Today was going to be a big day. Since we weren’t able to get to the zoo yesterday, we were determined to make it today. So it was an early morning and we were first in line for the Vienna Imperial Zoo. It was a VERY cold morning but at least no rain and we enjoyed the zoo for over 3 hours. My favorites were the Rhinos, the giraffes and the bats. Creepy cool!
When Candace and I travel together we usually make time to go to a local spa. Pampering is an important thing after you’ve trekked in the Alps for a full day and are getting ready to spend 14 hours in a plane. Also, it’s pretty cool to see spas in other countries. Will they do anything differently than we do? What will the experience be like? Anyway, we had booked at massage at Vienna’s famous Sacher Hotel after a recommendation by a local. Vienna’s world-renowned Sacher Torte is also sold here. One of the first things on my must-do list for this trip was to have the Sacher Torte at the Sacher Hotel. So regardless of the spa, this was going to be a destination.
We had a massage scheduled but also wanted to spend some time just enjoying the spa. Being absolutely freezing at this point, we were happy to head there. We got off at the Stephansplatz metro stop which is the center of the city – also called Innner Stradt – and one that we hadn’t been to yet. We were thrilled when we got off the metro and were hit with huge crowds, tons of stores and Christmas all over the place! It was just what we were looking for. One entire store was draped entirely with white lights and a huge red bow. We oohed and ahhed all the way down to the Sacher Hotel which happened to be directly across from the Vienna State Opera House. We were treated like royalty as we entered and were lead to an access-only elevator to take us to the spa. The spa was lovely! We were given all of the necessities for relaxation – robes and slippers, fruit and tea. There was a Therarium which I’d never heard of before. It was essentially a sauna but every 10 minutes water would spray onto either Lavendar and Mint leaves and it created the most wonderful fragrances. Apparently these herbs are good for your skin too. There was also a relaxation room – nice and dark and oh, so comfy. We relaxed and warmed up for a couple of hours and then were off to our massage.
I had a wonderful one! It wasn’t too unique from the massages at home except that the masseuse massaged my stomach. I don’t think that happens too often in the US. The whole thing was an incredible experience! And since we were running late, we decided to get the Sacher Torte to go. We’d eat it with a nice Austrian wine while we were all dressed up for the opera later.
This was the night I’d been waiting for! La Boheme at the Vienna State Opera House – called Weiner Staatsoper, which is reported to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It had sure looked that way when we walked past. And…to top it all off we got to wear fancy dresses! When in Vienna, right?! I may be biased but I have to say that we looked pretty damn good! Maybe except for the knee-high socks and winter boots we were wearing under the dresses. We had to keep warm, right? Once we were in our finery, of course wine and the unveiling of the Sacher Torte were in order. OMG – YUM! This dessert is so rich but not overly sweet. It has a bitter chocolate sort of taste which was to-die-for. And paired with wine – sheer perfection!
We got to the opera house just in time to pick up our tickets and head back to the Sacher Hotel for a quick cocktail before the show. This hotel is exquisite. It is so warm and full of Christmas. Dark reds and blues and blanket the walls which are filled with dark wood. It’s simply gorgeous. And the huge Christmas tree and homemade gingerbread house made it all the more inviting. We snagged a prime seat in the small, intimate bar and enjoyed our cocktails.
Off we went to the opera. We were absolutely the most dressed of anyone we saw but we simply didn’t care. We felt and looked beautiful. Our seats were not the best but I thoroughly enjoyed the show! As I said, we saw La Boheme which was loosely used to create the modern-day production of Rent on broadway. Well this is one of my favorite shows ever and since I already knew the story line, it was relatively easy to follow. The intermission was different than anything I’d experienced in the States. All of the tables had been reserved by patrons and included glasses of Champagne or wine and an assortment of food and pastries. It was quite lovely. The entire experience of the opera held up to my expectations. It was a spectacle to be seen in so many ways – the show, the people watching, the traditions of the patrons.
Having only had part of a Sacher Torte for dinner, we headed to a café for some food. Candace had said earlier that she was disappointed that she wouldn’t get to have gulash again but there it was! Wow, that’s some good stuff. And the perfect portion when we share. Disappointment…gone! We were also able to reflect about the week and what were our favorite parts. There were a lot of favorites!
It has absolutely been one of my favorite trips ever. Vienna is a GORGEOUS city with so many different sides to it and so much to do. I’d recommend it to anyone. It was magical at Christmas in a way that is probably unlike any other time of year but I imagine it’s stunning when everything is in bloom in the spring or summer.