http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Europe , Austria en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 20:28:47 +0000 Fri, 24 May 2013 20:28:47 +0000 ltstrong stylemsobidifontweight normalgtOne month climbing and living in the AlpsLocated in deep within the Austrian Alps is a small and incredibly beautiful village called Tauernhof. The ideal location of Tauernhof enables a unique mountain experience. Upward Bound which has established itself as the trademark of Tauernhof is a Bible School aimed at the development of the whole http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Salzburg/Salzburg/blog-786217.html 13 May 2013In generally better weather we scaled the heights in Vienna today.The morning was spent visiting Schloss Schronbrunn the home of some of the Habsburg rulers until they were ousted at the end of the first world war. We started with a tour of about 45 state rooms no pictures allowed and then had a couple of hours wandering around the huge formal gardens including climbing up to a foll http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/blog-785835.html 12 May 2013The weather remained changeable and whilst dodging the showers we had our first day in Vienna.The poor weather didn39t bother us too much as we spent a lot of the time in the Kunshistorisches Museum Museum of Fine Arts a remarkable collection of paintings Egyptian Greek and Roman objects and other items collected by the Austrian Habsburg rulers all housed in a remarkable 19th cen http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/blog-785641.html 11 May 2013Just before we got back yesterday it started raining and continued most of the evening which meant that the cycling campers pitched around us had an unpleasant night.Thankfully it had stopped by the morning and we were tempted out for a walk around Kremps which turned out to be very enjoyable with many fine buildings.Unfortunately we had more rain before we managed to return to the camp http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/blog-785509.html 10 May 2013A day of sailing and cycling.We took the Danube ferry from Krems through the Wachau to the town of Spitz. Then we returned by cycle mainly along delightful county lanes with vineyards both sides and passing through pretty village after pretty village. On the way we stopped at the interesting fortified church at Weissenkirchen and walked up the steep path to the ruined castle above Durns http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/blog-785508.html 08 May 2013In the morning we cycled along the beautiful tarmac Danube path around the Schlogen bends. We started on the near bank and after about 6 miles caught a small vehicle ferry to the far side. We thought we could ride all the way back from here but the track deteriorated into a footpath. Fortunately a small ferry arrived to take us across from where it was an easy 3miles to the camp site.A http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/blog-785506.html I have learned more about Austrian history on this trip than any history class I have ever taken. The AustrianHungarian Empire was huge and predated many other more famous monarchs. The Habsburgs married their way in to just about every royal family in Europe and beyond. It wasnt just Marie Antoinette that was married off to forge peace but it appears that just about all of the Habsburgs wo http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-783840.html Even the best itineraries dont always go as expected. Today was to be a full day of the Hofburg Palace. This was the winter residence of the Hofburg Dynasty for over 600 years. The palace today houses everything from the royal apartments to the Spanish Riding School you know those fancy white horses that stand on their two hind legs. We had intended on doing 6 different things today but http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-783781.html After a fairly peaceful night apart from some motorway noise we headed off in the direction of Munich and the southerly ring road. A road that neither of us had travelled before. We fed the resident ducks before we left and tried the showers which were excellent. Clean and tidy and functional. The day was still dull but it wasnt raining yet.A few miles down the road it started again. Just a sprink http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Carinthia/Villach/blog-783670.html Travel to ViennaWe were up at 530 and at the train station by 7. It was an easy 10 minute walk from the hotel to the train station and we arrived in plenty of time before the train departed. Enough time to start my earlier blog today. We were again in 1st class and I want to say a bit about that. Yes first class train tickets cost a few more Euros and the vast majority of Europeans and trave http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-783583.html We are now on the train bound for Vienna. While we wait to leave I thought it a good time to summarize my thoughts of Salzburg. First and foremost it is a definite must see. I might suggest winter as we both thought it would be truly beautiful here with the snow cold and all the wunderbar soups. We are here at the start of the season so the crowds were not too bad but July and August its http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Salzburg/blog-783562.html Today we set out first for a small side trip outside of Salzburg. We took the number 25 bus which takes you directly to the Untersbergbahn in Grodig. In English it takes you to the foot of Untersberg Mountain where you can board the tram to the top of the mountain.Every other day we have been in Salzburg has been picture perfect blue skies you could see for miles. The day we decide to go to th http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Salzburg/Salzburg/blog-783437.html Tonight was all about Mozart and has been the Highlight of the trip to Salzburg for me. The setting was Barocksaal in Stiftskeller St. Peter. This is the oldest restaurant in Europe. We were on the second floor in a beautiful room. Dinner was served in between sets of Mozart music. The room was candle lit and chandeliers from the ceiling they of course were not candles. The music was done http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Salzburg/Salzburg/blog-783303.html We got off to a bit of a late start but we are on vacation and schedules can be easily adapted and changed. The day planed was to be half history of Salzburg and half Mozart. It pretty much ended up being all day about Salzburg with a bit of a throwback to ltem stylemsobidifontstyle normalgtThe Sound of Music.We had coffee in the chill lounge and mapped our route to our first stop o http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Salzburg/Salzburg/blog-783276.html Some MusingSalzburg is a postcard city that is the old section of Salzburg is picture perfect. The outskirts are just like any other city no cleaner no dirtier. Salzburg is also very old it is home of the oldest restaurant in Europe we will be there tomorrow and older than Paris. It was an independent city state until the early 19th century. It was originally ruled by Arch Bishops and t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Salzburg/Salzburg/blog-783227.html Woke up early for breakfast as we were leaving at 8.30am to go Budapest Hungary via Bratislava Slovakia. We though today we39d bring out bags down with us so we could get onto coach quicker sit together and at the front. Breakfast was the same thing as yesterday. When we got downstairs we saw Gina and Edward sitting in the breakfast bar they had only just got in from nightclub at 6.30am. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-783180.html Today we woke up early for breakfast not many people from tour were in the restaurant yet guessed they probably had a bit of a late night for them. There was a really nice selection of rolls and breads to cut yourself yoghurts cereals few bits of cooked stuff. Maya from tour asked to join us on table she was very bubbly and lovely. She spilt her coffee all over the table as lid came off w http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-783173.html Today was the say we met up with the Contikis. We woke up early to pack and to grab some breakfast. We thought wed try the normal breakfast restaurant downstairs in case they had more choices but decided to make use of the Executive Lounge. It was a bit better today.. they had marble cake sooooo tasty I stole some Nutella too its just too good and in convenient packaging pWe went for a w http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-783170.html Check out our website at www.smartguide.co.atLike us on Facebook at facebook.comsmartguideviennaSend us an email to ms3schwarzconsult.at if you have any questions http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Vienna/Vienna/blog-782450.html My journey continues and since my last blog I have crossed the border from Germany into Austria. Throughout the cycle ride I have been privy to some fantastic scenery met some fascinating people and have enjoyed some great experiences along the way.My first tales are really about the people you meet along a trip like this. I will leave the mixed sauna story till the end.I have been very fortunate http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Austria/Lower-Austria/Tulln-an-der-Donau/blog-780697.html