Springtime in Vienna

Vienna, in the spring, is a city waking up from a long sleep. The best proof is a visit to Schönbrunn Palace, where the gardens alone reach 1.2 kilometres into the east and west and 1 kilometre into the other directions. During springtime, the palace gardens are bursting with flowers, a mixture of the brightest colours imaginable, filling the air with a sweet, airy scent. There is a French garden, designed by Jean Trehet in 1695, which is the largest part of the area. Trehet, being in a romantic mood at that time, also added a maze for completion.

Walking towards the west gate of the park, there is a change in atmosphere with a new sense of serenity with people reading books in the shadow of trees and birds chirping above them. You have a choice between feeding squirrels in the English garden and taking a walk through the botanical garden. Schönbrunn Palace also comprises of the world's oldest existing zoo as well as several picturesque glasshouses. Lining the Great Parterre are 32 sculptures, depicting images of deities and virtue, each of them dating back to the 18th century.

However, the best part is the feeling of the whole city lying at your feet when standing next to the Gloriette. The pavilion-like building was used as a festival hall and breakfast room by Emperor Franz Joseph I. It was destroyed during the Second World War and restored twice since then. In 1996, Schönbrunn Palace was officially declared a World Heritage Site.

St. Stephens Cathedral rising high above the city. Photo credit: Cherry Hu

When I tell people I was born in Vienna, the most common reaction I get is a fervent astonishment followed by a moment of confused hesitation, during which they try to remember where they have heard the name before. Hence, a few facts to shorten this moment of bewilderment: Vienna is the capital of Austria, a country famous for The Sound of Music and Red Bull (the founder is Dietrich Mateschitz who currently enjoys the life of a billionaire).

Also worth mentioning is the chocolate pralines named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He is the composer of (among other pieces) "Le Nozze di Figaro" and "The Magic Flute". Though Mozart was not born in Vienna, he died there in December 1791 as a grand. However, the poverty-stricken composer was unable to complete his requiem, one of Mozart's most popular compositions. What he diedfrom is still a mystery because he has been sickly since his childhood.

Last but definitely not least, Vienna is host to one of the four major United Nations offices - six Y-shaped towers with sun cave walls, known as VIC (Vienna International Centre).

Vienna is small enough for running into friends, teachers and occasionally the Austrian minister of finance, especially while in the city centre (known as the first district). The long street filled with shops, restaurants, fast food chains, hotels and little souvenir stores is known as Kärntner Straße. St Stephens Cathedral is another sight at the heart of the city; a church known for its catacombs with remains of bubonic plague victims.

The city centre is easily reachable by tube. The Viennese public transport system is simple and inexpensive; the cost of a weekly ticket is 14 euros. There are five tubes, each with a different colour and a different number with a "U" in front, standing for "underground". Red (U1) and Green (U4) reach the city centre directly, whereas lilac (U2) only brings you to Karlsplatz. This station lies directly across the Viennese opera and the very end of Kärntner Straße.

Kärntner Straße is the perfect place to enjoy a bit of city life. Photo credit: Cherry Hu.

One of the most popular national holidays in spring is 1 May. During this day, the Prater amusement park cuts its entry prices by 50 per cent, allowing visitors to enjoy rollercoaster rides for 1.50 euro. The day is filled with colourful parades, pink candy floss and decorative balloons. From that day forward, every attraction is illuminated at night including the Ferris wheel in the middle of the park. As soon as you reach the top of the Ferris wheel, the noise instantly reduces itself to a soft murmur beneath and when looking around, there is a perfect view of Vienna. It is nostalgic and utterly romantic.

Vienna is not much of an exotic place, but it is still a lovely city to visit. The winter months are dreary, the summer is hot and dry and can make a person wonder if it is possible to fry eggs on the pavement. There are only a few exciting tourist attractions in the city, but just enough to make a stay worthwhile.

The essence about Vienna is there is no haste. The city has its ways to make a person feel relaxed while on vacation. Not many places have the ability to do so. Vienna is simple and has always been a remarkable simplicity.