Written by R.A. Patrick

Early Saturday morning, 16 of our students with RAs Abby and Patrick embarked on an overnight trip to visit Vienna, explore the city and, of course, the amazing Christmas markets.

We arrived to Vienna around 12 noon on Saturday to beautiful blue skies and sun shining down on the wonderful Austrian capital. We quickly dropped our bags at the hotel and hustled off to Rathausplatz for ice-skating and shopping at the Christmas market. The students had a blast flying around on the ice, shopping for gifts and souvenirs, and indulging in some of the sweet holiday treats found at any number of the impressive stands in the plaza. 

Later that evening, we headed off to the famous Prater Amusement Park for a group dinner and more fun adventures. The students were in awe as they sat for dinner inside the aptly-named Roller Coaster Restaurant watching the food and drinks literally transport itself along the intricate rail system inside the establishment all the way from the robot-operated kitchen to the table. 

After a delicious dinner the kids set out to enjoy the rides and attractions filling the park grounds. Some of the group took in a magnificent panorama view of the city atop the tower ride while others bravely entered the house of horrors or rode rollercoasters on the cool December night. 

On Sunday morning the adventures continued as we travelled over to Stephensplatz where the students spent a bit of time on their own checking out the gorgeous architecture and numerous cafes and chocolate shops. Then we entered the Time Travel Vienna tour where we experienced a virtual, interactive, 4D historical journey of Vienna through the Dark Ages to the present day. We heard from Kaiser Franz Joseph, Mozart, Sissy, and a plethora of other revered Viennese legends as we learned about the city. 

In the afternoon we sluggishly arrived at the train station with bags in hand, tired but with big smiles on our faces, ready to return to Salzburg for some much-needed rest from all the festivities.