Like Sian, who commented below Lauren’s Winter Blues post on Wednesday, in a complete change to the usual run of things I’ve quite enjoyed January so far. That said the bit about booking or at least planning a holiday really resonated.
This year one of my goals is to visit a city or a country I’ve never been to before. While I get the appeal of going back to the same country, city or even hotel time and again – and there are places I definitely hope to revisit – the world is big, our time here is relatively short and I want to see as many places as possible.
Last year I finally visited Iceland, a country that had been on my travel wishlist for, like, ever. There are some things that if you think about them too much for too long they can never quite live up to your expectations. Iceland was not one of them. In fact I think all the years of dreaming about the place made it even sweeter when I finally got there.
Right now Vienna is top of my travel wishlist. And, in the journalistic equivalent of method acting, or something, I’m actually playing Vienna by Ultravox as I type. I listened to Björk frequently as I planned my Iceland trip. I like even the dreaming stages of travel to be properly soundtracked. And Debut is surely one of the best albums of the early nineties. Anyway…
I’ll be honest, Vienna hadn’t really been on my radar until I read a feature about it in Condé Nast Traveller last year. I was hooked in by tales and photographs of a how-is-that-even-standing Zaha Hadid-designed library building, bohemian restaurants and an expanding art scene, both inside (the Winter Palace, now hosts contemporary art in a new-world-meets-old-world-mash-up) and out (graffiti artists have been let loose on walls around the city). Oh and they love their coffee. The more I read the more it sounds like my kind of place.
I’ve even started following some Vienna-based Instagrammers @irinahp is my favourite. She posts pictures of beautiful old buildings, hipster restaurants, yummy-looking food – lots of fruit and doughnuts! – oh and she has a bird called Mango. I would follow her even if she didn’t live in Vienna.
I haven’t booked a flight yet, but when I start thinking about a place as frequently as I currently am doing about Vienna it’s only a matter of time. From what I’ve read it sounds like a really walkable city so I’m thinking spring would be a good time to visit. Vienna in springtime, I’m smiling as I type!
Where’s on your travel wishlist? For this year or just one day, at some point in the future? Anyone been to Vienna? Am I right, will spring be a good time to visit? Looking forward to hearing and happy Friday!
Never been to Vienna, Miranda but desperate to go! I really fancy going in Decemeber to see all the Christmas markets and hopefully see some snow. Snow always makes things very festive doesn’t it?
This year we are hoping to do a trip to China which I’ve long wanted to visit. Current plan is to do Beijing, Shanghai and Xian if possible. Might end up not happening for budget reasons but I’ve wanted to go for ages so really hope we can manage it!
Love the Instagram idea, not sure if that’s allowed in China but will have a look.
Ah, Vienna in the snow…! China will be amazing Krysia. I always try to find local Instagrammers before I visit a place. It’s a great way to find interesting places you might not otherwise.
I visited China in 2008. We went primarily for the Olympics (remember when Usain Bolt broke onto the scene with his first ever ridiculously crazy 100 meter olympic win?! Yep, I was there. Actual there, in the arena!) and so our memories are pretty fantastic. It is such a diverse country, from rolling rice fields to snow covered mountains (honestly it is incredible), I was fascinated by everything about it. If you can go, please do. You won’t regret it! I am keeping my fingers crossed for your budget 🙂 x
We just booked our holiday yesterday! We’re off to Barcelona later this year and I can’t wait – I like going to new places and I’ve never been to Spain at all! It was a bit of a compromise as the boy wanted to go back to a previous haunt instead, but I was adamant to try something different. Our holiday last year was anything but relaxing (New York – never been so did all the touristy things and was utterly exhausted afterwards!) so I’m hoping we’ll get the best of both with this year’s trip.
On my wish list – Singapore, Vancouver and USA (again, but covering Texas, Louisiana and Colorado)
Yay for getting your own way and going somewhere new Jo. Barcelona is great. Love a city with a beach! New York doesn’t tend to be a relaxing holiday, never disappoints though. Vancouver’s high on my wishlist too…
I take it you have seen Before Sunrise? I know it’s an oldish film but it makes Vienna look so beautiful and I’ve been wanting to go ever since watching it.
Our next trip is Venice in April for our 2nd wedding anniversary – again any hints, tips and recommendations very welcome! We love Italy and haven’t been for 5 years – last time we did a 3 week trip travelling from Rome to Piza having a friends Tuscan wedding on route.
I really fancy Salzburg this year. And New York – my husband and I have both been separately but I’d love to go together before we hopefully have any little ones. And Sicily – we’d love to go there – we nearly went last summer but opted for the Croatian coast instead which is also gorgeous!
Hi Bryony. Returning your Copenhagen favour with a Venice tip! I would really recommend a restaurant called Osteria alle Testiere. It is really hard to find but very much worth it. The food is amazing – all seafood based, if you like fish etc. You’ll definitely need to book ahead (Luca Di Vita @ [osterialletestiere@yahoo.it] ) – it could be a good choice for the anniversary meal as it is honestly some of the best food I have had. Restaurants in Venice can be a bit hit and miss so my one tip would be to research and book ahead.
I’ve seen it Bryony (I have the Before/After DVD box set, love Ethan Hawke!) but had completely forgotten it’s set in Vienna. Totally watching it this weekend. For, er, research, obviously! Your travel plans for the year sounds amazing. Thoroughly recommend Sicily.
My favourite thing is planning holidays. We are doing a California road trip this year for my husbands 30th birthday (we went to Disney world for mine). There’s so much to see don’t know how we will fit it in in 2 weeks
Finally did the California road trip that I’d been dreaming about a couple of years ago Katherine, you will love it. Desperate to go back, surprised myself by falling in love with LA!
I think it’s so funny how people (myself included!) come straight back from Christmas & get right into holiday-planning mode 🙂
My husband & I were making holiday plans earlier this week as I’ve decided I want to visit 30 different countries before I turn 30 next year. So far I’ve done 26, so we’re looking at doing a few short trips this year & first on our list is Moscow! I hadn’t realised just how close it was (geography dunce!) but it’s less than 6 hours to fly from Aberdeen, plus Expedia have some really cheap Russian deals on at the moment… I feel this could definitely be a go-er! We’ve also been debating Marrakech for the autumn – not sure I can deal with the heat before that!
You will love Vienna, I’ve been a few times on inter railing holidays when I was a student. It’s also pretty close to Slovakia – you can get a boat down the Danube to Bratislava if you have some spare days.
I love your 30 before 30 challenge Lynsey. Ooh, deals to Russia you say…! Good tip to add Bratislava to my Vienna trip. Thank you!
I’ve always wanted to go to Vienna, Krysia like you I want to visit before Christmas. Christmas always feels like it needs snow!
This year we’re off to China – Beijing and Xi’an – can’t wait. Can anyone recommend anywhere good to stay in Xi’an. We can only seem to find big chain hotels
Have never been to China so I can’t help Louise, hopefully someone else will be able to!
Only found the Sofitel in Xian so far, let me know if you find any other good ones!
We did California rd trip for honeymoon – LA>Santa Barbara>Monterey>San Fran>Napa>Lake Tahoe>Grand Canyon>Vegas it was amazing!!!!
We went to Marrakech last year – it was an interesting experience but I didn’t enjoy the constant hassle and people trying to extract money from you – much worse than Turkey/Egypt Etc which spoiled the experience somewhat.
I didn’t do the Grand Canyon on my trip Bryony, as good a reason as any to go back! I liked Marrakech but the hassle was annoying. It felt so foreign, like a long haul trip back in time, without the long haul flight and/or a time machine!
Vienna has never been on my radar before, but I will be looking it up now! My exciting plans this year… well 8 weeks today I will be going to Vietnam, I have never been flown haul before and haven’t been on holiday in 3 years, so I am beyond excited!! I cant wait to immerse myself in a new culture and the FOOD! I am flying on my own out there and meeting a friend in Saigon, so if anyone has any tips for surviving a long haul flight, that would be much appreciated! I am a bit nervous 🙂
Vietnam is incredible! If you can do the day long motorbike trip from Hue to Hoi An – it’s the most beautiful town, right on the river with an idylic beach in cycling distance. If you are there over the full moon they cut all electricity in the town and the place is lit my lanterns – it’s magical! (Especially for me as my husband proposed!). They do an amazing dish in the town too called Cau Lau that you can only get in Hoi An. Also if you get chance go and stay in Mango Bay on Phu Quok Island – a paradise Island eco resort with the most perfect beach, snorkelling, sunsets and beach BBQs! Heaven (and very reasonably priced!)
Second vote for the motorbike ride! It is wonderful 🙂
Vietnam is wonderful Charlotte, it’s quite a long time since I was there and from what I’ve read it’s changed quite a lot. The food is delicious. Have the best time. I’ll have a think about long haul flying tips, perhaps we could do a post? I like doing a long haul flight on my own, is lovely to be off-the-grid and to be able to watch/read/listen to whatever you want!
We’re heading to Berlin at the end of March – I’ve never been before but my fiancé has. I can’t wait, it looks like an awesome city with so much to do! It’s my first time to Germany so I am extra excited to bust out my high school German…
Then in April we are heading to Barcelona with a Catalonian friend. I absolutely can’t wait – we’re going to stay with his mum who lives in the Cava region, so naturally we will visit the cava caves which is going to be so much fun. Can’t wait to be shown the city by someone who has grown up there.
After our wedding in August we are planning a fun trip with two of our guests who are flying over from Canada for it. We only see them every few years or so. We visited them and did a road trip through the Rockies and then Vancouver, Seattle & Portland three years ago which was immense so we need to repay the favour and take them to great places in Europe…I’ll be reading the comments with interest for some suggestions, although we already know that we will be spending some time with them showing the highlights of London and we’d also like to get to the New Forest to do some cycling and idyllic country pub cider drinking!
Wow, sounds as if you’re going to have a travel packed year Danielle! I loved Berlin, it’s one of those places I would go back to in a heartbeat. Will be such fun planning the itinerary for your European trip!
Hi Danielle,
The New Forest is gorgeous. Obviously a highlight is Beaulieu and I can thoroughly recommend the restaurant in The Montagu Arms hotel which has a Michelin star. You should also visit Buckler’s Hard which is a preserved shipbuilding village and has a lovely pub – you can also walk along the river between Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard. Lymington is really nice too (would say that as we got married there!). Lots of places to explore!
Vienna is now on my (ever expanding) list. I’m ticking one of my dream locations off next month with a trip to South Africa. Which will also mean I can tick off a bucket list item – diving with great white sharks. A place I really want to go this year, and a bit closer to home, is the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The photos I’ve seen look breathtaking, and I think a long weekend or week there with lots of walking and stopping off at pubs will be a perfect break. We’re thinking of going in September. I also really want to go to Lake Bled in Slovenia. It looks incredibly beautiful. And another one on my list is Budapest, purely for the spa’s. So many places…
Planning holidays makes January infinitely better! x
My lists gets bigger all the time too Sian! South Africa will be amazing, I’ve been to Cape Town but would love to see more of the country. Isle of Skye is another place I’d love to go, also Budapest. Slovenia’s not somewhere I’ve really considered. Will have a bit of a research this evening!
I’ve just booked a long weekend in Stockholm. Both the hubby and I have wanted to visit Scandinavia for a while. The day we travel is his 30th birthday. My 30th was spent in New York, somewhere I had always wanted to go and I was not disappointed, especially as I was proposed to at the top of the Empire State Building. I’m trying to talk Rob into Australia and New Zealand next year, we have family in Australia we can stay with, and then Canada in 2018, again staying with family so the costs will be reduced.
Stockholm is wonderful Claire and I’m a big fan of New York, I was lucky enough to go with work quite frequently and would always extend my trip by a day or two if I could! I have friends in Australia which really helps with costs, Sydney and Byron Bay are two places I’ve visited multiple times and would definitely go again. New Zealand remains high on my list too!
We are just about to book our belated honeymoon , bali /Lombok and Singapore , and can’t blooming wait to go , 3 weeks exploring with temples culture and fab beaches then finnishing off with 3 nights in Singapore ! It’s the best time to get a dream trip booked after the come down of christmas ! We did really struggle to choose somewhere as there are a zillion places in the world we would love to visit . Need some tips on surviving the long ass flights involved mind !!
Wow, what a wonderful you have planned Angela. We’ll get cracking on a long haul travel post for you!
Burma around September/October is top of my list for this year, along with going back to NYC hopefully easter-ish time and the British Virgin Islands late May. Vienna sounds awesome and has now gone on my list!
Oh my goodness Emma, Burma will be awesome. Not jealous in the slightest…!
Ooh Vienna! I can’t give you any tips because I was only there for about 24 hours with work – but my drive to/from the airport was beautiful and scenic and it’s on my list of places to revisit. 🙂
My next tick on my destination list is the Maldives! We’re going on our honeymoon after we get married in July and I’m so excited.
After that, the next place on my hit list is Ethiopia – my parents are posted there currently but retire in July 2016 so I’ve got 18 months. I’ve been there twice but only stayed in Addis – I really want to go and explore Axum and Lalibela, see the Arc of the Covenant (or stand outside the church where it’s meant to be housed – hah) and just generally see something totally different. It’s such a fascinating country, so really want to make sure we get out there – hopefully this year!
Ooh, good to hear that your tiny taste of Vienna left you wanting to go back Kate. Maldives will be wonderful, the perfect place to chill post wedding. You should absolutely try to get out to Ethiopia whilst your parents are still there. Sounds like you’re going to have a travel-packed year!
My husband and I spent two weeks in Italy last September and loved every minute! Especially Venice and the Amalfi coast. My sister and her boyfriend had a baby in December and have asked us to go away with them in June for a week to the Algarve which will be lovely! Our family had a villa there and we’ve been several times before so it will be a week of sun, BBQs and relaxing! The big trip that I’m planning at the moment is to Costa Rica this time next year…so if anyone has any must dos or tips please let me know! Once we’ve booked the flights we’re going to see if we can afford to squeeze in a week in Egypt in September. We both want to go diving there and I also want to see the pyramids. I live for holidays!!! Love the 30 countries before you’re 30 challenge Lynsey xxx
I need to explore Italy more Francesca. I went to Costa Rica a couple of years ago. I was originally going to do a yoga teacher training course there but then I got pneumonia and it ended up being a recuperation holiday instead. I spent my entire trip in one location (Santa Teresa) because I was pretty weak when I first got out there. I wrote about a post about some of my fave places http://rockmystyle.co.uk/far-flung-favourites-costa-rica/ I hope to go back one day and see a bit more of the country!
Vienna is beautiful, and Spring is the perfect time of year to go. I thoroughly recommend Demmel for chocolatey goodness, they are renowned chocolatiers and make stunning models out of chocolate.
If you’re into opera (or architecture), you should go to the state opera house, it’s a gorgeous building and is one of the ‘better’ houses to see shows; their equivalent of the Met. We got student walk up tickets for about €5 and even in the Gods it was pretty stunning!
Next on my list is the Azores. It’s just something a bit different, one of the budget airlines has started flying there recently so it has become more easily accessible and apparently the whole area is beautiful – and only 4hrs from the UK which is VERY important with a toddler!
Hi Sara, Azores looks incredible! Just reading abut the islands. Which budget airline flies there? x
Ryanair start their new route from Stanstead in April. When I last looked they had return flights for under £90!
Wow, that’s very cheap! I will take a look. Thanks Sara.
Mmm, chocolatey goodness, I’m sold Sara! thanks for the tips. I’ve never been to an opera, would be a lovely thing to do on my trip. The Azores are supposed to be amazing. A friend of mine went there for a wedding last year. There’s some excellent wildlife to spot, I believe.
Planning holidays is one of my favourite pastimes. I love a city break and Vienna looks fab! At the moment we are planning our honeymoon for the end of May; Vegas, San Francisco, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, LA and San Diego…..All in the space of 2 weeks! Can’t wait for our road trip!
Mine too Claire, my sister bought me a subscription to Condé Nast Traveller for my birthday and I’m so happy when I arrive home and the new issue’s arrived, cue several hours of travel dreaming! Your road trip will be amazing. I totally fell in love with Cali when I went out there and I’d always thought I was more of an East Coast kinda gal!
Vienna is on my trip list too!! Hoping to do a week long trip in May, taking in Prague, Vienna and Budapest. There is a great film called Amadeus, a biopic on the life of Mozart set in Vienna…great for some scene setting 🙂
That sounds like an amazing trip Laura! I wonder if Amadeus is on Nexflix…?!
If you’re in Vienna you HAVE to go to the Hundertwasserhaus. It’s a colourful, crazy building by an Austrian architect, there’s plenty of stuff on the internet to read about it so I won’t go into details here. It’s what I imagine an acid trip might be like.
Also you should visit the Prater, which is the fairground in the park. It has some old ferris wheel that has featured in a load of old movies including James Bond I think, so husband was happy.
Finally, delicious ice cream from a little place a short walk away from St Stephen’s cathedral – you’ll know it from the queues outside!
xx
I just Google imaged both the Hundertwasserhaus and the Prater Suzie, they both look amazing. I’m getting really exciting now! Mmm, ice cream. Thank you so much for the recommendations! xx
We are still aiming to do our American road trip this year – maybe not quite as far as initially planned pre-baby but I’d like to get San Fran in there.
Never been to Vienna but would love to x
Charlotte, I’d love to hear more about your American road tip if you do plan it!
We’re potentially looking at it for next year… but there’s so much choice in terms of route options!
xx
I spend all my hard earned dollar on holidays, some people buy clothes/shoes, but i go for vacays. Our next one is in two weekends to Charlston in South Carolina, I can’t wait – the architecture look sgorgeous and southern food – yum yum! Shopping is meant to be good too.
We’re also going to Washington DC for Presidents day in Feb (could we get anymore Ameican?!) then… the big one… Palm Springs for our first year Anniversary followed by a week in LA, Malibu, Santa Monica, 4 days in VEGAS (literally, love this place!) and on to San Fran (including some Napa Valley time) for another 5 days.
If anyone has any tips on any of the above, please let me know!!!!
I’m so under travelled in Europe – really want to do allll of Italy and Spain, and am looking forward to hearing all about your travels.
PS – Iceland was as amazing as I’d hoped, will be writing a blog post on it next week. I ate reindeer (still feel bad about it!)
I’m the same Nicola, vacays over clothes and shoes all the way! Wow, you have great year of travel lined up. When are you doing your big trip? My US road trip took in Palm Springs, LA, San Fran and 24 hours in Vegas. Can let you know where I stayed if you haven’t booked hotels already, plus fave restaurants, shops etc Happy to hear you enjoyed Iceland!
Oooh, Yes, yes and yes please, Miranda! We haven’t booked anything yet. I really, reeeally want to stay at the Parker in Palm Springs (it is our anniversary weekend, so i’m hoping we can push the boat out a little bit!) and would of course love to have a night in Chateau Marmont and be swept away by all the secrets and tales that fill every nook and cranny there. 24 hours in Vegas… I bet you didn’t even have a hotel there, right?!! Thanks lovely lady xx
Wow.. We will also travel to Charleston and Washington DC in March. I am sooo looking forward to it. In Charleston we’ll stay at a cute holiday flat directly at the marsh. I wanted to stay like in the Nicholas Sparks movies 🙂
Going back to Venice, we went a few years ago, during the Carnival, which I’ve wanted to do since I was 14! We made our costumes from trips to Camden Market, eBay and an upholstery shop for our capes, and had the most amazing time ever! You don’t have to go crazy spendy while you’re there, as long as you don’t eat or drink on st mark’s square (apart from a couple of times just to say you have!) as ever, look for where Italian people go, not the tourists. Oh, and you WILL get offered a lot of Prosecco! I think it’s a local wine, and during our time there, at lunchtime and dinner, waiters will ask you, would Signorina like some Prosecco? To which the right answer is always, yes, please, and a big smile! Always worked for me, anyway! You don’t have to go touristy, either – the best fun we had was when we just used a map and went down the little back streets. The whole place is just fabulous!
And Vienna – been there too. Again, just walk, soak it all up, and for a lovely treat, the Hotel Sacher serves the most beautiful coffee and chocolate cake – Sachertorte, which was invented there when Strauss was composing all those beautiful waltzes! Ooo – and buy bread and sausage from any local shops and sit in the park to watch the world go by! And finally, Schonnbrunn Palace just outside the city – like Versailles, but without the queues, and with infinitely better coffee!
Any ideas that you’ve talked about my two favourite cities In. The. World?
Haha, anywhere where you get offered Prosecco at lunchtime and dinner sounds like my kind of place Denise. Thank you for your insider Vienna tips. I love the idea of buying bread and sausages and watching the world go by. I just found pictures of the Sachertorte online, I have a sudden, overwhelming craving for chocolate cake!!!
I work in travel, and these few weeks are our busiest for bookings! Everyone seems to get that wanderlust feeling, maybe it’s the best way to fight off any January blues?
Last year was a big travel year for me with work and for fun- South Africa to see my best friend, short break to Tuscany to see my old dig, then Languedoc, Ireland, Cappadoccia and the southwest USA with work.
So, I’m actually looking forward to some quality time at home- which I’m going to get lots of with baby due in March. Intrigued by Ryanair flights to the Azores! As we are short haul restricted for the foreseeable that sounds great! Also fancy Albania, Puglia, and I want to drive across the Oresund Bridge so bad!!!!
Bit late to the party on this as we just got back from a weekend away in Cardiff – not so jetsetty but still very nice to get away in January and I had never been. We’ve got lots of little breaks booked this year already…Cardiff done, Cornwall (Fowey) over Easter, London in May for Fleetwood Mac/our anniversary and Glastonbury in June. I’d still like to get away somewhere for a week though, somewhere short haul as we had our massive adventure last year with 3 (exhausting!) weeks travelling all around Japan by train. So this year looking forward to a quiet, relaxing stay in the sun – any suggestions for cheap but chic would be greatly appreciated!
Bucket list wise, now Japan is done (for now, would love to go back!) I’ve got New Zealand really high up. I love love love Lord of the Rings and really want to go and see all of the stunning scenery and of course Bag End/Hobbiton. I’m also dreaming of a Californian road trip and would love to see more of the beautiful cities of Europe!
My last visit to Vienna was some years ago. As I love coffee and cosy cafés my trip was all about visiting nice “Kaffeehäuser”. Those two cafés I liked best: Cafe Central and Cafe Sperl. I loved to have a Sachertorte or Apple Strudel and a “Großer Brauner” (that’s how they call their caffe latte).
I already booked our holiday for this year. Normally I only make holidays in Europe and here I prefere England, Ireland, Croatia and Greece, however, as you mentioned, the world is big. So this year, we will be going to the USA for 3 weeks. This is a really big step for me as I am terribly afraid of flying. I always thought, that I will never NEVER visit America, as I cannot step onto a plane. BUT, I had a moment of courage in autumn, when I just booked a flight and now I have to go there 🙂
We will mainly travel through North and South Carolina, as I wanted to do something different than other USA tourists. The trip will end with 4 days New York. YäY!
Oooh I love a good holiday! I’ve just come back from Christmas and New Year in Thailand and desperate to get something else booked to look forward to, Might have to purchase Conde Nast Traveller in my lunch break for some inspiration!! xx