Advent, Advent ....

This weekend the traditional "Adventzeit" will start. Children will say:

"Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt, 

erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier,

dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür."

(Advent, Advent, a candle burns, 

first one, then two, then three, then four,

and then the Christkind has arrived)

Advent is the time before Christmas when Christian people are in expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. "Adventus" comes from the Latin and means "coming".

It is also the time when traffic jams are starting to build up, often mixed with weather chaos and huge queues in front of the cashiers. And the time, christmas lighting is turned on and mulled wine is drunken excessively.

And time of the "Adentkranz".
This is a green spruce wreath decorated with 4 candles and some christmasy schnick-schnack.
Either you buy a ready made wreath or you buy pine bundles and with lots of patience you manage to get a wreath, pin in the candles and use your creativity to match nice items for decoration. It will take at least an hour to finally have the wreath ready.

The story goes that the evangelic priest Johann Hinrich Wichern had a wooden wreath with 24 candles, 4 big ones for the 4 sundays and 20 "normal" ones.
Each day one more candle was lit so that finally on the 24th there were 24 candles enlighting the church. Each day the light was brighter and prepared everyone for the coming of Christ as the "Light of the World".

Nowadays it's a big business for the flower shops and each year prices increase and quality decreases.
So, if you dont want to spent 50 euro, the better, you make a DIY wreath.

Austrian families will have had lit up the first candle this sunday. And each next sunday the light will become brighter, with the increased number of candles burning. So, wherever you go in Vienna, watch out for the green wreaths.

Unfortunately you will not find it in bluedanube apartment as we decided to put safety over tradition. Tradition also has it that many of the wreaths start small fires .....

Here is my hand-made DIY wreath, done with lots of love, patience and passion.

Schoenbrunn Christmas Market

If you want to combine one of Viennas top locations with romantic Christmas feelings, the Schoenbrunn Christmas market is the perfect place to go. Located in front of the palace, the advent village is providing an unforgettable atmosphere. It feels more relaxed and less crowded than other markets in Vienna. This year, when the market celebrates its 20th birthday, around 80 exhibitors are offering anything from local hand crafted artifacts to fancy Christmas tree decorations, made of various materials like wood, glass, stone, and pottery. No need to leave hungry or thirsty as you can enjoy a lot of specialties like fine Austrian wines as well as punches, mulled wine and tea specialties, including non-alcoholic and sugar-free varieties. Gingerbread and Christmas biscuits go well with these fine drinks, but if you are not so much into sweets, also soups and stews, baked potatoes, raclette, pasta and different kinds of sausages are available.

Every evening local and international choirs and gospel groups will perform traditional Christmas music in front of the palace under the giant Christmas tree.

Children will enjoy the market as well with interactive games, Cookie-baking at the Imperial Bakery or the “Schloss Schoenbrunn Experience” in the Children’s Museum.

Once Christmas is over, the market will be transformed into a New Year’s Market which will open on December 28^th to January 1^st.

Directions for visitors staying at bluedanube apartments: U1 to Karlsplatz and the U4 to Schoenbrunn. Approx 20 minutes.

Christmas Market Schoenbrunn

November 23^rd to December 26th, open daily from 10am to 9pm,  
December 24th 10am to 4pm
December 25^th and 26^th 10am to 7pm

New Year’s Market Schoenbrunn

December 27^th to January 1^st, open daily from 10am to 7pm

Further Information can be found at www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Christmas - Just Around the Corner

While most of our guests have returned home from their well deserved autumn break, preparations are running already for the various Christmas markets in Vienna. The most popular market is the one in front of the city hall. It will open in only few days from now, on November 16^th, and then it will be again Magic of Advent in Vienna…

The Magic of Advent in Vienna will be celebrating its 27th anniversary this year. Locals and visitors to the city love the market and decorations on Vienna’s Rathausplatz (City Hall Square).

The Magic of Advent in Vienna is a favorite place to meet, with many visitors returning several times each season. Young families, teens and tourists are particularly enchanted by the yuletide atmosphere on City Hall Square. It comes as no surprise that the Magic of Advent in Vienna is known as Europe’s most child-friendly Christmas market.

The amazing lighting concept will ensure that the Magic of Advent in Vienna makes a still more dazzling impression this year. Still more glittering lamps will enhance the festive atmosphere, drawing visitors away for a gentle stroll apart from the hubbub of the main market. A tour of the beautifully decorated Rathauspark – where the famous Heart Tree, festooned with 280 glowing hearts, awaits – has written the opening chapter to many a love story over the years. And perhaps you will meet the Vienna Christ Child on its walk around the park, or listen when it reads a Christmas story in front of the crib.
By the way, there is this tradition that one of the Austrian provinces presents the Christmas tree as a gift thus demonstrating their close connection to the capital city. This year the tree comes from Styria. The spruce tree from Bruck/Mur is 30 m high and about 100 years old. And therefore the local brass orchestra from Bruck/Mur will entertain all visitors at the opening ceremony on November 16th, from 4.30 pm.

There is a packed program of arts and crafts for kids and teens at the Christmas workshop. During the six weeks of the Magic of Advent, youngsters are hard at work painting, shaping, turning, sawing, stenciling, applying glitter, threading beads, sticking, firing, decorating and packing as they create a total of around 70,000 presents for their parents and grandparents. Over the years the Christmas workshops have featured virtually every imaginable art and craft. Some of the creative spirits who tried their hand at arts and crafts in the workshops back in the 1980s are now returning as adults, and can’t wait for their own children’s first cookies and artwork.

The vibrant and colorful Christmas market, offering a vast array of Christmas handicrafts, tree decorations and other yuletide gift ideas, is the centerpiece of the Magic of Advent in Vienna.

Evocative Advent aromas, festive concerts, a tall tree blazing with countless Christmas lights against the backdrop of City Hall, and the enchantingly decorated Rathauspark are just some of the highlights that give the Magic of Advent in Vienna its unique appeal.

This year the official opening will take place on November 16 and run until 6 p.m. on December 24, when Christmas really is just around the corner. 

Christmas in Vienna - NOW!

Christmas in Vienna is waiting for you! 

 Book now to celebrate and indulge in Gluewein and Punsch! 

We have availability from 21st to 26th Dec 

for 4pax - €745 5nights!

 

Season's Greetings from Vienna

 

We wish everyone a blessful and festive season time!

May it be a joyful and peaceful celebration with your beloved ones!

This homemade gingerbread house was done by a friend 

and smells deliciously, but will not be consumed at all!

Merry Christmas!

 

Mozart, Hunters & Vienna's christmas markets

 

When you're currently in Vienna you'll have 4 more days to enjoy the many christmas markets which are packed full of food stalls selling all kinds of delicious wintery goodness. 

Mulled wine may be the most traditional, but you'll definitely should try Jagatee (spell it: jagate) and Punsch.


Let's start with Jagatee - this one really will boost your al level. Its the ultimative austrian skiing drink, hot, and a mix of black tea and pure dark rum with a significant dash of red wine and Obstler (schnaps). Smell it and you'll get drunk!
And by the way: Jagertee is a licensed austrian product, only here to be called like that. Drink it in Germany and you have to call for Huetten- or Foerstertee.
And don't forget Jagatee translated means Hunter's tea! And the hunter in Germany is the foerster! Got it?


Punch is quite famous in Britain too, we all know. So how did it make it's way to Austria?
Easy peasy with a pop star of course! But a star of the 17th century: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!


It is said, that punch was brought from India to Britain, quickly became very fashionable and Mozart encountered this drink on his travels in England.
No question he was delighted to show off the recipe, when he returned to Vienna.


The word Punsch seems to derive from the indoeuropean "fuenf" (in english five). 5 spices were said to be necessary for a punch: Ingwer, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves and fennel. The same we need to activate our chakras!


The word Pinsch is also familiar with Punsch, but Pinsch in Vienna means getting a 5 in school, according to our school system the fail grade!


Ok guys, that's enough now, come on and let's head to the next christmas market, enjoy the buzz, the smell and the delicious drinks, not to forget the yummy food!
And if you don't find your way home afterwards, there are enough carriages who'll take you home to bluedanubeapartments, where you can rest in comfort and style!

Christmas Markets open this weekend

http://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/christmas-markets

Only hours to go! This weekend the first Christmas Markets in Vienna will be opened!

The weather prepares for it too, it'y very typical for November currently: grey, a bit foggy, slightly wet! And the temps will lower accordingly within hours!

So wrap yourself in a heavy coat, get warm boots and start your stroll to try out the wonderful Gluhwein and Punsch!

Prost!

Vienna Easter Markets

Easter Markets are open again in Vienna. Two of the best known in Vienna can be found in the city centre ('Freyung Easter Market') and in front of Schoenbrunn Palace. They are not as big and not yet as popular as Christmas markets in Vienna, but certainly worth a visit. 

Freyung Market offers a variety of paschal and not so paschal products at more than 50 stands as well as the biggest egg-mountain in Europe (don't try to climb it!). It is open daily until 25th April from 10am to 8pm.

Schoenbrunn Market is at similar size with around 50 stalls selling the usual suspects, and also offering a nice program for kids (like producing easter rabbits from almond paste - marzipan) as well as for adults (from Jazz performances to Schubert's Missa in C in the lovely Schoenbrunn Chapel). Schoenbrunn Market is open daily until 25th April from 10am to 7pm. For further details check out this site.

Go there and enjoy Easter time in Vienna!

Arts and Crafts at Vienna Christmas Markets - Am Hof

This fine arts and crafts market is located in the most traditional market area of Vienna. As early as in the 13th century markets were held here, what to day is ‘Am Hof’. In the 16th century this huge yard was home to the Thomasmarket. Nowadays, since 2003, this Chrismas market is run by an initiative to support local arts and craftsmen, and that’s why the focus is on traditionally crafted, high quality products. It is a unique opportunity for the producers, to present their work to a wider audience. Although the market is located in the very centre of Vienna, the visitor can expect a familiar atmosphere with harp music and fine home made mulled wines and punch.
Directions for visitors staying at bluedanube apartments: U1 to Stephansplatz, and from there it is a 10 minutes walk. 

Kunsthandwerksmarkt Am Hof
November 12th to December 23rd, open daily from 10am to 8pm

The Adventkalender

In Germany and Austria there is an old tradition: the Adventkalender.
Again it dates back to around 1851, when first a self-made Adventkalender was mentioned.

Already since weeks you will find kind of boxes in shops where upon typical scenery is printed.
Children will find such an Adventkalender somewhere in their home from tomorrow morning, the 1st of December.

The commercial ones are filled with better or cheaper chocolate. The type of chocolate which is used for bunnies and egg at Easter time. Now they are angels and demon... ups, no!

Every day from now on one "Fenster", window, can be opened and yet another day has passed on the way to Christmas!

Meanwhile this tradition has made it to other countries too. Whilst 5 years ago in the UK these Adventkalender were almost inexistent, you can buy them now at all the Asdas, Sainsburys and Tescos! Maybe even branded with Little Britain or X Factor - who nows?

Creative moms like me, with grown up children replace the chocolate ones and diversify this tradition.

Log on tomorrow to see how it looks like!

Or stay at bluedanubeapartments and check, if we have one there!

Arts and Crafts at Vienna Christmas Markets - Belvedere

The Belvedere Palace is another famous location in Vienna which hosts a Christmas market. Without a doubt, the gardens and the buildings are worth a journey. In addition, during Christmas time many visitors are attracted by this nice and familiar Christmas village. It offers a combination of the baroque Belvedere Palace, flooded with light, the garden plants and the Christmas atmosphere. Approximately 50 market stalls offer ornate handicraft products as well as culinary delights. Local and international choirs and gospel groups are performing traditional Christmas music in the Chrismas village. Children will enjoy the nostalgic carrousel and a lot of surprises.

Directions for visitors staying at bluedanube apartments: S-Bahn to Suedbahnhof and then either walk down or take the tram D. Use the entrance to the garden at 39, Prinz Eugen Strasse . Approx 20 minutes.

November 19^th to December 23^rd, open daily from 11am to 9pm

Guardian & Observer Travel Awards 2010

Well done Austria!

And the Favourite European Country title at the prestigious Guardian and Observer Travel Awards 2010 goes to AUSTRIA!

The readers of the Guardian and Observer newspaper and the online Guardian awarded our country to be worth going at. Quality of companies, airlines and hotels seemed to be fit for British customers!

The results are not brand new, sorry- They were announced on 9th October 2010 at Cardiff Castle.

To find out just why Austria has the honour of being UK's Favourite European Country, take a look at the Guardian Insiders' Guide To Austria http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/oct/16/austria-vienna-insiders-guide

Be quick - book now
- only some days left before christmas: http://www.bluedanbeapartments.com/

Visit Vienna now - the best time of the year!

Arts and Crafts at Vienna Christmas Markets - Spittelberg

The Christmas market at the Spittelberg in Vienna was an insider location many years ago, as it was not so crowded as other markets and offered different types of arts and crafts products. It seems to be the fate of insider locations that they do not stay that secret over time and sometimes become large events. Nowadays hundreds of thousands of visitors come here every year and their number is still increasing. But still, the initial approach of attracting both children and adults during the days before Christmas it kept its social character, supporting charity organizations. Children can find a lot of additional attractions like regular visits of Santa Claus, and the Nikolo (St. Niclas) also passes by on the 6^th December. In a workshop children can assist the Christ Child preparing the gifts.

The craftwork sold here is very local, as the area itself is home to many arts and crafts shops throughout the year. More than 100 exhibitors are providing the perfect atmosphere for a nice and crisp winter evening in Vienna, before heading on to the many restaurants in the area. The market can be reached easily with the U2 and the U3.

Christmas market at the Spittelberg
16^th November to 24^th December

Further information can be found here: http://www.spittelberg.at/weihnachtsmarkt/facts.htm

Arts and Crafts at Vienna Christmas Markets - Karlskirche

The arts and crafts market in front of the baroque Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) at the Karlsplatz  has been established as an alternative to the large Christmas markets in the city of Vienna, it has its emphasis however within the artistic range. There are products, which one can but from artists, like hand made candles and ceramics as well as articles made of wood. Of course you can find also many products for the everyday life and a lot of gift ideas for Christmas. However, it is not art alone which had made the market in front of the Karlskirche so popular. The famous church and its surroundings provide a beautiful environment to enjoy some local culinary specialities and of course the ubiquitous Gluehwein (mulled wine) and similar ‘dangerous’ drinks together with some Christmassy background music. The market exists since 1993 and was a success from the beginning.

Arts and crafts market/Adventmarkt in front of the Karlskirche
Opening hours 2013:

November 22^nd to December 23^rd, daily from 12am to 8pm

The History of Christmas Markets in Vienna

You have to go back into the late 13th century to find first roots of Christmas markets in Vienna. These days a so-called December Market was set up by a few stallholders to cheer up Viennas citizens. In the 16th century it was the ‘Thomasmarket’, and in the 18th century they called it Christmas- or crib-market.

Vienna started to celebrate Christmas in a way as we would now recognize it the 19th century, during the Biedermeier period. Aristocrats put up Christmas trees in line with the northern German tradition. This was also the time when people started to give Christmas presents.

The main market finally settled at its current location on City Hall Square in 1975. With its around 150 stalls it attracts more than three million visitors every year. Many other markets can be found all across Vienna. We will present a few of them over the next weeks in our blog…