Wachau Valley, a great roadtrip idea from Vienna

<![CDATA[ALUSOARE - Austria]]>Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:52:48 +0200Weebly<![CDATA[Wachau Valley with a stop in Durnstein]]>Tue, 17 Mar 2020 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.alusoare.com/austria/wachau-valley-with-a-stop-in-durnstein

Wachau Valley is considered the portion between Krems and Melk in lower Austria.
"The Wachau was inscribed as "Wachau Cultural Landscape" in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in recognition of its architectural and agricultural history, in December 2000" (Source)

It is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and also a well-known wine growing area.

The town gained its name from the medieval Duernstein castle, which overlooked it. The castle's name derived from the German duerr/duerr, meaning "dry", and Stein, "stone". The castle was dry because it was on a rocky hill, high above the damp conditions of the Danube at the base of the hill, and it was built of stone. The modern town stands between the castle and the river

Walk the main street and enjoy the cute little streets

Stop at the end for a view over the Danube

Buy Apricot based products

Melk

A totally worth stop is in Melk.

"Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey above the town of Melk, on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube river." (Source)

Interesting fact: "In his novel The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco named one of the protagonists "Adso of Melk" as a tribute to the abbey and its famous library." (Source)

]]><![CDATA[Day Trip from Vienna: Baden bei Wien]]>Tue, 10 Mar 2020 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.alusoare.com/austria/day-trip-from-vienna-baden-bei-wien

Being only 26 km way from Vienna, Baden is a great half day trip to enjoy if you have more type to spare while in Vienna.

This small town is easily reached both by car or public transport from Wien Matzleinsdorfer Platz (OBB).

"The celebrity of Baden dates back to the days of the Romans, who knew it by the name of Aquae Cetiae or Thermae Pannonicae. [...] The town was largely destroyed by a fire in 1812 but was excellently rebuilt in a Biedermeier style according to plans by architect Joseph Kornhausel, it is therefore sometimes referred to as the "Biedermeierstadt" (Source)

7 Things to do and see in Baden bei Wien

1. Beethoven House

this is the house where Beethoven was staying during the summers he was coming to this Spa city. During his time here he wrote several parts of the 9th symphony. The house is a museum since 2014.

2. Pestsaule - Dreifaltigkeitssaule

"Holy Trinity Column - Plague Column Main Square The construction of this unique, Baroque monument was decided on the basis of a vow of Baden citizenship on the occasion of the well-survived plague in 1713 and executed according to the plans of the painter Altomonte by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Stanetti. Construction lasted from 1714 to 1718. During the foundation work, a Roman stone bench was found, a proof of the existence of the former "Aquae". The "Ferdinandsbrunnen" was put into operation on the 13th of June 1833. It is aimed to commemorate the failed assassination attempt on the then Crown Prince and later Emperor Ferdinand." (Translation from Source)

4. The Rathouse (City Hall)

5. The small streets

6. The cute restaurants

7. The Kur Park

Depending on how much time you have you can explore more or less of the Park. We only walked a bit around and then took a break for a well deserved beer

]]><![CDATA[A weekend in Vienna]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:00:00 GMThttps://www.alusoare.com/austria/a-weekend-in-vienna

It's been long that I wanted to come visit Vienna, but somehow I never managed, until now! My uncle, aunt and cousin recently moved here so it was the perfect reason to add Vienna on my travel list.

I'll guide your through my journey through Austria's beautiful capital.

Some Admin

I arrived at Vienna Airport around 5:30 PM. You can get a train that brings you to the city center in about 16 min. I was lucky enough for my uncle to pick me up, but the train seems quite a good way to get to the city.

Metro works all night long in the weekend so it makes it easy to look for accommodation, make sure you stay close to a metro stop

Friday Evening (Day 1)

start with a beer, even better if you get the chance to have it on the side of the Danube

maybe get a Schnitzel to start your culinary experience and take advantage of the late opening hours at the Prater to have a look around or enjoy all the amusement opportunities

Saturday (Day 2)

Schoenbrunn

First documented mention by the name of Schoenbrunn, it's history is dating back in the Middle Ages so imagine how many things you can discover during your visit. Just visiting the gardens or also taking some time to check out the rooms of the palace, the trip to Schoenbrunn is a must when in Vienna. Take about 2h hours if you just do the shortest castle tour and the gardens.

Hundertwasser

opened in 1986, the hundertwasser house was built after the design of â€‹Friedensreich Hundertwasser with architect Joseph Krawina as a co-author.

Der Liebe Augustin

Ankeruhr

The Art Nouveaum, Anker clock , designed in 1911 by the painter and sculptor Franz von Matsch, connects two buildings in what is thought to be Vienna's oldest Square, Hoher Markt. (Source)

The characters "dance" at 12:00, in case you are there at that time.

Schnitzel @Figlmueller

Pay attention as there are 2 next to each other. For the one on Baeckerstrasse 6 you can queue and normally will get a table, for the one on Wollzeile 5 it's safer to make a reservation

They have there the famous Figlmueller Schnitzel, but I preferred to try the Wiener and was amazing

if you have space for desert try the Kaiserschmarren

Hofburg

Funny Streetlights

The same sex crossing lights have been introduced during the Eurovision when Conchita Wurst won, and seems that they made their way into the life of the city permanently.

Sunday (Day 3)

Rathaus

"Constructed from 1872 to 1883 in a Neo-Gothic style according to plans designed by Friedrich von Schmidt, it houses the office of the Mayor of Vienna as well as the chambers of the city council and Vienna Landtag diet." (Source)

Parliament

"The foundation stone was laid in 1874; the building was completed in 1883. The architect responsible for its Greek Revival style was Theophil Hansen. He designed the building holistically, aiming to have each element harmonizing with all the others."(Source)

Globemuseum

For a 4 Euro ticket you can see both the Globemuseum and the Esperanto museum. I've only gone the the Globemuseum as for some reason I find globes really cool.

Saint Stephan's Cathedral

Great interior and amazing view from the top, keep in mind that there are a lot of stairs.

Exterior

Interior

Entry fee in the tower is 6 Euro and you climb 67 m. You do get the feeling that is a never ending climb, but totally worth it.

View from 67 m

Take a Break with an Ice Cream or a Strudel

more food & drinks to try in Vienna? Have a look at What food not to miss in Vienna

Take a Walk on the Danube and enjoy the Tel Aviv Beach

Click on the small images above for more :)

Got a car? Drive out of Vienna for lunch

Great location, the place inside is traditionally decorated and you can have rotisserie chicken done on wooden grill...amazing

Karlskirche

at the end of the day, pass by Karlskirche, as it looks so nice.

Opera-house by night

and right before heading home, check out the opera house.

Well, I am quite happy with what I managed to see while in Vienna. The rest remains for next time.

]]><![CDATA[What food not to miss in Vienna]]>Tue, 13 Mar 2018 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.alusoare.com/austria/what-food-not-to-miss-in-vienna

If going to Vienna for the first time, please get prepared for a lot of food, as you have so many things you absolutely have to try. I prepared for you a short list. Have a look.

Schnitzel @Figlmueller

If you want the famous Figlmuller Schnitzel, bare in mind it is pork meat ultra thin and super huge, I never managed to finish it. This time I tried the Wiener Schnitzels which is veal here and it was great

Kaiserschmarren

Shredded pancake, which has its name from the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I, who was very fond of this kind of fluffy shredded pancake.

Apfelstrudel

If i think about it, this could be listed as my favorite dessert, so will always give it a try if I see it on the menu especially in place where they do not add raisins in it which ruin everything ;). My aunt says that the absolute best one is at Aida so of course I gave it a try and I must say it is extremely delicious.

Ice Cream

When it comes to Ice Cream I got not get away without trying the one from Zanoni & Zanoni which as per my cousin is the best in town.

Wooden grilled chicken

Not far from Vienna you can try rotisserie chicken on wood fire. The place is called Waldschenke and it's a very nice experience due to the traditional looks.

Some dessert, would not know the name

Viennese cappuccino

Almdudler

Manner Waffles

And of course the Kaesekrainer which are Wurst with cheese. I did not get to eat them though, but heard they are perfect especially after a late night out ;)

Enjoy! ...and try not to eat too much ;)

]]><![CDATA[Visiting Schoenbrunn]]>Tue, 30 Jan 2018 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.alusoare.com/austria/visiting-schoenbrunn

A must see, but take a few hour for the visit if you want to see it all :) We only booked the Imperial tour that gives you access to 22 rooms, but I i believe that this is enough to get the flavor of the place.

The lovely flowers

take a walk around and enjoy the flowers and very beautiful roses all around the garden

i love all these tunnels, they give you the feeling of infinity and that all is possible, right?

Schoenbrunn Yellow

'The history of "Schoenbrunn Yellow" is a topic of great interest both to visitors to the palace and to architectural scholars. The results of the most recent samples taken from the rendering of the facade reveal that the former hunting lodge designed by the Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach was painted in light shades of orange and brick-red for the blank surfaces with the architectural articulation picked out in white. During the reign of Maria Theresa the palace was initially painted in a golden ochre colour and then in the 1770s in a light ochre with the articulation picked out in white and light beige. Johann Aman, the court architect during the first half of the nineteenth century, used a monochrome grey colour in imitation of stone for the facade he had altered to conform to the Neoclassical canon. From the middle of the nineteenth century the shade known as Schoenbrunn Yellow began to prevail, possibly as a deliberate reference to the era of Maria Theresa." (Source)

The Zoo

We did not have tickets for the zoo, but you can still spot the rhinoceros and some sort of dear or a gazelle :)

Neptune Fountain

"Designed as the crowning element of the Great Parterre, and sited at the foot of the hill behind the palace is the Neptune Fountain, which was conceived as part of the overall design of the gardens and park commissioned by Maria Theresa in the 1770s. [...] The figural group was originally free-standing, but a screen of trees was planted behind it during the nineteenth century in order to provide it with an effective foil. " (Source)

The Gloriette

Built in 1775 as the last building constructed in the garden according to the plans of Austrian imperial architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg as a "temple of renown" to serve as both a focal point and a lookout point for the garden, it was used as a dining hall and festival hall as well as a breakfast room for emperor Franz Joseph I.

View from the top & over Vienna

As the picture shows you, visiting Schoenbrunn is a must even on a cloudy day.

]]><![CDATA[Hundertwasser Architecture]]>Tue, 02 Jan 2018 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.alusoare.com/austria/hundertwasser-architecture

I love finding special & daring architecture around the world and Hunderwasser is definitely one of the artists who created something special, the lines, the colors and the nature all brought together in perfect harmony. Have a look :)

Opened in 1986, the Hundertwasserhouse was created from the collaboration between Hundertwasser and Joseph Krawina. " It features undulating floors ("an uneven floor is a divine melody to the feet"), a roof covered with earth and grass, and large trees growing from inside the rooms, with limbs extending from windows. Hundertwasser took no payment for the design of the house, declaring that it was worth it, to prevent something ugly from going up in its place." (Source)

The Hundertwasser House is one of Vienna's most visited buildings and has become part of Austria's cultural heritage. (Source)

Across from the house there is Hunderwasser Village where you can find a lot of lovely souvenirs and a bar. "The Hundertwasser Village was built both on the inside and the exterior by concepts of artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser during the years 1990 and 1991. The building was used as car tire factory before that time. The flood of people visiting the nearby Hundertwasserhouse led to the idea of constructing a house giving the infrastructure for the visitors." (Source)

looks super cute and colorful right? I must say I did not stay for a drink but the place is worth to enter and get yourself a souvenir.

And after leaving some Euros in the shops here another view of the house and an excerpt from a press conference (1980) with Friedensreich Hundertwasser in Vienna to create a perfect ending to the post: "This house shall represent a first attempt of conversation with nature. We and nature shall be equal partners and none must suppress the other." (Source)

Location: Landstrasse district on the corner of Kegelgasse and Loewengasse.

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