As we all know I love the Christmas season because yes to me it's a season! This year we were able to fulfill one of my bucket list trip: European Christmas Markets! More specifically we visited Vienna, Austria and made a day trip to Salzburg, Austria (which will be in another article of it's own!). Another article will follow with must sees in Vienna that are not related to Christmas but this one is ALLLLLL about Christmas!!

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Hotel Motel One Wien-Staatsoper. The location was perfect for the christmas markets with so many places at a walking distance! They also have an option which includes breakfast but we wanted to try out different restaurants around the city and for the price it is definitely not worth it. It costs pretty much the same to eat out!

Where to Eat

The obvious answer here is at the Christmas markets! Get yourself a little punsch and authentic Viennese snack! Although it is definitely a must do throughout your trip it is definitely not the best food you can eat, here are a few festive options and a lot more dinning option to come in my general Vienna article!

FESTIVE COFFEE SHOPS (FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR BREAK FROM THE COLD)

• Demel

This is the must stop cafe and in my opinion my favorite we had the chance to try out! The boutique itself is simply stunning and all decked up for the holidays!

We then headed upstairs to the actual cafe for breakfast and tried their Kaiserscharrn with stewed plums and the omelette! The kaiserscharrn can also be taken for take out at the window but we wanted to site in the historic coffeehouse!

• Landtmann's original

This is another historic must go to coffeehouse located just beside the Rathaus Christkindlmarkt. We tried out their famous Landtmann feine torte, hot cocoa and their afternoon tea tower. Fun fact, this was actually Sigmund Freud's preferred coffeehouse!

• Creme de la creme

This is definitely the more modern coffee shop! They had a lovely selection of sweet treats including festive ones! We got a coffee and hot cocoa with 2 of their festive linzer cookies.

DRINKS & DINNER

• Ritz Carlton Vienna Rooftop Christmas Market and Bar

Their rooftop offers a combination of alpine après-ski and a luxurious city trip! It is such a cute rooftop that offers stunning views of the city and festive drinks from mulled wine to hot chocolate, and traditional food from goulash to "Buchteln" with vanilla sauce! The perfect place to enjoy a hot and festive cocktail. They also offer the Raclette-Experience in a Gondola for a cool après-ski experience!

• Rote Bar at the Sacher Hotel

It offers exquisite traditional Austrian recipes and excellent Viennese classics in a beautifully decorated space with nightly live piano music that completes the ambience from 7:00 pm onwards. The reason it appears in the festive article is because it was all decorated for christmas and the pianist was playing Christmas music althrough the night! We had:

• Consommé with adds of Viennese small sliced pancakes
• Butternut squash tart with herb seedlings, chard and hazelnut
• Viennese escalope of suckling veal with parsley potatoes and mixed salad

And of course ended our meal with the classic Sacher Torte a staple in Vienna although not the best dessert! It is a traditional dessert created for the emperor!

What to Do

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Of course this was our main reason of being here! I have listed below all the markets we did in the city and they are pretty much ranked from favorite to least favorite! But truly all of them are worth visiting!

• Schonbrunn

• Freyung

• Am Hof

• Stephansplatz

• Rathaus Christkindlmarkt

• Schloss Belvedere

• Maria Theresien-Platz

• University Campus Christmas Village

FESTIVE STORES TO VISIT & ACTIVITIES

• Schonbrunn Konzerte

This was such a great show and with the christmas market and concert package tickets so we got to experience the schonbrunn market as well! It includes:

• Christmas market culinary voucher (includes 1 mug, 1 hot drink & 1 dish)
• Private after hours tour of the Schloss Schönbrunn
• Free choice of seating in the selected category at the Schönbrunn Palace Concert

This was a highlight of our trip and Schonbrunn is definitely the most beautiful market in our opinion!

• Collect all the christmas market mugs

This is definitely a fun thing to do if you like souvenirs like me! Each market has their own unique mug and we went around to grab all of them!! Such a fun thing to do throughout the trip and you don't need to buy a drink, you can simply buy the mug!

• Lindt chocolate store

This is definitely a classic in Europe! Plus, you can buy 200g teddy bears and get the bow personalized with a short message or name! It's such a cute personalized gift to offer someone this holiday season!!

• Ice Skating at the Rathaus Christkindlmarkt

We know how much I love ice skating on the Ice path through City Hall Parkalthough I'm horrible at it! It is around 10 euros to skate and another 10 euros to rent skates but this is definitely a fun activity. Also, the location is simply stunning!

• Big bow at Popp & Kretschmer

Definitely one of the most photographed buildings in the city!! A classic festive shot!

Definitely an amazing city to visit for the Holiday Season!

Safe Travels and Bon Appetit!!