Blogs from Austria, Europe - page 231

28th Septmeber.....Passau to Linz...... The next day saw clouds and an occasional sprinkle of rain as I crossed the 'border' into Austria. No demands of passport anymore, instead you are welcomed by a sign that is in 4 different languages. The old custom house is now an art gallery and you don't have to change your money. I had a musical experience of a different kind yesterday. It was one of those magical moments that I tend to have when I am away by myself. I was riding along with my MP3 player on random which means I could have anything! Picture me approaching where the river does this big sweep around thing for which there has been signage for some time and which I have been expecting from the British Headmaster in my guide book. ... read more

Greetings from the Austrian Alps! We are at Lake Halstatt, and the weather is beautiful! The lake is amazing and the food is awesome. Today, we hiked on a trail around the side of a mountain. Tomorrow we are off to Salzburg, and the birthplace of Mozart! More later! ... read more

Well, this town is ALL about Mozart, beautiful mountains, and churches (kirches). I arrived here a little late in the afternoon. As soon as I found my hotel, I headed out to see the sites. I was about a 15 minute walk to the start of the city, but I found my way. As soon as I came to Mirabell gardens, I knew I wanted to stay an extra day. There is a lot to see here and I like it here. So, I saw as many sites as I could, the churhes, the Salzburg Fortress (Festung Hohensalzburg) which can be seen all over the city. There is the beautiful Salzburg Cathedral or Dom and Universitatskirche. Of course there is Mozart's birth house (Gerburtshaus) and his house he lived in as a child (Wohnhaus). There is ... read more

Vienna, the most cultural-rich and artistic place in the world, has been enjoying high reputation for its theatre, music and opera. It once was the political center of the Europe ruled by the pan-German Habsburg Empire till World World I. You will find the finest collections of artpieces in the National Gallery, well-preserved Romanesque and Baroque-style architectures in the city and the world-class theatre houses, the best musicians, opera artists and orchestras in Vienna. Classical music would not be as flourishing as today without Vienna which cultivated the world-renowned classical music founders such as Mozert, Beethoven and Johann Strauss II to produce ever-lasting masterpieces being amused for generations. I was so lucky having a chance to watch the high standards opera "Carmen" and "Romeo and Juliet" during the stay. Walking in the streets, you can listen ... read more

In the morning we woke up and were treated with the hotel’s “authentic” German breakfast, which is actually fairly large and filling. It is normal to eat eggs, meat, cheeses, fruit, and bread. It was very nice for us students because then we did not have to buy our breakfast. There was Nutella in excess! J Then we met up as a group and left for Salzburg. Since we were going to a nice dinner later that evening, and would not be back at the hotel to change clothes, most of the people wore their nice clothes all day around Salzburg. I did not want to get my nice clothes sweaty, so I brought with a backpack with clothes in it to change into at the dinner. But the downside to this is that in all ... read more