GORGEOUS! The city must have been designed so that every where you looked, there was something beautiful. Having never been to Europe, the architecture and history that is apart of so many buildings was mind blowing to me and I wished to have had a personal tour guide with me at all times to explain all of the symbolism that I know was in all of those statues and intricate designs.
Not only was sight seeing in Vienna an incredible experience, but so was my first experience of staying in a Hostel! .. Allison and I reserached a few before leaving Graz, and we decided on staying at Wombats in Naschmarkt because it was rated as one of the best hostels world wide, so that put us at ease with the whole experience. The prices are about 2 euro more than what you could expect to stay elsewhere, but for the cleanliness, helpfulness and all around good experience it was worth it. To the girls, I also recommend staying in an all girls dorm. Before leaving we were thinking that it wouldnt be that big of an issue to stay with guys, but once actually in the situation, the all girls room was a perfect idea.
SO what did we do?!
Day 1:
- train ride into Vienna - found out that this such a windy city! AHH bring hair ties!
- checked into the hostel
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| Allison in our lovely room |
- headed out exploring - most of what we did took place in the "Inner Ring" of the city
- checked out the Hofburg Complex "reminder of the former Emperors Residence"
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| basically the Back of the Neue Burg - built just before WW1 - note the statue of mozart :) |
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| From in front of the Neue Burg - sorry i could hardly read the writing on any of these statues to find out who they are of |
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| Alte Burg - The old palace (13th CE) |
- went into the "Schmetterling Haus" - basically an indoor rainforest / butterfly conservatory
- Walked along "Graben" - the most fashionable shopping area in Vienna, where "Demel" Bakery is (photo below)
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| the monument in the center is of the Plague of 1687 that decimated the city |
- we then reached "Stephansdom" - St. Stephan's Cathedral - I've never seen a church so ornate or HUGE in all my life
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| Apparently a lot of the church has black residue from fires and other world war incidents) |
- next was more exploring around the city, going into various churches, looking at artwork (you have to look at my album on my facebook page for photos of the remains of the Frescoes that are left in and around these churches
- we then ate Austria's Famous "Sacher Torte" at Demel Bakery, walked to Hotel Sacher and made our way back to the hostel to eat in the "Wombar" for dinner and our free welcome drink :)
Day 2
- We got rained on really bad on our second day in Vienna so we decided to take our exploring indoors (note to self: do not travel in rainy weather)
- we explored Belvedere! (the summer residence/palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy - now used as an art gallery and for various events) This place honestly reminds me of the Marie Antoinette movie with the palace and the beautiful french inspired gardens that would be amazing in the summer time
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| upper Belvedere |
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| view over the gardens down to Lower Belvedere |
- we then did a tour of the Spanish Riding School "Spanische Hofreitschule" where they raise and train the Lipizzaner Horses (europes oldest and finest breed) - we werent allowed to take pictures of the Horses but i managed to snap one
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| tack room |
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| winter riding school where performance are held (1729) |
- a bit more exploring in the rain afterwards, around the Hofburg Complex
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| Vienese desserts |
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| Austrian Coat of arms on a ceiling |
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| ruins discovered of the original city |
Day 3:
- obviously consisted of more exploring in Vienna
- went by Backerstrasse, saw the Anker Clock in Hoher Markt, then basically walked the entire "Ring", where Vienna University is, the Rathaus, Burgtheater, Austrian Parliament, Maria-Teresienplatz, etc. Very historical and beautiful street all together
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| Austrian wafers - AMAZING |
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| Anker Clock |
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| Uni Vienna |
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| "Viennese Ice Dream" .. ice maze outside of the Rathaus |
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| Shakespeare bust on the Burgtheater |
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| Austrian Parliament |
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