This is one of my favorite subs. I lurked here and on r/solotravel for about a year before I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started exploring the world, and I haven't looked back since. I would definitely not have had the knowledge or skills (or desire) to travel without all the helpful tips, trip reviews, and great stories posted here, so I am super thankful for this community.
I wanted to give back by sharing a [long] trip-review of my recent Christmas trip to Austria, Hungary, Germany, and France.
TLDR: I had an amazing time in Europe over the holidays!
Trip Report
Before the pandemic, I spent a year traveling around Europe and ended up in Vienna for Christmas and Paris for New Year's Eve. It was the best of both holidays that I've ever had - Vienna is magical at Christmas, and Paris is electric. I decided I wanted to spend as many Christmases and New Year's Eves as possible in those two cities.
2020 got that plan off to a bad start, but luckily, I was able to make it happen for 2021.
Christmas Market at the Rathaus in Vienna
I booked my tickets over the summer. Little did any of us know the challenges that travel would bring in the coming months. Between the airline changing my flights multiple times, Austria going into full lockdown a week before Christmas, the emergence of Omicron . . .worrying about it became so stressful, I almost canceled.
Finally, I came to a point where I weighed the risks and was resolved to go - even if that meant I would have to adjust my plan on the fly. As long as the airline let me on the plane, I was going. From that moment on, the stress retreated. I sketched out a possible Plan B and Plan C should Plan A prove impossible, I made a plan for what I would do should I test positive while in Europe, and then I just focused on getting there. I'm so glad I suck it out - the trip was amazing.
Belvedere Palace ready for a New Year
Plan A had me starting with a week in Vienna. Vienna doesn't always get a lot of love on this sub, but it's one of my favorites - especially at
... keep reading on reddit β‘
In Hallstatt now. Saw an earlier post about Hallstatt being a βtourist trap.β Nope, if you think you are a tourist, yes, 3-hours are enough for seeing everything. But If you are a hiker, an amateur photographer, a foodie, a beer connoisseur, or just a nature lover, you can spend quality time in Hallstatt, however long it takes. Who knows the name of the local beer? Whatβs the name of that tree with spiky fruit? We travel not just for hitting those Instagram-worthy places but finding your inner βwhat your crave for,β and seek experience that perhaps only you know can enjoy. To me, it is well worth it.
I'm trying to find tickets for three passengers on October 2nd (29, 24, 24) from vienna to hallstatt but oomio isn't too keen on showing any trains at all, can somebody please help? Thank you in advance!
