Vienna - then on to Prague..............

Throw on a pair of comfy shoes or boots and take a

little walk with me around the beautiful Austrian

city of Vienna.

As always, click photos to see lovely architectural details etc.

Vienna's Shops......offering everything you could want, or need,

if you had plenty of spare Euros....and an empty suitcase!

The Vienna State Opera House.

We enjoyed our short stay in Vienna. Despite mostly cloudy

skies, some of my images are still interesting.

It seemed there were immense buildings - many palaces,

at every turn, exquisite statuary and plenty of elegant

shops.

Cleanliness was definitely noticeable......the only

'graffiti' being perhaps on the roof of the cathedral!

Yes, not the best weather, misty and damp,
but we still traipsed around the streets,
overwhelmed by the huge buildings and

throngs of people....and managed to get lost.

Our full day was a Monday and we were unable to
view the famous Lipizzaner Stallions on that day
which was disappointing. These royal horses
perform at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

Reminders of the great Mozart were abundant.....and

having watched the movie Amadeus just before coming

to Vienna, we enjoyed seeing him around every corner

on flags and chocolate boxes!

Soon it was time to leave this special city and head
for the Czech Republic - but we opted for the comfy train
over a good looking Viennese scooter!

*********

The trains in Central Europe run on time........
in fact across most of Europe trains and other
modes of public transport seem to be able to keep
to a scheduled timetable, unlike here in the USA.

They were economical, quite comfortable even in second class.

Toilets were gigantic and clean, with plenty of paper

goods and safety handles.

Our first train from Budapest to Vienna was fine, a large open coach with a table between us shared with another couple. The Vienna to Prague coach was a compartment which could be closed off from the corridor - shades of the Orient Express without the glamorous bits - and we shared with four delightful young Chinese ladies on their first European adventure. Two were sisters - both engineers, the other two had equally good jobs. One sister was married, the others still single. They all spoke quite good English and we enjoyed their company.