Melk Abbey 4/6/15

For our last day in Vienna, we decided to go to a small town called Melk. It is a 70 minute train ride west of Vienna. We bought a one day train pass that entitles you to go on any train there and back. The Melk Abbey is a famous Unesco site built in the late 1700's and early 1800's. It was severely damaged by fire and reconstructed by 1749 in the Austrian Baroque style. The monks of St Benedict have lived and worked here for 900 years. They presently run a secondary school for about 860 boys and girls. After a very crowded tour of the Abbey, we did a walkabout in the extensive gardens. The gardens are divided into various sections dependent on the artist responsible for the theme. There are parts that are used for planting vegetables and herbs and peaceful area of trees and flowers used for prayer and contemplation. The abbey stands on a hill above the Danube. After another delicious lunch we walked back to catch train home.

The overpowering presence

The village below

The entry courtyard

Up the stairs to the left is the entry

Library

Library

Most valuable gift

Garden Pavillian

Pavillian frescos

Pavillian frescos

Frescos

Frescos Pavillian

Frescos galore, everywhere in the Pavillian

Ravens overlooking the garden

Vegetable garden

Many paths to solitude

Rest stop In the garden

Present being wrapped by the artist

Perfect lunch

 

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Vienna 3/6/15

Today was a hot sunny day. It was the finally day for George and Sue. We decided to saunter down to the Opera House along one of Vienna's no cars, wide shopping streets that connects the Westbahnhof train station to the Opera House then on to lunch in the same outdoor market we ate yesterday. After this lazy morning, we walked George and Sue to the Underground hugging them good travels. Tomorrow we are off th Melk for the day. One of the traditional stops for Crusie Ships.

At the Opera House, talking to one of the guides.

There they go.

Stopping at an icecream parlour.

So delicious on a hot day

 

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Vienna 2/6/15

There are three train stations in Vienna two are about a 40 minute hike from our place and 30 to 45 minutes walk from down town. We have been going to one or the other to plan our trips. We found the third station was only a 13 minutes walk and is the newest and the most modern. This is great news since our backpacks are getting heavier with every city we stay in. We went up to the main train station and finalised our plans for Thursday, a round trip to Melk, Friday we start returning westward to Passau, Saturday, Rothenburg. Frankfurt on the ninth and the flight home on the tenth.

Returning from the train station, We walked through the gardens of the Belvadere Palace. This was the palace of prince Edward of Savoy. He was a Frenchman that was said to be too short and ugly to be of service to Louis XIV. He offered his services to the Habsburgs. He was a military genius helping Austria win its battles becoming very rich in the process. He built this palace with his riches.

If you have seen the movie "Woman In Gold", this is the palace where the painting hung before it was restored to its rightful owners. It is also said that Edward had a pet lion that died shortly after Edwards death. No one knows if it died grief stricken; or, by the hand of one of the servents who was terrified of it. It seems if you have a large enough place you will have an extensive collection of animals. All in all a very interesting palace.

We met George and Sue at the St Stephens Cathedral. Once visited, we took the U3 underground to University stop and the 38 tram to Grinzing. It is a picturesque little town on the edge of the city known for its many taverns. Heuriger is the name given to Eastern Austrian wine taverns that serve sumptuous food and young wine grown locally. We walked by many taverns that didn't open till after 1500. We did find two. One served us a noon time meal while the other pastries.

Monument to those Russian soldiers killed liberating Vienna in WWII.

The front of the palace

Expansive flower rimmed grass lawns

A mirror for those who want to take selfies.

Zoo keeper's house

Entry gate

Main course

Dessert

 

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Vienna 1/6/15

We started off our day by walking to the Meidling train station to reserve seats to Passau; Friday's trains can be crowded. Then on to the Blue hop on hop off bus that took use to the Military Arsenal, the Schonbrunn Palace and the Belvedere Castle and Gardens. The Red route takes you closer to the inner city while the Blue route takes you further out from the city. There was a lot, so it took quite a while. We were ready for lunch when we got off. Our plan was to eat at the Naschmarkt market where the displays of fish, vegetables, spices and many other delicacies followed one after another. We settled on a fine fish restaurant that cooked use a scrumptious grilled bass to perfection. After eating and drinking far too much we took the underground to an island in the middle of the Danube river. We walked and relaxed far from the clatter of the city.

 

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Vienna-Wien 31/5/15

We started out early to check out the Westbahnhof to see if it's trains went to Passau which is our next stop. We were scheduled to stay here until the 6th and then leave for Rothenburg which is an 8 hour trip from here with 3 or 4 transfers. We decided that we should cut the train trip in two by stopping a day in Passau. On the way to the train station we passed a WWII Flak Tower built by the German to protect against allied bombing.

From the train station, we hurried back to the center of town to meet George and Sue at tourist information. We had an exciting day planned starting with the Spanish Riding School with the Lipizzaner stallions. It is an 80 minute show and it was packed. All the seats were sold months befor and they go for up to 200 euros. There was standing room however for around 25 euros. The show was spectacular. The horses prance, dance, and jump to Viennese classical music. You will note no pictures because they are not allowed. The flashes spook the horses. Needless to say many people around us took pictures although they were reminded many times not to. You can buy a CD in the gift shop of the whole show.

After the show we hopped on the red bus to go see the giant Ferris Wheel, a world Heritage Site. George and Sue rode while we took pictures. This was no ordinary Ferris Wheel It was built in1897. In 1944 it's cabins and technical installations were destroyed by fire and bombs. It was rebuilt and back in service by 1947. This Farris wheel has thirty cabins that seat 20 people. It offers a view of the entire city. Our day ended back in town where we had a lovely dinner.

Flak Tower

Allowed one picture before horses enter.

World Heritage Ferris Wheel

George, Sue, Joan all eating salads.

 

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