Christmas in Austria 2016

[Jesus Jones]

Well, things didn't get off to a good start!

During check-in at Suvarnabhumi, we discovered my wife and daughter's visa didn't have enough to cover our 10-day stay. Trying to find an earlier return flight to cover us was futile for this time of the year. While the fault ultimately lies with us, our travel agent convinced us to stay for ten days instead of our planned 7, but we both overlooked that our visa was only valid for eight days. Nevertheless, we took a chance and we are now at Vienna (2 pm Thai times) waiting for our next flight to Salzburg.




I can't say I enjoyed the flying experience but worth it for my daughter to experience Xmas in snow. The landing was a hard one that didn't help matters and was met with a laugh of relief from passengers, including myself. The wife thought nothing of it.

We landed in Vienna about 5 am. Now waiting for our Salzburg flight at 9:30 am.

[Jesus Jones]

So we left Vienna in a small propelled aeroplane over the beautiful, cloudy mountains. The iPhone and my lack of photography skill don't do justice. From the looks of it, there isn't enough snow for skiing either.

[Jesus Jones]

We arrived a little later than expected as there was a complication on the runway which forced all planes to share the same run. The flight was pleasant for our 35min flight (more than enough for me) with a softer landing if compared to our first. We jumped straight into a taxi and headed into town to our place of stay. A thousand-year-old town building. Built by the Romans, we ducked our way under the arches and climbed three floors of very steep stairs. Despite the old architecture, the rooms are very contemporary. Our room, though, is on a downhill slope and one feels you're picking up speed as you venture to the toilet.




Still jet-lagged, the next morning I woke at 1:57 am. Fortunately, decent internet and Netflix kept me occupied until my daughter woke to want to play 'My Little Ponies'. I was Apple Jack! Eventually, the wife woke at 5 am. Twelve hours sleep for her as we all fell asleep around 5 pm. We showered and waited two more hours for the wife to get ready, put makeup on and decide which hat and jacket she looked best on her!

Eventually, we ventured out to 'Supermarkt Billa' for some supplies and headed to a local coffee shop for breakfast.

"Check this dude out!"






Salzburg is full of historical sights despite it technological modernity with its public transport etc. What I did Find amusing, being a non-smoker was the service from cafe waiters with fag in hand resembling a scene from a 40s movie. I didn't see a woman without a fag in hand either. Gross! Fags were the only thing littering the street. Disfuckingusting!

[Jesus Jones]

After breakfast, we had a walk around the town to take a few snapshots and take note of tourist attractions we might want to see.

[Jesus Jones]

Franciscan Church and Salzburg Cathedral with HohenSalzburg Fortress peering over the top.

Unfortunately, I only have video from the Fortress and some snapshot views as inside photography wasn't allowed. Didn't stop the Chinese though who outnumbered the residents in the area!

[Jesus Jones]

View from HohenSalzburg Fortress.

[Jesus Jones]

We stayed in the historic part of Salzburg which is quite interesting, and this morning we had an early morning walk to the other side of town, across the river. Not as interesting but the Roman garden was worth a look. Will be back in the Cathedral Square to catch the festivities and angels walking around the square. Our daughter will enjoy it at least.

[Jesus Jones]

After a couple of hours, we headed back into the Cathedral square and market.




Daughter giving money to the carol singers.

[Jesus Jones]

The following morning we took the bus to Salzburg station and head to Hallstatt by train.


Mitterndorf





Traunkirchen/Ebensee

[Jesus Jones]

We arrived at approximately 12:30, hopped on the boat over Hallstätter See and took in the sights with its quaint houses, church and local shops.

[Jesus Jones]

The three of us were famished so we headed for some grub. There were quite a few restaurants and cafes to choose from which surprised us from such a small place. We opted for a local cafe.
The wife chose fish and chips, I went along with it!






She said the Schnitzel was the best fish and chips she has had!

Actually, I don't usually eat meat but I have tucked into it while being here.

[Jesus Jones]

Daughter wants to play Barbie and talk about limited edition schlond poofaas so i'll post later.

[david44]

Great photos thanks JJ
If you have time try and visit Berchtesgartedn and St Gilgen easy day trips

[Jesus Jones]

Will check it out, thanks. In Vienna for the next 3 days.

[david44]

The Dorotheum
Wiener Sezession nat the foot of the Schonbrau Palace is an amazing building
Prater
If you want ultimate cream pie Demel's or Sacher of course

[Luigi]

That will clear yer lungs out!

Bladdy lovely mate. Thanks for that.

[terry57]

A long way to fly for a short trip, Big effort and well done.

Ta.

[Davis Knowlton]

Great thread, JJ. Love threads about places I've never been and am very unlikely to ever see.

[Jesus Jones]

A long way to fly for a short trip, Big effort and well done.

Ta.

Tiz a long way, but two weeks is too long i think. That being said, we'd planned on skiing but there isn't enough snow where we've been located. Now I'm being dragged around the shops!

[Jesus Jones]

That will clear yer lungs out!

Bladdy lovely mate. Thanks for that.

If you can find a gap between people smoking, yes.

[david44]

A world class collection



he Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) was built in 1891 near the Imperial Palace to house the extensive collections of the imperial family. With its vast array of eminent works and the largest Bruegel collection in the world, it is considered one of the most eminent museums in the world.
Numerous major art works of European art history, among them Raphael’s "Madonna in the Meadow," Vermeer’s "The Allegory of Painting," the Infanta paintings by Velazquez, masterworks by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto are housed in the paintings gallery. The Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection contains fascinating treasures from mysterious cultures long past.

The Kunstkammer Vienna (Chamber of art and wonders) with rarities from the former treasure chambers and cabinets of curiosities of the Habsburgs opened again in March 2013. The collection is one of the most significant of its kind in the world and displays precious artworks from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque era. The highlights are the collection of Emperor Kaiser Rudolf II, the exotica complex and the famous "Saliera".

2016: 125 years of the Kunsthistorisches Museum

The architectural mirror image of the Kunsthistorisches Museum is the Museum of Natural History on the opposite side, which was also built according to designs by Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer.

Discover Vienna's Ringstrasse - on a virtual walk ...

Imperial Palace Overview

Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum)

Maria-Theresien-Platz , 1010 Wien
Kunsthistorisches Museum: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
+43 1 525 240
info@khm.at
Prices
Opening times
Accessibility

live links on website
https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing...risches-museum

Also the Albertina

Even a child will enjoy the Hare by Albrecht Durer also some Zuburans of world standard

No cut and paste ltd pixels can do justice to this chef d'ouevre of Euro culture

If added entire Russian Icons so called American , Austraian,British artists Emin Turner Hurst Piper together with all Jewish Islamic Mayan Aztec pre Colombian art will you witness such draughtsmanship



http://www.albertina.at/en/informati...g_hours_prices

[Nicethaiza]

nice thread nice pics and lovely baby.

[snakeeyes]

Great pics , Cheers

[Neverna]

Nice thread. Thanks JJ.

[wasabi]

Lovely pictures of Austria thank you for sharing.