Demel is a world-famous pastry shop and chocolatier founded in 1786. A visit for coffee and dessert is a must for anyone traveling to Vienna.

Vienna
The Naschmarkt is absolutely one of the things you have to experience during your stay in Vienna! Locals call Vienna’s largest inner city market also the “city’s stomach”. The market is an unique place for strolling, admiring, discovering and sampling. You can buy everything to do with food: fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, bread and cheese. There is a great number of Austrian delicatessen on sale, such as flavored vinegar, champagne sauerkraut, and much more. And if you are hungry there is a great choice of restaurants. If you happen to be there on a Saturday, don't forget to stroll through the fleamarket, which is right next to it.
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Österreichische Nationalbibliothek
Entering the Austrian National Library is a jaw dropping moment in ones life. After buying my ticket, then having it scanned, then looking up I was drooling with delight. This place looks like something out of Harry Potter but its here and in front of me! I wasn't allowed to use my tripod inside for this triple exposure 4 shot panorama but it obviously didn't matter. What pushed me over the edge is that there was a Wagner exhibit as well. Some of his original music written by him was on display. The pages looked almost fresh they were preserved so well. I have a few different shots from in here that will be seeping into your feed eventually but I had to share this one as soon as I could! Some of these book located in the Baroque surrounding of the Palais Mollard-Clary date back between 1349–1395. You can see feel and breath the history in here. I will be editing this post with more history soon as I have to run to the theater now but please view full frame and feel free to share! Prost!
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Bräunerstraße 2, 1010 Wien
Graben Street is one of the most popular pathways for tourists in Vienna. Lined with cafes and shopping, the visitor is occasionally greeted with relics of the past, like this sculpture known to the Germans as a "plague column". It's more or less a "tribute to God" that rulers commission in the hopes that God would remove a plague from their lands. It started off as a Corinthian column that would contain the Holy Trinity, but with the deaths of several of its architects, this turned into a more grandiose group effort spanning twenty years.
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Stephansplatz 1, 1010 Wien
In the heart of Vienna sits St. Stephen's Cathedral. Built in the late 12th century, it's a grand piece of beauty borrowing both from the Romanesque and Gothic styles of architecture. Unlike St. Vitus in Prague, St. Stephen's shimmers with light and beauty, giving a spiritual joy to whoever shall enter. It makes God and Jesus into grand figures, but yet doesn't make the worshiper feel inferior.
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Vienna
I saved the best for last. On my final day in Vienna, I at last made my way to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. My favorite artist is Caravaggio, and here is housed a fine selection of his work, as well as an extensive collection of caravaggesque paintings by his followers and contemporaries. As I wandered the seemingly endless number of rooms, I was enthralled by all the incredible masterpieces that surrounded me. Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Ruben, I was fully immersed in a collection of the greatest humans to ever wield a brush. As I paused for a moment, I looked down into a cafe housed within the museum, and snapped a photo to capture the scene. Suddenly it hit me, here I was, surrounded by great art, and literally right under my nose was some of the most unlikely art of all: all of us individually enjoying not only what was on the walls, but also the environment and the moment together. www.khm.at/en/collections/picture-gallery
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Kohlmarkt 12, 1010 Wien
Some of the talented handiwork by the Demel bakers. I don't believe it will be eaten, but displayed in the window. This view is given to visitors to Demel as they enter the stairway to go upstairs for seating. It's amazing seeing their artists work.
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Kohlmarkt 12, 1010 Wien
Demel is a world-famous patisserie that's been in business for over 200 years. Serving the finest in baked pastries and chocolate, a visit is a must for anyone who travels to Vienna.
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Tanzschule Willy Elmayer-Vestenbrugg Gesellschaft m.b.H.
You can't go to an Imperial Ball in Vienna and not know the proper steps! Spend a fun morning at Elmayer Dancing School, Vienna's oldest, for dance ( and etiquette) lessons. This is experiential travel at it's best.
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Spanische Hofreitschule, Spanish Riding School, Vienna
Elegance, intelligence, strength and outstanding talent for the art of classical horsemanship, this is how the beloved white Lipizzaner horse is characterized. This magical horse is part of a tradition of classical dressage dating back to 1572 and shooting star of the Spanish Riding School at the majestic Imperial Palace in Vienna.
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Hotel Sacher
Located across from the Vienna State Opera, Hotel Sacher hosts many operagoers among its guests. You may even spot a performer in the Anna Sacher restaurant before or after the show. —Laurie Kahle Hotel Sacher, Vienna. 43/(0) 1-51-456-0. From $410. Photo courtesy of Hotel Sacher. This appeared in the March/April 2011 issue. See more opera hotels.
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In der Burg, 1010 Wien
Within Hofburg Palace is a courtyard known as Franzensplatz, with this monument to Franz Joseph I, who ruled Austria from 1848-1916.
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Kohlmarkt 12, 1010 Wien
Some of the talented handiwork by the Demel bakers. I don't believe it will be eaten, but displayed in the window. This view is given to visitors to Demel as they enter the stairway to go upstairs for seating. It's amazing seeing their artists work.
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Vienna
Before Starbucks, there was the Coffee House. This isn't a cafe or a chain of stores, instead it is the more general coffee culture that exists in Vienna Austria. This coffee house culture has survived through the changing times of Starbucks, cup sleeves, and ‘to-go’ coffee cups. I decided to go on a coffee house tasting tour around Vienna to attempt to try all of the various coffee drinks the coffee houses serve. Each cup was brought out on a silver tray, with glass of water, a spoon (normally placed on top of the glass), and a little chocolate. The coffees were small and strong, and there were no American style refills. But even more exciting than the coffee itself were the coffee houses that oozed sophistication and high brow culture. From the elegant surroundings from days gone by to the proper way each coffee is delivered to your table, the coffee houses suspended me and held me in this caffeinated world of a time that seems to be disappearing. From the moment I opened the door, I felt like all of the hectic noise in my head slowed down to ‘waltz time’ and I could relax. This was the perfect kind of slow travel. Sit, relax, drink coffee, eat some sausage, listen to music, read, and repeat the next day – that’s how to visit Vienna. Coffee Houses to try: Café Pruckel – I stopped here twice…definitely my favorite! Café Central Café Demel Café Drechsler Café Ritter – amazing strudel! Café Frauenhuber
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Kaisergruft
apsburg funerals were ostentatious events. The Viennese have celebrated culture through the arts for centuries which you can find throughout the cities public macabre memento-mori style statues. These statues were designed to inspire religious devotion. The Hapsburgs ruled over most of Europe until their downfall in World War I. Upon the death of these royal elites, a beautifully intricate sarcophagus would be created as well as a silver urn in which they preserved their hearts and a reliquary container for their embalmed entrails. They separated these remains in three separate locations post-funeral. Why, beats the hell out of me. This particular crypt contains 12 emperors, 18 empresses, and 113 other members of the royal Hapsburg family. There is also a herzgruft, or heart room, which contains 54 urns from these crypts a few blocks away. This breathtaking sarcophagi contains Emperor Franz I Stephan and his wife Empress Maria Theresa. They lie on top of the tomb. It was created along with the other by sculptor Balthasar Ferdinand Moll. His work was created with full and hollow metal casting and in my opinion is extraordinary to say the least. Walking through the dark and humid walls of this fantastic museum (yes, I do consider this a museum) is very calming. Silent and with a slight creep factor added I loved it in here.
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Café Sacher
Vienna's most storied cafe invites! A visit to the Cafe Sacher in the venerable Hotel Sacher is a must on your Vienna-list. Feel centuries of history, taste decades of experience, and relax for hours. Ahhh, I wish I could join!
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Vienna
As soon as we touch down at the airport in Vienna my husbands asks when he'll have his "small Gulasch and small beer". This is his way of being part of a city that has been titled the most liveable city worldwide three years in a row. His choice of restaurant is way off the beaten path: The Cafe Alt Wien. The cafe seems to be a relict from former times, with yellowed, postercovered walls and makeshift tables. Once you enter you immediately feel transformed into a different era, time seems to be at an almost stillstand. And off course the Gulasch is excellent and for my husband the only thinkable way to arrive in Vienna.
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Philharmonikerstraße 2, 1010 Wien
This beautiful Neo-Renaissance building was opened in 1869 to a mixed public review, but today it's well-loved by the Viennese and tourists alike. I did not get a chance to go inside, but caught a photo as we walked by. I can only imagine what it would be like to hear Mozart's works performed there.
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Heldenplatz 21/4, 1010 Wien
Rounding out your visit to Hofburg Palace you'll find the last of the great expansions to the palace by the Habsurgs. The building is a true neo-classical style, obviously to make the royal family appear as mighty as Greek gods. A statue of Archduke Charles II stands outside.
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Tanzschule Willy Elmayer-Vestenbrugg Gesellschaft m.b.H.
The Dance School of Elmayer is Vienna’s finest dance institution. Learn the Viennese Waltz and etiquette that comes along with it at this historic address before joining the fun at one of Vienna’s festive balls.
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Vienna
I passed this man carrying a giant mirror ball on a street in Vienna. This is a type of photo that I like to call "weird but wonderful."
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Wiener Staatsoper GmbH
Traveling on a student budget makes you appreciate finding a good deal even if it takes a little bit of work; going to the opera is an amazing experience but going cheaply is even better! If you go to the Vienna opera house 80min before the start of the performance you can get a standing room ticket for only 4€ !! (I suggest the 4€ over 3€, better spot). Once you claim a spot at the cushy-bar (bring an item to claim it with, like a scarf), you are free to leave. Go grab a bite to eat in the area, you'll have plenty of time to spare! Additionally, don't worry about understanding the opera, there are numerous translators attached to the bars so you can read along in English.
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Vienna
The best part about our trip to Vienna wasn't really Vienna. It was finding the Grinzing area on the outskirts - quiet wine growing region with insanely charming tiny wine taverns everywhere. Our favorite was Mayer AM Pfarrplatz. You can get there by bus from Vienna.
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Wein & Co Bar
Austrian wine has catapulted to become the darling of the international wine world. If you are looking for chic, upbeat city nightlife, there is no better place to get an in-depth view of Austria’s dynamic, trendy wine scene than at the wine bars of Vienna!
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Cathedral of Vienna
View from the top of Saint Stephen's Cathedral (Stephandom, Cathedral of Vienna) in Vienna, Austria. If I am not mistaken, the top of the tower from where this picture was taken is the highest point in Vienna.
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Vienna
Gebackener Emmentaler (baked cheese served with berry sauce), drinking wine at a Heuriger just outside the city; sitting outside at a cafe sipping an Aperol spritz or an ice coffee (July 2010)
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Zum Schwarzen Kameel
It’s a wine bar, restaurant, and delicatessen all rolled into one. It’s historic, authentic and has been a favourite of the Viennese for nearly 400 years. “Zum schwarzen Kameel” is just as lively and fashionable as it always was.
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