The morning was bright and sunny, not showing any sign of the rain we had planned for. Being a Sunday, the street our hotel was on, whispered instead of roared like the day previous and cafe staff cleaned outdoor tables with an unhurried demeanor. We found our way into a charming restaurant only a few feet from where we were staying with wide eyes.
The old wood floors creaked with each step, the high ceilings crowning the tall windows, and each adorable seating area beckoned us to cuddle up there. We curled into a small, leaf green colored, velvet covered booth that had an excellent view of the grand room with its crystal chandeliers. It was both opulent and worn in, comfortably antiqued and bursting with character. I wanted to move in. Bouquets of fresh spring flowers gracefully filled window ledges and small tables and the large pastry case flirted with my self-control.
An hour later, with tummies full, we leisurely strolled along the shops to the center of town. Grand architecture loomed over us, but instead of feeling stifling, these intricately built buildings stood bold and proud, clean with good repair. Each step grew in beauty and we found ourselves captivated by the soft allure Vienna was showing us. We fell in and out of shops, meandering without direction and found ourselves in a street-side cafe. Our legs were heavy from the walk and the delightfulness of the cafe was too tempting to pass by. With glasses full of crisp cold wine and the warm sun on our backs, we watched people pass by. A dream like state had fallen on all three of us, as if the city was casting a spell. Then, quietly at first, a man's voice sang opera in the distance. The voice grew as it rang off the stone buildings and rolled over us. It was a perfect moment in time.
It is clear that Vienna is unlike anywhere else, a seductive mistress to my dearly beloved Italy. It seems to lure you softly, like the first lilacs that bloom, their smell on the air before they are noticed, Vienna too slides into your senses with ease, as if you've always known each other.
It is our final day here for this portion of the trip. We arrived broken with exhaustion, but since cradled from the warm embrace of the city, we head out fresh and eager to explore. Cheers to Vienna, you have coyly won us over.
