Farewell Czech Republic, Hello Austria
When we were on our walking tour our guide suggested two villages worth visiting, Cesky Krumlov and Telc. Telc was only a half hour diversion, so decided to go there on our way to Austria. It looked like a regular village until you walked into the centre. This was surrounded by walls and lakes and dates back to the 13th century and was much larger than we expected. Of course it had gorgeous old buildings and a really quiet atmosphere.
We then headed to Vienna, Austria but didn't arrive at our hotel until 5:00pm. As we are avoiding Toll roads we are going through some pretty countryside but finding it is taking 1 to 1 1/2 hours longer than expected. We certainly see some interesting sites though, not least of which were the 1/2 dozen prostitutes on a side road waiting for truckies to drive along.
Once settled into the hotel we were back out again, hoping to make the most of our short stay here. Fortunately the sun doesn't set until around 9:30, so we had plenty of light and it was still very warm having been low 30's during the day. A short train trip to the centre of Vienna and we found St Stephens and Karl's Church, the Museum Quarter - with Library, Opera House and Museums and many other buildings. At the risk of repeating myself, the architecture is amazingly detailed and of course very old.
Once we had walked for a few kilometres, we caught a tram that took a ring route around most of the city. Once it turned out of the city we hopped off and began walking back over the Danube. There were plenty of people sitting on the banks drinking and enjoying the evening, along with more sitting in deck chairs on a fake beach. After wandering back past some buildings we had seen from the tram it was time to go home.
Back into the city to see the Town Hall (RatHaus), Universiti and more. Then having had enough culture (well me anyway), we headed to an area that is similar to Luna Park, except about 10 times bigger. I counted 7 different roller coasters and there were multiple dodgem cars, carnival games etc. We went on the Giant Ferris Wheel (dated 1897) and a roller coaster in which you lie down! Not sure how I got Trace on it, but she seemed to enjoy it (kind of).
The weather was starting to threaten - and the forecast was for thunder storms, so we hopped on a tram to head back towards home. The tram did take us past Belvedere Palace which was on our list, so we hopped off and had a look. As with Schoenbrunn there were huge gardens surrounding the building, considered one of the worlds finest Baroque landmarks. It is really great the way these palaces - and Versailles in France - make the grounds available for free and many locals seem to make use of that, particularly joggers here in Austria. We chose not to go into the building but look at it from outside. Whilst we were doing that thunder started rolling and some rain fell. We crossed to a cafe and enjoyed afternoon tea whilst the rain bucketed down and thunder crashed all around.
After about 45 minutes of rain we headed back to the Hotel to get organised for tomorrow and a drive to Salzburg via Mathausen Concentration Camp. .
We then headed to Vienna, Austria but didn't arrive at our hotel until 5:00pm. As we are avoiding Toll roads we are going through some pretty countryside but finding it is taking 1 to 1 1/2 hours longer than expected. We certainly see some interesting sites though, not least of which were the 1/2 dozen prostitutes on a side road waiting for truckies to drive along.
Once settled into the hotel we were back out again, hoping to make the most of our short stay here. Fortunately the sun doesn't set until around 9:30, so we had plenty of light and it was still very warm having been low 30's during the day. A short train trip to the centre of Vienna and we found St Stephens and Karl's Church, the Museum Quarter - with Library, Opera House and Museums and many other buildings. At the risk of repeating myself, the architecture is amazingly detailed and of course very old.
Once we had walked for a few kilometres, we caught a tram that took a ring route around most of the city. Once it turned out of the city we hopped off and began walking back over the Danube. There were plenty of people sitting on the banks drinking and enjoying the evening, along with more sitting in deck chairs on a fake beach. After wandering back past some buildings we had seen from the tram it was time to go home.
St Stephens
Museum Quarter
Saturday and we planned an earlier start to beat the crowds at Schoenbrunn Palace, getting there not long after 8:30. It worked well as there was no queue to buy tickets and the rooms of the palace were virtually empty. From the Palace into the gardens and there was a stage being set up for a concert. It was a real shame as it spoilt many photos, but there is nothing you can do. The day was again heading towards 30, so we had great weather for strolling around the gardens, maze and up the hill to the Gloriette.
Palace
Gloriette
The weather was starting to threaten - and the forecast was for thunder storms, so we hopped on a tram to head back towards home. The tram did take us past Belvedere Palace which was on our list, so we hopped off and had a look. As with Schoenbrunn there were huge gardens surrounding the building, considered one of the worlds finest Baroque landmarks. It is really great the way these palaces - and Versailles in France - make the grounds available for free and many locals seem to make use of that, particularly joggers here in Austria. We chose not to go into the building but look at it from outside. Whilst we were doing that thunder started rolling and some rain fell. We crossed to a cafe and enjoyed afternoon tea whilst the rain bucketed down and thunder crashed all around.
After about 45 minutes of rain we headed back to the Hotel to get organised for tomorrow and a drive to Salzburg via Mathausen Concentration Camp. .
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