Blogs from Vienna, Austria, Europe - page 5

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Europe » Austria » Vienna December 23rd 2019

The morning started off with my pursuit of coffee...I was headed to District 1 to meet up with an old friend so I headed that way. My hotel is only 1 mile away from the central district so I was hitting the pavement...these boots were made for walking ya know! Discovered Cafe Pruke...walked in and had a seat. I was given a menu and was only able to read two items...no worries...I can do this! Was able to order a latte and croissant. As I was sitting there enjoying the ambiance and feeling pretty good about my mad, international skills I finally noticed the sign that read no credit cards, cash only! Uh oh...I had not taken the time yet to get to an ATM...what to do? My mind started a panicked scramble...dine and dash? (Okay, ... read more
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Europe » Austria » Vienna December 22nd 2019

Whew...what a flight! Actually, the flight from Portland to Amsterdam was quiet good...long, but good. Maybe got a couple hours of sleep. However, the noise cancelling headphones are a must for travel. Since I went through immigration in Amsterdam, I didn't have to go through it when I landed in Vienna. I will say that I was a bit concerned and nervous to just walk out after retrieving my luggage. I even asked a porter if it was alright. So I got funny looks to start off my adventure but whatever! My driver was waiting at the end of a long que but so glad I splurged and had a car waiting...why you ask? Well, it was pouring buckets of rain and I didn't have to worry about figuring out the public transportation! Off we went ... read more
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Europe » Austria » Vienna December 13th 2019

Vienna Sunday 8th December 2019 – Friday 13th December 2019 Waltzing Vienna!! A few days away to celebrate Chris’ 73rd birthday! We had a lunchtime flight so quite a leisurely day arriving at the hotel about 4.00pm. No problems at all, an easy journey from the airport to the OPP Wien Hauptbahnhof (Central Vienna Station) and a five minute walk to our Hotel (Hotel Prinz Eugen) Apart from having a little local wander and a local gluhwien we had a relaxing evening, getting ready to explore Vienna tomorrow. Monday 9th December 2019 After a good breakfast we set off 9.30ish and caught the Blue Line on the Big Red Bus, past Belvedere Palace to Hofburg, the Winter Palace, the last royals that lived there - Franz Joseph and Elizabeth (also known as Sissi). It was enormous ... read more
Jewish Monument
Hotel Sacher
Spanish Riding School

Europe » Austria » Vienna October 26th 2019

When time is plentiful, there’s so much to do! Stepping out onto Klosterneuberg Straße behind the Augarten I’d be mistaken for thinking I was in Palmerston North. More hairdressers and beauty clinics than expected, this was barber street(s). Shave, cut, colour, foils, the works, in increments of euros. After passing one that morning with the failed swim, I motioned I’d return that afternoon although the morning quiet was deceptive. Come 4pm when I returned, I stood a good fifteen min at the front door before being acknowledged, at which point I asked could I perhaps sit and wait?. The one hour wait was suggested, so as various others came and went, I stayed. Perfect blog writing time, and around 6:15 I was taken for my hair to be wet then cut. It’s these moments I wished ... read more
Altenberg
Descent from Tulbinger kogel to Vienna

Europe » Austria » Vienna October 9th 2019

Leaving the Czech Republic behind, a few hours later, the train crosses the border and into Wien, better known as Vienna, AUSTRIA, founded in the first Century AD. This very liveable city is also known as the city of music and dreams as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Freud all worked here. It is lovely to hear the clip clopping of the horses pulling carts down the cobblestone streets, and the church bells ringing on the hour. It is also where coffee houses originated centuries ago, creating part of the Viennese charm. First stop is to the Stephansdom Crypt which is still used as a burial spot for Archbishop’s today. In one section, hermetically sealed metal jars store the organs and hearts of royalty, much like the ancient Egyptian traditions. During the outbreak of the bubonic ... read more
Prague - The Old Railway Station
Bye to Prague - The Old Railway Station
A Statement?

Europe » Austria » Vienna September 15th 2019

Well today required an early rise and trip to the beautiful new Vienna Station. Enjoyed my last best gluten free breakfast so far with fruit, yoghurt, scrambled eggs and an assortment of warm gluten free European sweet buns with home style pear jam. Oh how I will miss this. Just as well I’m one of those people who are always early as so was my pickup. Checking out I was gifted with a small jar of their branded jam for the journey ahead. Being a Sunday and early, Vienna was a quiet as a church mouse. My driver was jovial and dropped me off at the door. The station was just as quiet which meant an easy bathroom stop- if you have a euro! I have learnt to keep my 1€ for such important occasions. Security ... read more
Budapest Station

Europe » Austria » Vienna September 13th 2019

Train to Vienna Prague Station is big but not to hard to navigate. Was standing comfortably waiting for my platform number to come up and along come a ‘transport gypsy’. First met one at Krakow Station. They spot the bewildered looking travellers(solo or groups) and advise you were to go, take you to your platform and tell you the exact spot your carriage will be. Not aggressive and very helpful. At the end they rub their fingers together for a little payment. Train pulls in and he was spot on. The usual push and shove to board which is unnecessary as we all have allocated seats. Then chaos reigned as people got on wrong carriages or simply the wrong end of their carriage - which is no one’s error as you wouldn’t know. At least there ... read more

Europe » Austria » Vienna September 6th 2019

Last day in Vienna, and pretty much the last day of our holiday, tomorrow we head back, via Frankfurt and Brussels back to Wilmslow on Sunday. Leisurely start, not much for breakfast because our first stop is going to be the Sacher cafe - home to the original sacher torte ! small queue outside to get in at 11, not that there wasn’t enough tables inside - think they were waiting for the daily delivery of cake - the lorry was being unloaded right on the street in front of us - there goes the illusion, it’s being made on an industrial scale in a warehouse (no doubt) somewhere on the outskirts of Vienna! Anyway, we were in ! - cafe und kuchen - it was yummy but rich. Took the Ubahn to see the gardens ... read more
Lindt bunny?
Schönbrunn
Sacher cafe

Europe » Austria » Vienna September 5th 2019

Early start with a train at 8-15 to Melk from Vienna for our boat trip down and up the Danube. Arrived in Melk in good time - smashing little town with the most enormous Abbey, which is also a school. Would be worth a visit another time but we really only had an hour for a coffee before the boat trip. Gorgeous day and great scenery. The area is called the Wachau and is famous for its fine Austrian wines - esp Riesling grape and also apricots - they make a lot of apricot pastries as well as a liquor. Vines and fruit trees were manicured - neat terracing and row after row up the hill. The Danube, just like the Rhine had a steady stream of barges carrying who knows what up and down the ... read more
Castle - jump or starve!
Melk
One of many castles

Europe » Austria » Vienna September 4th 2019

Just to say we did have one eye on the goings on in Westminster - each time we checked it seemed something momentous had happened. Maybe we should go away more often ! We made a plan for the day, before going out - and broadly stuck to it ! First stop was back to St. Peter’s church - a website had suggested they had a organ/soprano concert later - they did, so back there for 7-30! Next we walked to the Hofburg Palace. We didn’t know much (anything) about the Austrian / Central European empire / Hapsburg family. So it was a real education - my goodness they were wealthy ! The Hofburg was their main palace and now it’s the place where they display a lot of their stuff - they ruled for 650 ... read more
napkins folded for the emperor
Table decoration!
More table decorations




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