Arrival and Settling In

I don’t know about you, but I am not a good traveler. I don’t sleep on planes, I don’t nap, and I always think I’ll power through the exhaustion—only to end up wandering through my first day in Europe feeling like a zombie.

So, predictably, when I landed in Vienna this morning, I was running on fumes. I arrived at the legendary Hotel Sacher around 9 AM, fully prepared to be told my room wouldn’t be ready until 3 PM. But to my delight, the desk attendant said they could have it ready in just thirty minutes and sent me off to Café Sacher for breakfast while I waited.

I wish I could say I was immediately excited—this was a breakfast I’d been dreaming about for months, even attempting to replicate at home—but in my travel-weary haze, I barely felt the anticipation. That changed the moment the food arrived.

It doesn’t look like much in photos, but let me tell you: this breakfast is everything. A beautifully arranged platter with four different types of ham and four cheeses, a selection of freshly baked breads, and little pots of apricot and raspberry jams that were so frickin’ delicious they became the unexpected stars of the meal. There was also a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg, a pot of sencha tea, and, of course, a slice of Sacher-Torte—because what’s breakfast at the Sacher without their world-famous chocolate cake?

Every single bite was divine. I don’t know if it’s the quality of ingredients, the freshness, or just the ambience of being in Vienna, but everything tasted noticeably better than any version I’ve ever had at home. Whatever the reason, I cleaned my plate—not a crumb left behind—and by the time I finished, my room was ready.

I headed upstairs, hoping exhaustion would finally win out and let me nap. But first, a little surprise: a welcome note from the hotel manager and a complimentary room upgrade. The second I stepped up to the windows, I was blown away by the view.

Right below me, I could see the Albertina Museum, home to masterpieces by Monet, Picasso, and Klimt. Just across the street, Frack & Co., the legendary tailor shop known for outfitting Vienna’s high society (and ball-goers like me). In front of that, the Bitzinger Würstelstand, arguably the most famous sausage stand in the city. And further in the distance, the Hofburg Palace, once the home of the Habsburgs. Oh, and just to the right? The Augustinerkirche, the church where Napoleon married Marie Louise in absentia.

Did I fully appreciate this view in my groggy state? Absolutely not. But the next morning, after a full night’s sleep, I would wake up and gasp. (I opened the windows and poked my head out to see the Vienna State Opera Building right in front of me!)

For now, though, I was just desperate to rest. I laid my head down for a minute… and nothing. No sleep. I was too wired from travel. Accepting my fate, I made myself a cup of coffee (which I never drink except when traveling) and decided to head out for a walk.

I strolled down Kärntner Straße, the famous pedestrian shopping street, to Stephansplatz, where I met up with my friend Kendall. She had one mission: a visit to Louis Vuitton to get her passport holder stamped. Yes, apparently, that’s a thing.

After that, I needed comfort food. My first-day-in-Vienna ritual always includes a stop at All Reis, my favorite Thai spot, for a steaming bowl of something spicy and a crisp glass of Grüner Veltliner. There’s something about that combination that just revives me.

Feeling slightly more human, I took the long way around to soak in the city. I passed the other side of the Hofburg, taking in the grand imperial architecture, and stopped by St. Michael’s Church, a hauntingly beautiful place where parts of Mozart’s Requiem were first performed at his funeral.

Next, it was time for some serious self-care: a massage at Suvanapum Thai Spa, which was exactly what my jet-lagged body needed. Then, a quick dinner from Zum Kaiser, a stop at Neuer Markt to grab some supplies, and finally, an early bedtime—because tomorrow, the real adventures begin.