves beyond museum walls and becomes part of the city.

After that, I continued my walk through the Volksgarten, where I discovered a truly lovely Viennese tradition: people can sponsor a rose b
ush and dedicate it to someone they love. All across the park, there are rows of roses, each with a small plaque bearing a personal message. Whether it’s for a parent, a child, or a partner, I thought it was such a touching idea. The park is filled with benches where you can sit and take in the peaceful, almost romantic atmosphere.

From there, I headed over to Heldenplatz, admired the impressive statues, and took in the view of the Hofburg from the outside. Then I walked through the Burggarten, slowly made my way back into the city center, and eventually returned to my hotel.

I already saw quite a lot on my arrival day.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings, and hopefully the weather will be on my side.Read more