Like a small child dying to know what Santa is bringing them for Christmas, you are probably wondering what my surprise is going to be.
I went to Vienna last week for three days to experience Christmas in the city that’s supposed to be one of the great Christmas cities in the world. I arrived on chilly Monday afternoon about noon. I was invited to stay at the 25 hour Hotel in the trendy area called the Museum Quarter, a large complex of buildings with four museums. Even though from the outside the hotel was a modern structure in glass, once inside it had a hip, laid back Williamsburg vibe to it. The young staff was very helpful throughout my stay as it was my first time in Vienna and I needed lots of help navigating myself from place to place. My room on the sixth floor was a large, open, loft like space with 50s inspired furniture and a funny circus theme to it, with a mural of a clown painted on the wall behind my bed and the clothes closet had wheels on it like a circus wardrobe. Although it was funky, the room was very comfortable and luxurious with a big down quilt on the bed, walk in shower room, and good -sized flat screen television. The best part was the floor to ceiling windows that had an unobstructed panoramic view of the city.
One of the big draws for coming to Vienna during holiday time is the many Christmas markets around the city. Near the hotel was the Spittelberg Market, which specialized in crafts and artisanal things.
It was already dark when I arrived near 4:30 and the market was aglow in holiday lights. The market was situated on a series of narrow side streets, and it felt more intimate than markets that are setup in a big square. Many stands served hot wine and punch and people gathered around to warm themselves from the frosty early evening air. Anyone into Christmas tree ornaments would have been in heaven. The dizzying array ranged from cute and corny to simple and beautiful to exquisite hand blown glass to kitschy and to hand painted winter scenes. One vendor had the most adorable felt elf slippers and another had riotous hats that had colored wool straws growing out of the tops of them. Food vendors had ginormous pretzels covered in about eight varieties including chocolate and cheese, obscene sized sugar glazed donuts, and heart shaped gingerbread cookies decorated with I think cheerful sayings on them (they were written in German). One stand had Klimt inspired patterned vases, candle holders, and wine glasses.
On Tuesday I went to the grand Belvedere Castle where there was a fantastic exhibit celebrating the 150th anniversary of Klimt and in front of the castle was a small Christmas market. Although it was a nice market with a good selection of merchants, some of the mystery and magic of the lights was missing because it was daylight. However there was a group of small school children, who were so adorable touring around the market with their teachers.
To round up my Christmas market bonanza, Tuesday night I went to the largest and most traditional market in Vienna, Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz Square where the city hall is. Beautifully set against the gothic style building constructed in 1883 with a large Christmas tree in front, the market was bustling and lively with busloads of teenagers ambling through the market gobbling up the yummy treats from the food stands and scooping up holiday souvenirs. It was the most festive of the markets I went to and also where I felt the Christmas spirit most.
There are eight other Christmas markets in Vienna besides the three I visited.
25hours Hotel Wien
Lerchenfelder Strasse 1-3 1070 Wien
https://www.25hours-hotels.com/index.php
Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg Nov 15th till Dec 23rd 2012, daily 2pm to 9.30pm 1070, quarter between Stiftgasse and Breite Gass Volkstheater
Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz Located on the large town square between Rathaus (city hall). Nov 17th till Dec 24th 2012, daily 10am to 10pm 1010, Rathausplatz
Weihnachtsdorf in front of Belvedere Castle Nov 23rd till Dec 23rd 2012, daily 11am to 9pm 1030, Prinz Eugen-Strasse 27
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
A simple wow! doesn't seem big enough. How about WOW!! Fun trip,huh?
Posted by: Evelyn | December 19, 2012 at 12:43 PM