Another Austrian Autumn
Monita Pesumal shares the calming experience she gained from a late autumn escape
When the chill of late autumn sets in, Vienna doesn’t simply brace for winter; it waltzes into it.
ACCOMMODATION I stayed at the Radisson Blu Style Hotel – a sleek, stylish property that is both modern and central. Located close to the famous Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), it provided the perfect base to explore Vienna on foot… in addition to breakfast with warm buttered croissants, flaky apple strudel slices, smoked salmon ribbons, soft and aged cheeses, jars of mountain honey and so on.
NASCHMARKT Vienna’s most famous Naschmarkt is a sensory celebration with its rows of spices, cheeses, chocolates and cheerful vendors trying to tempt you with samples. I wandered through with gloved hands, sipping hot punch and picking up little treats for friends back home.
CULTURE Imperial elegance that’s draped in autumn leaves is a magical sight. Schönbrunn Palace with its sprawling gardens and golden hues felt like a living fairytale.
I took the Grand Tour, admired the mirrors in the Hall of Ceremonies and imagined what life must have been with views like that. And I wandered through rooms once graced by Empress Elisabeth and gazed at the elegance that still lingers in her portraits.
CUISINE Vienna’s beloved Würstelstands are little hotdog kiosks that dot the city and were recently recognised by UNESCO as part of Austria’s cultural heritage – and rightly so. There’s something compelling about standing at one of those steaming carts in the autumn chill huddled alongside students, suited bankers and elderly locals, all united by their love for hotdogs.
I went straight for the Käsekrainer, which is a juicy cheesy sausage that oozes with melted goodness. Paired with a crusty roll, blob of mustard and fizzy soda (or beer, if you’re feeling bold), it was easily one of the best meals I had in the city: simple, satisfying and so uniquely Viennese.
WALKABOUT Vienna’s famed boulevard loops gracefully around the historic city centre, and encloses grand neoclassical buildings, stately museums and manicured parks. In late autumn, walking the Ringstrasse wrapped in a scarf with golden leaves crunching beneath your boots feels almost cinematic.
And if your feet need a break, hop onto the charming yellow Vienna Ring Tram that circles the entire boulevard.
APARTMENTS Don’t miss Hundertwasser Haus, which is a complete contrast to Vienna’s imperial elegance. This whimsical apartment block, which was designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, offers a splash of colour and eccentricity.
It feels like you’re stepping into a painting – slightly surreal but completely worth it.
TRAVEL TIPS
Vienna’s most famous Naschmarkt is a sensory celebration with its rows of spices, cheeses, chocolates and cheerful vendors trying to tempt you with samples
Vienna’s beloved Würstel-stands are little hotdog kiosks that dot the city and were recently recognised by UNESCO as part of Austria’s cultural heritage