Sun, Strudel and Schönbrunn in Vienna

Hey guys! I’m back 🙂

For those who don’t know, George and I originally had a trip to Indonesia planned. But given the current situation, we decided to refund our flights and swap it for a two-week European adventure instead. Think overnight buses, early flights, long trains and somehow squeezing five stops into one trip. Stay tuned 😅

Our first stop: Vienna. Castles, coffee, cake, schnitzel… we were ready.

After a very early start (made slightly harder by the night before at an Olivia Dean concert), we somehow made it onto our 6am flight. The upside? We landed in Vienna nice and early, giving us a full first day to explore.

We headed straight into the city centre (Innere Stadt) and were immediately blown away by St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It’s one of those places that really stops you in your tracks. We wandered inside and were just as impressed, the architecture is incredible. With the sun shining, it felt like the perfect start: strolling, soaking it all in, and enjoying the first taste of the city.

By the time we’d made it in from the airport, hunger had definitely kicked in. We stopped at Café Sluka for a classic Austrian intro meal. George went for a rich beef goulash, while I kept it lighter (slightly early for me!) with ham, cheese, and eggs on toast. I also tried a traditional Viennese melange coffee, paired with a warm apple strudel and custard.

Backpacks still firmly on (check-in wasn’t quite time yet), we carried on to Belvedere Palace, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace complex was commissioned by Prince Eugene of Savoy, a key military figure of the House of Habsburg, to celebrate his victories. The Upper Belvedere later became associated with Archduke Franz Ferdinand before his assassination in 1914, so there’s a lot of history behind the beauty.

After a long wander, it was finally time to check into our hotel and freshen up. Then, back out again, this time to Stadtpark. We lay in the sun for a while, properly unwinding after a busy travel day. It was one of those simple but perfect moments.

Kind lady gave us tickets for the bus as she was heading home. Changed chilled, headed back out to Stadtpark, caught some rays in the sun, lay down, felt very peaceful, nice after a busy day.

Dinner had been on our minds all day: schnitzel. We headed to Dom’s Schnitzel, and it did not disappoint. Absolutely massive portions and so, so good!!! By the end of the day, we’d clocked over 20,000 steps, safe to say we crashed as soon as we got back.

After a long day of travelling and early start, nice to be back at the hotel room, over 20,000 steps, good night sleep pending!

After an amazing night’s sleep (98 sleep score!), we grabbed a quick breakfast from a local bakery: fresh fruit, a croissant for me, and a huge cheese roll for George.

We planned to visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum, but annoyingly it was closed (despite what Google Maps claimed…). Luckily, the nearby Hofburg Palace more than made up for it. We arrived just in time to catch the Changing of the Guard, full of ceremony and definitely worth seeing.

Next up: Schönbrunn Palace. A short train ride later, we arrived to find small markets set up outside… food, drinks, crafts, the lot. I grabbed a flat white (essential), while George went for a Bosnian hot dog, which he rated highly.

The palace gardens were unreal, honestly felt like stepping into Bridgerton. Perfectly manicured lawns, floral arches, and endless symmetry. We walked up towards the Gloriette and Orangery area, where we were rewarded with incredible panoramic views over the palace and Vienna itself. We ended up sitting there for nearly an hour, just enjoying the sunshine.

The historian in me was captivated, so here’s a little background on Schönbrunn…

Originally built as a hunting lodge in the late 17th century, the palace was transformed into a grand Baroque residence under the Habsburgs, particularly during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa in the 18th century. She made Schönbrunn the political and social center of the empire, hosting lavish court life and major diplomatic events there.

The palace is closely associated with Emperor Franz Joseph I, who was born at Schönbrunn in 1830 and spent much of his life there. He ruled for nearly 68 years (1848–1916), making him one of Europe’s longest-reigning monarchs. Under his rule, Schönbrunn functioned as a summer residence and a working seat of government, reflecting both the grandeur and the growing challenges of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The House of Habsburg, which ruled vast parts of Europe for centuries, used Schönbrunn as a key residence that symbolised their power and cultural influence. By the time of Franz Joseph’s death in 1916, the empire was already in decline, and just two years later, following World War I, Habsburg rule came to an end.

Today, Schönbrunn Palace stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a reminder of the opulence, politics, and legacy of the Habsburg era. It is a must-visit landmark in Vienna and a powerful window into Austria’s imperial past.