Vienna Waits For You!

LOCATION:

Vienna, Austria

We have been walking an average of about ten miles a day (side note - pedometers are fun) exploring each new city, but Vienna would have been impossible to do entirely on foot - it is so big! So this was really the first time we made use of public transit, and thankfully Vienna has an awesome network of trains, subways, and trams. The first day we rode one of the main trams in a loop around the city and then got off at a central location to take in some Vienna culture.

 

Vienna trams are super fun!

 

On the agenda - Stephansplatz square with the impressive gothic Stephansdom, Vienna's palace, and the colorful Eagle Tower. The tower we opted to climb was the Eagle Tower - it not only had the best views of the city below, but I wanted to look at the tile roofing a little closer!

 

Stephansdom.

 

The outside of the palace was not as interesting as the sculpture inside - this one is pretty mean looking!

 

A view from the Eagle Tower.

 

And the reason they call it the Eagle Tower!

Only a flimsy gate to keep you in - but Erin's not scared!

 

Another highlight was the Prater amusement park, which we checked out one night. I never knew about Erin's love of Ferris wheels, but every time there is one in even remotely close proximity, she can't help but walk towards it. This one in Vienna is different than any I have ever seen - the cars are more like little houses, holding up to eight people and even serving food and drink. This wheel was also famously featured in the movie The Third Man, where Orson Wells held a secret meeting in one of the cars. Alas, it was 20-something euros each ticket so we opted for the more affordable swings. It was pretty scary, and I was glad when our feet were safely back on solid ground.

The famous Ferris wheel.

The swings - they went SO HIGH UP!

Safely back on the ground - notice my "I''m still scared" death grip on the chains.

 

I have tried to go into each city on this trip with few expectations, which I think has been a good strategy thus far. While Vienna was beautiful and clean and sunny and urban, it doesn't quite make the cut of being one of my favorites. I really enjoyed using it as a home base for day trips though, and now I am looking forward to getting a different taste of Austria in our next stop - Salzburg - where I hear a little movie called The Sound of Music was filmed!

Beautiful sun and gardens in bloom!

 

 

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