Vienna's bike life #2 - in circles

...And even more bicycle friendliness around Vienna ...this time, in circles!

Vienna's bike life #1

I definitely noticed how bicycle friendly the city of Vienna is. There are signs and bicycles all over! I love that.

Citywide bike rental system:

!!! bicycles

Vienna's Opera House

Vienna's State Opera House is gorgeous - and BIG!

There was a red carpet set up at the entrance... that same evening was the annual Vienna Ball... and Kim Kardashian was attending as the date for some famous guy that brings a different celebrity each year. The next morning I read about Kim Kardashian going... saw her dress... and the incident that happened, making her decide to leave early! You can read about it here.

Cafe Ritter - Vienna

Day 4 began at the lovely and historical Cafe Ritter. The building was a prince's summer palace way back when and now the cafe is on the ground floor!

I really like the area of the city that this cafe is in. There are a lot of shops and great architecture around (well... I guess that goes for the rest of the city too).

Elizabeth had told me about a traditional Viennese cake that I had to try. ...Yes, please!

Sachertorte is a delicious chocolate cake, often served with a side of cream.

December 5 is even National Sachertorte Day!

The main shopping street in the area! SHOPPING!!  Haha.

United Nations - Vienna

Elizabeth and Vince's balcony looks at the office buildings of the United Nations in Vienna. (The 3 tall buildings set behind the large, low building in front.)

Another view... UN is the tall building on the left...

...the shorter building set below on the left is the International Center / Austria Center.

St. Stephen's TILED Cathedral - Vienna

From school with Elizabeth in the morning, I headed into the center of the city to meet up with Vince at a coffee shop. On the way, I enjoyed some time around St. Stephen's Cathedral.

The blue sky helped to make the cathedral even more gorgeous. I hadn't noticed the amazing tiled details on the roof of the church the other day - since it had been cloudy. Suddenly, the details stood out to me and I realized how great it was. I have never seen a patterned cathedral rooftop before... and now I'm wondering why more don't do this! Gorgeous.

There are over 200,000 tiles!

The next day, I took a visit inside the cathedral...

to school with E in Vienna

Day 3 in Vienna began with... school!

I went to the Vienna International School (VIS) with Elizabeth. She is the IB Drama teacher there.

There was a special event going on that day, which was great to see. The VIS students in the choir and orchestra were performing along with the choir and orchestra from St. George's British International School of Rome. Each school had been practicing various songs and then came together in one day to perform. Very cool.

day 3 photos - Vienna

Just some photos to kick off my 3rd day spent enjoying Vienna, Austria. (More to come soon...)

The stained glass windows on St. Stephen's Cathedral are gorgeous.

Another one... from inside this time:

I like door handles. (Fancy ones, at least.)

A coffee/reading painting?! - Yes, please!

I found this gem in a cafe... I got cozy and enjoyed reading my book, while Vince met with a new student to tutor in English. It was a nice, relaxing mid-morning activity.   : )

Rathaus - Vienna

Elizabeth and I went into the center of the city my 2nd night in town and had dinner at the Rathaus - the building in Vienna that houses both the mayor and city council.

The building is gorgeous... and during the winter months, there is always skating and food stalls to enjoy out front. Music was playing... and even on a weeknight it was a party!

There were many food stalls. Elizabeth and I enjoyed mulled wine... aaaaand french fries! Haha.

Not only was there a skating rink... but an entire skating course! Very cool.

Phil Cafe - Vienna

Vince and I sat and enjoyed coffees in Phil Cafe while enjoying a walk in the city during my second day in Vienna. Phil Cafe is a really cool place... part cafe, part bookstore. A relaxed atmosphere draws a young, hip crowd AND the coffee was local and delicious!

Phil Cafe is on the ground floor of this lovely white building with the spire top:

the table we sat at:

Coffee!

favorite randoms from Vienna - day 2

Below are some of my favorite photos that I took while walking around during my second day in Vienna. I like how much of a variety of sights and feels this city offers!

I want this door handle!

Theater an der Wien

Absent A.

A random stroller offering fliers...

Smashed to pieces (in the still of the night).

street art around Vienna - day 2

After visiting the Naschmarkt, Vince and I walked around the area... and I had fun taking photos of the various street art and graffiti: