Last full day of this trip, still in wonderful Wien! It’s a Tuesday, so the museums are all open again, including the Wien Museum and Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Lots of walking around ahead, so a small breakfast won’t do today. The Morgenmuffel at Café Goldegg was exactly what I needed: basically an English breakfast in a baguette.
Café GoldeggA Morgenmuffel at Café Goldegg
The Wien Museum was being renovated last time I visited, but today I finally got a proper introduction to Vienna’s history!
Wien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien MuseumWien Museum
Kaffeefabrik was indeed open last time I was in the city, but definitely worth a revisit.
KaffeefabrikKaffeefabrik
Caffeinated, I went to check out where all those Bruegel paintings ended up: in the Kunsthistorisches Museum apparently. Best known of his paintings there probably is the Tower of Babel, but I recognised several others. The Roman collection was quite impressive as well!
By this time, breakfast was largely digested, so I headed to the Bitzinger Würstelstand for a Käsekrainer sausage. Well, I was unpleasantly surprised by a very long queue—there was none when I passed it the day before—so I went to Würstelstand Südtirolerplatz near my hotel for that cheesy sausage instead.
A queue at the Bitzinger Würstelstand…Würstelstand SüdtirolerplatzKäsekrainer sausage at Würstelstand Südtirolerplatz
In the evening there was one more bar completely new to me to discover: Die Freunderlwirtschaft. Not that many (craft) beers on draught, but there was a surprisingly diverse selection in the fridge.
Die FreunderlwirtschaftDie FreunderlwirtschaftDie Freunderlwirtschaft
achtundzwanzig was the perfect place to meet up with a friend again, and enjoy some Brew Age beers.
The last stop tonight was Gastwirtschaft Stopfer, for the Ausgelöstes Backhuhn im Körberl. A great ending to my last night in Vienna!
achtundzwanzigachtundzwanzigachtundzwanzigachtundzwanzigGastwirtschaft StopferAusgelöstes Backhuhn im Körberl Gastwirtschaft Stopfer
To break up the return trip a bit—and because it’s a great city—I decided to have a two day stop in Vienna. I’ll revisit familiar places, visit some new ones, and of course enjoy the architecture, food, and beer!
Upon arrival of my sleeper train in Wien Hbf, I could already see my hotel from the platform. How’s that for nearby? When I presented myself at the reception desk of the ibis Wien Hauptbahnhof—fully expecting to just leave my bag there—I was informed my room was already ready. Keep in mind, it was only 8:30 in the morning! Since I already had a shower—albeit cold—on the train, and I had tickets for something starting at 10:00, I just hung my MacLaren kilt to air out a bit, and headed out again.
Arrival of my sleeper train in Wien HbfI can already see my hotel from the platform!My room in the Ibis Wien Hauptbahnhof
Since breakfast isn’t provided on the Dacia Express, a quick stop at 15 Süße Minuten was in order, for a small breakfast of fresh rolls, butter, and chives. Deliciously simple, and simply delicious!
15 Süsse MinutenKleines Frühstück at 15 Süsse Minuten
So the thing I had timed tickets for, was the morning exercise at the Spanische Hofreitschule. Let’s say it was not quite what I expected: it really was individual little exercises of a couple of horses and their riders, two thirty minute sessions of that, and just a tiny bit of explanation just before and after each session. Not a rehearsal for the afternoon performance or anything like that. And no photos of the actual training allowed!
Spanische HofreitschuleSpanische HofreitschuleSpanische HofreitschuleSpanische Hofreitschule. We definitely didn’t see them do anything like this!Spanische Hofreitschule. No photos of the horses or their riders allowed…
After lunch at Leberkas-Pepi, and a coffee at NÜD, it was time for the apparently very popular Haus der Musik. Is was more experience than museum, but it was too busy for me to experience much…
Lunch at Leberkas-PepiLunch at Leberkas-PepiCoffee at NÜDCoffee at NÜDQueues at the Haus der MusikHaus der MusikHaus der MusikHaus der Musik. Like Guitar Hero, but for conductors.Haus der MusikHaus der MusikHaus der Musik
After some shopping at the Original Salzburger Trachtenoutlet—you’ll have to wait until next year’s Oktoberfest to see what I bought—a coffee, at Koun Coffee this time.
Coffee at Koun CoffeeCoffee at Koun CoffeeCoffee at Koun Coffee
I then finally went back to the hotel for a shower—hot this time—and a change, before heading out for my first beers. Unfortunately Hanf & Hopfen was closed this week, so I had yet another coffee a little down the street, at Coffee Junkie.
Hanf & Hopfen. Unfortunately closed this week…Coffee at Coffee JunkieCoffee at Coffee Junkie
So my first beers of the day were at Mel’s Craft Beers, where I spent quite a long and pleasant time.
Before imbibing more, with just a small breakfast and a rather small lunch in me, I had to really eat something a bit more substantial. The Waldviertler Knödelgröst´l at Waldviertlerhof was exactly what I needed!
WaldviertlerhofCheese platter at WaldviertlerhofKnödelgröst´l at Waldviertlerhof
A quick stop at Wombat’s bar—which in despite of serving some craft beer, very decidedly had a hostel vibe—and of course I finished the night at Ammutsøn, where I celebrated Zwanze Day in 2022.
The alcohol already properly taken care of, it was time to do something about that running problem of ours! So there was a proper Transylvania Halloween Hash trail on Saturday, and a hangover trail on Sunday, to recover from the Halloween party in between.
On those hash weekends I usually don’t pick the most extreme and long trail, aptly called the Ball-Breaker Trail. However, this weekend there were two options to choose from, and I considered the short one too short. We were told the Ball-Breaker Trail “includes extreme increases and decreases in elevation, and is only advised for the hashers looking to run, sweat, and cry…” Well, I didn’t cry, but I certainly felt those more than 600 meters of elevation gain, and was full of bloody scratches. And boy, were my knees happy I brought some poles! This was my first trail that came with a beer warning, by the way…
Chalk talk and blessing of the hares for the Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash TrailBear poo on the 👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash TrailA quiver with hiking poles attached to my hydration pack👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Trail – Beer Stop
After dinner we had the Transylvania Halloween Hash Party, once again with Hop Hooligans on draught!
Dinner at Mama Cozonacilor👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Party👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Party
On Sunday there was a short Hangover Trail, after which the weekend was officially brought to an end with a Closing Circle.
👣 Transylvania Halloween Hash Hangover Trail
Since many of us needed to get back to Braşov, mismanagement had kindly arranged a bus, to take us to the station.
While most had to catch a train to Bucharest just an hour later, mine was over two hours later, so I dropped of my bag, and headed into town.
Back to Braşov on a bus full of rather tired hashersLeft my bag safely in Braşov train station left luggage. I think…Braşov train station
Some coffee at Meron—I hadn’t had decent coffee since Friday—and some last Romanian beers at The Beer Corner — and one to go, to drink on the train.
Then it was time to head back to Braşov station to pick up my bag, and catch the Dacia Express to Wien Hbf. No issues this time either, and it seems I won the en-suite lottery! There are only a few rooms with shower and toilet on this train, and it is impossible to select when booking: one just has to wait and see… I lucked out this time, so I will be able to start my day in Wien clean and fresh!
Braşov train stationMy sleeper arriving at Braşov train stationMy room on the Dacia ExpressMy room on the Dacia ExpressMy room on the Dacia ExpressA shower and toilet in my room on the Dacia ExpressA #TrainBeer in my room on the Dacia Express
It was to leave Bucharest again, but not quite Romania! This day was actually mostly about getting from the capital to a tiny village in Transylvania, where we were appropriately welcomed for the Transylvania Halloween Hash 2025!
After one more breakfast at my hotel, packing, and checking out, I had time for one more coffee, at Black Habit, before boarding my train to Braşov.
Black HabitGara de NordGara de NordCFR IC 531 Bucureşti Nord ➔ Braşov
From Braşov to Șimon we used a Bolt taxi, that conveniently dropped us off in front of Mama Cozonacilor, the centre of operations for the Transylvania Halloween Hash 2025.
My home for the weekend would actually be an eight minute walk from there, in hotel Casa Albă.
And remember where the bar crawl started, Hop Hooligans? They actually sponsor the event, and their beer Crowd Control is served throughout the event!
Hotel Casa AlbăMy room in hotel Casa AlbăDinner at Mama CozonacilorDinner at Mama CozonacilorDinner at Mama CozonacilorThere’s proper craft beer!
The second and already last full day in București was used to tick off some more local food boxes. It was also the day that a large number of hashers with the same destination as I arrived, which usually means one thing: bar crawl!
I had breakfast in my hotel: rather unusual for me on any day but the last one of a stay, but since it was automatically included in my booking, I better use it! There I already bumped into another hasher from BMPH3, who had also arrived the day before.
I skipped the coffee in the hotel—it it ever any good anyway?—to try some in the nearby espresso bar Coffee District instead.
Breakfast in my hotelBreakfast in my hotelBreakfast in my hotelCoffee at Coffee District
Today’s museum of choice was the Muzeul Municipiului București, the municipal museum. I actually had to pay more than I paid for the ticket itself to be allowed to take photos!
Muzeul Municipiului BucureștiMuzeul Municipiului BucureștiMuzeul Municipiului BucureștiMuzeul Municipiului BucureștiMuzeul Municipiului BucureștiMuzeul Municipiului BucureștiSelfie at Muzeul Municipiului București
After another coffee at the Sfinx Espresso Bar, I headed to the Obor Market to try some mici, as supposedly the best ones are to be found at Terasa Obor. There was a short queue, but luckily not as bad as I’ve seen in some vlogs! Simple but tasty, and that’s another one from the list!
To continue checking off food items, I set course for In House Pastrami & More for something I never realised was originally Romanian: pastrami.
Sfinx Espresso BarSfinx Espresso BarSfinx Espresso BarSfinx Espresso BarMici at Terasa OborIn House Pastrami & MoreIn House Pastrami & More
After a last coffee at the rather fancy Sloane Specialty Coffee, it was time to get to the hotel and change, in preparation for tonight’s programme…
And the evening activity was the Bucharest H3 Pre-Lube Bar Crawl!
It started at the Hop Hooligans Taproom—which I definitely wanted to visit—but I had no clue where it would lead us after that. Luckily most bars did not feature on my Wednesday itinerary, so I didn’t put my liver at risk by squeezing in all the bars on my wish list for nothing. After QP Pub, Londohome, and PaRdon Pub, we ended up at the Ironic Taproom, where I had been the night before. Well, I thought I had, but apparently the space next door was also part of it, with another thirty different beers!
Bucharest H3 Bar Crawl: Hop Hooligans TaproomBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: Hop Hooligans TaproomBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: Hop Hooligans TaproomBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: QP PubBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: LondohomeBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: LondohomeBucharest H3 Bar CrawlBucharest H3 Bar CrawlBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: PaRdon PubBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: PaRdon PubBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: Ironic TaproomBucharest H3 Bar Crawl: No Room Taproom
