As an avid country-counter, it is rare that I return to a country, and yet, I keep finding myself back in Austria. I have visited Innsbruck, Salzburg, Halbturn, Patscherkofel, and the capital, Vienna. As a music lover, Vienna is a city after my own heart, and exploring the Christmas markets of the Austrian capital remains one of the most majestic experiences I’ve had to date.
Christkindlmarkt is one of the city’s most prominent for good reason. It’s a sprawling, glittery wonderland of stalls that can turn even the biggest of Grinches into Kris Kringle in no time. Every time I return to Vienna, regardless of the time of year, I make it a point to stay at Hotel Motto, one of my favorite hotels on the planet, thanks to the spacious rooms, floral wallpaper, and top-notch amenities. Hotel Motto is a centrally located Parisian-style accommodation and the onsite restaurant, Chez Bernard, has some of the best schnitzel in the city.
Read more: Where to drink like a local in Vienna.
