Today’s guest post is by Cristina Dima a travel writer, who fell in love with Europe at about the same time she was born. Currently she cannot decide which country she likes best: Greece, Hungary, Austria or Romania. In this post she tells us why she’s smitten by Vienna.

“Europe is filled with beautiful cities ready to charm any traveler. Two years ago, Budapest charmed me enough to return for a day-trip the next year. And last summer I fell in love with Vienna. So deeply that in about a week I’ll be, again, on the way to this incredible capital.

View of Vienna

For all of you out there contemplating a vacation in Vienna or not knowing where to head to next, here are my top reasons why I fell in love with Vienna and why I’m returning:

Easy to get to

Thanks to it location in Central-Europe, Vienna is very easy to reach from anywhere on the continent. Cheap flights to Vienna are easy to find since the airport is served by a lot of regular carriers. There’s also the possibility to catch a train to Vienna (the capital is served by two large train stations) from any corner in Europe. Plus, there are many rail passes available so you can save quite a lot of money if you decide to travel by train.

Cheap rooms

I admit that part of the reason I love Vienna is the affordable accommodation. Last year I did a bit of research among my colleagues and quickly found out about a place to stay near Westbahnhof (and just 20 minutes walk from the city center). The place is called DoStepInn and is one of the lovely hostels in Vienna, but offers both hostel and hotel rooms. So it’s excellent if you need some privacy.

This summer we are paying €55 per double room in the hotel, during the week-days. So the bathroom and shower are ensuite. Last year we stayed at the hostel, in a double room with shared facilities.

A romantic city

It might not be the most romantic city in Europe but Vienna is a lovely choice for a romantic vacation. For the best views of the city, I recommend two places: on the Gloriette (opposite Schönbrunn Palace) and the Giant Ferries Wheel (in Prater). Walking hand in hand on the Ringstraße or Mariahilfer Straße during the night can be a fantastic experience to get to know another face of the city.

Fountain outside Vienn’s Parliament Building

A very beautiful city

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Take the Ring Tram and you’ll be passing by imposing and beautiful buildings such as the Town Hall, the Parliament, the Hofburg Palace, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Art History and the State Opera House. Don’t forget about Stephansdom, the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Schönbrunn Palace and its vast gardens are just beautiful and the best place to relax.

Lily pond at Schonbrunn, Vienna

And if you happen to visit Vienna in December, don’t miss the Christmas Markets. They can be found in front of the Town Hall and at Schonbrunn Palace.

Shopping is my cardio

…and Vienna surely keeps me fit. For window shopping (or large budgets) the area around Stephansdom is just perfect. The high-end stores line up the small streets but there are some moderately priced shops in the area as well. But for those who come to Vienna for a shopping spree, Mariahilfer Straße is where they should be concentrating on. There are dozens of large and small stores and if you come at the right time, the bargains are waiting for you. And yes, in August you can still find good deals, although discounts are available pretty much all summer long.”

all photos by Cristina Dima and cannot be used without permission