vienna
Vienna was laid out very
well. The Ringstrasse and landmarks around it were very prominent and made
orientation easy. The city was also very clean, which is something that helps
its image as a “high culture” (classical music and opera) tourist destination.
My favorite academic experience in this city actually occurred in the Wachau
Valley, located an hour upstream from Vienna. Here the class rented bikes and
rode 18 miles through vineyards and stopped at wineries to learn about the
geography and history of grape production in the area. We also got to sample
some of the wines that are produced here. It was interesting to learn about the
impact that soil type and slope direction can have on the taste of wine. My
favorite non-academic moment in Vienna was going to the Prater amusement park
one evening, where I battled my fear of heights and rode the famous Prater
Turm. My favorite meal (besides the cheese and bacon spaetzle at
Siebensternbrau, where we had our group meal) was the Mango Duck at a Chinese
restaurant in the Naschmarkt near Karlsplatz and the Vienna Succession
Building.