Vienna and Salzburg

 

 

Friday December 13th: Flew from Nice to Vienna.  Fantastic views of the Alps as we flew over Italy towards Austria.

We took a taxi to the apartment in Geblergasse which was very disappointing.  The photos on the website were very flattering.  It was the sort of place that would be ideal for a bunch of lads on a Stag weekend (nuff said!).  The dining table was broken and thrown in the spare room.

Dinner at the Centimetre 7 restaurant just around the corner which had a good atmosphere and pretty good food.

On Saturday we took the Tram to the old town where we had breakfast in a small cafe.  The weather was very cold but dry.

After brecky we wandered around the Christmas market in the Rathauspark, it had a very festive atmosphere.

We went inside the magnificent Rathaus to warm up and found that inside there were lots of activities for children, Emily and Oliver did some art and craft and presented us with a couple of masterpieces.

Later we wandered around part of the old town.

The Austrians are so polite and helpful and it seems that they all speak English.  Whenever we looked lost, someone would ask if they could help.

Later on we went back to the Rathaus as Janet had been told that inside there was an international singing festival.  Admission was free and the festival was in the main hall which is huge.

The singing was amazing, each group had a half hour slot and there were a variety of styles including choral, jazz, and children’s choirs (from as far afield as Canada).  Emily and Oliver thoroughly enjoyed it.

We had dinner at the Votiv, (http://www.cafe-votiv.at) restaurant just down the road from the Rathaus then caught the Tram back to apartment.

Sunday 15th.  Emily’s Birthday!  Up early to catch the Tram to the old town for Emily’s Birthday surprise – the Spanish Riding School.

The show was brilliant, beautiful white horses and amazing skill in a magnificent setting.  Can’t show any pictures of the horses because the school wont allow it.

We had lunch at the Tratoria Santo Stefano, I think we had seven excellent courses (I lost count).

We waddled out a couple of hours later and decided to take a Carriage ride around the old town (very excited children!).

On the way back to the apartment we stopped at the Rathaus for a Gluhwein and to see some more of the international singing festival.

Monday 16th: We caught the early train to the airport to pick up the hire car to drive the Salzburg.  The day started foggy but once we left the Vienna valley the sun came out to reveal some beautiful views across the frozen countryside, we could see the mountains to our left as we drove west.

We had lunch at a motorway service station – the food was excellent, better than many expensive restaurants we’ve been to!

In Salzburg we found the apartment easily.  It was absolutely immaculate and only a short walk from the old town.

Charlotte and I walked down to the Christmas market for a Gluhwein  Later we met Janet and the children and went to the restaurant for dinner.

Tuesday 17th: Walked down to Mirabel gardens where we found the “Do Ray Me” steps and the rose arch as featured in The Sound of Music (Oh yes!).

We took the footbridge over the river to the old town.  More beautiful architecture but also lots of Designer shops that spoilt it a bit – 3,300 Euros for a Hermes ski jacket… Why?!

It was very cold and the children were tired so we went back to the apartment for lunch and a rest.

Early evening – Charlotte and I went back to the old town to soak up the atmosphere …and Gluhwein!

Back to the apartment for dinner and a good bottle of Chianti.

Wednesday 18th: Had another look around the old town and visited Mozart’s home (very interesting).

Drove back to Vienna, stopping at another motorway service station for lunch (this one had waitress service!).  Arrived in Vienna just before dark, dropped Charlotte, Janet and the children off at the apartment (the dining table was still broken and thrown in the spare room!) then returned the car.  Dinner at Einsteins restaurant.

Thursday 19th: Last day in Vienna – very very cold!

Another visit to the old town and Christmas market at Karlsplatz followed by a bit of shopping.  Dinner at apartment then packed for flight back to Nice.