Posts Tagged ‘Austria’
Vienna’s plague column
I’ve already written about Plague art in Vienna in an earlier post, concentrating on the impressive Plague column and the monumental Karlskirche. Both of these monuments were erected to commemorate Vienna’s emergence from tragic outbreaks of the Plague, and both are well-known landmarks of modern-day Vienna. The Plague, otherwise known as Bubonic Plague or ‘Black Death’…
Read MoreExplore Palais Ferstel’s Passage, Vienna
In Mitteleuropa and Eastern Europe, I always love peeking into the spectacular ‘passages’. Vienna is no exception and the beautiful Freying Passage of the Palais Ferstel is well worth a visit on your next visit to stately Vienna. The palace is named after Heinrich von Ferstel, the architect who built it in 1860. The passage…
Read MoreA round-up of European Christmas markets to visit
This year, I couldn’t manage to escape to one of the Christmas markets I love in Europe, so instead on this post I’ll pine away thinking about great Christmas markets of the past take a look at some of the Christmas markets I’ve posted about in European cities. Should you find yourself in any of…
Read MoreFun and games at the Wienerriesenrad and the Prater Park, Vienna
Vienna’s famous Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel) is a landmark in this city. It is 64.75 meters (212 feet) tall and was built back in 1897, to celebrate the golden jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef. It was one of the first ferris wheels every built. It was the world’s tallest ferris wheel from 1920 until 1985. The…
Read MoreHiking the Graukogel in Badgastein, Austria
I posted last week about my summer holidays in Mitteleuropa. The first place we stopped on our travels is the picture-perfect Alpine village of Badgastein, located in the Gasteiner valley in the Salzburg province. There are kilometers and kilometers of beautiful hiking trails in this pretty Alpine perch. The first day there, we decided to…
Read MoreSummer holidays in Mitteleuropa
I’ve long been a southern European, making my home in Rome, Italy, with its centuries of history, balmy weather, and proximity to the warm Mediterranean sea. But when I was younger, I used to live and work in landlocked European countries farther north. This summer holiday, my family and I drove up from Rome on…
Read MoreA city for readers – Salzburg
Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak… That’s how I felt one early morning in August as I stumbled upon Salzburg’s Mozartplatz, just as they were setting up the square for avid readers. The beautiful square, with its stunning views up to the castle and watched over by…
Read MoreI want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike … in Vienna
Last month I was on a weekend trip with my two sons for a family event in Vienna. Long ago, I briefly lived in this city, and I’m always happy to return. One thing that many visitors may not realize is that Vienna is a great city to see by bike. The city boasts over…
Read MoreHolidays in Vienna
I always love Vienna, a city I lived in for a short time many years ago. But I especially love Vienna during the holiday season. It’s cold outside, and often white from a dusting of snow. The city is lit up beautifully with thousands of lights, shining off the cobblestones and the storefront windows all…
Read MoreBest places to experience Vienna’s café culture
Vienna is one of my favorite cities. I spent a happy year living here far too many years ago, and I’ve returned countless times as a tourist. To truly enjoy the city, a visitor shouldn’t rush, but should instead slow down and enjoy age-old Viennese traditions. Few of these traditions are as enjoyable as taking…
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