








What do you do when he wants the cafes, culture and wild swimming of Vienna, you want to eat a specific Italian pasta dish you saw on Stanley Tucci and the kids just wanted anywhere with a pool? You hatch a plan where everyone gets what they want.
Where we went: Vienna, Venice, Adriatic Coast, Rome, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Naples
When we went: July/August
Part 1: 48 Hours in Vienna
Where: London Stansted to Vienna
How: Ryanair Priority (hand luggage only)
Price: ÂŁ60 per person
Duration: 2h10
Arriving in Vienna I was immediately embarrassed that I had prioritised visiting so many other European cities ahead of it. Our short taxi ride from the airport revealed not just impeccable architecture and classic cafes, but also achingly cool vintage kilo shops, innumerable art galleries and a home crowd that was cooler, more cosmopolitan and significantly younger than I was expecting.
Our apartment in the neighbourhood of Neubau was accessed by entering a huge door, nestled between a photography shop, pharmacy and a natural wine store. On the other side was an inner-city oasis. A courtyard overlooked by apartments, including ours. It proved to be the perfect base for adventures.
DO
Explore on foot - Neubau, MuseumsQuartier, Naschmarkt, Karlsplatz


I have a habit of starting every city break by insisting we explore every inch of it we can on foot.
We set off through Neubau, stopping to put coins into a âKunst Automatâ (a vending machine filled with affordable local art) and walked east until we hit MuseumsQuartier, a vibrant cultural quarter filled with iconic outdoor lounge furniture and surrounded by some of the cityâs most exciting museums, including mumok (Museum of Modern Art), Leopold Museum and Az W, The Austrian Architecture Museum.
Next we headed south to Naschmarkt on the hunt for food, before again heading east to Viennaâs historic centre, starting with Karlsplatz, known for its picture perfect church, Karlskirche.
Joining the crowds gathered around the squareâs central fountain, enjoying a live music stage and street food vans, we had some fun photobombing peopleâs Insta attempts on the church steps, before strolling over to see the now disused Karlsplatz Stadbahn Stations.
These two identical stunningly ornate buildings are Accidentally Wes Anderson points of interest with good reason, boasting grand entrance archways, eye-catching accent colours and glimmering gold floral designs. When we visited, the small square in front of the stations was home to a pop-up vintage market, packed with preloved treasures starting for as little as âŹ1.
We walked back towards Neubau on a different route, passing lots of the places we desperately wanted to see, but knew we might not have time for this visit (or that we darenât take two hot and tired pre-teens into). Starting at the awe-inspiring Art Nouveau Secession building close to Karlsplatz, we crossed to see the Vienna Operahouse, before winding our way north via The Hofburg, Heldenplatz and Museumsplatz.
Albertina Museum



We decided to focus our attention on two museums on this visit, my choice was the Albertina.
One of the largest and most important print rooms in the world, here we took in work from the likes of Monet, MirĂł and Magritte.
But my favourite thing about the Albertina was its palatial interiors. Top tip: Donât feel tempted to bypass the dry sounding âState Roomsâ. Itâs where all of the imperial Austrian magic happens.
Open 7 days a week. Tickets âŹ18,90 (free under 19)
www.albertina.at
Belvedere Palace


Determined to explore more of the work of Viennaâs own Gustav Klimt, my husbandâs museum pick was the Belvedere. Set in its own beautiful grounds, this 18th century palace is an imposing Baroque beauty. Surrounded by huge walls and only accessible via certain entrance points, itâs best accessed at the very south of the grounds, right by the palace itself, or at the very north âLower Belvedereâ section. This is something weâd failed to research beforehand and led to us spending what felt like hours stuck on the wrong side of the wall.
Driven crazy by extreme August heat and the wall confusion, by the time weâd got in and seen Klimtâs works, including The Kiss, the kids declared they'd had enough Klimt, so I took them outside to play in the sprinklers, while my husband enjoyed the artworks in peace (I am not especially nice, I had just also seen almost enough Klimt).
However, everyoneâs highlight was nothing to do with the art or the sprinklers. It involved my husband standing in one of the palace windows and flashing his phone torch, while we all waved at him from almost a kilometre away down in the palace grounds. Possibly not as cultured as we thought after all.
Open 7 days a week. Tickets from âŹ15,90 (free under 19)
www.belvedere.at/en
GÀnsehÀufel




The outdoor and wild swimming opportunities in Vienna were a total revelation to me.
With no coast for miles I wasnât expecting beaches and bathing on this leg of the trip, but I was wrong. Viennaâs Alte Donau (Old Danube), has it all.
Just seven subway stations away from central Stephansplatz, as soon as you arrive at Kaisermuhlen station, it feels like you are in a totally different city. From the station you can see leisure boats on the water, beach bars and enviable waterfront chalets.
Sitting on a calm lake created in the 19th century by a diversion in the Danube, GĂ€nsehĂ€ufelâs tiny âŹ7 per family entrance fee gives you access to a whole leisure island and its multiple outdoor pools, beaches, changing facilities, shops and cafes.
Here we spent a day enjoying the impeccably clean facilities, swimming in the lake looking onto the cityâs skyline, having fun on the slides and in the wave pool, playing table tennis and eating amazing street food from the cute kiosks.
It was so good, we found it hard to not be a little bit bitter about this city-run gem. If this was in the UK it would be ten times the price and not half as good (or clean).
GÀnsehÀufel is open daily from May to September. It can get busy during peak times, so advance booking is recommended, but not essential, we booked the day before we went.
www.gaensehaeufel.at
Prater



Another Vienna gem that I had no prior knowledge of, but found totally irresistible, was Prater theme park. This free-to-enter fairground opened to the public in 1766, making it one of the worldâs oldest amusement parks. Its crowning glory is the worldâs oldest operating ferris wheel, Weiner Riesenrad, which at over 200 ft tall rotates over the park in all its retro wonder.
Even if youâre not tempted to take a ride in one of Weiner Riesenradâs cool cabins, a walk around the park is an experience in itself.For unrivalled views of Vienna, be brave and buy a ticket for the worldâs tallest chairoplanes, the parkâs Praterturm ride.
Entry to Prater is free, rides cost around âŹ5 each, with the exception of the Weiner Riesenrad which is âŹ13.
Open Daily (with exception of some midweeks dates in January and February)
www.praterwien.com
St. Stephenâs Cathedral
It seems a shame to visit Vienna without exploring one of its most famous landmarks, St. Stephenâs Cathedral. Especially as itâs free to enter.
Set in Stephansplatz, the colourfully-tiled cathedral is as stunning as it is imposing⊠looming over the square and surrounding shops and eateries in all its Gothic glory.
While my husband and son couldnât resist paying to explore the Catherdalâs catacombs, my daughter wasnât keen, insisting instead that we wait for them close by in a huge H&M, housed in the breath-taking former home of the E. Braun & Co. department store.
Open Daily. Free Entrance to Cathedral. Catacombs tours available at times throughout the day, âŹ6 per adult, âŹ2,50 per child.
www.stephanskirche.at
EAT
Cafe PrĂŒckel




Vienna is known for its long-standing coffee house culture, but with two kids in tow, we felt we needed to choose wisely.
Cafe Hawelka was the number one recommendation, but on closer inspection, its dimly lit, intimate interior and quiet charm looked like it would be instantly ruined by the presence of my children.
Instead we went for another recommendation, opting for the pleasingly pink mid-century magic of Cafe PrĂŒckel. While it originally opened in the early 1900s, it underwent a refit in 1954 and little has changed since.
While the staff wore formal black tie, we were welcomed inside despite having no booking and went for their signature Viennese breakfast (coffee, tea or hot chocolate, two warm rolls, butter, jam, honey and an egg), some add-on gouda and an apple strudel with cream that we just couldn't resist.
Naschmarkt



We are huge food market fans, in part because being able to eat from a selection of stalls suits our familyâs often high maintenance requirements (two meat lovers, a pescatarian and one child that basically only eats chips).
A mix of produce stalls and cafes, Naschmarkt has lots to offer, even when itâs not a full market day (thereâs a huge flea market here every Saturday).
After an initial stroll to asses, the meat eaters headed straight for Heisse und Kalte Wurstwaren, market institution selling traditional sausages.
Meanwhile, my chip baby and I opted for the marketâs outpost from Vienna burger joint RinderWahn, for a veggie burger and fries.
Open Monday to Saturday.
www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/naschmarkt-353536
felzl


Anyone who knows me, knows I love bakeries, almost as much as I love travel.
Not only did we loved the baked goods on offer at felzlâs six outlets scattered throughout the city, thereâs also a BREAD VENDING MACHINE on Schottenfeldgasse that is stocked daily at 8pm, for those who need to get their doughy kicks out of hours.
Berliner Doner
Sometimes you really strike gold with airbnb host local food guides. Alongside some more traditional dining options, our Vienna host had recommended Berliner Doner, a small but perpetually busy kebab kiosk across the road from our apartment.
While it might not be what I expected of Vienna, our summer evening sat out on the street with locals, enjoying bargain veggie and meat kebabs from their small menu (and of course, chips) was one of my city highlights. They even kindly flung me an extra handmade flatbread for the child who only eats beige food.
Zieglergasse 33A, 1070 Wien, Austria
STAY
Grandfatherâs Workshop, 7th District


We stayed in a stylish open plan loft apartment, with one bedroom and another large sleeping area separated by a curtain, all skylights and colourful ceramics.
A former workshop, we loved the industrial touches, unique interior, modern bathroom and kitchen. But the best bit was arguably its quiet location in cool Neubau.
Other Properties on My airbnb Wishlist
Nr 7 Apartment 70mÂČ courtyard location in Biedermeierhaus
Sophisticated home in prime location
Vienna Flair near Imperial Park
PRATER EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER APARTMENT
The next part of this adventure, Vienna to Naples: Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Part 2: All Aboard the Night Train from Vienna to Venice will be with you soon.
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FAQs
What does John Candy say in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âș
Del : Don't let me stand in your way, please don't let me stand in your way. The last thing I want to be remembered as is an annoying blabbermouth... You know, nothing grinds my gears worse than some chowderhead that doesn't know when to keep his big trap shut...
What movies did Steve Martin and John Candy do together? âșPlanes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 American comedy film written, produced and directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin and John Candy with supporting roles by Laila Robins and Michael McKean.
Is there an extended version of Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșThe Steve Martin and John Candy comedy is now on 4K Ultra HD and includes a bonus âlost luggageâ Blu-ray disc with recently found deleted and extended scenes from director John Hughes' archives.
What is the moral of Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșBeyond its absurd moments and unlikely events, beyond Neal's anal-retentiveness and Del's bad mustache, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a film about understanding the troubles of the people around you. It's about developing tolerance and empathy and self confidence.
What is a great quote from the movie airplane? âș- Ted Striker: My orders came through. My squadron ships out tomorrow. We're bombing the storage depots at Daiquiri at 1800 hours. ...
- Elaine Dickinson: When will you be back?
- Ted Striker: I can't tell you that. It's classified.
Del: âOne good thing about it is that with all this fresh air we're gonna sleep like babies!â Neil: âHow fast are you going?â Del: âI can't tell, the speedometer is melted!â Police officer: âWhat the hell are you driving here?â Del: âWe had a small fire last night, but we caught it in the nick of time!â
What did Steve Martin say when John Candy died? âșHollywood icons like Steve Martin and John Hughes also struggled to comprehend the reality of Candy's death. âHe was a very sweet guy, very sweet, and complicated,â Martin said. âHe was always friendly, always outgoing, funny, nice, and polite. But I could tell he had kind of a little broken heart inside him.
Is the house in Planes, Trains and Automobiles the same as Home Alone? âșA lot of Hughes fans think that Neal's sprawling house in the Chicago suburbs is the same house used three years later in "Home Alone," which was scripted by Hughes. They do look similar, but you can see from the street layout (which ends in a "T" intersection at the Page home) that they're not.
Who is the woman in the photo in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșLaila Robins: Susan Page
Jump to: Photos (6)
Cameron Airpark in California has a fly-in community centered around Cameron Park Airport for pilots and aviation enthusiasts who park their planes at home. People living here use their airplanes to commute to work and do other chores.
What are trains that carry cars called? âș
A car shuttle train, or (sometimes) car-carrying train, is a shuttle train used to transport accompanied cars (automobiles), and usually also other types of road vehicles, for a relatively short distance.
How long until flying cars exist? âșAska debuted its first flying car prototype in 2019 and started taking preorders in 2021 with an expected 2026 ship date for the first aircraft. Flying cars sound exciting, but the engineering and regulatory challenges are formidable.
Why is Kevin Bacon in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșThe reason Kevin Bacon made this cameo in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is because he had just wrapped up shooting for "She's Having A Baby" and had such a great experience working with John Hughes that he asked to be in his next film, regardless of how small the part would be.
What happens after the end of Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșThe original ending had Neal take the train but when he arrives back, he finds Del waiting in the local station. Del reveals a truck driver brought him there, and that ever since his wife passed, he attaches himself to people during his travels so he doesn't feel alone.
What are the arguments for flying cars? âșThe arguments for flying cars are style, convenience and cost saving; the stuff of fiction for 100 years. Park a car and a plane together in your garage. If it converts automatically between modes you have the convenience of not getting to out fly through the airport. Vertical takeoff would mean no airport.
What do the Jive dudes say in airplane? âșFirst Jive Dude : Say 'e can't hang, say seven up! Jive Lady : Jive-ass dude don't got no brains anyhow!
What airplane says howdy on the wing? âșI somehow convinced Spirit to apply my signature midwest greeting to the wing of every plane. Years later, someone posts it almost every day on Instagram and it's become an iconic part of flying Spirit.
What famous movie lines was completely improvised? âș- 1 "I'm Hearing This, And I Want To Hear This" - Emily Blunt.
- 2 "Here's Looking At You, Kid" - Humphrey Bogart. ...
- 3 "Why Is Gamora?" - Dave Bautista. ...
- 4 "Take The Cannoli" - Richard Castellano. ...
- 5 "You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat!" - Roy Scheider. ...
- 6 "I'm Walking Here!" - Dustin Hoffman. ...
- â You can tell me. ...
- â No, I've been nervous lots of times.â â ...
- â I am serious⊠...
- â Alright, give me a Hamm on five; hold the Mayo.â â ...
- â I won't deceive you, Mr. ...
- â This? ...
- â Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.â â ...
- â
Unstoppable is a 2010 American disaster action thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. It is based on the real-life CSX 8888 incident, telling the story of a runaway freight train and the two men who attempt to stop it.
What was John Candy buried with? âș
How much did John Candy weigh at his death? He weighed 275 pounds.
Did Dan Aykroyd go to John Candy's funeral? âșIn attendance at his funeral were Eugene Levy, Tom Hanks, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Mariel Hemingway, Rhea Perlman, Ed Harris, Catherine O'Hara and Dan Aykroyd (who delivered the eulogy).
Did Steve Martin and John Candy get along in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșDespite Mother Nature, it appeared that Candy and Martin had fun working with each other. Martin called Candy one of his best acting partners. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" still holds up today with its holiday themes of family and thankfulness, making it one of John Hughes' best movies.
What airline did Home Alone fly? âșThe plane in the movie is a McDonnell-Douglas DC-10-10, which was flown by American Airlines, however it was only used for domestic flights due to its limited range of 3500 miles.
How many times is the F word used in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșSteve Martin has no regrets about 19 f-bombs in 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' car rental tirade. For devoted fans, no Thanksgiving is complete without a helping of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," which turned 35 on Friday.
Why does Dale have a black eye in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșDel's Black Eye
Apparently, there was a deleted scene in which the driver decks Del in the face. This is likely due to John Hughes' 145 page script. Typically, comedies feature up to 90 pages, so clearly, a lot of scenes were cut.
Gary Riley: Motel Thief.
Who was the taxi stand guy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșPlanes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) - John Randolph Jones as Cab Dispatcher - IMDb.
What town in the US has no cars? âș- Bald Head Island, North Carolina. ...
- Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. ...
- Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. ...
- Fire Island, New York. ...
- Governors Island, New York. ...
- Halibut Cove, Alaska. ...
- Mackinac Island, Michigan. ...
- Santa Catalina Island, California.
What state does no airline fly to? âș
No flights to Delaware: The First State becomes the only state without commercial air service - The Points Guy.
What is the city with no cars? âșVenice. The city of Venice serves as an example of how a modern city can function completely without cars. This design was unintentional as the city was founded over 1,500 years ago, a long time before the invention of the automobile.
What is the middle of a train called? âșDistributed Power Units (DPUs), as they are officially referred to, are locomotives that operate in the middle and/or at the end of trains.
How much does it cost to put car on train to Florida? âșWear and tear on your engine. Your next vacation shouldn't come with the baggage of a road trip. The Auto Train will take you and your car nonstop between Lorton, VA near Washington, DC and Sanford, Florida near Orlando for as low as $95*. Learn more about the Auto Train experience.
What is the last car of a train called? âșA caboose is a train car that is usually at the end. If you are pulling up the rear, you could call yourself the caboose. The engine is the first car on a freight train, and the last car is usually the caboose. Besides being last, the other feature of a caboose is its use by the crew.
How much will flying cars cost? âșAlef Aeronautics wants to start delivering its $300,000 Model A flying car to customers by 2025. The promise of a future filled with flying cars is nothing new. For decades, futurists have touted the dream of your car lifting off and soaring above a traffic jam.
How high can flying cars go? âșThe vehicle can fly at a maximum operating altitude of 18,000 feet, Zajac added.
What is the black eye in planes trains? âșFor Del's black eye, it's actually from a deleted shot of the scene where Del tells Neal that he didn't get the insurance for the car that he has just destroyed. Neal reacts by punching him in the face. You can find this scene in one of the full scripts online HERE .
What airport was Planes, Trains and Automobiles filmed in? âșPlanes, Trains and Automobiles was shot in Batavia, and South Dayton, New York, USA. Filming locations included St. Louis Lambert International Airport, LaSalle/Van Buren CTA Station, El Rancho Motel, and The Sun Motel.
What are the Easter eggs in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âșThere are two Kevin Bacon easter eggs in the film.
The opening of the film features a small cameo with Kevin Bacon, involving a neck-and-neck race between he and Steve Martin for a taxi. The scene is a direct reference to the 1986 film Quicksilver, in which the character played by Bacon is racing someone on a bicycle.
What is the sad song in Planes, Trains and Automobiles? âș
Every Time You Go Away (From "Planes, Trains and Automobiles") - song and lyrics by Movie Soundtrack All Stars | Spotify.
Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles the same house as Home Alone? âșNot in an overlapping universe way, but Planes Trains and Automobiles almost seems like a springboard or foundation for Home Alone. Both are John Hughes, both concern getting home to family during important holidays and obstacles in the way of that, and they even use very similar houses for "Home".
What happened to Del Griffith's wife? âșAs for the movie's shocking, heartbreaking twist ending â when Del reveals that the wife he's been talking about for the whole movie died eight years earlier, and he actually doesn't have anyone to go home to for Thanksgiving â it was nearly even sadder.
Why are flying cars not popular? âșIn fact, there have been several notable examples of flying cars, such as the Curtiss Autoplane in 1917, Airphibian in 1946, Aerocar in 1946 and Convair in 1947, to name a few. But all these projects never reached the publicâ some because of lack of funding and others because they simply couldn't fly properly.
Why is flying safer than driving? âșYou are much less likely to be involved in a plane crash than a car crash, and the vast majority of plane crashes don't involve any fatalities.
What did Steve Martin say about John Candy? âșMartin called Candy one of his best acting partners. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" still holds up today with its holiday themes of family and thankfulness, making it one of John Hughes' best movies.
Why does John Candy have a black eye at the end of planes? âșFor Del's black eye, it's actually from a deleted shot of the scene where Del tells Neal that he didn't get the insurance for the car that he has just destroyed. Neal reacts by punching him in the face. You can find this scene in one of the full scripts online HERE .
Did Henry Ford say when everything seems to be going against you remember that the airplane takes off against the wind not with it? âșâWhen everything seem to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.â â Henry Ford.
What is a famous quote about flying high? âșâIt is a bird's imagination, not its wings, that determines how high it can fly.â âYou become excellent when you fly at a level that creates a wide gap between where you were before and where you are now. Fly like the eagle; the eagle flies as if it never remembered it was once an egg!â
What was the tragic death of John Candy? âșThe larger-than-life comedic star John Candy dies suddenly of a heart attack on March 4, 1994, at the age of 43. At the time of his death, he was living near Durango, Mexico, while filming Wagons East, a Western comedy co-starring the comedian Richard Lewis.
Did Steve Martin enjoy working with John Candy? âș
For Steve Martin, working with John Candy became an incredibly wonderful experience as their on-screen chemistry was a spectacle to behold. Martin even claimed that Candy was one of the finest acting partners that he ever had the privilege of working with: âWe had a really good connection.
What made the crew sick in the movie airplane? âșAfter the in-flight meal is served, the entire flight crew and several passengers fall ill. Passenger Dr. Rumack discovers that the fish served during meal service has caused food poisoning.
What did Henry Ford say before he died? âșâGoodbye, I'll see you in heaven.â John D. Rockefeller, Sr. to Henry Ford, who replied, âYou will if you get in.â
What is Henry Ford's most famous quote? âș"There is no failure except failure to serve one's purpose."
Did a plane have to turn around because of poop? âșApparently, the cabin crew were unable to fix the problem as the odour became unbearable for passengers seated nearby, forcing the plane to turn around and land.