Weekend Getaway To Vienna

A few of you might know that I was born in Austria and that I am officially an Austrian citizen. Whenever I get asked where I'm from by foreigners and I reply that I'm from Austria, the reactions are in unison: Oh Vienna! It is so beautiful! I absolutely confirm that. However, I am from the other side of Austria, but that's just a detail.

The beauties of Vienna are ranking the Austrian capital amongst the most picturesque cities in Europe if not the entire world. Traveling to Vienna is like buying a ticket through history. It's been a while since I had visited Vienna the last time, so when I revisited the city a few weeks ago I remembered why all the foreigners are so fascinated by Vienna: Beautiful, historic architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, traditional cafés and pastries, historical landmarks on every corner, and the unique Viennese lifestyle. Its location in the heart of Europe make it the perfect weekend getaway for Europeans.

Strolling through downtown Vienna feels like a historical promenade through the Habsburg Monarchy with its representative buildings and pastel facades, golden cupolas and Art Nouveau wherever your eye stops. Vienna boosts with attractions such as the imperial palaces of the Hofburg and Schönbrunn (do I hear some Sisi fans among you?), the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral, the quirky Hundertwasserhaus and fantastic museums such as the Albertina, the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) or the famous Vienna Secession building ('To every age its art. To art its freedom.').

Vienna is located on the Danube river and offers many green spaces to its inhabitants and visitors. Spacious parks and a lively riverside fail not to impress and encourage alfresco activities. For the gourmets among you, Vienna will be paradise (or a calorie trap for the more cautious eaters among you): First and foremost I recommend a Saturday stroll over the famous Naschmarkt, Vienna's central market. This open-air market with countless stands offers delicacies from around the world. Vienna has always been a connecting gate between the West and the East and this can be perfectly observed on the Naschmarkt - Austrian pastries, Italian olives, French cheeses stand side-by-side with Turkish sweets, Egyptian candied lemons, pickles from the Balkans. The market offers many restaurants and bars so you won't stay hungry for long. Moreover, on Saturdays the food market is extended by a flea market with all kind of tchotchkes that make a perfect and unique souvenir for your shelves at home.

Vienna is also the capital of cafés. Legend has it that it was the sieging Ottomans in the 17th century who brought coffee to Vienna. Ever since the Viennese café (Wiener Kaffeehaus) is an integral part of the daily life of the locals and tourists alike. Touristy (and historical) coffee hotspots are the Café Demel, Café Sacher (the two first claim to have invented the famous Sachertorte cake), Café Central, Café Hawelka (a rugged, dark café used to host Vienna's creatives), Café Hofburg in the palace. Don't be intimidated by the extensive coffee selection in those cafés and make sure to accompany your coffee with a piece of local pastry such as the Sachertorte, the Esterházy cake, apple strudel or sweet dumplings filled with apricots.

Vienna will not disappoint you. You will love the romantic, charming and historical atmosphere and discover lots of Europe in one spot. Plus, staying in Vienna will not blow your budget - I have the best and most reasonable hotel tip for you in the very center of Vienna - but I keep this for my next blog post which will be published on Tuesday. Stay tuned!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: A Winter Tale In Salzburg

Some of you have followed me along on my weekend trip to Salzburg through Instagram and Twitter - now here is the full coverage as promised. It was a real winter tale trip to the Austrian city of Mozart and 'The Sound of Music'. From the moment of my arrival until I departed it was snowing. And the old town was literally one big Christmas market. A real winter tale atmosphere!

If you have never been to Salzburg let me tell you one thing: It is well worth a visit. However, you have to acknowledge the fact that many, many other tourists had the same in mind so it can get a bit packed in the old town. Nevertheless, the baroque city center, the overlooking fortress 'Hohensalzburg', the winding river and the ringing bells from countless churches will make you travel in time and space and set you in a magic surrounding amidst the Alps. 

Salzburg is not too big so you can basically visit most of the main sights by foot. Don't miss the fortress (there is a funicular, but you can walk up there and take in the beautiful panorama of Salzburg), the Salzburg Dome, the St. Peter monastery hosting Europe's oldest restaurant - the 'Stiftskeller St. Peter' (the food and service are top notch), visit Mozart's birth house, enjoy a play of classical music in the famous Salzburg festival hall. Of course you should buy some traditional Salzburg Mozart chocolates (yummy dark chocolate filled with marzipan, nougat cream and a pistachio cream heart) and local handmade ceramics from the nearby town of Gmunden sold in a beautiful boutique in the old town. Oh, and don't forget to taste the local traditional dessert, a 'Salzburger Nockerl' (it's the dish you see on my pics here).

During December the entire city is turning into one Christmas tale. All little squares and places are turned into Christmas markets with festive lights, Christmas trees and booths selling local food and artisanal products, mulled wine and homemade gingerbread. Choirs are singing in front of the Salzburg dome and the atmosphere is truly enchanting - I felt like in Dicken's 'Christmas Carol'. I hope I could convey a bit of this feeling through my pictures. Have a great week, friends!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Salzburg

Two weeks ago I spent an adorable weekend in Salzburg. Some of you know that I was born in Austria, but up to now I had not the opportunity to properly visit one of Austria's most popular touristic destinations. The city of Mozart. The city of 'The Sound of Music'. Salzburg.

A perfectly overcast afternoon set the dramatic scenery for Salzburg's beautiful old town featuring some amazing sights: The famous street Getreidegasse is the main commercial thoroughfare in the old town with must-sees like Mozart's birth house and the famous Café Mozart. Don't miss the side alleys though - they feature some beautiful courtyards and somewhat more serene cafés for a little break. A visit to the ciy's castle, the 'Hohensalzburg', is compulsory and you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over this alpine city. Moreover, stroll through the beautiful park 'Mirabellgarten' and enjoy the feast of colours and the adjacent castle 'Mirabell'. For the 'hop on, hop off' fans among you, I recommend the 'Sound of Music' double decker tour bus. Discovering the city's sights and sounds can be as easy and comfy. 

Speaking of 'The Sound of Music' I always love to state one fun fact. As someone who was born in Austria, I haven't heard of this movie and musical until a few years ago. It was completely unknown to me and to a wide scope of the Austrian population. The immense popularity and success of the movie and musical happened mainly in the US and other countries. And that is how I got into it - through my international friends. Well, it is always funny to see a country's clichés from another perspective - as someone who was born and raised in Austria. 

Salzburg features many cultural institutions, theaters, museums, and a widely known summer festival and the nearby mountains and lakes offer scenic hiking trails to enjoy the nature. So, if you happen to plan a visit to central Europe, don't miss a little detour to Salzburg. It is definitely worth a visit. And if you are a sweet tooth, don't forget to bring a box of the famous Mozart chocolate balls (Mozartkugeln) back home.

Happy Monday!

Photography by Igor Josifovic; poster via Movieposter.

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From Place To Space: Bregenz, Austria

Are you ready for a new Monday adventure? Buckle up, I am taking you somewhere special - to the city where I was born: the small west Austrian city of Bregenz. Bregenz is located at the shores of Lake Constance in the bordering area of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. I was born here and spent my whole childhood and school time here before moving away for studies. My family, however, still lives here and due to the proximity to Munich I keep on coming back to see them and enjoy some family time.

That's exactly what I did this weekend and I couldn't help but share these Instagram snapshots with you. The weather was fabulous, almost like summer, and it was the opening weekend of my beloved 'Beach Bar'. Moreover, I was stunned over again by the spectacular stage design of the world's biggest floating stage on a lake! Bregenz is very famous for its grand summer festival 'Bregenzer Festspiele' with a biannual schedule. This summer, Umberto Giordano's 'André Chénier' will be played. And from next year, Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' will be reinterpreted on this spectacular stage. The little bonus: shows start around sunset hour so the audience enjoys two spectacular scenes. 

I admit, this week's 'From Place To Space' post neglects the 'Space' aspect a bit. But the weather was just too good to spend it indoors. Nevertheless, the western part of Austria is known for very modern and edgy architecture and interior design. A great focus is put on sustainable architecture, the use of local materials (lots of wood combined with concrete and glass) and a salient embedding in the vast nature. Thus, quite often you can spot very modern, cubic houses in a 'Sound of Music' kind of ambiance. In Bregenz itself I love the contrast between old and modern architecture. The 19th century main post office is adjacent to the glass cube of the modern art museum KUB, the medieval upper town bursts with historical houses and its landmark, the Martin's Tower, whereas the town's port has recently been renovated and combines modern and traditional aspects. 

So, today I've taken you on a little trip to my 'home' - a city that might not be on anyone's agenda at all, but hey, isn't it cool to discover new places with me here? Have a great week!

Photography: Top pic via Railtour; all other photography by Igor Josifovic

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From Place To Space: Alpine Austria

A few weeks ago I spent a wonderful weekend in Innsbruck, Austria. Innsbruck is supposed to be the capital of the Alps and happens to be the city where I studied. Although it's not far from Munich, I hardly ever get there. Hence, I was so inspired while walking through well known streets and discovering old and new corners of this beautiful little city. Moreover, I enjoyed the dramatic scenery of the Alps that are literally on your fingertips. As you know by now, I was also inspired to take impressions from the place and transfer them to a space. How do you see an alpine inspired interior design? I see traditional wooden furniture and home decoration reinterpreted in a slightly quirky and colourful style, like these funny stag heads. 

I strongly believe that tradition and design have an unparalleled power when mixed together and served as a new creative idea. Fancy a trip to the Austrian Alps?

Photography: Alpine notes via Etsy; colourful stag heads via Design3000; red Sigurd bench via Ikea; Innsbruck photography by Igor Josifovic; vintage lithography via Etsy; stag head clock via Etsy; Alpine lodge cushion and Alpine blanket via Butlers. 

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