I tried to include photos that differed from the images I shared on Facebook. If you haven't seen those yet, go take a look!
Upon arriving in Vienna, we tried to check into our new hotel, but it was too early. So we just checked in our bags and headed for this building that a friend had told me was his favorite building in Vienna. It was designed by Otto Wagner and had a small museum honoring the architect inside.
We then walked through Stadt Park where I quickly learned that we were in Europe during a very opportune time. The trees were blooming and there were beautifully manicured flower beds everywhere!
Vienna boasts its connection to Mozart, because Mozart lived most of his adult life in this city. Here's a statue honoring him.
After checking into our hotel and a brief nap, we were ready to explore some more. We also checked out the opera house where we'd be attending an opera the next night.
Here's a view from the rooftop across the street.
We decided to check out the Albertina museum which housed some pieces by Picasso, Monet, Warhol and others.
Imagine your child's field trip involving learning about Picasso in front of his actual works!
It started to rain a little so we ducked into the Mozart Cafe where we enjoyed an apple strudel with vanilla sauce. This was our first of many cafes during our trip. Eating in these little establishments proved to be some of my favorite experiences in Europe. I really enjoyed the slower pace. Sometimes we'd order a drink and a snack, followed by another drink and snack.
After our second jaunt around Vienna, we returned to our hotel and rested up for our night with Claus. Claus was a foreign exchange student when I was in high school. He attended Mark's high school and I met him when doing a musical at their school. After he returned home to Austria, we continued to write letters for almost a decade. When I learned I would be traveling to Claus's hometown, I decided to contact him and see where it led. To my surprise, we was still in Vienna! We made plans for dinner our first night with Claus and his girlfriend, Andrea.
They took us to a very quaint little restaurant outside of downtown and we enjoyed a nice meal with lively conversation. Then we headed to a cafe for dessert.
The next day, Andrea had to work so Claus showed us around Vienna. Our first stop was St. Stephens Cathedral.
I really liked the area around St. Stephens. The streets were more narrow and the buildings were so unique. Claus snapped this photo of Mark and I.
These were some Roman relics that had been preserved in town.
After quite a bit of sight seeing, Claus took us to Andrea's store. She owns an organic food store that promotes sustainable packaging. Costumers come in with their own containers and take what they need.
This afternoon was one of my favorites from the trip. We sat at this table and enjoyed homemade drinks and snacks. It rained a bit so we lingered even longer waiting for the rain to stop.
Then we went to this park which reminded us of Coney Island. I decided to try my lensbaby which is a manual lens that bends resulting in interesting blurs and slices of focus.
Then we went to Belvedere which was a huge museum that contained one of my favorite art pieces- Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss".
Most exhibits prohibited photography so I had to settle for this sign.
Finally we decided to check out the Nach Market before parting ways with Claus and returning to our room to rest before the opera.
Due to a misunderstanding of our tickets, we arrived at the opera late and had to settle for watching the first act on the screen outside.
During intermission, we found our seats and I snapped this photo.
The opera was a fun experience. It was a very silly opera (the Italian in Algiers by Rossini), but we enjoyed it.
Afterwards, we walked the streets of Vienna a bit and took in the sights once more.
The next day, we were off to Hallstatt!
After about 4 hours, 3 trains, and 1 ferry we arrived at our destination!
We found our room at Hallstatt Hideaway and were very pleased with it's rustic charm.
Then we set out to find the funicular that took us up the mountain for a view of Lake Hallstatt.
Conveniently, there was a little restaurant at the top where we enjoyed our lunch.
Then we went to a little park we'd seen from the top.
Hallstatt is a beautiful little town. It was a nice change from the big city.
We explored some places to shoot from for the next morning. I really wanted to take some photos before sunrise and since this town faces east, it was the perfect opportunity. We decided on this trail that begins at the catholic church in town.
That night we enjoyed dinner in town. I had a pizza margarita, and Mark had this fish with eyeballs.
The next morning, my sweet husband got up at 5:30am with me so I could take some of my favorite shots of the entire trip.
That afternoon, we took a bus (several buses) and headed for Salzburg.
Our room here was very nice and spacious.
The first place we explored was Mirabell Garden near our hotel. This park was so beautiful and stood between our hotel and the bridge to the 'old city'. Therefore, we ended up walking through these beautiful sights many times during our two day stay in Salzburg.
This lock bridge connected the new city and old city of Salzburg. Couples fasten their locks to this bridge and throw their keys in the river as a romantic gesture of their love's everlasting nature.
We did not have much of a plan during our first day so we roamed the streets and enjoyed the sights.
See that fortress at the top of this photo? That is where we enjoyed a chamber music concert the following night.
After our first night of exploring, I did some research online to give us some ideas for the next day. I learned that Mirabell Gardens was the setting for a very famous scene in The Sound of Music. The next day we set out to recreate some of the scenes.
Salzburg also lays claim to some Mozart fame because he was born there and lived his early years in this great city. We tried to go to the museum that was held in his early apartment, but it was closed for three days for electrical issues. Here's the outside of the building.
We decided to eat at a cafe and I had a mozart torte.
I had also read about where they reconstructed the famous gazebo used in the sound of music. It was in a park outside of the city. One short bus ride and we were there.
It turned out to be located in a very, very beautiful park.
Finally we returned to Salzburg and snagged a few more photos of the beautiful blooms on our way back to our hotel.
We had received a ticket for free drinks and snacks at the sky bar and restaurant and decided to redeem them for a mid-day break.
After a little rest, it was time to head out for our concert.
The fortress was very beautiful and there was a wonderful view of the city from the top.
Mark and I both enjoyed the intimate setting of this concert. The musicians were very lively and talented.
Mark even ran downstairs during intermission so I could take some photos shortly after the sun had set. (this one was also taken with a lensbaby).
We called home once a day. Because of the time difference, we usually waited until 9 or 10pm at night so we could talk to the kids as they got home from school. Every time we heard their voices they sounded happy. Knowing they were well taken care of (thanks to grandma) made being away from them easier.
That night I had pretzels and apple strudel for dinner.
On our last night in Salzburg, Mark asked if we should get a lock for the lock bridge. I was surprised, but happy. He even agreed to return the next morning to fasten it to the bridge, because it would yield better light for my pictures.
Then we ate at a small little bakery in the old city.
Mark was frightened by this street performer posing as a statue.
That morning we checked out and board another train. Instead of traveling straight to Vienna, we decided to stop at a city called Melk for the day.
After storing our luggage in the lockers at the train station, we set out to explore. Melk's main attraction is this abbey that sits high on a hill overlooking the city.
We did not pay admission to enter the abbey, but did enjoy the panoramic terrace and the gardens outside.
Then we stopped at yet another cafe and relaxed with some lunch and ice cream.
Finally we returned to Vienna just in time for some night photography.
Our hotel here was very swanky and fun. Once again, we were spoiled with an executive lounge which offered free drinks and snacks.
It was such a fun, peaceful, exciting and special trip. I'm really not sure if my photos or commentary do it justice. I am just so glad that I went on this trip and was able to celebrate such a special anniversary in such a romantic, spontaneous way. I love you, Mark!
