Never Leave Vienna Without a Kiss - Gustav Klimt

Vienna, Austria surprised me! Everything in it is classy from the alluring bundle of elegant people, the urban architecture and mosiacs and the delish foods. It's artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Fred.

What other way to enjoy this scenic place is non other than to stroll around like locals do! Trams, bus and trains - I did it all! Travelling and getting lost is part of the experience and I loved it! It makes the whole adventure worthwhile and thus gives it the exciting thrill.

Best way to see all tourist attractions 

Now, the best way and most convenient way to explore all tourist attractions is better way through the Hop On-Hop Off or the Vienna Sightseeing Bus Tours that operates around the city with their friendly and very helpful staffs in every city corner. The bus has this headset with all language available, so all of us can comprehend all the information just as exactly what we needed. 

First stop - UNESCO World's Heritage, Belvedere Palace! The front part of the palace has a beautiful pond with 201 lotus flowers each composed of 5 life vests that forms a calligraphic F. created especially for the Belvedere Pond. This work is based on Ai Weiwei intense engagement with the plight of refugees. The life vests draw attention to the uncertain fate of the refugees who wore them, the lotus flower symbolizes purity and longevity and the F is a re-ocurring and provocative motif in Ai's oeurve.

Belvedere Palace with 201 Lotus in the pond

The palace has a magnificent garden which tourist cannot ignore to take millions of shots with. The landscapes were marvelously done and are highly maintained.

The palace is very elegant with all the artistic contributions of artist from different parts of the world. 

Belvedere Palace Garden

Schonbrunn Palace view from the entrance gate

Another scenic stop is Schonbrunn Palace. 

The former summer imperial residence. 

We weren't so lucky because we didn't 

have the chance to get in the palace due

 to time shortage but heard inside was 

heavenly designed and preserved. 

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Next stop is the magical Stephansplatz. One of the busiest square in the city, where old and new architecture are combined harmoniously. The square is named after the building Stephansdom, city's cathedral which is one of the tallest churches in the world. The area has a vast options for shopping and dining. 

Next stop is Vienna's Naschmarkt! Vast options for famous food stalls local and multi-cultural ethnic foods, souvenirs, kitchen needs, wine, fresh fruits and vegetables and worldwide spices are displayed for your convenience.       

varieties of candies                                                                            

     

                                                                                            A taste of Vienna's sausage

And of course, I wouldn't miss for the world the ever famous Hundertwasserhaus.  The beautiful apartment house that seriously drawn every passers attention. The apartment was built after the idea and concept of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser with architect Joseph Krawina as a co-author. The house bears the unmistakeable hand of the artist whose pen-name was Friedrich Stowasser. Anyone who lives in this apartment has the right to decorate the facade  around the windows entirely to their own taste.

The apartment also have a cafe where locals and tourist enjoy. Across the beautiful house is a souvenir shop that obviously is famous for tourist to grab something to remember by.

The city is best explored with the local transportation as I should say based on experience. Took a public bus from Bratislava, Slovakia towards Vienna, Austria traveled almost 4 hours but it ain't boring because of the beautiful views outside the windowpane. If you get lost, ask people for directions. Viennese are German speaking and not all speak English but if you get lucky to find one please do. Bring map with you and show them exactly where you want to go they would be glad to help you. 

Vienna is one amazing destination. Sundays the streets are empty, grocery shops and stores are close. Every night shops are close at 7pm some at 9pm so be sure you grab your essentials the earliest possible time you can. 

Just like what the famous artist Gustav Klimt quoted.... Never Leave Vienna Without a Kiss, I soulfully didn't left Vienna without this bag. 

Birthday Travel

Sneak Peak.... Bratislava!

A birthday travel.... my first entry to this part of the globe. I know this would be another awesome travel adventure.😉 So let's begin!

I remember upon arrival, the weather was a bit freezing, it was I guess 8 degrees. The airport was small and clean (of course that's where the first impression begins). We stayed in a hotel close to the airport for easy access not knowing that it's quite far from the city.

Bratislava, is the capital of Slovakia - located in Central Europe known for it's dramatic natural landscape and many castles. 

HRAD Castle

First day, city tour! First stop was the HRAD Castle. Sad to say we didn't able to enter and check what's inside but it's fine the view that we witnessed over-looking the city was outstanding. It was amidst breath-taking! 

Novy Most Bridge or Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising and
the UFO-shaped observatory deck

Bratislava itself is a laid back city with nature as its strongest flavour. Set along with the Danube River by the border Austria and Hungary. The famous HRAD or Bratislava Castle that sits on a hill rewards you with an absolutely great view over-looking the city.  

Walked down the narrow pedestrian streets of pastel-coloured 18th century buildings all around. The charming and tiny old town is really worth a stroll, with tons and tons of restaurants, pubs and souvenir shops or sample a myriad sidewalk cafes under the watchful glaze of the city castle, which harks back to medieval times.

One of the many beautiful souvenir shops around
Old Town area

Hlavne Namestie - Old town's mainsquare social hub for both locals and tourist alike. Where they grab a cup of coffee or some bite 
with the delish local pastries serve with local hot wine there is. Buildings are with the colorful Roman architecture like the Old Town Hall. This marks one of the most visited and photographed site in the city.

Hlavne Namesti

Comfortable shoes and clothing is surely needed to enjoy and explore this authentic city. Lots of places and architectures to take photos with. Wandering the Old Town you will come across bizarre sculptures. One of them is the cutest Cumil. A man whose name is believed to be Tom emerging from a manhole, whether he is resting after cleaning the sewer or peeking up women's skirts. Cumil is one of the most photographed tourist attraction plus rumor says that it is believed to give a good luck if you rub the top of his hat! 

Cumil

We were also blessed to have given the chance of visiting and attending the mass in the beautiful Blue Church of St. Elizabeth. Everything inside and outside of it is blue. We may not understand the language during the mass but that doesn't stop us for being thankful and praying for gratitude to God who gave us this wonderful experience, this wonderful journey of my birthday travel.    

St. Elizabeth Blue Church