Vienna

[Fabian]

Over the easter weekend we took a short trip to Vienna.

Beside ridiculous prices in touristy places and strange ideas how a four star hotel looks like it was a very nice trip. For sure a nice city to visit. For me reviving childhood memories too as I lived there 3 years.

First I start with a video as I have not found the time to upload some pictures. I tried in the gallery but got the message that the files are too big so I will have to try with photobucket again.

This is Schönbrunn palace and the king's garden house:



You can walk up the hill to the Gloriette and have a look over the city:

The limited picture quality is Youtube's fault, the original is very clear in full HD.

You can stroll around the garden as you like without any fee but the palace itself is worth a visit. There is a zoo directly beside the palace gardens which I have good memories of though as a seven year old things look different. We did not bother because of limited time.

[Chairman Mao]

Looks nice.

A mate of mine became a hippy and just bought some old stone farmhouse on the edge of a vineyard I think, on the outskirts of Vienna.

Looks like a lovely place to live.

[dirtydog]

That Palace doesn't look too bad, thinking of something like that for my land, albeit a 2 bedroomed version

[Kurgen]

2 bedroomed Palaces, got any plans to post ?

[Bogon]

Vienna's a pretty cool place.
They have decent tram system and in town they have kebab stalls that sell beer aswell.
The kebabs were a bit like sausage meat with paprika added, but the beer was good!
They have some Thai hookers hanging around some park with a big wheel and stuff.
You don't have to buy a ticket for the underground 'cos no-one checks.
The people are the same as Germans, so we had a common understanding that we didn't like each other.
Overall, I would give it a 5/10 'cos the German connection.

[Fabian]

Don't tell that the Austrians, they hate us with a passion.

[MeMock]

Thanks for this fabian. Any more pics? Will be visiting family near Vienna sometime in the next 18 months.

[Fabian]

As I said I have got some pictures to show but did find time to upload them until today.

We flew with Germanwings which uses brand new Airbus 319 but is not able to get a suitcase undamaged from Hamburg to Vienna.


This is one of the two churches you should see in Vienna. Unfortunately I don't remember the name but you can get a useful map at the tourist information at the airport or downtown. The important sights are drawn out.

[Fabian]

If you take the tram on the inner ring road you will pass most of the main sights.



But not only the tram system is quite convenient but the subway has been extended over the last years to a very convenient system too.

You can take the U-Bahn (underground) directly to the Schönbrunn palace I showed in the video.

[Fabian]

This is the other important church or better to say cathedral: The Stephansdom.




The town hall is one of the sights you will pass with the tram.


Left to the townhall is this building which is not a greek temple but the Austrian parliament.


From there you can walk over to the Hofburg which was the city castle weil the other palace has been the summer casstle outside of the city walls.

[Fabian]

At an side entrance is the museum of the royal jewellery collection which is impressive. By the way, the entrance fees are bold whatever you want to see in Vienna.

[nikster]

Don't tell that the Austrians, they hate us with a passion.

They didn't like him 'cause he told them, I think... on the other hand, mention that you don't like Germans and score a few cheap points right there.

I never was all that into it, but living outside Europe for a pretty long while I think we are in fact pretty much very alike. Same as Bavarians, at least. Bavaria could be an Austrian province, or vice versa - same thing.

I guess one difference is that Germans in foreign countries tent to congregate and stick together a bit, whereas Austrians are determined to go it alone and avoid any other Austrians. No idea why. I am from Vienna BTW.

[ShilohJim]

Beautiful city, thanks for sharing the pictures and info. I'll probably never get to visit there in person but have a good impression in case my lottery numbers work.

Green to you!

Jim

[Fabian]

The third palace to visit was the Belvedere.



We gave the inside a miss because of not enough time and me not being very fond of walking around two hours to look at pictures by Klimt.

If your missus is showing withdrawl you can get thai food too of course.



We looked for the Schnitzel instead and if you want to eat that you should visit Figlmüller's:



It does not fit on the plate.



It is very thin though and that's how it should be.

[Fabian]

Afterwards we went to the Prater, a permanent fun fair. Maybe a job opportunity for our Scamp?

I was a bit disappointed as in my memory it was much bigger but as a seven old everything is bigger.

[Fabian]

Back in town we went to this place:



To have a piece of this:



I have to say I had a few Sacher cake and there is nothing special about eating it at the place it was created. Most of the copied ones are as good if not better.

[Fabian]

The evening was ended in a wine cellar. Actually you should try the Heurigen (kind of a beer garden but with wine) in the suburbs but we were running out of time.
This cellar was 900 years old.