#twenty6

26.

it’s friyay. and i love it but omg i wanna rot in bed today but i can’t 🥹

London was the home of Dickens, so while in celebration of the birth of a baby some distance away (Bethlehem) many of the traditions we now enjoy were invented and entrenched in 19th Century London. Mr Scrooge awoke on Christmas morning to discover the joys of Christmas so join us on our London journey and let’s “Party like it’s 1899!!!” NOT TO MISS …… on every Wednesday on the run up to Christmas Columbia Road Flower Market opens up for mulled wine and Carols …  all the independent shops are open late and mulled wine is available on every corner.  Follow the old Joanna (piano) on the barrow up the street and sing-along with the Christmas Carols lead by local Vicar Adam Atkinson, raising money for local charities whilst offering up a real slice of the old East End.  What a Cockney “knees up” “ding-dong sing along”……. “All that glitters is not gold” but for the most brilliant festive glitter head to Marks and Spencers and grab a bottle of their Clementine Gin Snow Globe. Twenty6 Christmas Cocktail Recipe” ….. 20% Clementine Gin, 10% Grand Marnier, 50% Prosecco, 20% Soda Water Sparkle and luxury can be found in the fabulous Burlington Arcade. It’s the perfect Christmas cut-through from Bond Street to Piccadilly. Perfectly placed between Cartier and Fortnum & Mason, this has so much glamour. Celebrating its 200th Anniversary, having opened in March 1819, luxury leather goods, cashmere, new and antique jewelry, this is real old time elegance, and do drop into Laduree for your macaroons, a hair cut at  Atkinsons or a shoe shine. Enter one end and pop out the other polished, buffed and groomed. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and other Carols ….  Enjoy a service in one of the historical Abbey’s or Cathedrals this Christmas. Many hold services to raise funds for homeless charities.  Check with each one to see what and when their services are. Visit the Antiques Market at the historic Spitalfields’ Market.  Held every Thursday during the year, there remains a very 19th Century feel to this market. Find something totally unique; everything from an 18th Century teapot from Andrew Coram or pre-owned Dior Earrings….. it’s a wonderful place to wander and soak up the atmosphere whilst “hooking a bargain”. Take time to write to those you see seldom, an actual card cannot be replaced by any digital alternative, spend an afternoon catching up with old friends, its so worth the investment, any post these days that’s not a bill is such a pleasure. Charity cards available widely from many outlets. “We Three Kings of Orient Are”; we don’t expect you travel to the Orient but the Kings Road hosts its own Christmas Bazaar on the 7th December, horse carriage rides and chestnuts roasting bring festive cheer to this very glamorous corner of town. Afternoon tea is a tradition not to be forgotten at this time of year, a real treat, all the fine hotels do fabulous afternoon teas; The Ritz,  Claridge’s  and if you need a venue where doggy friends are welcome, book the wonderful drawing room at The Lanesborough, ….. for afternoon tea  (or champagne), assorted sandwiches and an irresistible selection of cakes, the diet starts in January …….

Is Santa coming down your Chimney? We love Santa visiting, but also it’s fabulous to make sure he visits your nearest and dearest. Scented candles that make your home feel luxurious, “Jo Loves’ Christmas Candle” is the very essence of Christmas, with fresh pine, wood smoke and a hint of plum pudding. YUM. Oh and don’t forget to re-purpose the holder next year into a bulb holder for your Christmas hyacinths. The White Company has also captured the scent of Christmas, try either the Old Fashioned with a smooth mix of zest of orange and amber whiskey, warm and familiar; or their Classic Winter Warmer with spices of cinnamon, clove and orange. It’s like Santa just left the room…… Personalised presents are always extra special. It’s fabulous to get your bedding all up close and personal with Stranos Linen of London, pillow cases or full sets, pure luxury just for the ones you love, rest your head everyday on love and luxury. Something not just for the 12 days of Christmas but 365 days of the year.

Travel with us to Vienna where the magic of Christmas comes to life and sparkle abounds. From the snow dusting the stage at the Vienna Opera House to the frosted gardens surrounding the baroque palaces of the 1st district and the breath taking drama of the vintage diamond tiaras hidden in the Neuer Markt, the sophisticated dazzling of Viennese culture will not disappoint for any traveller, looking for the ultimate experience in luxury, winter city destinations. 

Twenty6 flew from Heathrow to Vienna, a two hour flight that feels like it could have taken you two hundred years back in time when you arrive in the Austrian capital and see the charming, chocolate box architecture of the buildings standing aside the banks of the Danube Canal for the first time. A destination that, until 100 years ago, was surrounded by a city wall that didn't favour migration and covered a 5km area the size of some of London's more modest parks, has today flourished into a cosmopolitan hotspot, which offers much more than the traditional Viennese cultures it has become most famous for and poses surprises behind every Wes Anderson-esque door.



Vienna holds a unique spot in the landscape of European capitals, combining the efficiency renowned in it's Bavarian neighbours with an approach to the finer things in life that is more reminiscent of its Western European, French and Italian cousins. Here, when you eat, expect not to rise from the table until the last story has been shared, the patisserie devoured, and the wine list fully appreciated. Eating and drinking, like spending time in good company and stopping to admire the view when the snow graces the presence of the Austrian gardens and rooftops, is much celebrated. In Viennese culture, setting aside time to enjoy the beauties that life can bring when you take the time to search them out, is encouraged whenever you spend time with a Viennese local. This laissez-faire approach to discovering what the city has to offer makes it the perfect place to spend a luxurious Christmas weekend and the easily walkable central quarters, allow you to leave full of new experiences and memories without becoming exhausted along the way.

It's worth noting that, if luxury isn’t your travel approach of choice, Vienna could equally rival the more zeitgeist cultures of Berlin, Amsterdam and Barcelona with its nightlife. You could as easily spend a weekend exploring the pop-up art installations, tongue in cheek street sculptures and rooftop bars, as you could immersing yourself in the more luxury things in life. But hey, it's Christmas and who doesn't want to feel a little bit indulged at this time of year, so we spent our 4 days and 3 nights experiencing the richest that Viennese culture has to offer in 2018- learning how this city is working hard to maintain the traditional cultures and heritage it is so proud of, whilst embracing an innovative approach to arts, culture and dining that leaves you flying back to London with a new perspective on how we enjoy the luxuries that life can offer us when we explore new places.

Christmas in Vienna is like the most elegant of glass snow globes brought to life. You begin your trip dizzy and excitable from the flurry of festive excitement that greets you in the city centre. Christmas markets, choral advent performances and festive street lights that put Carnaby street in the shade. But as this settles and you take a closer look at what's inside, you realise that the beauty in the detail and craftsmanship that this city holds in such high regard, is where the magic in their Christmas traditions truly lies.

And it’s no wonder that the people of Vienna know how to do Christmas in style, they have, after all, been holding Christmas markets since the year 1772, giving them much practice in perfecting the gifts and culinary delights available to visitors. But expect the unexpected- Christmas punch made from the sweetest donut peaches, cheeses infused with everything from red wine to bananas (a much better combination than you may expect) and arrays of pretzels baked with fillings fit for a bake off finale, show that Vienna is proud to introduce innovation alongside its more traditional festive offerings.

For those looking for a more bespoke shopping experience away from the festive crowds, the central first district has many hidden gems. At Köchert, a jewellers and former purveyor to the Austrian imperial court, they quite literally, are able to arrange to show you their selection of archived hidden jewels. Diamond tiaras, necklaces and brooches made for former princesses and members of Austrian high society are kept in the 6th generation, family run store’s vault and, by invitation, it is possible to spend a morning in their company, learning about the intricate and beautiful designs as inspiration for commissioning your own piece. Popular among brides to be, or even those looking for something extra special to wear to Vienna’s famous Spring Opera Ball, it really is the experience of a lifetime to see these pieces and hear their beguiling stories. The twinkling doesn’t end there and around the corner, you can find the original designers of the New York Metropolitan Musuem’s stunning chandeliers- Lobmeyr, who made design history when they created these works of crystal art in the 60s. Today, you can buy your own chandelier, or if looking for something a little more suitcase friendly, invest in one of their infamous Loos style glasses for a timeless addition to any home bar.

But Vienna doesn’t just value the traditional elements of craftmanship and if you head slightly further out of the city centre, to the city’s more up and coming Seventh Quarter, you’ll discover many independent art, fashion and boutique homeware stores. Hidden amongst them is Glashutte Comploj, where we met Robert, possibly the only man in eastern Europe wearing shorts and a t-shirt to work in late November. The reason? Having trained in glass blowing around the world, Robert came back to Austria in 2013 to open his business and now makes glass creations daily on site, in the kiln workshop at the back of the shop which sells his wares. Also offering glass making workshops to visitors, it’s well worth stopping in at this haven of glassware and investing in one of his punk-influenced works of art. The window display of bespoke baubles in a rainbow of candy inspired colours alone, is enough to satisfy the most magpie-esque of shoppers. 

After all that shopping, surely, the only civilised thing to do, is stop for cake. Residents at the Hotel Sacher, where we were lucky enough to stay, can skip the queues which often work their around the block to wait for the renowned Original Sacher Torte, a chocolate cake to revive even the weariest of Christmas shoppers and deserving of it’s legend. And if chocolate at afternoon tea doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, the Hotel Sacher can provide a whole 360 cocoa experience. Offering a full body treatment, featuring a scrub and massage, with products extracted from the revered cacao bean, in their 5th floor spa. Life doesn’t get much more indulgent than that.

Although, it’s not just the delectable sweet food offerings on hand to indulge the palette in Vienna. The Austrian adulation for the new and exciting means there are many innovative and unexpected foodie extravagances to be found. None more so than at restaurant Tian where chef, Paul Ivac, has created the most enchanting Vegetarian menus. Wholly deserved of its Michelin star, Tian delivers on Paul’s dream of creating fresh, locally sourced vegetarian dishes that will appeal to even the most regularly carnivorous of diners, himself included. Sustainability is top of the agenda here, where as well as locally sourced ingredients and Viennese wines- all organic so you can rest assured, for the most part also hangover free- the team have worked closely with Austrian farmers on their approach to provenance. The carrot, marigold and beeswax dish, part 3 of an 8 course tasting menu, not only looked fit for a queen bee, served upon a glass box filled with honeycomb, but also was encouraging their survival. By sourcing carrots from a farm where bees play a vital part in the biodiversity used to maintain a healthy crop growth without the use of any chemical pesticides, Paul cleverly combines the fruits that nature naturally pairs to design dishes that are both satisfying on the palette and the eye.

Of course, a visit to Vienna wouldn’t feel complete without exploring the local arts, where again, old meets new and innovation is encouraged in the approach to the culture scene on offer. Across the road from the Sacher Hotel, the Vienna State Opera House is preparing to celebrate it’s 150th anniversary in 2019. A building that was ahead of its time when it was built in the late 19th century, the interiors hint at the Art Deco years that were yet to come and the architectural design is truly stunning. Under the glittering and magnificent chandelier of the auditorium, the stage comes to life with a perfectly apt, winter performance of La Boheme. Amidst the tragedy of the story of these young Parisian bohemians, one can’t help but have their heart a little warmed by the incredible stage design and costumes as they dance before your eyes to the tune of the world’s finest opera performers.

Across the snow tipped palace gardens, in the Vienna Kunsthistorische Museum, home to the largest collection of Bruegel’s works, at the other end of cultural experiences, a wholly new approach to Arts curation has been taken for ‘Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and other Treasures’. This latest exhibition to the museum was designed by Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf and brings Anderson’s unique way of thinking into the world of classic art. Putting aside all preconceptions on how art should be consumed and stripping back collections of works into their most obvious of commonalities, they are unapologetic about stating the obvious and it feels both refreshing and amusing to experience the collections of works grouped together by colour, material or subject matter. Unafraid to see beauty in the imperfect and digging out many previously overlooked treasures from the museums archives (So wabi-sabi, so 2018), the exhibition feels like a perfect analogy for Vienna as it is now- a celebration of all that is wonderful about old culture paired with new ways of thinking, a place that has room for both the classic and the modern.

Oh and needless to say, the coffee’s not bad too.

Direct flights to Vienna with Austrian Airlines from London Heathrow start at £90 return for January 2019

Rooms at the Sacher Hotel Vienna start at €540/ £481 per room, per night (with breakfast available at an extra cost of €42/ £37 pp)

Please visit www.vienna.info to plan your trip