Sarah WallockIn August 2025, we spent 5 days in Vienna, Austria to celebrate the amazing Marion and Yannis’s marriage.
Transportation & Accommodations
We took hopper flights from Athens, Greece and Heathrow, London on the front and backends of the trip. As for the seats on Austrian Air and EasyJet, these were very small for people taller 6 feet (Nick). I would recommend getting extended legroom or an upgrade if you’re taller.
After landing early in the morn in Vienna, from the airport, we took a tram to the city center. We then walked to our accommodations near Augarten Park. It was very hot, so I’d recommend getting a place with AC if you can find it (or afford it). Our accommodations were expensive but ultimately convenient for a wedding, not somewhere we would have chosen on our own. The summer nights in Europe are getting so hot. It was difficult to sleep after each day’s adventures with the sounds of the city and nighttime humidity.
Once we stowed our luggage, we were free to walk through Augarten Park, grab food and explore Vienna.
Their wedding was along the Danube River on Saturday afternoon. Before then, festivities carried throughout the week, begining with a bachelorette pickleball in the park and a sunset vineyard hike.
Some of the highlights of our 5 days in Vienna included:
Food in Vienna
The food in Vienna did not disappoint. With a quick google search for a few different cuisines, and a few recs from our bride, we set off to fill our stomachs. I was cautious due to my gluten-free dairy-free restrictions. Nick’s peanut allergy has gotten much more dangerous over time. A few days before this, Nick was in the hospital in Greece after ingesting peanuts by accident. We wanted to be very careful about what to eat.
Our first favorite was Asian restaurant, Mili. With avocado laden sushi rolls, fresh chicken ginger stir fry, cool mango beverages and a cozy, intimate atmosphere, Mili was the perfect dinner spot. After enjoying it so much on one of our first nights, we returned for a lunch bite another day between wedding events.
Our next favorite and rec from the locals was the brunch spot, Ramasuri. Not only did it have a superb flat white to beat jet-lag, but the egg dishes, chorizo, herbs and specials with seasonal produce hit the spot.
Additionally, the gluten-free pizza options, Cocore and Pizzeria Scarabocchio were fantastic. Cocore had a nice outdoor ambience, while Scarabocchio had more indoor seating.
Exploring Vienna
Marion had us travel north to Nußdorf station to a vineyard for a wine tasting and picnic wedding event. In true Marion fashion, she didn’t call ahead to make a reservation or confirm, so when we arrived the vineyard was closed and looked abandoned. I can’t say this is the first time the bride had led me astray on travel plans together. It all felt too fitting!
A gaggle of 30 people, Austrian, American, German, friends and families of the groom and bride, hiked together up the Austrian hills. Marion ran to the store to buy wine and snacks, put them in her backpack, and we ascended to empty picnic tables and watched the sunset together.
Our next adventure was pickleball in the park; meant to be a bachelorette party, turned coed park hang. Sophie and I walked a few miles from Augarten up and over to the courts at Donaupark.
On wedding day, of course I needed to get my usual brekkie at Ramasuri and get some energy out with a morning run through Augarten park. And of course, fresh-squeezed OJ from the corner store.
Friend Reunion
The best part of my trip to Vienna was indeed, the people. Seeing two of my best friends warmed my heart. As well as one getting married to her person. The wedding came around on Saturday evening, where we enjoyed traditional Austrian food, games, dancing and fun on the Danube River.
If I had more time to spare in Austria, I would’ve certainly headed to the Alps and explored more of the surrounding countryside. It was difficult to figure out Vienna’s public transit at the same time as managing getting to the scheduled wedding events. This combination made the 5 days in Vienna feel short to absorb the personality of the place.
Managing my New Brain
These 5 days in Austria were a difficult period for my brain, following my brain tumor resection and subsequent seizure-management plan. I was falling asleep on park benches while trying to go for runs and explore the city by foot and battled fatigued beyond belief. But the trip was worth the occasional discomfort to celebrate both a 10-year friendship and witness such a special wedding.
As for managing symptoms of an invisible condition like brain injury, here is a good guide to begin with. My sensory overwhelm was quite extreme as without the AC, we’d leave our windows open in a noisy city. Next time I’d be more picky about accommodations to ensure they allow more sensory rest and deprivation.
Beforehand, Nick and I saw my cousins in Greece. Then we attended the wedding in Austria and after, saw his parents in England. I went to three countries over the course of 13 days. This made for a very ambitious (and stimulating) trip. Maybe next time, I’ll move a little more slowly to prioritize my health over my adventurous spirit. Or, maybe later down the line, my brain will be able to handle this level of sensory overload.
I used to travel this way in my early twenties, and before my brain was shaken and rewired itself. But that doesn’t mean these challenges are permanent.
The beauty of neuroplasticity is, our brains are always changing.
Ultimately, I’m so happy we spent 5 days in Vienna celebrating Marion and Yannis and it was such a pleasure to show up for my friends and eat my way through such a tasty city.
