Austria
#9 Austria – January 2023. Age: 29
This was my first family trip in about 6 years. Family trips can be fantastic or tense – this one falls into the first category. I think Vienna is a treasure trove of culture, perhaps up there, if not more culturally and historically beautiful than London (don’t boo me).
The food is also right up my street – I have a proper sweet tooth and all of the rustic traditional cakes found in many beautifully furnished tea houses are sensational – culminating of course, in the famous sacher-tort – it didn’t let me now.
We organised quite a few events, as one has to, on a family holiday. We saw Die Fledermaus at the Vienna Opera House, which is one of the most stunning buildings you will see – world famous, and didn’t disappoint. My second opera experience after Il Pirata in the Palermo Opera House. I’m now a convert. The pomp and ceremony is enough to get the tingles.
The highlight for me was probably seeing a string quartet perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the aptly named St Charles Church for my brothers birthday (Charles). I would thoroughly recommend. A delight to the senses.
The architecture is second to none – you could go to about 50 stunning churches and an equal amount of galleries, as well as the general residential areas – nothing has been left out of the splendour.
Rodin’s garden is also a must-see. There was a big fashion event going on in the evening which made it rather chaotic, but you can get a glimpse at all the famous pieces including The Thinker.
Last but certainly not least is the Schonnbrunn Palace, remnants of the Happisburgh empire. This is an absolute mega-estate. In my opinion, it eclipses any other royal palaces I’ve been to, including Versailles, the home of sophistication and etiquette under the Sun King. We spent a whole day here and I don’t think it was long enough.
Finally, there’s a little theme park, not unlike Tivoli in Copenhagen; it’s reasonably central, and a nice ride on the Ferris wheel gives you spectacular views of the city!
Honestly, if it weren’t for the weather (I’m a sun worshipper), I’d 100% live here. It’s just so so beautiful. Such a success, we went to Paris as a family in 2024. Perhaps Milan, 2025.
