1 / 27
I stayed at the Rathaus Hotel. It was modern but my room barely had room for my bed. The bathroom was small as well. If I wanted to change my mind, I had to step out into the hallway.
2 / 27
If I know a city has a Hard Rock Café, I’ll find it and I did. I stopped by for dessert on my first night and lunch for Christmas.
3 / 27
Christmas decorations were everywhere.
4 / 27
Christmas decorations were everywhere.
5 / 27
Christmas decorations were everywhere.
6 / 27
Christmas decorations were everywhere.
7 / 27
Christmas decorations were everywhere.
8 / 27
I even spotted Santa on Christmas Eve. He appeared to be doing some last minute shopping at the Rolex store. Someone’s been good this year! He wasn’t too busy for a photo.
9 / 27
I had a Facebook friend confirm a recommendation from someone at work who suggested I hit the Christmas markets. She and I went to school together. We hooked up when I was I in Abu Dhabi. She had just left Vienna the week before I got there. Imagine, if you will, another rendezvous in Vienna. Someone else at work was leaving Vienna as I was departing for Vienna. It was hard to avoid the Christmas markets.
10 / 27
11 / 27
Yes, this is part of a Christmas Market!
12 / 27
A day time shot of the same Christmas Market!
13 / 27
Your carriage awaits you!
14 / 27
(1/2) When the news reports about OPEC from Vienna...yup...it's the same place.
15 / 27
(2/2) When the news reports about OPEC from Vienna...yup...it's the same place.
16 / 27
(1/3) St. Michael's Church
17 / 27
(2/3) St. Michael's Church
18 / 27
(3/3) St. Michael's Church
19 / 27
St. Stephen's Cathedral
20 / 27
Without a bunch of expensive cameras and equipment, my point & shoot and cell phone cannot do the incredible Gothic architecture of St. Stephen's Cathedral justice...enjoy anyway!
21 / 27
Another FB friend suggested I hit St. Stephen’s Cathedral for midnight Mass. No, I chose to sleep in my hotel room rather than a church pew. I did go to Mass the next day. I planned on the 1015 service but got there in plenty of time expecting a huge holiday crowd. I arrived at the tail end of the homily and stayed for the rest of the Mass. It was in German so I followed along on my smartphone.
22 / 27
St. Stephen's Cathedral
23 / 27
(1/2) This is Hofburg Palace. It's a tough building to photograph. Even with my cell phone, you can tell this renovation took some serious work!
24 / 27
(2/2) This is Hofburg Palace. It's a tough building to photograph. Even with my cell phone, you can tell this renovation took some serious work!
25 / 27
Perhaps, the blatant commercialism funds part of the renovation.
26 / 27
The Plague Column
27 / 27
End of the line...but not without a Christmas Eve foodie...Nutella spaghetti!
