A walk in Vienna!

I have visited Vienna on many occasions and at different periods of the year, but as special as this occasion, I can assure you that no other.

As it could not be any other way, I stayed at the Sacher Hotel, an emblem of the city. Its walls are full of history, photos of famous people who made the Hotel Sacher their meeting point, and yes, all of them were attracted by the excellent Sacher Torte!

When you step into the hotel lobby, you feel like you are surrounded by history. The service is exceptional as well as the details both in the room and in any of the services that the property offers. The renovation of the rooms has been a success as well as being very comfortable

Vienna is one of the most liveable and greenest cities in the world with lots of parks, well-maintained green areas and always evoking that love for nature and the environment that characterizes the Austrians so much. The city is an open-air museum!

Once again I visited the Belvedere Palace, where we find the famous painting of impressionist painter Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss" and of course many of his artworks. A private visit, with the unique moment of sharing the hall with a small symphony orchestra delighting the ears with the traditional music of Strauss. Undoubtedly a unique and very special moment!

This day had to end on a high note and so it did. I enjoyed dinner at the two Michelin-starred restaurant Steirereck, headed by chef Heiz Reitbauer. Based on traditional Austrian gastronomy, and with a selection of the best ingredients from each region he presents the best of contemporary Austrian cuisine. A must in Vienna!

For those interested in contemporary art, Vienna is more fashionable than ever. The Albertina Museum holds an enormous amount of artwork and that's why it constantly has itinerant exhibitions of great artists. I was able to immerse myself in the ever-present exhibition "From Monet to Picasso". To take a break I took a short break on the terrace of the Do&Go Albertina restaurant, always bustling and with excellent cuisine.

I wanted to take the opportunity that the Vienna Tourist Office gave us to approach the more contemporary version and once again I walked into the Museum to contemplate the work of the painter Edvard Munch and the photographer Michael Schmidt. An explosion of sensations before such magnificent works of these two recognized artists.

Vienna would not be Vienna if we did not do some of the most typical activities, so I waited for Monica Fokkelman (our insider in Vienna) so that with her wisdom and knowledge she could transport us to those historical moments that have marked part of our present. Monica has a long career as a journalist and guide so we got on a "fiakker" and set out to tour the city discovering the secrets of every corner.
There is no one like her to put you in the picture, both in today's society and in times of the past!

I was delighted to go to the Naschmarkt market, the gourmet market par excellence, where I found a lot of local stalls with great culinary offers. It is located in the Freishausviertel district, the cradle of creativity and full of trendy locals, less traditional restaurants and cafes, and many galleries of modern art and young promises. A cosmopolitan and fresh atmosphere led me to live the slow life that we need so much.

Servitengase street is in the 9th district and is currently a "must" in the city. A French-influenced neighborhood, with a relaxed atmosphere, cobblestone streets, terraces, buildings that remind you of Paris, and above all the perfect place to enjoy the best chocolate in Vienna.

I could not leave Vienna without going to the Opera House where I could enjoy once again the magnificent sound that owns the hall, a mandatory. The atmosphere was spectacular, with a varied audience coming from all ages and visitors like us who did not want to miss the opportunity to visit a stage like the iconic Opera House.

We could not end such a special day without having dinner at the most typical restaurant in Vienna. Rote restaurant in the Sacher Hotel. A very traditional dinner in which we did not miss the Sacher Torte, which year after year its recipe remains unchanged

While having a cocktail at the Atmosphere terrace in The Ritz Carlton hotel, I got the news: Vienna has been awarded by Conde Nast Traveller as the best international destination. Congratulations, what great news!!!

Vienna is always different, the cold winters where it seems like a fairytale city, the green and colorful springs, the summers where music and festivals invade the city, and of course the warm colors of autumn, all these contrasts make me think about when will be my next time. What will I be surprised with?