European Adventure 1 - Day 3 - Vienna/Salzburg

Did not sleep too well…don’t know why. The temperature etc was all fine.  And I just don’t like the shower in this hotel! Its way too small.  Breakfast was the same. It was okay. 

Today I was going to be on the other side of the canal, the International Center. Took the U1 there. The modern Vienna was also good. I got off at the International Center and walked around. There were many neat modern art sculptures around, some really interesting looking buildings with modern architecture. Aldi supermarket was there too. There were some apartment buildings and gardens. Spent about an hour walking around.  Stopped at the next metro station, it was built over a river. Beautiful scenery there. 

Came back to the hotel and rested a bit before checking out and leaving for the station. Good thing I had gotten my ticket stamped because the cops were there checking tickets as we got off the escalator.

I feel like I saw what I could in Vienna in the two days I was there. I guess more time could have spent in visiting the museums and attending concerts/operas, but I was not into that.

My thoughts about Vienna?

• It is doable in 2 days…maybe one more in one wants to see the museums.
• Definitely attend a concert.
• Go inside churches. You just don’t know what it will be from inside.
• Maybe come in July when there are more flowers. There may be no tulips but there will be plenty other flowers.
• There is plenty to eat and drink and affordable.  I saw so many people eating ice cream all the time! I was thinking it will be more coffee cafes but it was more ice cream cones!

3^rd May-Salzburg

The two hour train journey to Salzburg was uneventful.  In both these train journeys no one has asked for my passport!

Went to the tourist information at the Salzburg station, and got myself a one day pass for Salzburg, which gives me free rides on metro and buses and free entry to a number of places. It was only E-24 and totally worth it. I also booked a tour to Hallstat for 5^th May. Also had to find out about the bus to take to go to the hotel – the hotel had sent me directions but still wanted to make sure.

Got to Platform C for #1 bus. I was the typical “tourist” all the way, asking about the ticket and where to get off…and the people were so nice, they helped me all the way – which was really less than a 10 min ride. The ticket was E-2.60, which I thought was a little high for such a short ride. Got off at Marketplatz. It was next to garden area and there was this wonderful church on one side of it. Little did I know that I had to go through the door next to the church. I used my wonderful map app and tried to find the hotel. It was a huge door, the handle was higher than my height! I thought it would be locked, but then someone came out and I went in. It was unlocked! I was such a chicken.

I checked into the hotel. Its actually a church hotel, so its very simple. the room was bare, no carpet, just one bed, one table with chairs, no TV. I could not figure out the heating and cooling and luckily I did not need it. The bathroom and toilet were separate, but clean with enough room (not like Vienna!). Again, I am dealing with the two prong round pins and only one outlet. I will not be able to charge my computer. Hopefully it will last me my trip.

After a few minutes of rest, I decided to go to Mirabell gardens. Its not too far from my hotel (actually I found out later that nothing was far from my hotel – great location). My entrance to the garden was from the side of the music hall, so not the main entrance. I make all these mistakes that are turning out good. As soon as I enter the garden there is small fountain in the front and on the right are beautiful lavender color flowers (same I saw in Vienna). And there are tulips – everywhere. For the first time I genuinely feel happy in a garden. Most times, I am off into photography, but here I just want to sit down and enjoy the garden. It was very soothing, not overwhelming. The weather was just beautiful.

I walked around, met an Australian lady traveling by herself. She has been in Europe for about 2 months living on only one bag! Wow! I am not the only single woman traveling in Europe, but Indian woman – yes! We talked for a while, I found it interesting how she is travelling – but she is more talkative than I am listening. So I take my leave. 

Went around the garden, took pictures and sat for a while. There is still plenty of time left in the day, so I walked to cross the canal. The bridge was beautiful – all covered with locks, locks of love! Walked to the right after crossing the bridge and then turned left. And then the market started. It went on and on and on. There are way too many tourists here! On the bridge were a whole bus load of Chinese/Korean? Tourists and now on this street I am seeing the Indians.

The temperature is getting cooler as the sun is going down. I really need coffee. There was some construction going on in the middle of the road, but still managed to find a nice little coffee place, no one was there. Had a cappuccino and chocolate cake. Coffee was not too hot and the cake was just so so. After a little more walk found a McDonald! Hehe…went in and had a potato crisps – not fires not wedge….who knows what. It was okay. Sat next to an Indian couple. There are too many people speaking Hindi around here. They told there were a lot of tours from India. Great! People have a lot of money.

Kept walking on the market street. It seem to go on forever. It was pretty but the shops were quite repetitive. It was like a maze to me, I would take a turn somewhere and get lost. Had to ask for direction to get out of these streets. It is getting too cold. Weather has been most uncooperative. My foot has also been hurting a lot. I have been taking Tylenol and Advil day and night.

Finally found my way out of the maze and got near the river. Stopped by in a bakery to pick up a croissant. The puris are going well for me but the achaar is not working out. It was not too far to get to my hotel. My feet are killing me. I gave them a nice cold water bath using the garbage can in the room. I did not have any salt, but even that felt good. I think I may also need reading glasses, some of my photos have not photos are not focused because I could not see…luckily I take many photos. 

Great day!!

European Adventure 1 - Day 2 - Vienna

It was going to be raining today so I decided to go to the Schonbrunn Palace. At least I could spend some time inside. Although weather changes a lot.

Breakfast was a nice spread of cheese, bread, fruit and eggs. I had a pot of hot tea and was out of there by 9 am.  Took the U4 directly to Schonbrunn palace. It took less than 10 mins. I love the metro! Walked to the palace from the station. It was cloudy and a little cold. I was so not prepared for all the cold and walking. I should have packed a pair of shoes and a light jacket. Oh well.

The palace is a huge building with a huge fountain in the front. The photography started for me from the front gate! There were horse carriages for rides.  There was no line in the ticketing – I think because I was there so early. I bought the Grand Tour (the best one). I had so much time today.  I picked up the audio tour contraption. They had it in many languages. I walked through each room and played all the audio. For some of the parts photography was prohibited, so I just enjoyed the rooms. There was a lot of tapestry and furniture from all over the world – as far as India and China.  The royalty here went back about 400 years. It was a good tour.

Went through the huge gift shop. It was not too hard to not buy anything. Just bought some chocolate.  There was so much stuff there but I could not bring anything home and I did not want to also.

Then it was time to go out.  By now any drizzling had stopped. I walked around the palace to the gardens. I took one wrong turn and because of that I saw the ENTIRE garden! And the entire garden was really a lot of greenery with some beautiful statues and fountains.  It was tough with my poor sandals but I did it. And I enjoyed it! By the time I did a full circle, then only I realized where I had taken a wrong turn (a good one though). And what I saw just took my breath away. It the biggest most beautiful fountain in the world!! it was facing the backside of the palace. There was another viewing area a little bit over the hill. 

Slowly and surely I saw the whole fountain. There were gardens in front of it, immaculately kept, but there were not many flowers except for tulips. I met a girl from Kyrgyzstan. Interesting. She was on Europe tour on her way back and she was traveling alone. We walked around the fountain then trekked up to the other viewing area. Could see all of Vienna from there. Gorgeous! After that I was on my own again. Walked the other side of the gardens. The walking area was all gravel but I did it all. I saw a few more fountains.  The gardens were really manicured and designed beautifully. I made 100% use of my ticket. I think my timing was a little off for the flowers. July would have been better to see all the gardens.

It took about 6 hours for me to see it all and enjoy it all. I took the U4 train to Karlplatz. But could not figure out how to get to the Museum Quarter from there.  The street signs and all were not the best for me. So I went back to the metro station and took the U2 directly to the museums. I finally had to get money from Karlplatz. I wanted to have a cup of coffee and the coffee place would not take cards. Got E-300. Hopefully that will be enough for the whole trip.

The coffee place, Struck, was a common coffee place on all metros. I had a coffee and ciabatta pizza. It was good to eat something other than puris.

Museum Quarter was just two stations down from Karlplatz. The museum quarter really was just that, all museums. I just looked outside. I did not have enough time to go to all the museums. I walked to Theisen plaza (I had walked up to here yesterday). I walked around, sat a while and enjoyed the gardens.

Walked around the Ring road towards the Parliament. Nice building. From then it was to Rathaus Plaza. Crossed the street to Burg theater and there to Volks garden. It was really pretty but would have been better during July with more flowers. 

Walked towards the Heldenplatz (I was here yesterday also) and to Burggarten. It was a beautiful small garden with a statue of Mozart in it. It brought me to the Sttats Opera – which is the Vienna Opera House. Looks great from outside.  All over the city, I had seen young men dressed as Mozart selling opera tickets. It was kind of amusing…looked like they were selling something illegal – but obviously not!

I was thinking that the concert I had was going to be here in Vienna Opera House, but not really. Anwar, the reception guy forgot to tell me exactly where the concert was. I had the ticket with me, so I had ask around. But that is fine. I had a lot of time so I walked on Karntnerstrasse street. It was an interesting street. Full of shopping eating and enjoying.  Really good to walk. So much shopping!! It was only a pedestrian street so just enjoy walking. I stopped at the Swarovski shop. I did not think I would buy anything – but I did! It was a beautiful shop with things I could not even imagine.  They seemed like good people so I checked with the lady there about my concert place and she told me it was in St. Peter’s church, which was not that far from where I was.

Swarvoski crystals

I looked through some of the gift shops…did end up buying chocolate at the Heindel shop. The chocolate was great! Just what I needed. Had plenty of time, so stopped in H&M – should have bought a jacket there, but did not. I found my way back to Graben street and to the church. Made sure that the concert was there. The church itself was gorgeous. I am glad I bought the concert was here otherwise I would have never come in here. Then I went to have coffee at Starbucks only because I was sure they would have a restroom! The coffee was good too. I relaxed until 7:45 pm and then walked back to the church.

I had gone to the Kansas City orchestra before, but this was a different experience. It was a church, so a smaller location, hten just the feeling of listening to classical music in a church was very spiritual. I was having such wonderful imaginations during the compositions. The concert was about an hour long.

Took the U2 from Stephenplatz to my hotel. Was back by 9:30 – I was wonderfully tired. It was such a great day! I have to leave tomorrow afternoon, so I can do something different tomorrow morning. 

European Adventure 1 - Day 1- Munich/Vienna

Airport

Reached early morning in Munich. Dropped off my luggage at the "Kept Luggage".  Walked down to the subway. Took S8 train from the airport to the Munich central station (E-11). About 30 mins and a very scenic journey later I was at the main station. 

Went right away to information, which was upstairs, where the trains went all over Europe, to get my ticket to Vienna. The ticket guy was helpful and told me I should have bought it online for better price and told me to still buy one at Vienna and not here to get a better deal. Okay! So I booked the 9:28 am train to Vienna for E-100! I thought that was expensive, but that is how much it was return also even though I stopped at Salzburg. I also got my Salzburg to Munich ticket there for E-35. Now I just had to buy Vienna to Salzburg from Vienna.  I had now about two hours to kill.

I had to call my bank, Bank of America, as they had locked my ATM card after I used it in Thailand. I should have taken care of it online when I was in India. But here they put me on hold, even though I was calling collect! Finally got my card unlocked, but as usual the bank person did not hear properly and told me the banks where I can take money out from ATM without charges in Venice and not Vienna! Oh the confusion. 

There were plenty of places to eat in the station, just like an airport, but I had my own puris…and I did not have any cash on me, so better to use the card only where absolutely necessary – like the restroom. Everywhere in Munich and Austria they charge for public restrooms. I had to use my card to pay 50 cents! Crazy! But at least they took credit cards!

I sat around until the train came by. It was all quite easy, the platforms were listed and the train originated there, so it was on the platform for 20 mins or so. I found my seat and then realized that if anyone had a Eurorail pass, they could sit anywhere. Good to know.

The train was comfortable – and there were restrooms in there! For no charge! Oh well. I enjoyed my journey to Vienna. I had to go through Salzburg, where I would stop on my way back. The scenery till Salzburg was really pretty. Mountains and lakes and forests. It was beautiful! But after Salzburg it was just flat and normal – one could take a nap – I did not. I arrived in Vienna at 1:35 pm (about 4 hrs later). 

Munich to Vienna

At the Vienna central station, I found the tourist office and bought the Vienna Card (E-21) it was two days of train/bus ride and entry or discount on entry to a number of places. I also got my Vienna to Salzburg train ticket while I was there. Now I was all set with my bookings. My ATM card was still not unlocked, so no cash!

I found the U1 metro to go to Schwendenplatz. With the help of my phone map, I found the hotel. The name was so small on the road that I kept missing it. But otherwise it was less than a block from the subway. There were so many places to eat around there, shopping and more hotels. It seemed like a nice area.

Near the hotel

Checked into my hotel. It was fine, room was okay but bathroom is super tiny! After getting a little refreshed and eating lunch (yes puris again!), I went to talk to the receptionist about any suggestions he had on what to do.  He recommended a classical music concert E-29). I booked it for the next night.

Despite my lack of sleep on the plane from traveling all night and tiredness from all the walking at all the stations, I decided to go sightseeing. It was only about 3 pm. I had the whole evening. So I walked towards Stephens church. The focal point of old Vienna. I remember a little bit from what I had seen before 10 years ago, but a lot of it was hazy.

Stephen's Church

There is one main street to walk on and the rest branch out from it, but it still can be confusing to walk in the beginning. It is hard to get bearings.  Found the church easily, it is too big to miss.  It was getting renovated from the outside.  Anyway….went inside, it was as beautiful as I remember. I stayed around, took pictures.  Then came out and went right in front of it to Graben street.  The funny thing about these streets is that they don’t have the same names as in Google maps sometimes. So I was just going wherever!

I came towards St. Peter’s church. Saw it from outside and kept moving. Went to left from there on to Speigelgasse because I could see “stuff” there. There are many many shops and eating places, big and small, a number of those “touristy” shops. Today was not a shopping day for me. Just walking day. And I kept walking. Walked through a huge square – don’t know Joesphplatz? – it was quite huge! And came to other other side of museum quarter, Heldenplatz. There were a lot of people there; huge museum on the left and just surrounded by architecturally beautiful buildings. There was a band playing live music, so it was a good place to sit, drink water and just chillax for a while before the walk back.  It was only 5 pm – I cannot believe I had seen so much in under 2 hours.

Walked back the same path to go back to the hotel and reached by 6pm. Thought about going out to see the nightlife, but was too tired! I just enjoyed the sunset from my hotel window and went to sleep.

European Adventure 1 - Introduction

I had always wanted to go to Europe and while planning my India trip, this fell into my lap. As I was making my booking I was asked by my travel agent if I wanted to stop over in Europe (Munich or Frankfurt) - it would cost less than a direct flight to Delhi from Newark. Oh Great!! I started searching and found that most people made a trip of Munich, Vienna and Salzburg all together. Well then....My trip was made. I would fly out of Delhi stop over in Munich for 9 days and fly back to Newark.

It would be 3 days in Munich, 3 days in Salzburg and 2 days in Vienna. The rest of the 1 day here and there would be for traveling. I still had not decided whether I would do Munich first or last. Well, I have time to plan that.

The next few blogs are kind of my diary of all my travels. I hope you enjoy reading them. I really had a great time, saw so many things and met great people.