I never ended up posting about my second half of my time in Vienna. My previous posts about my Europe trip are:
After returning from Rust, I had 3 and a half days in Vienna (Sunday through to Wednesday afternoon). Some of this time was spent sightseeing, some was spent working (it was a work trip I added a couple of days of holidays to).
As I mentioned in my Vienna - Part 1 post, I had been to Vienna last year, so I had seen the three palaces, St Stephen's Cathedral, etc. What I love about Vienna is that you can see a lot in a short period of time, for example, last year I did see all three palaces in one day, as I only had a day and a half in the city. However, there is so much to see at each palace you will never run out of things to see or do.
Sunday and Tuesday were mainly spent working, but Monday and Wednesday I went sightseeing.
Monday I did the most tacky tourist thing I could think of - Madame Taussads! I have never been to a Madame Tussauds before, and the one in Vienna was open last year when I was here (it opened in April this year). It is located at the Prato, which is an amusement park with the big Ferris Wheel - one of the iconic sights in Vienna. I decided to walk there from my hotel - 6.5 kilometres and about an hour and a half later I arrived. (Ok, I admit, I stopped for a coffee and apple strudel break along the way).
I wanted to walk, one - to get some much needed exercise in, and two - I like walking when I'm overseas in order to see more things. I did however get the subway back to the hotel. I expect the Madame Tussads in Vienna is smaller than a lot of the others . I have seen photos before comparing celebrities to their wax figures, and some look completely unrealistic. However, some of the figurines were so life-like it was eerie!
Here are a few of my favourite pics:
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Having some needed therapy! |
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| Too busy staring into his eyes to enjoy the coffee! |
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| Will Smith is one of my favourite actors |
In the afternoon I had a bit of a wander near my hotel (I was staying near the Parliament) and took some photos.
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| Front of parliament |
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| View of Parliament with Rathaus (City Hall) in the background |
It is a sad state of affairs when one of the most famous churches in Vienna has to rent out advertising space to a mobile phone company!
Monday night I went on a booked tour - up the Danube Tower and to a Vienna tavern/winery.
I wasn't too happy with the tour as we spent a lot more time at the tavern/winery which was indicated, and for a non-drinker (with the occasional exception - I'm sure I will indulge in a cocktail in Vegas!) this wouldn't have been my pick. The views from the Danube Tower are incredible though - because it was summer it was still light when we were there, and I think it would be magical to go later in the night when it was dark to see all the lights.
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| Viewing platform at Danube tower |
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| View from Danube Tower |
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| Tavern in the Vienna woods |
Wednesday was my final day, I had to leave for the airport late that afternoon and had booked on a half day trip. (I knew from my experience last year that it is not a good idea to check out of your hotel and then spend the day wandering around the city in 35 degree heat - you really are in need of a shower before getting on a plane)! The tour (which I booked through Viator) was the Vienna Woods and Mayerling Half Day Trip - and I strongly recommend it! We visited a historic monastry as well as the largest subterrarian lake in Europe.
I was in awe at the monastery - the stained glass windows left me speechless.
The subterrarian lake is an amazing sight. It is naturally a constant temperature of 9 degree celsius, which was actually a nice way to escape the summer heat! We had a guided through an abandoned mine (it was a working mine before it flooded - forming the underground lake), before taking an incredibly peaceful boat ride on the lake.
I had time once the tour finished to enjoy lunch with two of the other guests I had met on the tour, before heading back to my hotel to collect my luggage and begin my mammoth trip home!
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