That Cold Winter in Austria

Departure from Bologna by train on 16 December. Travelling by night to arrive in the Austrian capital early in the morning. We will return to Catania with an Alitalia flight (a well-earned free ticket thanks to the 25,000 miles accumulated). Travelling with me for the third time is the same travel companion... a very serious matter... which I risk having to resign myself to.... In Vienna I booked through booking.com the hotel Renaissance Wien, right opposite the exit of the Meidling Hauptstrasse metro station (not to be confused with the nearby Meidling); from the railway station you could also reach it on foot, but the cold and the snow convince you to choose the metro. Advice for anyone with a hotel far from the centre: take advantage of the Vienna Card, which for 18.50 euro gives you the right to use public transport for 72 hours, and get discounts on entry to museums and attractions.

The plan for the invasion of the territory involves the attack on Schoenbrunn Palace, to discover the secrets of Princess Sissi. The battle is the bloodiest of our trip, since the wind makes it harder to withstand about -6 degrees; in these conditions we cannot enjoy the open-air market. After the visit, which lasts about 2 hours, we reach the city centre to visit the Hofburg and the nearby market. The next morning we proceed with the invasion of the historic centre. After visiting the famous Naschmarkt (disappointing for me), from Karlsplatz we walk to the Albertina, then to the MuseumsQuartier, then back to the markets behind the Hofburg and from there to the unmissable Kunsthistorisches Museum.

In the afternoon we move from the visit of the Town Hall, and its market, to the Votivkirche, to the Freyung market, and finally the last market shortly before entering the avenue that leads to the Stephansdom.

Info on the Vienna metro. When you get off the carriage after the metro ride and cannot find the sign for your destination, do not worry... walk along the platform several times until you find some tiny writing that will show you the way; if you do not find it.... always take the road that leads from the platform towards the unknown.... the truth will be around the corner

under construction....