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June 14th is a public holiday in Switzerland. It was on Thursday, and my boss told me not to come on the following day because the office would be empty. Therefore, I had 4 continuous holiday and I planned to visit to Vienna, Austria.
It was my first self journey in Europe. So, packing and planning were headache problems for me. Very luckily useful information in detail was available from two travelling books I had. And I could checked for train schedule through internet. However, still with plenty of worries, I started my journey by a night train from Zurich to Vienna, about 600km in nearly 10 hours. Anyway, I became much relief as I met many travellers and shared their experiences.
Reached Westbahnhof(West Terminal) at 8am. First thing I had to do was running around to find a bed(accomodation) because reservation by phone call was not acceptable in famous facilities. So, jumped out from |
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train and rushed to the city, ooh wait .. don't be too fast, as I had a question, "Which direction I should go ?". I got a map but the city looked much complicated !! Only a few passers by in the morning, found a lady and asked. She was very kindly to answer my question, but the problem is she talked in German !! So after few turns, tried and errors ... Thanks God, I found a signboard showing the youth hostel I was looking for.
The youth hostel(Jugendgastehaus Ruthensteiner) is run by a aged couple. It is clean and located near to the main train terminal. I got a bed in a big room, sharing with about 30 person, locker is available, no problem with hot shower and toilet. Left my luggages, took a hot shower, and it was time for me to explore in Vienna !
First destination definitely is Schonbrunn Palace. It is located about 4 subway stations from city center. Vienna has a very convenient subway system to reach most of its tourist spots. And, 24 hours ticket is available with reasonable price. I spent almost a day at there, taking photos, visiting to a nearby Vienna Zoo, which is the oldest zoo in Europe.
Met a Japanese on the way back to city center, so both of us took a walk in Stephansplatz and had some delicious piazza at a busy shop. The day sunset at 9:30pm, and I went back to my hostel, writing diary and took rest for the following days.
Second day mainly I spent my time walking around in the city. Austria was a great and glorious empire in Europe during past few centuries. Therefore, Vienna(or Wien) has lots of big and artistic historical buildings which some were built as long time as 7 or 8 centuries ago. Nowadays, Vienna is well developed but the city still keeps its beautiful ancient look.
I visited to Kunthistorisches Museum, Palace of Hofburg which is near by the museum, then to Staatsoper(Opera House) but unluckily no guided tour for that day. Vienna is well-known with opera and orchestras but the ticket was too costly to me. Furthermore, tidy attires are required for entrance. A huge open-air concert was going to be held in front of the city hall(Rathaus) in the next day, but I left for Salzburg in that morning.
Leaving for Salzburg as early as 7am. Salzburg is a famous tourist center because of two reasons. First, classical music genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in this city and learned his first violin lesson here. Now, Mozart's Geburtshaus(birthplace) has been renovated to be a museum showing his childhood and some belongings, including his first viola and violin, handwriting and a lock of hair too. Nearby has a handmade chocolate house, selling the famous Mozart's chocolate which is a special product of Salzburg.
Many people know about Salzburg because main scenes in movie Sound of Music was taken in the city. There has Sound of Music Tour, bringing visitors around Mirabellgarten, Festspielhaus and so on, and explaination for the filming locations. I didn't join the tour because I can only hardly remember the movie and not very interested.
That is my journey in Austria. It is short and compact, and I did enjoy the time there although I was tired after a long journey.
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