Schnitzel for Breakfast: Once Upon A Time in Vienna

The only thing I regret about visiting Vienna was not spending enough time enjoying such impressive, sumptuous city. Sure it's not the most budget-friendly place in the world (a schnitzel for a tenner instead of the usual 20 euros took me a while to find!) but what did you expect? It's one of the most sophisticated capital cities in Europe with its spectacular landmarks, monumental buildings, historical cafés and fancy boutiques. From the vaulted ceilings at Café Central (I wonder how many times Freud stared at them or if he didn't even bother looking up) to the wonders of baroque architecture, Vienna is full of treasures, some of them a bit touristy but still worth a visit. I remember not wanting to go back to Bratislava after experiencing the classy charm of a city that makes one swoon and sigh - if you haven't been there yet, you can always watch Before Sunrise! I find myself missing the incredibly clean streets I trotted on that crisp sunny day, marvelling at the regal grandeur and soothed by the total absence of chaos, enjoying the lively vibe of the atmospheric Christmas markets (where I only had some overpriced punsch... delicious though), smoke coming from the hot dog stall and the sound of bells ringing for a more festive feel. Everything about this city is a splendid display of art, imperial history and culture; a plethora of high-end elegance enriched by an empire of classical music, apfelstrudel and Sachertorte. I promised myself a return to Vienna, so I can, once again, get a glimpse of the old trams gliding through Ringstrasse while I plan where to go next.