V for VERONICARE’S or VIENNA’S ACCESS CITY AWARD

I have never been in Vienna before but after 3 days here I can confidently say that Vienna was definetely the most accessible city we have visited so far.  It was really well organized, kerbs are commonly ramped and cobblestones are really rare, but after our trip to Prague we made sure that every time we saw one, we would just cross it over and over back and forth because Charles missed them sooo much! Pretty much every train station and subway stations had lift access, trams and buses are low-level, often with raised street platforms, sometimes you might need to wait for the second tram for it to be accessible  but it will not take  a long waiting time. Just check the display at each tram stop showing a blinking wheelchair symbol indicating how many minutes until an accessible low-floor tram will depart. Another great surprise that needed to be mentioned is  the amazing intercity train that we caught from Prague to Vienna and then from Vienna to Budapest which comes equipped with a foldaway ramp right next to the door!

PANORAMIC ROLL THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS:

You should not miss a tour of Stephens Cathedral and the main square in the heart of Vienna (there is also a small lift that can take you up to the top of one of the tower but it is quite narrow and we were not able to fit in). Moreover,  if you want to have great views there are some amazing rooftop bars all around the city. We were staying at the “Sofitel Hotel” so the view was stunning just from the room but anyone can access the bar situated on the 18^th   floor  to have a drink and an amazing panorama, great for taking photos! Also the FERRIS WHEEL – Riesenrad is a great accessible way to have a good panorama of the city from 65 meters into the sky!

ACTIVITIES FOR NERDS:

Since Vienna is one of the most accessible destinations we have visited, all the most popular Museum I can think about came with a lift, however since there was too much to see and I am not a Nerd, I have visited only the BELVEDERE PALACE MUSEUM  comprising the Upper Palace with the world’s largest collection of Gustav Klimt’s paintings, worth to visit and the Lower Palace! Also the Garden that connects the two palaces it is worth for a walk around and some great photos!

SOME OF THE ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES WORTH DOING:

Go to the Opera House to watch a performance or attend a concert and later on have  an Austrian cheese sausage on the street just in front of the Albertina Museum at the “Bitzinger Wurstelstand”.

Watching a live performance of the world-renowned Lipizzaner stallions at their home base in Vienna. The Spanish riding school  is a unique experience that I think is a must do and you can purchase wheelchair seats over the phone or via email.

WHERE TO EAT:

Visit the Café Sacher just in front of the Albertina Museum where  the Original Sacher-Torte, one of Vienna’s best known symbol, can be found (Charles did not let me have one because he said I am getting toooo fat and he can not afford another airlplane ticket)

Naschmarkt popular market full of great restaurants was a culinary adventure also for me that I am Italian   ( with  flea-market on every Saturday), however you can find great restaurants everywhere and the fun part is also getting lost in the city and find the perfect spot in one of those small streets where you would never have stopped if you would have known where you were going and try an oily Wiener Schnitzel!

So how could I end this article? Well if you are thinking to plan your first trip and  looking for an accessible city to start from, half of the job is done already, now it is time to just start from searching a flight or a train to Vienna!