Vienna Waits for Friends!

Leaving my solo mission behind was a tough choice, but reuniting with my friend in England felt like the perfect reset. We’ll call this friend dz. Dz and I go way back—we’ve been friends since about third grade! Over the years, we’ve had our ups and downs as all friends have, but there’s something about knowing someone for so long that keeps you tethered. She’s been living in England for school, and I visit her occasionally, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to catch up.

I arrived in Chester, where her sweet grandma welcomed me with open arms—and my very own room! After weeks of hostels and shared spaces, having a private bed felt like pure luxury. Chester was exactly what you'd picture a charming British town to look like: quaint streets, historic walls (don’t ask me their story, but they’re important!), and a calm pace that gave me a chance to recharge. It was the perfect beginning to my next adventure.

After a few weeks in England to regroup, I was ready to get back to backpacking! First stop for dz and me: Vienna! We flew in early in the morning and checked into our hostel, which was adorable and surprisingly massive. It had a courtyard, a huge kitchen area, and the cleanest rooms I’d ever seen—every traveler’s dream. This is also where I fell in love with curtains. A simple luxury, but so important when staying in hostels. Vienna was the first time I had them, and let me tell you, they changed my life. (Okay, sorry, you’re not here to read about my love for curtains… but still, they’re exciting.)

We started our Vienna adventure at St. Stephen's Cathedral, and I was instantly in awe.

This Gothic masterpiece dominates the skyline with its towering steeples and intricate details carved into every inch. The roof, though, steals the show—its vibrant tiles form geometric patterns that shimmer in the sunlight, like a mosaic quilt draped on top of the building. The sheer size of the cathedral is overwhelming, but the closer you get, the more you notice the finer details—like the statues that seem to climb the walls or the way the stonework almost tells a story. I could’ve stared at it for days, discovering something new every time.

Vienna, though, doesn’t give you much time to rest your eyes. Every few steps, another architectural wonder would appear, demanding attention. After soaking in the cathedral’s spectacularness, we made our way to another must-see spot. Believe it or not, I actually researched this one before arriving (shocking, I know). I’d been dying to see Hundertwasserhaus, a building that looks like it leapt straight out of a storybook. Designed by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it’s a colorful, chaotic dream of curves, uneven floors, and vibrant hues. Trees sprout from the walls and balconies, blending nature with architecture in the quirkiest way. Every window and line seems purposely imperfect, like the building itself is alive. Just a heads-up, though—it gets busy, so plan your visit if you want a good photo. Also, fun fact: people actually live there. I couldn’t imagine dealing with tourists snapping pictures outside my windows all day, but honestly, I’d put up with it to call an artistically historic wonder like that home.

After exploring Hundertwasserhaus and grabbing some cute souvenirs, we kept wandering around the city. Vienna is packed with these amazing carved faces on buildings—they’re everywhere! We ended the day with some classic strudel, which I didn’t love because we accidentally went to a vegan bakery. Then, a friend slid up on my Instagram story with the most unexpected news...

My fabulous friend (we’ll call her Pookie) was miraculously in Vienna too! Pookie is my friend from Hawaii, who I’d also met up with in Amsterdam earlier in my trip. She DMed me asking if I was really in Vienna and invited dz and I to her boyfriend’s friend’s house for dinner. A home-cooked meal in a real Austrian home? Say less—I was in.

I’d met Pookie’s boyfriend in Hawaii before, and again after Amsterdam, he’s the nicest guy and an amazing cook. I was so excited when I found out he was making curry for dinner because, let me tell you, it’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten. While we waited for dinner, we sipped on Hugo spritzes and munched on Bugles (a dangerously good combo). Of course, during our girl talk, dz and Pookie couldn’t help but gang up on me about my situationship back home. They pointed out how I’d created this mess for myself while being halfway across the world on such a big trip—but they also said it was obvious how much I liked him. I couldn’t argue with that. Dinner was incredible—I had so many helpings it was a show for the whole party to witness. Afterward, we took a beautiful walk and saw the Vienna skyline from the top of a hill. It was such a perfect night!!

Our last day in Vienna was a whirlwind, but it couldn’t have been more perfect. Pookie, her boyfriend, dz, and I kicked things off at Schönbrunn Palace, which was every bit as grand and extravagant as you’d expect. It’s the kind of place that makes you wish you could swap lives with royalty, even just for a day. We strolled through the sprawling grounds, soaking in the beauty, before the heat sent us on a mission for gelato. It was so hot, and that sweet treat hit the spot.

From there, we headed to a flea market Pookie had raved about. It was full of quirky finds but not every spot can be a winner... that’s okay though because the route to finding it was a nice walk around the city! Afterward, dz and I started back to the hostel to get ready for dinner, but of course, the weather had other plans. Out of nowhere, the sky opened up, and we got caught in a sudden downpour. We scrambled for cover and ended up ducking into the Natural History Museum to stay dry. Honestly, it was a happy accident. The building alone was stunning—so grand and detailed it felt like an exhibit itself—and the artifacts inside were fascinating. If you’re ever in Vienna, it’s absolutely worth a stop.

By evening, dz and I were on a schnitzel mission. We scoped out a few upscale restaurants, but the prices were insane. Eventually, we stumbled into a little hole-in-the-wall spot that looked promising. The schnitzel? Well… it tasted like a giant flat chicken nugget. Not bad, but maybe schnitzel’s one of those things you should splurge on. (Pookie has since informed me that yes, you absolutely should splurge on schnitzel, and, fun fact, the place we ended up at was not a hidden gem at all—it was basically a 7-Eleven.) Lesson learned.

To wrap up the day—and our time in Vienna—we met up with Pookie and her boyfriend at a wine and arts festival in the city center. The streets were lined with food stalls, drink booths, and art exhibits, all buzzing with energy. We wandered around, sipping drinks and watching projections on a big screen, soaking in the lively atmosphere. It was the perfect send-off.

Saying goodbye to Pookie that night hit harder than I expected. Long-distance friendships are tough, but there’s something so special about having people in your life who are this hard to leave.

The next morning, dz and I caught a train to Prague, ready for the next adventure!