Photos and the City

Tag: 1010

  • Empty Vienna – Part II

    Empty Vienna – Part II

    Usually, these are the times of the year when there is a constant smell of mulled wine and punch over Vienna. The first Christmas markets are open and you hear a lot of Italian, Russian, English and other languages on the streets.

    While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.

    But as the rest of the year has been, Christmas time 2020 is different – Austria (like most of Europe or the rest of the world) is in the middle of lockdown 2 and lots of shops had to close. Vienna might not be as empty as in spring but compared to normal times there are very few people around.

    While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.The days are short and when is getting dark shortly after four the Christmas lights sparkle and create isles of lights.

    While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.

    Christmas markets will open on December 7th – the earliest and we´ll still don´t know if it will happen at all. Many coffee houses offer not only coffee and cakes to take away but also mulled wine and punch. Grab a cup (or better bring your own cup) and enjoy a walk under the lights.

    While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy. While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy. While Vienna is emptier than usual in this time of the year, the Christmas lights till sparkle and bring joy.

  • Sleeping Beauty

    Vienna has been a sleeping beauty in the last four weeks since the restrictions due to COVID-19 were set in place. Vienna has never been the fastest place on earth, but about four weeks she went into a strange kind of hibernation.

    In the beginning, I stayed at home for around 8 or 9 days until it had been more than 14 days that I last saw friends who had felt symptoms. The first time outside felt very strange, I live right in the city centre and normally the streets are buzzing with people, lots of cafés and restaurants with sitting outside and suddenly the streets were empty and very quiet.

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    That didn´t change too much in the next weeks, it got warmer, but all the tables outside are still empty and on the squares normally filled with all the spring tourists you just see a few people walking (or running).

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    Usually, it is the Italians who announce that spring is here – their coming to Vienna is always the first sign of warmer times, this year they had to stay at home but spring still came. Blooming trees and bushes are everywhere and lighten the mood.

    As do some sings like these from Cine Center, Gartenbaukino and Burg Kino:

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    It got warmer, people were sitting in closed café gardens enjoying the sunshine or just enjoying a walk.

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    About a week ago Restaurants and cafés were allowed to offer food pick up and one started to see lines of people waiting in front of them. There were 1 to 2 m between everyone and still people were talking and smiling, something the Viennese isn´t that much known for.

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    Last Friday I noticed some more indications that Vienna is slowly waking up again. Today a selection of smaller shops will open again and while doing a little walk on Friday I saw shop windows getting cleaned and decorated and just getting ready for costumers again.

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    Vienna will continue to be less crowded than usual, people are still asked to stay at home, schools are closed and it probably will take more time to get back to the usual buzz.

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    Vienna is waiting for you!

    An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020An empty Vienna during the COVID 19 restrictions in March and April 2020

    See you later!

  • Be my valentine.. or not!

    valentines day, flowers, spring, tulips, pretty, vienna

    Tomorrow is Valentine’s day and you might be in need of some ideas for a present or just some tips how to spend the day or maybe ignore it. Do whatever you´ll like to do!

    Walking by this flower shop on behind St. Stephens cathedral makes me always happy, every time they have these lovely arrangements in front of their store. It brightens up every grey and moody day in Vienna.

    valentines day, flowers, spring, tulips, pretty, viennavalentines day, flowers, spring, tulips, pretty, vienna

    There are two options around the corner – first go to Haas & Haas and get some tea. “Highland Toffee” is an old favourite of mine and then turn around two or three corners until you´ve reached Altmann & Kühne. They not only have the cutest packages but also the best tiny pralines!

    boutons de roses, roses, tea, rosebuds, teatime, cute, prettyaltmann & kuehne, confiserie, chocolate, praline, vienna, graben, handmade, vintage

    Walk through all the narrow little streets around Graben and Kärntnerstrasse until you reach the Albertina. Kissing the Muses, dancing around the Hall of the Muses is always a good idea and don´t forget to say hi to Monet!

    albertina, musensaal, victorian ladies, steampunk, photography, vienna

    It´s about time for some coffee! And you probably know that Vienna has an abundance of great Kaffeehäuser! From old to modern to hip and cosy – there is one (or more) for everyone! Some of my favourites are Alt Wien, Phil, Josephine, Kleines Café and many more!

    phil, vienna, breakfast, sunday, bookstorekaffeehaus, alt Wien, traditional, viennese, café, vienna, austria, dark, gloomy, cosy

    Are we in the mood for another museum? The Art history Museum at Maria Theresien Platz is another one you don´t wanna miss! “The Stairway to Klimt” is opening today and will bring you eye to eye with Klimt’s work in the main staircase.

    irina hofer, khm, vienna, ursula schmitz, photography, fashion, destination, portraitkhm, museum, vienna

    And to end up an amazing day, what about a movie?

    stadtkino, künstlerhaus, vienna, cinemma, jewish film festival

    Have a great day, whatever you gonna do!