Vienna

Saturday, October 18, 2003

Arrived at Vienna airport and found a taxi. Despite the lack of a common language, the taxi driver was very helpful, pointing out places of interest en route.

Checked-in to Hotel Mate. It was quite late but we still found time for a walk to the centre of Vienna. Walking back we stopped for a bite to eat at an Italian on Josefstaden Strasse - it might have been "Hold". Tracy had soup and I had Penne Arrabiata. Tracy tried an "Almdudler" - the local herb lemonade.

Sunday, October 19, 2003

Two trams and a short stroll through the Burggarten and we arrived at the tourist information office. Left with directions to the Uhrenmuseum. We didn't quite understand why, but admission was free. Some impressive time-pieces - many still telling the correct time more than twice a day.

Took a walk around the Imperial Palace - the Hofburg (above). Followed by a bite to eat - Tracy had "Viennese" soup and I had a ham and cheese toasted-sandwich.

A short tram ride takes us to the MAK (Museum für Angewandte Kunst). I was unimpressed with most of the art but loved the design exhibits especially the vivarium with very colourful Dendrobate frogs - like the ones here.

Took the tram in the reverse direction. Stopped for a coffee (and cake) in the impressive glass houses - the Palmenhaus of the Burggarten. Before wandering through the butterfly house in the adjacent hot-house.

After returning to the hotel for a short rest, we set out for the big wheel - the Riesenrad - in the Prater. En route back to the hotel, we stopped at Lo Vienna and ate the only thing on the menu that we could be sure of translating correctly - gnocchi in Gorgonzola sauce.

Monday, October 20, 2003

Set out for a long day walking around the vast palace that was the summer residence of the Habsburgs' - the Schönbrunn. After a long walk around the highly-decorated interior, strolled through the well-kept gardens to Irrgarten - the maze. We solved the maze quickly - having promised to let Tracy lead, I promptly took over applying more logic than was probably required for optimal enjoyment. Took much more time "dancing" on the curious glockenspiel on the ground near by. A square of nine smaller bronze squares each containing a chime.

After playing on some of the other games at the maze, we walked up the hill to the Gloriette. Tracy insisted we climb to the top before lunch. The view was very impressive - one day I might produce a single panarama picture from the series of photos I took from the top.

Having eaten a huge tuna salad in the Gloriette we wandered through the zoo - Tiergarten. The underwater viewing window showed penguins in their element. Managed to get some great photos - especially the cheeky lemur - but failed to get a good photo of the stunning black jaguar that walked within inches of us. I'm glad I don't live next door to the noisy sealions. Still not sure I like zoos.

Warmed up with a stroll around the peaceful Palmenhaus. From tropical to desert. We encountered the curious creatures in the Desert House - I liked the geckos with the big "hands" best.

We strolled back through elegant gardens - stopping briefly to photograph a woodpecker hopping about a lawn - just in time for the last strudel-making demostration in the palace bakery. Of course, we felt obliged a slice of strudel.

Tuesday, October 21, 2003

We took the train south to the Vienna Woods stopping at Modling and walking the steep-sided valley to the nearby "Seagrotte" - a flooded mineral mine, which forms the largest undergound lake in Europe. We enjoyed the restful boat trip on the lake with enthusiastic commentary, before climbing the valley once again and returning to Modling.

After returning to the hotel for a short rest, we took the tram to the Konzert Café Schwarzenberg (Kärntner Ring 17). I had a traditional goulash with a large pickled chilli.

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Took the tram to the centre of Vienna. Visited a design exhibition at the Loos Haus (free entry). Definitely enjoy the practical art in these design exhibitions to "real" art. This exhibition had everything from bulldozers to human-hamster wheels. We stopped for some coffee and Sacher Torte (traditional chocolate cake) at the home of the original recipe.

Walked across Vienna taking in the curious architecture (above). Took the underground to Alte Donau and walked through the park to the Donauturn - Danube Tower. Ate a tasty lunch, that included a wonderful garlic soup, in the revolving restaurant. I enjoyed the food and the views, but did feel rather green for next few hours.

Walking back through the park to the underground station, Tracy insisted I take a photograph of some rusty old junk (above).

That evening we returned to the Schönbrunn, this time to the Orangerie, for a performance (Mozart and Strauss) by the palace orchestra.

Thursday, October 23, 2003

We took the west train to Krems an der Donau, and set about walking to the Benedictine monastery of Stift Göettweig (as seen from the bridge over the Danube above).

The majority of the walk was very flat. The last mile was not. When we finally reached the top, we discovered the monastery to be much larger, and more impressive, than it looked when we first spotted it.

Even the stairs were stunning (below). The food in the restaurant was great too. What was most amazing (after walking around with the crowds and coach parties elsewhere) was that the place was almost deserted.

We walked back down the hill, through the fields of grape vines and back across the Danube to Mautern. Exhausted, we took the train back Vienna.

Friday, October 24, 2003

Wow! Even the locals were a little surprised at the weather on our final day. We had just enough time for a little shopping and to wander through Vienna admiring the scenery again (above), before getting a taxi to the airport for the flight home.

Vienna is definitely somewhere I'd could spend more time. The woods were perfect for walking and the cycle paths along the Danube would be even more stunning in the summer.