Christmastime in Vienna
Is there a better build-up to Christmas than visiting a European Christmas Market? If so, I’d like to know what it is. Maybe it’s all that Glühwein and Orange Punch that I can’t pass by that helps, but even as a devout atheist I can’t help but respect the Austrians for adhering to the meaning of Christmas more than I do.
I absolutely love Austria at Christmastime, especially in places like the Tyrol, but if you like to add some culture to your bratwurst and beer, then Vienna is hard to beat.
When we were here the week before Christmas in 2016, it even snowed to give it the magical icing on the Christmas cake.
There’s no point in waffling on about what market is where, I’ll just let the pictures do the talking. As for the culture, I’ll be dealing with all that later – hopefully.
34
WoW!!! Such fantastic photographs! You have really brought the spirit of the Christmas in Austria! Fantastic! Smashing job my friend! Truly a beautiful post! I’ve decided, if this pandemic is over by then, it will be Christmas in Vienna for me! Take good care my friend. You do not cease to amaze me with such wonderful posts!
Hoping you’ve a lovely Friday and weekend to come, keep your mind away from this little pesky virus and imagine the weekend as they used to be!
All the best,
Your friend in the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean coast,
Francesc
It’s always great to get a compliment or two when putting these blogs together, but especially so when they come from somebody as gifted as you. Your comments have put me in a good mood for the weekend ahead that’s for sure. Thank you.
Have a super weekend yourself and I’ll raise a glass to my Iberian friend at wine’o clock.
P.S.Do you prefer to be called Francesc or Francisco?
Your articles, Malc, are fantastic! And I’m glad you’ll be in a good mood for the weekend! We’ll raise those glasses at 7p here! 🍷 Francisco In Castilian and Francesc in Catalan/Valenciano (Valenciano is our language in the Comunitat Valenciana) so it makes no difference. All the best,
Cheers!
Cheers then Francesc!
Another fabulous post Malc – you really are a very good photographer – you’ve captured the feel of the city perfectly!
I cold do with a Glühwein and Orange Punch now!
You’re far too kind Stuart, but I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures all the same. I’m doing that Christmas trip to London today so wish me luck 🙂
London the week before Christmas – I do indeed wish you luck!
Oh wow, Malc! I feel so festive now! Vienna looks absolutely stunning at Christmas time, it’s enough to make any Scrooge smile. So thanks for making me feel more Christmassy. I’m bakc in the land of the living now after finally submitting my hardest assignment ever this morning. I had to ban myself from blogging for a while it was so demanding, what with that and all the other stuff to do at this time of the year and my lengthy school run. 🙂 But now I’m feeling much better!
How was Scotland? I hope you’re feeling refreshed after your break. 🙂
I’m glad that Vienna made you feel all Christmassy Alli. It certainly had that affect on me.
I hope you can relax now that you’ve submitted your assignment, and as you say, at such a busy time of the year it must be pretty demanding to fit everything in.
Scotland, as always, was fab – but as is often the case, the same couldn’t be said about the weather 🙂 Am I feeling refreshed? Hardly, and as strange as it may sound, I’m looking forward to the months of January and February when things quieten down a bit – but at least I’m not studying for a degree 🙂
Did you get to Ludlow?
Oh yes, we got to Ludlow alright, and it was wonderful. And we went back there yesterday – but all that’s another story.
Glad you enjoyed Scotland, despite the weather – mind you, I guess it’s pretty inevitable at this time of year. I understand why you’re looking forward to the quieter months of Jan and Feb – so am I, really. It’s my birthday next month, so I’m sure we’ll be going to a castle somewhere. I’m thinking Caerphilly.
It really has been an absolutely hellish time over the last few weeks, but as you say, it’s over now for wee while… until the next one. So I’m taking Maddie back down to Portsmout tomorrow to her beloved Victory (and the Warrior), so that’ll be another nice break. And I’m working on the final posts on my Mead Quest at last, which I’m really enjoying.
I’ve no doubt we’ll chat again before Christmas, but in the meantime, I wish you a peaceful and restful festive season, and all the very best for 2020. 🙂
I can’t wait to hear about Ludlow now and if you get to Caerphilly for your birthday I’d love to read about that too (and Chepstow).
I know that you’ve had a busy time but I do hope that everything else is ok – I’ve a sixth sense that it hasn’t been, but I hope I’m wrong.
I can see why Maddie wants to go back down to Portsmouth. I hope you both have a great day out. For my sins I’m in London for the Christmas lights today. I think we’ll both need a glass of Sticky Rogers by the time the day’s over 🙂
I hope you all have a smashing Christmas in the Templeton household too and let’s hope that 2020 brings you everything you wish for 🙂
Thanks Malc. Yes, clever you, 😉 there was more to it – mainly in the form of illness and too much going on. But Portsmouth was a really lovely break for me and Maddie yesterday. For the first time we were there when it got dark, and they’d decorated the foremast and yards of the Warrior in lights in the shape of a massive Christmas tree. It looked amazing. 😀
Hope London was bearable – you’re braver than me! But I expect it was very pretty. It does sound as though a dose of Sticky Rogers is needed all round – not long now, but a final mead-related post first… 🙂
Hope London was bearable, and yes, it does sound like Sticky Rogers is needed all round. Not long now… 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that either you are one of the family haven’t been well lately, but I won’t pry. Let’s just say that I hope things have improved.
On the plus side, I’m pleased to hear that you and Maddie had another super day out in Portsmouth yesterday and I can just picture ‘Warrior’ decked out in all those Christmas tree lights. Did you manage to see the F35 take off from the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier?
As you can imagine, London was a full-on day – but an enjoyable one, especially as it wasn’t too busy being a Monday.
I’m looking forward to the final post enlightening me about Mead. The closest I got to a festive drink yesterday was a hot gluwein cider.and it was scrumptious ::-)
I love Vienna but I’ve never been in the winter. I have to say it looks magical, even if I’m no fan of snow!
It has a really good Christmas feel to it for all the right reasons
Great snowy photos! Well done, Malc.
Thanks Don. The German Christmas Markets are great too. You have one in Frankfurt I know, but have never been to it
Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of Christmas Markets, but I am looking forward to the one in Karlsruhe this coming weekend where I can meet some old VT friends at the annual Glühwein meeting.
Great! If you see anyone I might know, please pass on my best wishes. Have a brilliant time.
He saw me 😉
Malcolm, thanks for this look at magical Vienna at Christmas time! Love your photos!
Thanks Sylvia. Glad you enjoyed them 🙂