When I moved to San Francisco and January came around some nine months later, the difference in my winter mood was palpable and I knew then and there how much ‘grey skies’ affect me.  I am a child of the light.  Most probably why negative, energy sucking people – the narcissists, sociopaths, bullies and martyrs wear me down.

With the wisdom of my years, where and with whom I spend time with has become selective.  That is why our spending Christmas in Vienna with my stepchildren and their partners was an absolute joy.

The world comes to Vienna for Christmas.  The city was jampacked with people including a substantial number of Americans surprisingly.  Accents from near and far descended on Vienna’s infamous Christmas markets and many people embarked on river cruises.

Vienna is the city of music and chandeliers.  Everywhere you go there is music from the smallest churches to the largest of venues.  We were blessed to see two concerts, one in the Wiener Musikverein (Viennese Music Association).  It was erected as the new concert hall on a piece of land provided by Emperor Franz Joseph 1 of Austria in 1863.  Its beauty comes from its neoclassical style of an ancient Greek temple.

Our second concert was on Christmas Day in the Orangery at Schonbrunn Palace.  The first half of the concert was dedicated to Vienna’s arguably most famous son, Mozart whilst during the second we were delighted with the waltzes of Strauss.   I read that Mozart debut was at the very same Orangery at the age of four. Remarkable.

My first breakfast in Vienna was from a lovely bakery, just a 1-minute walk from our hotel.  Warm, apple strudel delighted my tongue with every bite and despite trying others, my first strudel was the best of the entire trip.  Most often lunch was at a Christmas market where I satisfied my craving for Bratwurst sausage.  Not the healthiest of food I know but the number of steps we walked in a day managed to counter the decadence.  There was no turkey in sight so our dinners consisted of Chinese, Greek and Italian fare.  We dined at only two Austrian restaurants as it’s not my favorite cuisine however I was delighted with eating sturgeon for the first time.  It was truly delectable.

The best part of this trip was seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as we drifted through the markets, museums, churches, music venues and restaurants.  There is something for everyone to enjoy in Vienna.  This was our second time to this gloriously beautiful city, the first trip being in a summer where the gardens of Schonbrunn and Belvedere palaces were in full bloom.

At Christmas, despite one day with rain and a lack of flowers in bloom, Vienna sparkled with light both day and night in the crisp and cold of the Austrian winter.  There was no snow, making exploring easy if you wrapped up.

If you haven’t been to a European city with Christmas markets yet, I suggest you add it to your list.  It’s a wonderful thing to experience.  Unless you’re a humbug of course, then you had best stay far far away.  There would be too much joy for you to handle. :>)

This January, as ever, I am grateful that you read my Blog.  Happy New Year everyone!  I have a feeling that 2025 will deliver unprecedented change.  May she deliver light and love your way.