From Budapest to Vienna
It is 172 miles or 275 kilometers from Budapest to Vienna. Photo: More canola fields in bloom.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
Hungarian countryside.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
More Hungarian countryside.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
At a comfort stop near the Hungary/Austria border. Here, there were machines to put our euros or florints in to get a ticket to use the toilet. If you bought something at the comfort stop and if you show your ticket, you will get most of your money back.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
This was the first time I have seen one of these new hand dryers. It will totally dry your hands in about 10 seconds. This was one of my “wait until I tell the folks back home about this” moments. I looked it up on the Internet. It is probably a Dyson Airblade, developed in the UK in 2006. I also discovered that they are already being used in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
An unbelievable amount of food was being sold at this comfort stop. But this was not long enough after our breakfast to want to try much of it.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
Some of the desserts.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
Soups.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
Salads.
From Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest to Vienna
We are now at the Hungarian/Austrian border.
From Budapest to Vienna
Vienna
We have reached Vienna.
Vienna
Vienna
Passing the Urania Observatory.
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is a city of very large buildings.
Vienna
Vienna
And also a city of some strange artwork. One of the paintings on the cement along the canal.
Vienna
Three Walks Around Stephansdom (See Slide Show)
We were dropped off near the shopping and dining street near Stephansdom (a church in the center of the area) and were given a few hours to explore the area. We came back to this area two other times––later this day and the next day. I put all three of our walks around Stephansdom on a slide show on this website. Go to Slide Shows, Central/Eastern Europe–1, Three Walks Around Stephansdom, Vienna.
Three Walks Around Stephansdom (See Slide Show)
Shopping Near Stephansdom
I bought the famous Vienna Mozart candy in this store for gifts. I also bought Helmut Sachers coffee at another store for both gifts and for myself. This is the coffee that is served in the restaurants and hotels in Vienna and it is so good. I used up all my coffee and will try to buy some more through the Internet. While drinking it, you can dream that you are sitting in a sidewalk cafe in Vienna and drinking some of the best coffee in the world.
Shopping Near Stephansdom
On the Ringstrasse
We went back on the bus and traveled along the Ringstrasse (the Ring Road) around Vienna. The Ringstrasse dates back to 1850 and it replaced the city walls. Many government buildings and museums are located on the Ringstrasse.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
I haven’t been able to find out all the names of the buildings I took photos of, but I have named the ones I have found a reference to. I do not have a name yet for this one.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
The famous Vienna Opera House, built 1861–1869. It is an extremely large building.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
A closer–up view.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
And a closer–up view.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
The Vienna Opera House from a different side.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Another photo of the Vienna Opera House taken later when the sun was shining.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Maria Theresa Monument in front of one of Vienna’s numerous museums.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
The Austrian Parliament House.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
On top of the Parliament House.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Statue seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
The Neo–Gothic Town Hall, built in the second half of the 19th century.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Close–up of the statues on the roof.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
And closer–up.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
And even closer–up.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Another statue on the roof.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
Seen on our drive.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
The Ringstrasse.
On the Ringstrasse
On the Ringstrasse
An interesting idea: a swimming pool on the canal.
On the Ringstrasse
The Hofburg Complex
Our next stop: The Hofburg Complex which is the former Hapsburg emperor’s residence. Photo: our local tour guide.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
The front of the palace.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
One of the palace gates.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
The Neue Burg, the last wing of the Hofburg, built just before the outbreak of World War I and at the end of the Hapsburg rule.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
A closer–up view.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Another view.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
A view of the statues on the roof.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Across from the Neue Burg, the Heldenplatz, the Heroes’ Square, where Hilter declared Anschluss (that Austria and Germany would unite) in 1938.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Close–up of the statue of Archduke Charles.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Gate to the Hofburg Complex.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Flags on the side of the gate. The American flag is there.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
A guardian in front of the 16th–century Swiss Gate, entry to the Old Palace.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Another view of the guardian.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
And one more.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
More of the complex.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
A close–up of the statues.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Where the Vienna Boys Choir sing every Sunday.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Statues half–cleaned.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
The Nationalbibliotet.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Close–up of the banner.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Close–up of the top of the building.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Also on the top of the building.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
The famous Spanish Riding School is located here. They put on shows riding the Lipizzaner horses.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
One of the horses looking out.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
Close–up.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
We walked out of the complex and around the side of one of its buildings.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
We are now in the Michaelerplatz, on the side of the complex. Imperial Chancery Wing, Emperor Franz Joseph’s apartments.
The Hofburg Complex
The Hofburg Complex
The dome.
The Hofburg Complex
The Stephansdom
Our next stop was back to the Stephansdom area to view the inside of the church. My photos of the inside of the Stephansdom are on a slide show: Go to Slide Shows, Central/Eastern Europe, Three Walks Around Stephansdom or go directly to
http://wp.peggysphotos.com/three–walks–around–stephansdom–vienna/
We then had time to pick up something for dinner that we could eat in our hotel room. We were going to a concert this evening and wouldn’t have time to eat a dinner sitting down. I picked up a ham and cheese sandwich and some pastry.
The Stephansdom
Seen Driving to Our Hotel
Urban art seen driving to our hotel.
Seen Driving to Our Hotel
Seen Driving to Our Hotel
An old water tower we passed.
Seen Driving to Our Hotel
Our Hotel
This hotel was quite far from the city center but it was very nice: the Austria Trend Eventhotel, with its conference center shaped like a pyramid.
Our Hotel
Kursalon Waltz Show
Tonight, we had an optional Kursalon Waltz Show held at this building.
Kursalon Waltz Show
Kursalon Waltz Show
The show was very pleasurable and I have put six movies of the show on this website. Go to Movies, Central/Eastern Europe.
Tomorrow, we stayed in Vienna for the morning and then drove to Prague.
