Last year I wrote an article on Bade Bei Wien in Austria. One of the finest natural spas in the world. We returned to Baden Bei Wein again last week, this time we included a 3 day trip to Vienna in the itinerary and I want to share that with you now. This mini itinerary of my trip to Vienna is peppered with some James Bond locations from The Living Daylights which was also filmed here in 1987. I believed this to be the best mix of both Bondian moments plus extra curriculum activities that will appease your patient other half.

I have not included the Gasometers, the Volksoper or the Sweet Shop across the road from (the sniper scene as this was just too far out of town) nor Kara's apartment. But you can find some information on my blog in two separate articles below.

HOTEL IN VIENNA

We stayed very central in the Hotel am Schubertring. I would recommend this hotel as it has a free breakfast that has Prosecco. We certainly filled our boots with that. The shower is good, there is a kettle in the room and the WiFi works. But more importantly it is central.

I’ll walk you through some of the Bond locations we visited first and then include some restaurants, museums and other tips that you might find useful ahead of your trip.

PALAIS SCHWARZENBURG

This is the 5 star hotel that Bond and Kara stayed in. Bond offers to buy Kara a dress but she refuses. He does buy it for her in a deleted scene. This is closed for refurbishment and has been for a while. This is largely down to different investors changing hands with the development of the hotel.

SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE

From the hotel we got on the underground. U4, this will take you from Karlsplatz to Schönbrunn Palace. You buy a ticket at the station with your card, very easy to do. 8 euros will get you an all-day ticket that you can use on trams also. You only need to validate it once at a machine that you’ll see as you enter the station.

The palace does not allow visitors to take photos on the inside. The theatre where all the opera scenes were filmed (aside from the one where Bond watched Kara practice) were filmed in the theatre inside the Palace. Sadly the theatre is not directly linked with the palace, as it is run by the actors guild. So if you rock up expecting a guided tour, you’ll be disappointed. Your best bet is to buy a ticket to an evening performance, and do a tour of the grounds a couple of hours beforehand.

The back of the palace is where Bond and Kara rocked up in a horse drawn chariot ("taxi"). You will not be able to get one at the grounds, you’ll need to go to the city centre, close to the cathedral or SISI museum to get one. Its 55 euros for a ‘small tour’ or 90 euros for a long tour. They only take cash but there are ATM’s in the centre as you’d expect.

The palace has a café at the top of the Gloriette structure, an observation building that looks like a folly from the palace. We didn’t go to the top as were on the clock, but we had some cocktails at the café before walking back to the station for our next stop.

SOFIENSALE

The Sofiensale is an event space that also doubles as a hotel. It burnt down some years ago, but is now fully restored. A wonderful lady by the name of Mariella was kind enough to give us a mini tour. There is a photo of the burnt out building, that has to be seen to be believed. The bar connected to the hotel, is also worth checking out and having a cocktail or two. Recommend the Hot and Spicy.

Just round the corner is the Kimchi restaurant that you can sit outside and unwind with excellent Korean food. Get you prepped ahead of your walk to Prater Park.

PRATER PARK

For most Bond fans this will be the main event. The Ferris wheel is quite something, offering not only a wonderful Bond moment of pure romanticism, but some beautiful views of the park and the city.

I believe its roughly 15 – 20 euros per person, with only a concession for kids, not OAPS. I was actually given a free ticket (ironically if you are a listener to my podcast) by a kind gentlemen who told me he had one spare. The Wagon that Bond and Kara had to themselves is number 10. The dining cart is number 12 and needs to be booked ahead of your arrival. Prices were quoted to us for 300 euros for 3 people for an hour ride. There is a booking fee you’ll incur afterwards which was a bone of contention for us hence we did not do a private dining cart.

You can buy photos after. For 18 euros you’ll have two printouts plus a further 2 images for digital download. Some nice memories, we bought those.

There are toilets also by the ride if you want a quick safety whizz. The ride lasts approx. 15-20 mins.

You can also do the dodgems, rollercoasters, various diners and shooting galleries. Beware you will need cash. There is an ATM in the park, just ask one of the staff. Also beware, if you want a shoot for a teddy like Bond you’ll get stiffed 30 euros. I gave the guy 20 and we fist bumped. Although I didn’t get a teddy. Mate, keep it. I’m not gunna look at that teddy and think of you and this awkward interaction. I said internally.

After that, we ensured we got a photo outside of where Bond and Kara get dropped off and hail a taxi. If you find the Shell station outside the park you can have a rough guesstimate of where you need to be.

OUTSIDE OF BOND

Vienna is of course a glorious city outside of the Bond locations. A couple of main attractions are well worth the visit. The Belvedere Palace where they house The Kiss by Gustav Klimt is worth checking out. I recommend buying the tickets online for all three museums. The Lower, the upper and the 21. The Lower and Upper are both in the palace, and the 21 is a modern art museum a ten minute walk away.

The lower has some ecclesial paintings which I don’t really care for. But there are other temporary exhibits which are good value. It’s pointless me reviewing here, plus I can’t be arsed. I’m writing this on the plane home and I need some shut eye.

The 21 has some modern faff. There was a documentary on men doing coke shown on old tube teles. There was all sorts of highfalutin nonsense. But it did kill an hour and it was not busy at all.

THE OPERA HOUSE

This was of course the setting for Mission Impossible Rogue Nation. We got the seats up with the pigeons, but still a decent view and the they have subtitles on the small screen on the seats in front so you can follow along.

The instagrammers are out in force, vying constantly for pictures on the staircase. This is irritating, and they need to do something about this. Make it a no-fly zone for these narcissists like the Shon palace please!

There is a half time interval but the queues for drinks is ridiculous. After the event we figured the better idea would have been to get a drink from a street vendor outside the theatre and then head back in after.

If you’re looking for the spot where Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson repealed on a rope from the roof to the pavement. Look for the pavement, and the Palmers shop in the background. It won’t be hard.

THE NASCHMARKT

Good for dark chocolate and a place to eat great fish. I forget the name of the restaurant but I can’t imagine you’ll go too far wrong eating fish on the night market. Get some peanuts also with caramel, that will last you for days for 14 euros.

The antique markets we saw last time are only open on weekends.

THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL

The Lipizzaners as mentioned in the film Crimson Tide with Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. For 100 euros for three people you’ll get some cheap standing seats. But these are fine, and you’ll need to book online. You’ll need to wear a mask and all videography and photography is forbidden. Of course people do it, but they are crash hot on it. You’ll just get told to put your phone away.

The show felt a little long, mainly because we were standing. But it’s very impressive.

RESTAURANTS

We booked two restaurants, RIBS, and Gmoa Kheller. Ribs is a real feast of meat. Unfortunately it’s not a chain so you can only do this in Vienna. The dark beer was also delicious. I recommend getting two variety rib specials for two people, even if there is three of you. So much food was wasted as the portions are huge.

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