Thursday 21 December 2017

Christmas Season in Vienna

Hello and welcome in Vienna!

This year has arrived at its shortest day. Time to focus on light, it's the season ...
     
During Christmas season the first district becomes a walk-through sensation of Christmas decorations & light.

A Vanillekipferl-forest on display at Demel's / Kohlmarkt


The Kohlmarkt with the Demel (2nd building from the left)

Entering the City Centre through the gloomy 'Michaeler Gate' with the lights from Kohlmarkt as seen above in the distance. (yes, the Kohlmarkt is tiny)

1 photo - 2 attractions: Würstel and Raffael

Rotenturmstraße channeling China Town? Christmas lights in Vienna
While I was taking the photo above I overheard two women who did not like the red globs at all. They thought the globes are not Christmassy. I can't agree. In my eyes these lights bring joy & a little magic. What else could you ask for? 


Hurry, Dior's doors are closing soon ...

... please come back tomorrow.


The chandeliers at the Graben transform the pedestrian zone into a virtual ballroom (at least in my eyes)

Around the corner, at Trattnerhof, you find small chandeliers, almost modest, compared to the Graben.


Oh yes. Stephen's Cathedral. Grande! 
There is a Christmas village at the bottom of the Cathedral. Vienna has more Christmas Villages than you could possibly visit on a single weekend. 


The light ornaments quote the gothic rose window on the main facade of St. Stephen's Cathedral. I am a big fan of this design.


This Christmas Village at St. Stephan's peaceful, close to a traditional Christmas market. The way they aligned the huts around the Cathedral suits the space. It's almost an "medieval" touch. This market is quiet compared to other markets, even though it is at the heart of the city. No loudspeakers, just like a Hapag-Lloyd cruise. LOL

Tourists taking a bow in front ot the GUCCI shopwindow. 
Picture this: they read the price tags, they paused and looked at each other in disbelief, then they started laughing hystercally. (not pictured)
Window shopping is a guilty pleasure,  never ceases to entertain me.

Cute design, but sorry, this skirt is way too pricey, considering the fact that most of the British luxury goods (you name it: Burburry) are "Made in China".
Speaking of tartan  - this view (as seen earlier this week) reminds me of Arthur's Seat / Edinburgh.

Vienna, as seen from the top of the Kahlenberg. Not long and the hills are going to be covered with snow. Wishful thinking ... Hello, Winter ...?!

Stay warm!
Paula 

6 comments:

  1. How lovely the city looks lit up for Christmas and I've enjoyed being taken window shopping with you. My mother was Scottish and I often wore a kilt when I was a child, Dress Stuart tartan, not the Royal Stuart shown in your photo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the idea of wearing a kilt is attached to (good) childhood memories over here. Could this sentiment be an explanation for my craving? :-)

      Delete
  2. living on the outskirts of Vienna I didn't make it to the Graben this year. Thank you for the lovely window shopping tour. Maybe next December I pretend to be a tourist - they pay a lot to see all this...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, lets play tourists next December, just without all the boarding, jetlag and sore feet at night. :-*

      Delete
  3. This reminds me of my December trip to Vienna a few years ago. I wish I could go back one day. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now I wish that you could go back one day, too. Meeting you in person would be lovely.

      Delete