I had the pleasure of visiting Vienna for a couple days in February of 2016 on a trip to Central Europe.

(Here’s how I was able to do it for next to nothing using points/miles)

Here are 5 thoughts I had after my trip.

A busy pedestrian street lined with ornate historic buildings and luxury shops under a blue sky. People are traveling, shopping, and talking in coats and scarves, suggesting cool weather.

Compared to other major European cities, Vienna is just “Ok”

Vienna checks all the boxes that make for a fantastic place to visit. History, culture, food (more on this later), museums, activities, etc.

The problem is that Vienna is not particularly notable for any of these things. It’s just “ok” at all of them. Which makes for an experience that is best described as “just ok”.

Sure, there are a ton of museums in Vienna. But none of them contain any can’t-miss works of art or historical artifacts.

Vienna also has a ton of history, serving as the cultural hub of Europe for much of the 19th century. And then World War II happened, destroying much of the city and culture of the people who lived there.

Today Vienna feels like a white-washed, generic European capital city that is only a shadow of its former self.

The image shows St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, its tall gothic spire and colorful patterned tiled roof highlighted under a bright blue sky—a must-see destination for travel enthusiasts looking to earn points or miles.

Vienna is Touristy

One of the unfortunate side-effects of rebuilding an entire city is that it creates opportunity for the usual touristy crap to move in.

I’m talking luggage stores, souvenir shops, hookah bars, etc. There seems to be one on every corner throughout the entire city. Walking through the streets of Vienna feels like browsing a scammy website filled with dozens of pop up ads everywhere.

Even worse are the hundreds of people dressed in cheap Mozart costumes, trying to sell piano concert tickets to anyone with a pulse. You can’t stand still for more than 30 seconds without being approached by one of them.

A group of men dressed in traditional white shirts, beige knee-length pants, long socks, and dress shoes stand together in conversation on a street. Some hold red booklets, as travelers gather and people are visible in the background.

“Would you like to see a Mozart concert tonight sir??”

Vienna Explorer Tours Was a Blast

The one redeeming quality about my time spent in Vienna was my day trip with Vienna Explorer.

My friends and I opted to take the Private Wachau day trip, which was about a 9 hour experience from start to finish.

Vienna Explorers picked us up at our hotel and we spent the day touring the Wachau Valley by van.

A black van is parked on a wet street, surrounded by trees and other vehicles under an overcast sky—creating the perfect scene for urban travel.

Our ride for the day with Vienna Explorers

Our daytrip featured stops in a variety of small Austrian towns, a guided tour of Melk Abby, lunch, and two separate wine tastings.

A narrow cobblestone street lined with quaint, old-fashioned buildings stretches for miles under a cloudy sky. A person with short hair and a jacket walks away from the camera toward the end of the street.

Exploring small towns throughout the Wachau Valley, Austria

A smiling couple stands together by a yellow wall overlooking a scenic valley, river, and town in Melk, Austria, under a cloudy sky—capturing travel memories and miles along the way.
A group of people sit around a table with wine glasses inside a tasting room, smiling and raising their glasses. Large windows reveal a vineyard and buildings outside on a cloudy day, perfect for sharing travel stories and collecting memorable points together.

Bryce, stop drinking for 2 seconds so we can take a picture” –The rest of the tour group

Everyone had a blast and the service offered by Vienna Explorer was second to none. They even volunteered to take another couple from our group straight to the airport to catch a last minute flight.

The Wachau Valley tour is one of many offered by Vienna Explorer and I can only hope for the opportunity to try the others someday.

Vienna isn’t exactly known for its food

And the locals will be the first to admit it.

Schnitzel is fun to try (just once) but beyond that options were limited.

A plate with three pieces of breaded schnitzel garnished with a lemon wedge, served beside a bowl of sliced potatoes in creamy sauce, on a restaurant table—a perfect meal to enjoy while collecting miles or sharing travel stories.

If you love starchy food, you’ll love Vienna. Otherwise, stick to the less authentic food options.

Hotel Bristol was insanely cool

A large, historic, multi-story building with rounded corners and green railings, viewed from a low angle against a clear blue sky—perfect for those who love to travel and admire unique architecture.

I was able to book this beautiful property for just 12,000 Starpoints per night, earned from my Starwood Preferred Guest credit card by American Express.

I’ll let my pictures do most of the talking.

A woman in a pink coat walks through an elegant hotel lobby with marble floors, chandeliers, and classic decor, enjoying her travel experience while earning points and miles.

Hotel Bristol Lobby

A narrow hallway with black and white checkered floor tiles, striped wallpaper, wall sconces, and a framed painting on the right wall creates a sense of travel as it leads to a closed door at the end.

The foyer in our suite

Elegant hotel room with a large bed, two suitcases on benches, armchair, ornate rug, chandelier, mirrors on wardrobes, and a TV. Perfect for travel with classic decor, warm lighting, and framed artwork above the bed. Earn points or miles during your stay.

Panoramic shot of our suite – Hotel Bristol, Vienna

A round wooden table in a hotel room by the bed features two bottles of water, two glasses, a plate with cutlery and napkins, a vase of pink orchids, and a bowl of fruit—perfect for relaxing after a day of travel or earning miles.

Fresh flowers and fruit delivered daily

An open window with sheer curtains frames a view of an ornate, historic building with large windows and detailed stonework across the street. Sunlight streams into the room, evoking the charm of travel and new points of discovery.

The Vienna Opera House was right outside our window

A bottle of champagne in an ice bucket covered with a white napkin sits on a marble table with two empty champagne flutes, perfect for celebrating your travel adventures earned through points or miles.

Welcome bottle of champagne

Bottom Line

I had fun in Vienna but I can’t say I have any desire to return for a second visit.

If you find yourself in Central Europe it’s worth a stop, but I certainly wouldn’t go out of your way to see it.

Happy Travels,

Bryce

A grand historic building with ornate architecture curves around a central area featuring a large equestrian statue—a stunning sight for anyone who loves to travel. The sky above is mostly clear with some clouds.