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9 Enchanting Vienna Christmas Markets

December 2, 2022 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

When I think of European Christmas Markets, the glittering city of Vienna locale has always been on the top of the list. Hearing travelers stories and seeing pictures on social media has always made me want to spend Christmas  in Vienna. We finally made the dream a reality and spent 5 amazing days in Vienna last year – which sounds strange to say, as it was only 3 weeks ago!   Starting mid-November, Vienna’s squares transform into charming Christmas markets. Throughout the city you’ll find 22 markets with over 1,000 stalls. Now, that is a lot of holiday spirit!

Adding to our enchanting experience was the white powder that blanketed the city not long after our arrival. The city was ablaze with Christmas lights that danced off the snow covered streets. With that magic backdrop, visitors can’t help but see, taste, smell and feel the holidays approaching!

Christmas Market Vienna Features:

 

Biggest ice skating rink EVER!
So many gorgeous ornaments
Wiener Rathausplatz Christmas Market at City Hall
Gingerbread anyone?
My angel

 

Wiener Rathausplatz Christmas Market at City Hall

The biggest Christmas Market in Vienna was located at City Hall. The market contained 150 colorful stalls with handmade goods, gifts, food, mulled wine and the largest skating rink we had ever seen- 4,500m² (4848 sq ft) . It was  huge, wrapping around the trees and stretching seemingly on forever. And a great feature for kids was the workshop set up in the Great Hall with free arts and crafts activities.

My favorite Vienna Christmas Market Mugs!
Popular Maria-Theresien-Platz Christmas Market
Christmas Market stalls
So many beautiful ornaments
Christmas Market Punsch
Gift Ideas

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Austria, Christmas Markets Tagged With: Vienna with kids

Winter Holiday With Kids in Vienna – 6 Must See Vienna Attractions

December 7, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 22 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

We arrived in Vienna on a crisp, winter afternoon.  While the snow had not yet arrived, you could feel it in the air.   As we walked to our hotel, the architecture became more and more stunning and as we rounded each new corner, a new spectacular façade came into view. Even the kids stopped in the streets a few times to admire an ornate doorway or balcony.   I knew then,  it would be easy to entertain my kids in Vienna.    I had a list of must see Vienna attractions, but I think letting them walk around while munching on a treat would have kept them happy for hours.  Now, if it wasn’t so cold!

As I predicted, on our first morning in Vienna, we woke up to snow on the ground. It was just a light dusting that first day but the kids were beyond thrilled.  We bundled up and started marking Vienna attractions & Christmas markets off our list.  Yes, there was an actual handwritten list 🙂

Must See Vienna Attractions

Hofburg Palace

Outside Hofburg Palace
unique view of the Hofburg Palace dome
K having fun in the courtyard of Hofburg Palace

 

We started off our first full day in Vienna at the Hofburg Palace. This was the residence of the Habsburgs for over 600 years!  The former winter residence of the imperial family now houses offices of the Federal President, the ministers and secretaries of state as well as museums. During our stay, we visited the Silver Collection, Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments.

The Imperial Silver Collection was interesting. The collection showcases dining services, centerpieces measuring up to 30 m in length and examples of tables set for imperial banquets. Some of the sets were gorgeous and you could see where they were actually used by the imperial families.  Lucy and I liked the set with artichokes and pea pods on top.

We did the shortened version of the tour as the kids were only happy to look at the collection for so long.

The Sisi museum was intriguing. We learned that Elisabeth, known as Sisi, became Empress at 16 years old. She didn’t conform well to court life and eventually started spending a great deal of time away from Vienna. Throughout the museum are personal objects on display which attempt to shed light on the life of Sisi. The commentary, with diary entries from her daughter, brought a nice, personal touch to the story. Lucy especially enjoyed seeing the reproductions of Sisi’s dresses.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Austria, Castles & Palaces Tagged With: Vienna with kids

Festive Vienna Food Tour – Kid Friendly Viennese Christmas Market Food Tour

December 31, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 17 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Christmas in Vienna is magical.  Glittering lights are strung throughout the streets and Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city.   During our visit we wanted a unique experience in the Imperial capital.   After researching Vienna tours, we determined a Vienna Christmas Market Food Tour with Context Travel would be perfect for our family.   I expected a Vienna food tour to be fun and educational for the kids, but eating our way through the Christmas Market turned out to be unforgettable.

Our tour took place on our last evening in Vienna.  After warming up at the hotel following our morning explorations, we donned another layer of socks before venturing out in the snow to try Viennese cuisine.  Some of these regional dishes are only available during the holiday season.

The Christmas Village in the Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH ended up being one of our favorites. The market is held in the green space of the former general hospital, now the campus for the social sciences & humanities of the University of Vienna. It’s a smaller market than some of the others in Vienna, giving it a cozy feeling and creating a perfect venue for families. I’m told this is also a great area to visit during the warmer months, with outdoor cafes dotting the grounds.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Christmas Markets, Austria, Foodie, Europe Travel with Kids Tagged With: Vienna with kids

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. Planning a great trip shouldn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling travel forums, watching videos, and sorting through conflicting opinions online.

I've spent years exploring the world with my husband and our two kids, and those experiences shape how I help clients plan their own vacations. Together, we've visited 48 countries across four continents and spent nearly four years living in France.

Whether you're planning a European itinerary, a cruise vacation, an all-inclusive resort stay, or a family getaway, I'll help you sort through the options and create a trip that works for your travel style, interests, and budget. Read More…

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