It was a Central Europe Tour to Czech Republic and Austria via QF/BA that we planned on our own. It was painstaking as we had lotsa maps to read, plan and analyse. We even scrutinised each bus route, where it would take us and the various opening hrs of the musuems and such.
We took a flight and transit in London before heading to Vienna. The massvie delay at Heathrow airport for 8 hrs ruined our entire plan. The 8 hr delay made us really tired and restless at the not-so-efficient and cracky airport. We loitered around aimlessly, watched people go by and wasted our time away...
When we reached Vienna, it was dark. We made our way to Innsbruck the next morning lugging our luggages along. Innsbruck is like a small town. You can easily cover it within a day or two.
Some of the key highlights:
The Golden Roof, Innsbruck
The Golden Roof is a landmark in Innsbruck, Austria built in 1500. It was decorated with 2657 fire-gilded copper tiles for Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. The reliefs on the balcony show coats of arms, symbols and other figures in his life. (Wikipedia)
Swarovski Gallery
This is every girl's favourite (not diamonds but crystals)
My prized posessions :P
Traditional Austrian dish (chicken)
It was quite expensive for a lunch but yummy though!
Typical meal would cost like this:
Chicken or beef builion 2.60 EURO
Chicken soup - traditional style with noodles 4.10 EURO
Hungarian Goulash soup - 4.10 EURO
Roast Pork 8.50 EURO
Grilled Beef 10.90 EURO
and this is an ordinary restaurant, not something very fancy.
Our accomodation : Hotel Der Salzburger Hof
Below: Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart.
Below: It was snowing on the mountains in Salzburg, but bright and sunny at the foot of the mountain (Hellbrunn Palace). Strange!
Park at Hellbrunn Summer Palace
The Sound of Music Pavilion
Below: Scholoss Leopoldskron (A scene used in The Sound of Music)
Fortress Hohensalzburg
View of Salzburg from Fortress Hohensalzburg
Train station in Salzburg to Vienna
It was very cold though it was spring time...
Belvedere Palace, Vienna
Be prepared for long walks as the palaces are pretty huge and vast. Viewing of the entire place could take up to an hour or more.
Ferris Wheel at Vienna Prater
Vienna's Prater boasts more than 250 attractions: from the Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) to nostalgic ghost trains, merry-go-rounds, go-cart rinks, arcades, and stands for games of skill to ultra-modern rides that propel your adrenaline (and yourself) to lofty heights. (but dont set your expectations too high)
St Stephen's Cathedral
Blue Danube River, Vienna
Remember the classical music.. or the commercial with the furry cat on tv?
Czech Republic
We arrived Czech Republic via Eurail. Pretty fast and smooth... and we didn't even realised we had crossed the border! Don't fall asleep as you need to get your passport chopped and checked..
We arrived Czech Republic via Eurail. Pretty fast and smooth... and we didn't even realised we had crossed the border! Don't fall asleep as you need to get your passport chopped and checked..
Lotsa food stock up...
We took a stroll down the Old Town. Almost half n hr... take it as a leisure walk and you won't feel it's tiring :)
The Astronomical Clock
The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The Orloj is mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square and is a popular tourist attraction. The Orloj is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; "The Walk of the Apostles", a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. (Wikipedia)
Prague Castle
It was a dark and gloomy weather. Hence the pictures were not so perfect. The Prague Castle, an ancient symbol of the Czech lands, is the most significant Czech monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic. The Prague Castle was most likely founded in around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty (Přemyslovci). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Roman-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications in the 14th century. The famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik was responsible for extensive renovations in the time of the First Republic (1918-1938). Since the Velvet Revolution, the Prague Castle has undergone significant and ongoing repairs and reconstructions.
Charles Bridge in the foreground with Castle behindCharles Bridge
Paintings, souvenirs and artefacts are common on the Charles Bridge, mainly targetting the tourists.
View of Prague from Petrin Tower
Traditional Czech dish (pork with blue cheese)
Cesky (outskirts in Czech)
Český Krumlov is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district. (Wikipedia)
Traditional Czech dish (roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut)
Czech Beer (Budweiser)
Hotel in Prague (SGD 88 per room per night for 3 of us)
End of tour.
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