Schonbrunn, Belvedere, Big Bus, Giant Wheel & Cruise: A Review
Vienna, a city just steeped in history and just oozing charm, happens to be that place you dream of visiting. When thinking about a trip there, you’re probably imagining stunning palaces, impressive art, and just relaxing along the pretty Danube River. Quite a few tour packages promise to deliver exactly this kind of experience, combining visits to famous spots like Schonbrunn Palace and the Belvedere with a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, a ride on the Giant Wheel, and even a cruise on the Danube. But are these tours really worth the cash? Do they show you what Vienna actually has? Let’s break down each piece to just get a sense of what to expect, the good stuff, and maybe, just maybe, what you could skip. I want to talk you through my experiences and impressions, maybe help you figure out what might be the best way for you to experience Vienna.
Schonbrunn Palace: Stepping Back in Time
Schonbrunn Palace, used to be the big summer home of the Habsburg emperors, and is really a must-see spot. That building is massively huge, boasting something like 1,441 rooms, very much a sign of how grand the Habsburgs wanted to appear. When you’re inside, you will wander through a bunch of rooms totally decorated with fancy designs, shiny chandeliers, and impressive artworks. I thought the audio tour was especially good, gave you a better of sense the story behind each room and the people that lived there. The gardens, though, just sprawl out forever and give you this amazing place to wander and relax. You will discover fountains, statues, and the Gloriette, just sits up on top of a hill and presents a killer view of Vienna. You definitely want to plan on spending at least three to four hours there, and just wander around and see as much as possible. Arriving early or perhaps booking your tickets beforehand can also save you a good deal of time, so you can skip those long lines. Very highly recommended as the kind of historical sites you cannot miss.
Belvedere Palace: Art and Splendor
Belvedere Palace, quite another super place, comprises actually of two separate palaces: Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere. Upper Belvedere is just quite known for housing Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” probably one of the world’s most loved paintings. Being there in front of this well-known work is very cool, something you will absolutely never forget. Yet, the palace is just stuffed with other awesome art pieces from different periods. The Lower Belvedere just presents more of an insight into the lavish lifestyle that Prince Eugene of Savoy lived, and includes fancy marble halls and cool staterooms. Similar to Schonbrunn, that place presents beautiful gardens providing just quite stunning views of the city. That walk between the Upper and Lower Palaces is pretty nice. It can take about three hours, depending how into the art you are. Similar to Schonbrunn, try to purchase tickets ahead to save time, especially when visiting during peak times.
The Big Bus Tour: Vienna on Wheels
The Big Bus tour, quite a popular way to see Vienna, provides a hop-on, hop-off service that basically covers almost all the major tourist attractions. You just get to sit on top of that open-air bus, and see amazing spots, listen to the tour guide or the audio commentary just pointing stuff out. It will make several different routes, just allowing you to explore districts depending on your own liking. These routes frequently include stops very close to places such as the State Opera House, the Hofburg Palace, and, indeed, the Museums Quartier. If you’ve just arrived in the city, or you don’t really want to be walking miles each day, that could be quite a solid way to just get acquainted with the layout of the city. Anyway, depending on the ticket that you purchase, these tours sometimes include added extras, like guided walking tours and cruises on the river. Depending how busy things are, waiting times at stops may differ significantly, make that could influence your experience, especially if your time is somewhat restricted. That is a reliable, if touristy, approach to see those primary attractions without killing yourself. Still, Vienna does have quite the excellent public transportation system, that means depending what you want to see and how you’re doing with the time thing, it’s easy to use trams, U-Bahn lines, and buses if you want. It will work out more affordably for you if the goal is only going a small set amount of selected locations. Still, the bus has the convenience factor; also it gives a little history while driving around.
The Giant Ferris Wheel: A Bird’s-Eye View
The Giant Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad), way out in the Prater amusement park, isn’t just any type of Ferris wheel; that actually happens to be something of a Vienna icon. This old attraction actually provides absolutely impressive panoramic views of Vienna. Riding within these roomy cabins feels almost timeless, almost as if it gives you a bit of nostalgia combined with striking views of the urban landscape. That turns just slowly, giving people a good deal of chance to enjoy these sights and snap lots of photos. Some of those cabins were actually designed to be little dining spots, maybe adding quite a unique thing in case you’re up to spend on the thing. Even so, just watch out for very long lines, notably during that busy travel period. That’s fairly good for the views, still if you’re terrified of tall buildings, this one may make you anxious.
Danube River Cruise: Drifting Along the Blue Danube
Taking one of the Danube River cruises really shows you something kind of cool to see parts of Vienna (and just nearby scenery) from a super fresh angle. So a lot of these cruises basically guide past just key urban landmarks, such as the Millennium Tower, a good many modern building, and portions that Danube area itself. A lot of times such cruise things just include real time or recorded type commentaries, may bring information to the city as you’re passing through. Shorter tours mostly give you like an hour on river that, conversely some extended versions will get further from downtown areas; so providing something a longer river sort adventure. People may be dining with tours adding that unique flair in order experiencing all the views. Those waters sometimes look murky (particularly when raining heavily). It makes a nice way kicking back and also relax that tired feet as you’ve probably walking during your adventure across different museums sites; however assuming expectations remain level, things remain enjoyable all round.
Is it Worth Buying Package Tours?
Putting a value thing toward package tour things depends really with travelling choices plus whatever’s the goal here. So one factor to ponder could affordability factor specifically in light considering separately securing these. One aspect of being included might be time is literally very important and simply purchasing just bundled passes sometimes just minimizes wasted standing for ticketing stations whilst saving organising for things. Check when certain tourist points or tourist locations stay accessible for extended length into day that could possibly make this worthwhile actually doing on package deal against running all yourself (even so being restricted sometimes can give more time for flexibility should plans undergo edits on travel, too it’s almost why folks do these thing on solo side). Then factor whatever you enjoy (be historical place stuff against fun such rides then possibly scenic drives): certain packs might lean heavy inside different regions possibly don’t seem really suitable really; just consider.
Maximizing Your Vienna Experience: Tips and Tricks
Okay so going to be giving ideas relating best experience in Vienna to do something. This needs probably involving combining planning-side strategies along understanding best doing at real moment stuff’s taking set. Then definitely be mindful regarding weather given there; dress fitting towards conditions in any visit to spot whilst layering/ sunscreen just when conditions morph a bit unexpectedly as part. Just research that way about whatever occasions could go on right while journey days! Local carnivals/ displays do great chance understanding/ see real spirit right side.