Travel Bug: Austria

Weather was really bad, raining the whole time. We decided to catch transport everywhere.
Had a look at the parliament, before hurrying back under the cover. Didn’t really get to enjoy the beautiful rose gardens around the Hofburg.
Hofburg Palace with the horse statue and the food market that was not happening
Another quick glance at the Museumsquartier to complete our tour of Vienna.
Stopped off at Hotel Imperial for their Imperial torte. The service was good here, but I think the Sacher torte is nicer.
Did our shopping at the supermarket… yup, picked up all those Mozart balls and wafers, then arrived nice and early to the airport
Too bad the bad service continued at the airport. They didn’t bother refilling the food at the airport lounge despite a lot of people asking.

Weather was really good.
We tried to get to Demel for breakfast, but got sidetracked by so many sites on the way. Albertina, the Mozart statue, the Hofburg, then the glasshouse of Schmetterlinghaus. By the time we got there, the place was packed and no one was willing to serve us.
Not wanting to waste even more time, we left, and went to the Strauss house. It turns out that we had to pay and the displays were all in German.
Had time for lunch at Café Landtmann. I was so surprised that you could still smoke inside. We weren’t in the smoking room, but could still smell the stuff wafting in. The interior was nice, the service better, but still not up to scratch. Luckily the food portions were large and quite acceptable.
Time to head to Schubert’s birth place, which was actually quite large. Alas, the displays were not very plentiful or informative.
Enjoyed a pleasant walk around the gardens of the Belvedere, and lots of photos with Allie
Headed to the most interesting thing we saw – KunstHausWien and Hundertwasserhaus, rows of colourful and almost crooked houses, in the style of Gaudi.
Finished off at the currently being renovated Stephansdom, and likely the hub of all tourist activities. The outside was more impressive than the inside.
Dinner tonight was actually the best service we got all trip, but then I wasn’t expecting much by this time. Food was very good too, possibly the best schitnzel I’ve had.
Took the night route back, passing the Opera House

As usual with our first stop, we went to the local market, which in Vienna is the Naschmarkt, The place was huge and really happening. All the people were sitting at the indoor/outdoor food places having a drink and leisurely lunch.
We walked past rows and rows of Turkish shops offering the same wares. Eventually we found some shops selling something different, so stocked up on some bread and cheese to sustain us until dinner time.
Weather was grey, but at least not raining.
After filling up on food and cake, we walked to look at the weird gold dome of the Secession Building.
Admired Karlskirche and the fountain from afar, but didn’t pay to go in
Enjoyed the Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Pavilion disused old tram stop, by Otto Wagner
There was the big opera film festival going on at the Rathaus with lots of food stalls, but alas, we had already eaten, and we had Allie so couldn’t go and see the films.
Caught the tram around, just because we could.
Looked at the cool trompe de l’oriel at the Jesuitenkirche
Settled in for a big meal at the very busy Plachutta. The food was actually very good, if a little too salty. Too bad the service was substandard. The waiters never responded to us, and kept bumping into Allie. They were so slow, and then even had the nerve to ask us for a tip when we didn’t leave anything.

BA lounge:
- bacon roll
- tomato roll
- yoghurt and fruit
- danish
- croissant
- tomato juice
cheese
biological bread
doughnut cake with walnut
doughnut with cinnamon
ham roll with cream cheese
Chocolate mousse cake
pistachios gelato
Plachutta:
- meat platter – goose liver pate, beef tartare, beef in jelly
- Boiled beef soup
- Boiled beef: ox tongue, shoulder, brisket

Tuesday, February 22, 2011