You can do a lot in 24 hours in Vienna. Or very little.  We went for option 2.

The flights were unremarkable – the usual squalling toddlers (why do they all do it at 3 am, just when you’ve managed to finally fall into a fitful sleep?)  My vestibular system was very happy sitting on the nice dark, quiet, tubular plane, with nothing much for it to try and process.  Not so at Dubai, where the vivid colours and constant movement of Terminal 3 sent it into overload. By the time we got off in Vienna I had a very pressured head, which the chaos of the baggage hall topped off completely. Hmm, not a good start, but Jason (my neuro physio) had warned me to expect the first few days to feel uncomfortable.  His advice was to do as little as possible the first day.

Some people like to set themselves navigational challenges on their arrival.  We like to do the opposite.  The smoother the transfer to our accommodation, while dealing with a new city, jetlag, unfamiliar train ticketing systems, and 40 kgs of luggage between us, the better.  So just as we did last year in Munich, we picked a hotel with a small kitchen, but more importantly, one that is a very short walk from the train, and preferably close to a station on the same line as the airport. And as in Munich, Harrys Home Hotel fitted the bill very nicely.  Simply take the S7 train straight from the airport (this alone renders Vienna deserving of being the World’s Most Liveable City, a title it finally wrested from Melbourne in 2018), for about 7 stops to Handelskai, right next to the Danube.  Step out of the station entrance, look up, and there is our destination – right inside a big shiny silver tower, a mere 200 metres away. Unmissable – no need to consult Mr Google.  The hotel lobby is literally one short escalator ride directly up from the supermarket. Ian has already been there four times. We can’t imagine anything more convenient for two slightly frazzled travellers.

Not navigationally challenging

We’re on level 5, immediately above the see through roof

Even better, we scored a room with a river view.  From our windows we can see quite a way in both directions (although we have to crane our necks to spot the Donauturm, across the water). We can happily watch trains crossing the nearest bridge, and barges and cruise boats chugging past.  The little church directly opposite has a steeple that glows golden in the evening sun. And the thunder clouds that rolled in just after sunset provided a dramatic backdrop. All without leaving the comfort of our 5^th floor room. The Blue Danube is green as grass.

View upstream from our room

Looking across to Danube Island

Golden steeple

Barge

Cruiser

There’s a storm approaching

This morning we figured we’d better actually step outside at some point – one can’t live inside a shopping mall for ever (though I think Ian would quite like to try!)  Luckily my head had cleared quite a lot overnight (not 100% but considerably better). Mindful of Jason’s instructions to take it very easy for the first couple of days, we forayed out along the river and headed downstream.  This section of the Danube is Vienna’s weekend recreational area, and both banks are lined with smooth, wide bike paths, inviting grass, and shady trees.  We didn’t walk very far, but it’s all very relaxed with several small bars and cafes, and various spots where music concerts are held during summer. We saw swans and rabbits, and dodged lots of cyclists.

Danube Tower

Danube swans

We crossed the nearest bridge (very cycle friendly) onto Danube Island, where the river splits into several sections. There are actually two islands, but we only ventured onto the smaller one.  Our meander took us back upstream for more of the same, crossing back via the railway bridge that we see from our window.

After our exertions, Ian set off by train to a Lego store – I don’t expect him back for several hours. I wandered around a little bit more, checking out the wonderful fruit and veg stalls under the railway bridge, before retreating for a bit more resting up.

Lovely fresh produce. Can you spot Keith in the background?

Guess it means something else in German? Uncensored hot dog stand

You can do a lot in Vienna in 24 hours. Maybe tomorrow …