24 Hours in Vienna (and Salzburg)

Arriving in Vienna for a quick modeling gig, my fatigue took a backseat to the liveliness of the Austrian capital. After a quick check-in and 20-minute power nap at the centrally located Do&Co Hotel, I was off to my photoshoot. Whenever I have a job in a European city, I try to stay a couple of days to get a feel for the place. Before I arrive, I have the main sights I want to hit bookmarked, and I make reservations at the hottest restaurants, in case they get booked up.

After my gig, I went back to my room to wipe off my makeup, then decided to head for the large and highly manicured park, Belvederegarten — a 20 minute walk from my hotel. Along the way, I stopped in for a coffee at Café Mozart. I’d heard that this coffee house is popular with musicians from the opera house & it’s where Graham Greene wrote The Third Man. It’s, understandably, become fairly touristy, but is still a nice place to stop and have a drink.

Arriving in the park, I stood in amazement of its baroque palace called The Belvedere, and the surrounding gardens and fountains. If I’d had more time, I would’ve taken a proper tour and visited the art museum, but by then it was 8pm local time and I had reservations at a restaurant called TIAN, which was only a 5 minute walk from the park. I’d read several raving reviews of TIAN and was very excited to go. With its chic opulent interior, they happily whipped up one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever experienced. It was so full of flavor that it made me forget that it was also super healthy!

The next day I took an early stroll and, down the street, noticed an older couple was just sitting down for some dessert in a decadent-looking coffee shop, so I decided to take a seat next to them. There’s something about seeing a sweet old couple that’s still in love that gives me renewed hope for the world (and for my love life!)

In my research, I learned that Vienna boasts the “coffee house capital of the world” title. Opened in 1876, Café Central was a key meeting place for intellectuals including Leo Trotsky, Adolf Loos, Vladimir Lenin and Sigmund Freud. After our breakfast, we crossed the street to watch a group of musicians who had started an impromptu concert.

In the early afternoon, I took an app-guided walking tour of the city – yes, it’s small enough to walk in three hours! My guided tour (your hotel can recommend one of many throughout the city) began at the popular local market, the Naschmarkt, located in the heart of the city. Originating in the 16^th century, it’s a delicious mix of cultures and local Viennese treats. The market is a great place for a coffee break while taking in the sights. Being a Saturday, there was an adjacent flea market with handicrafts, jewelry, art, and homemade goods. I picked up a few handmade gifts for friends back in NYC.

Only a few blocks from the market, I visited the Wien Museum. I’m not normally a museum-goer, but this modern museum piqued my interest because it houses everything from 14^th century art to modern day photography. The Gustav Klimt pieces were impressive, as was the 19^th century furniture display – there is definitely something for everyone. Mozart’s apartment is also part of the Wien Museum, and is worth seeing if you’re a hardcore Mozart fan.

If monarchy sparks your interest then Schonbrunn Palace is a must. Just a short subway ride from the city centre, the 17^th century grand palace is everything you’d expect from a royal estate with its beautifully landscaped gardens, large outdoor entry staircase and striking yellow columns. Inside, there are opulent chandeliers and carefully crafted furniture, all perfectly preserved and on display for visitors to admire. But unlike other majestic estates, Schonbrunn has some unique features that make it a one-of-a-kind destination.  There’s an all-day breakfast café, the Schönbrunner Schloßcafé, where you can sit outside and enjoy a Viennese breakfast in the early evening.

The palace also houses a children’s museum that has fun artifacts, costumes and items from everyday Austrian imperial life, which is fascinating enough for everyone to visit. There are various events and concerts ongoing throughout the year, like an annual Easter Market. I was lucky enough to attend a Mozart concert inside the palace, where the music and surroundings gave a glimpse into 18^th century royal life.

I followed my enriching afternoon with an equally enriching vegan meal at the uber-hip Yamm. This lively restaurant is a must-visit while in Vienna.

My final day in Vienna started with a quick walk to Simply Raw Bakery, for a basket of delicious organic pastries to go…

I then hopped on a two and a half hour train from Vienna to Salzburg, the hometown of Mozart and the location for many Sound of Music scenes. Another walking tour through the hilltop city took me to the house Mozart was born, a yellow townhouse, now a museum dedicated to the famous composer. Near the museum was the Café Konditorei Fürst chocolatier, selling the decadent original marzipan chocolate known as the Mozartkugel – named after the composer of course. It was so delicious that the round ball of chocolate with its marzipan core is still a favorite in our family. The tour ended with a look at a few of the lasting backdrops to the Sound of Music movie, including the fountain danced around by the Von Trapp children while singing “Do-Re-Mi”.

With only an hour left before I had to catch the train back to Vienna, we couldn’t leave without a visit to the renowned Hotel Sacher – a destination everyone suggested we visit in Salzburg. The lavish hotel isn’t just a beautiful place to see, it’s a chocolate lover’s must-stop. The hotel is home to the original Sachertorte, a chocolate cake layered with a light apricot jam and a thin chocolate icing top. I strolled through the winding streets of Salzburg until I arrived at the riverfront hotel just in time to try a slice of the decadent treat. Sitting in Hotel Sacher, indulging in the classic Sacher Torte and conversation, I wish I had ordered another slice to extend that idyllic moment – as precious and rare as the original Sachertorte itself.