I enjoyed a week in Vienna to end my 3 week trip to Central Europe. I spent 2 weeks in Prague and Budapest with the RS 1 week tour in the middle. I’ve posted a trip report on that a couple of days ago.
I took the train to Vienna from Budapest which coincidentally included a 2-3 hour bus detour. I knew ahead of time this would happen but have to say it was somewhat confusing all the same. Even the Hungarians on board were confused but I followed the herd and we all got on the right bus and then the correct train and eventually pulled into Vienna.
I was then able to figure out how to get a 72 hour pass for the public transport system, find the correct bus and make it to my hotel.
A side comment here about the wonderfulness of Airola eSIM, (thank you Mardee) and google maps. When I say I have NO sense of direction, I’m not exaggerating. With my trusty iPhone 12, cell service and google maps I felt confident to go anywhere. Also another plug for the Hotemia Phone lanyard. Ordered from Amazon. That was the best new purchase for this trip by far. Keeps your phone secure on your body while navigating with a roller carryon and crossbody personal item/purse while you’re finding your way.
I stayed the week in K&T Boardinghouse. Someone on this forum recommended it and it has a great location and it was only 80 E a night. Big room, tea kettle and mugs provided, big shower stall, plenty of hot water and great water pressure, good size sink which made washing out a shirt or turtleneck easy, big armoire for hanging clothes etc. They only have 6 rooms. It’s not plush by any means but I was very comfortable, I shopped the local bakeries for breakfast goodies or great sandwiches when I felt like a night in. They have a microwave in the common hallway if you want to heat up something more substantial but I never used it. The owner is on site and very, very nice with lots of ideas of things to do in town etc.
I will confess by the time I left Budapest I was tired and a feeling some sensory overload. The RS tour and my personal week of touring was such a rich experience, I was almost wishing I was heading home instead. So I told myself to chill out and go into slow travel mode. No setting the alarm to be anywhere when it opened. No one is going to grade me for what I accomplished, right? Right!
I’ve been to Vienna years ago and I already knew I wouldn’t repeat seeing Schonbrunn this trip and in the end there was a lot of things I didn’t do or see but what I did do was perfect for me and I had a terrific week. I took breaks to write in my journal, send photos out on my photo share, have a restorative cup of tea or Wiener Melange and in general, recharge my personal batteries.
To be continued….