Wien, Österreich/ Vienna, Austria and Passau, Germany

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Trip to Vienna (tied with Switzerland for best place in the world), and quick run through Passau, on the German/Austrian border (on the train home from Vienna).

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Photos

Schloss Schönbrunn
Summer residence of the Hapsburg monarchs.

Sommernachtskonzert, Schloss Schönbrunn
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gives a free concert on the grounds of the palace one night every year. Close to 120,000 people attend.

Soviet Monument
A lovely present from the Soviets, to remind the Austrians of their power. It is understood that the Austrians protect the monument even today, as Russia would have the right to attack Vienna otherwise. Everything on the monument is written in Russian, which makes perfect sense in a German-speaking country.

Schloss Belvedere
The next group of photos shows the Lower and Upper Belvedere Palaces, the former residence of Eugene of Savoy. The Lower Palace is located down the hill from the much more impressive upper palace.