On Bailey’s earnest request, we decided to take a horse carriage ride through the streets of Vienna. The “Flakers” are just as much a part of Vienna as the St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the term “fiaker” originates from the French and refers to the hackney carriage stand in the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre.

You can find fiaker stands in different areas of the city: Stephansplatz (we hopped on here), Heldenplatz (occasionally Michaelerplatz), Albertinaplatz, Petersplatz and Burgtheater. The short tour (approx. 20 min. through the centre of the Old City) costs € 55; the long tour (approx. 40 min. through the Ringstrasse and the Old City) € 80.

It was lots of fun and if you do choose to take a ride I would suggest it is one of the first things you do, that way you will get a feel for your whereabouts and afterwards venture on foot to some of the highlights you spotted.