Vienna
Vienna was cool in all the ways you’d expect - hidden restaurants, happy hour havens, markets, and boutique shops. It combines Berlins energy and Pragues good looks. We spent three nights in Austria's capital and stayed at Wombats hostel, which was my first hostel experience. The Wombats Hostel scene was really cool. We connected with a lot of awesome travellers, all pretty unique people, and a few Aussies.
If you're looking for chill afternoon, it's gotta be the Naschmarkt. It’s a really cool spot for both the young and old, and there’s a flea market there every Saturday. We checked out the 120 market stands and eateries, then kicked it at a bar for happy hour cocktails. Right around the corner from our hostel was Pinsatore, a Pizzeria Bar Cafe. We found this place by accident, and the pizzas were absolutely sensational. I would highly recommend it.
On Sunday, we hung out at Donauinsel lake since most restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and coffee shops are closed on Sundays and reopen on Monday. The vibes are really relaxed on Sundays. The next day, I met up with a friend to return his suitcase, which I had found by chance at Vienna Airport. We had lunch at Stockl im Park and then strolled through the beautiful Schönbrunn Palace gardens.
Vienna is one of those cities that simply does it all. It might possibly be the world’s artsy district. Here’s a list of things you can do in Vienna:
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Try an apple strudel
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Eat at Naschmarkt
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Check out the MuseumsQuartier
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Stroll through Hofburg Palace
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Hang out at Neubau district
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Enjoy views from Vienna’s rooftop bars
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Visit the Albertina Modern
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Sample local wines at Vienna vineyards
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Sip on craft beer at Mel’s Diner
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Walk the Ringstrasse
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See Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’
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Party until the break of dawn (It's no Berlin, but it comes close in a few spots.)
PINSATORE BAR CAFE, VIENNA
CATCHING TRAIN 2 DA CLUB
Salzburg
No places waltzes so effortlessly than Salzburg. It’s most famous for "The Sound of Music." We explored the outside location where it was filmed. I watched the film when I was pretty young, but even now certain tunes instantly remind me of specific scenes, such as "16 Going On 17," "So Long, Farewell," and "Do, a deer, a female deer..."
The Old Town in Salzburg is a living dream, with its mix of horses trotting, stylish dogs like their owners, historical architecture, medieval buildings, and those cool vintage shop signs. You can see where Mozart lived on the historic street called Getreidegasse. The city vibes with buzzing jazz and cozy clubs, which keep the city alive at night.
Salzburg has some of the most beautiful beer gardens. Stern Biergarten is the perfect pit-stop to quench your thirst for tasty brews. It’s an airy and relaxing beer garden shaded by old chestnut trees in the beautiful baroque town.
The hostel we stayed at was called Muffins, zero atmosphere, super awkward energy. It was in a great natural location, but inside felt like a psychiatric ward.
