Friday 15 April 2011

Austria 2010: Day 3 - Wien



Tuesday 17th August 2010.

Whilst Kayleigh ate bits of this and that, David ate more than ever. This time it was SEVEN trips to the Kraml's breakfast bar. Once we managed to pry him away from the food, we gathered our
bags and and walked down the road to the bus stop to catch the 13A to the Belvedere and its
lovely gardens. The actual bus stop is at the old Sudbahnhof where Sarah and I had travelled in
and out of many times, so we were both shocked by the total and utter demolition of the station
and it environs. We crossed over the road to the
Belvedere. Inside there are items of art but we couldn't see the kids looking at those, so we opted for a leisurely walk around the gardens. David was in his element armed with camera and his imagination. Kayleigh went running ahead and exploring the flowers, fountains and gardens that make such a beautiful assault on the senses. We visited the gift shop and were somewhat disappointed at the poor selection of items on sale that were about the Palace. Everything (almost) was on Gustav Klimt, who whilst talented is not my cup of tea.

Back to the bus stop and back on the 13A to somewhere David and I wanted to visit - Der Fan Shop! David wanted to get a Austrian National Shirt, but the cost was way too high for him at €60. He did however get a seriously great baseball cap with Austria on it in Red and White.

Walking round the corner the kids saw a toy shop and we were in there for a little while. Then just up the road we found a lovely quiet park with a childrens playground in it. It was in here that Kayleigh met her match. A little austrian girl and Kayleigh started playing together and she was a mad as Kayleigh.

Leaving the playground we took a tram then the U-Bahn to Alte Donau so we could visit the Donau Park and the Donauturm. The tower rises to 827 feet (the tallest structure in Austria) and gives a superb view of Vienna. To get to the top there is a lift (no I wasn't prepared to walk!) which has a clear roof so you are able to see the top of the towere rushing towards you. . We walked round the windswept tower's observation deck and as its our luck it began to rain. So inside for a bit of shelter. Once down we walked round the gift shop (very good I might add) and then back to the U-Bahn.

Jumping off at Stephanplatz was a very good idea as we were in rush hour and the trains were getting somewhat full. We strolled up past Stephansdom, Kärntner Straße to the Ring, then on to Mariahilfestraße. Close by our Pension is the Schnitzelhaus so a visit was made to quench our hunger before heading back.

An early night was taken as it was off to Salzburg the next day!

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