- travelrambles
Updated: Jan 6, 2021
The trip from Prague to Vienna was a memory I'll remember forever. In the worst way possible. Read my other post re: Prague for a little trip down memory lane.
After passing out in the hostel lobby for about 4 hours (I couldn't check in yet), it was time to forget about the rough ride and enjoy my short stay in the beautiful city so rich with culture.
Every corner of Vienna is blessed with beauty and culture. So many highlights but one unfortunate regret was the Vienna Boys' Choir being OFF during my time there. Unforgivable (but completely my fault).
Highlights:
Schonbrunn Palace
Hawelka (old district) for Viennese Coffee. Note: Entrance is small and easy to miss.. ask a local. Dorotheergasse 6, Vienna 1010
Anti-War and Facism Monument (Gates of Violence) is right by Vienna’s Opera House on Albertinaplatz
Kartner Strasse – beautiful pedestrian street lined with great shops and places to eat
Plague Monument (pestsaule) near Graben (golden ish statue)
Demel Bakery and Café, 200 year shop with coffee and cakes
Shopping along Kartnerstrasse and Graben
Recommend: Biking Tour(s) I went with http://www.viennaexplorer.com
Morning Bike Tour 3 hours, 22 euros
Got to see:
Heldenplatz (Hero’s Square where Hitler made the speech)
Hofburg Palace
Michaelerplatz (adolf looks building, a controversial modern building?)
Volksgarten – Folks Garden (Rose Garden)
Parlament
Rathaus
Burgtheater
University of Vienna
Schottenkirche
AM Hof
Judenplatz
Stephansdom
Albertinaplatz
Hrdlicka Monument
Opera house
Afternoon Bike Tour another 3 hours, 22 euros
Extra sights:
Sezession
Karlsplatz
Stadtpark (famous gold statue)
Danube Canal
Hundertwasserhaus (weird looking apartments**)
PRater Park, Prater Bridge
Danube, Danube Island
Reichssbrucke
Lassellestrasse
Ferrish Wheele
PRaterstrasse Urania
Ring, Otto Wagner Postal Bank
Radetzky monument
Johann Strass Monument
- travelrambles
Updated: Jan 6, 2021
A quick night's rest in Vienna and it was off to Salzburg in the early AM. In hindsight, I do not recommend a day trip but my schedule was too tight to allow for more. I fully admit, my reason for making this pit stop was to live out my Sound of Music memories. It did not disappoint!
Maria Bicycle Tour ($50 CAD / 4 hours) Recommend!
930AM or 430PM timeslot
Meet at Mirabellplatz 4
Sights
Nonberg Abbey
Mozart Bridge
ResidenPlatz
Rockriding School – Felsenreitschule
Horse pond
Mirabell Garden
Fronburg Palace
Gazebo
Lake
St Peter Cemetary
Extra highlights:
Mozartplatz (Mozart Square) stop by Café demei and people watch
Residenzplatz
Sound of Music Meadow (Hills are alive… song) Unfortunately, we ran out of time and only got to spend a total of 10 seconds at the top of the hill (gondola times restrictions).
- travelrambles
Updated: Dec 31, 2020
The change from France to Czech Republic was drastic. The romantic streets of Paris were soon replaced with the Bohemian walls of Prague. I didn't have any expectations which made for a wonderful time. There are two parts to the city: Old Town and New Town. The New Town simply boasts up-to-date retail stores but it is the Old Town that will charm you. Staying a stone throw's away from Charles Bridge was a great location as I had to cross it everyday . Aside from that, other must-see items on your list should include:
enjoying the view at the top of Prague Castle (my favorite was finding a restaurant nearby with a patio that overlooked the City and a nice selection of wines)
enjoying more of the view (with beer) at the Beer Gardens at the top of Letna Park
enjoying more views (get the theme?) up the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square
taking in the sunset, either at one of the overpriced restaurants or simply on the ground, of the Old Town Square
taking a moment to understand the rich history of the area plus a visit to the Old Jewish Cemetary
a quick trip out to the Gothic St. Barbara's Church in Kutna Hora to explore a church decorated in human bones
visiting the monestary (and its brewery)
strolling along the quieter streets to drop in the quirky side shops with bohemian inspired Czech art
Summary Days spent: 4 days and 3 nights Type of Lodging: Hostel Name of Lodging: Charles Bridge Hostel Activities: View gazing, Beer drinking, Neighbourhood Strolling
Prague was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed my time so much that I extended my stay an extra night. This was a huge mistake which caused me to have a seatless overnight journey on a train headed to Budapest (with a stopover to Vienna). I took refuge with 4-5 other passengers who spoke no English (only Spanish) between carriages. We kept each other company, safe from boredom, people stepping over us to get to the bathrooms and from the cold night. Let's just say the first moments in Vienna were slightly marred by the rather unenjoyable journey.