Our Swiss Adventure: Christmas Family Vacay: Part I

December 17th & 18th: Vienna, Austria

Our 2013 Christmas season was jam-packed with family, travel, sightseeing, Glühwein (mulled wine), regular wine, Christkindlmärkte (Christmas markets), cheese, and snow. The holiday adventures began in Vienna where I met my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and our family friend Jill. Kevin, unable to take the entire month of December off, had to miss out on the Austrian portion of our family vacation. Poor Kevin. Even more disheartening, Mya was forced to stay behind in Zürich to keep him company. Despite these hardships we persevered and managed to visit three Christmas markets and partook in a city walking tour...

Christmas Markets

Our first stop on the Christmas Market circuit was Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz (Maria Theresa Square Christmas Village). The market, as the name suggests, is located in Maria Theresa Square and lies between the Museum of Natural History and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art). We were feelin' the Christmas spirit and the Glühwein was a flowin'.

Susie, Mom, me, Matt, and Dad enjoying our first of many Glühweins.

Susie and I posing in front of the Maria Theresa Statue.

Jill & Mom

Our next stop was Wiener Christkindlmarkt (The Viennese Christmas market) situated in front of City Hall. Here is where I introduced my family to Austria's most delicious sausage creation, the Käsekrainer (a cheese sausage that will blow your mind). The one and only picture I have of the market, unfortunately, doesn't do it justice...City Hall looked absolutely gorgeous lit up and among the trees hung massive illuminated ornaments of candy canes, teddy bears, and snowmen.

City Hall

We saved the classiest Christmas market for last, Weihnachtsdorf Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace Christmas Village). The impressive baroque palace set the scene for this upscale market. The stalls sold only unique handcrafted goods (no cheap souvenir shop items found here), instrumental Christmas music was played (no "Jingle Bell Rock" to be heard), and warm Glühwein filled our bellies (the common denominator of all Christmas markets).

Matt & Susie in front of the Palace

City Walking Tour

Matt and Susie are big fans of Rick Steve's walking tours. It's a nice way to get the lay of the land while picking up a bit of history along the way. Matt and his iPad led us on our frigid city walk to check out the sights and impart some learnin'. If you are interested in the exact route click here for the map. Here are some of the highlights...

Gluhwein to kick things off

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Pretty Christmas lights

More prettiness

December 19th & 20th: Salzburg, Austria

Next up on the itinerary was a visit to Salzburg. We did a city walk through the Old Town (the entire thing is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), saw where Maria and the von Trapp kids sang "Do-Re-Mi", strolled through the Christmas markets, and checked out the the Hohensalzburg Fortress set upon a hill with fantastic views of the city.

City Walk