Vignettes from Austria

sayakc · 13th November 2019, 20:44

Writing a travelogue, if you are travelling “dedicatedly” is easy. Reasons are you are cent percent focused on the travel and the mental recordings of the travel are automatic. However, when you are making a quick escape with work in your mind, the mental recordings get difficult. In such a case, whatever gets recorded, is rendered through the camera and that forms the backbone of the travelogue - which is the case here.

I had travelled to Munich in the summer of 2019 and during the course of the workshop we got a few weekends in between. On two of these weekends I ventured out to two beautiful Austrian cities: Salzburg and Vienna - both places are very near to Munich and were covered by train. This is an account of that travel. Unfortunately I didn't get much time to study about these places - though I referred to the late Sam Kapasi's travelogue a few hours before getting on the train to Wien. I covered Salzburg on foot and most parts of Vienna were covered through the well connected metro.

Weekend One: Salzburg

I had planned to visit Salzburg for a day. Since time was a constraint, I choose to visit the main sights which were in proximity. I had a cup of coffee and sandwiches in the train. The Rail Jet train from Munich Hbf was supremely comfortable. A clouded sky accompanied me on the journey from Munich to Salzburg, but the route through the undulating Alps landscape with meadows was soothing to the eyes. It took me a little more than 2 hours to reach Salzburg and it was rainy. The first thing that I did was to purchase an umbrella because the forecast predicted rain for the entire day.

Mirabell Palace & Gardens.

The Salzach river cuts through the city and there are numerous of those "love lock" bridges that connect one part of the city to the other.

Along the streets of Salzburg. It was raining.

Mozarts Geburtshaus:Mozart's Birthplace where he spent the initial 17 years of his life.

Getreidegasse: the shopping street of Salzburg.

One of the several squares of Salzburg.

Residenzplatz.

Residenzplatz: another view.

As I discovered, Salzburg was the city where Mozart was born and spent years of his life here. The Salzach river cuts through the city and there are numerous of those "love lock" bridges that connect one part of the city to the other. The road to the Hohensalzburg Fort rises behind the Residenzplatz. The photos that follow are taken as I climbed to the fort. It provides a birds eye view of Salzburg city. And also of the hills that extend much beyond the city. The rains hadn't stopped and I had to use my umbrella and camera together - quite an arduous exercise .

sayakc · 13th November 2019, 20:50

Salzburg is host to some unique beer gardens and while coming down from the fort I went to Steiglkeller Biergarten. The rains had stopped by then and the waiters were mopping the wet benches. So, took a seat on the outside and watched the view of the city and the distant mountains. The long walks had made me hungry and thirsty – so after having a drink of water and beverages ordered for roasted chicken with sour potatoes. Sour potatoes is a local speciality – though I didn’t like it very much.

Entry to Hohensalzburg fort.

The fort.

Salzburg Cathedral from the fort road.

While coming down from the restaurant, I went to the Salzburg Cathedral – an architecturally impressive structure then through the Kapitelplatz – Getreidigass: Salzburg main shopping street - Dom Quartier - Mozart’s Birth place and Mirabell Gardens.

Biergarten.

Roasted chicken with sour potatoes.

Aftersome time it became sunny and the view from the Biergarten looked very inviting.

Met many Indians who we on tour of Salzburg. Interacted with a few local folks. Purchased some souvenirs and then took an train at 6 in the evening from Salzburg. I was back to Munich by 8.30 PM.

Kapitelplatz.

Musician.

The fort overlooks the city of Salzburg and is visible from everywhere.

Beautiful views on the train back to Munich.

sayakc · 13th November 2019, 20:57

A Weekend In Wien

The Salzburg trip was nice, but it was only a day trip. The next weekend I was on a train to Vienna. Vienna takes around 4 hrs from Munich. And whereas the Salzburg trip was dominated by rain, this weekend was relatively dry. As I found out, the OBB Railjet trains are much better as compared to the Meridien ones (in which I returned from Salzburg). Ordered for a breakfast of Ham sandwich and coffee. Munched onto the sandwiches as I looked into the swaying sceneries on the outside. The trains had WiFi too – but then I was looking at the scenery and let my camera cut loose. Speeds touch in excess of 200 kmph and the coffee in your cup wont slip even a bit.

Colourful landscapes from Munich to Vienna.

St Stephan's Cathedral

St Stephanplatz.

Inside the cathedral.

Summer crowd

sayakc · 13th November 2019, 21:03

I got down at Vienna Hbf and located my hotel which was around half a kilometer away from the station. Even though I had reached much earlier than the scheduled check-in time, the hotel said “Your rooms are ready”.

Misty countrysides of Austria.

St. Stephansplatz

Swelling crowd.

Along the central square of Wien.

The Spanish Horse riding school.

Another view.

Grilled salmon for lunch.

The Naschmarkt.

Freshened up and from the nearest available metro, 50 meters from the hotel, got a 24 hour pass. The Vienna metro, stations and processes are slightly “old fashioned” when compared to Munich – but the routes are directions are much simpler.

Trying to find bouquets.

Photos from Wiener Prater.

Schonbrunn palace.

sayakc · 13th November 2019, 21:14

To tour Vienna in detail you need at least 3 days – but with only 24 hours in my hand I had shortlisted some of the following places which were near and achievable to cover:
Day One

St Stephansplatz & Cathedral: Vienna’s city center
The Spanish Horse Riding School
Wiener Prater
Naschmarkt
Karlskirche

Day Two

Schonbrunn palace.
Hofburg Palace

After visiting the first two places went to Café Europe at St Stephansplatz. Had a lunch of Grilled Salmon. Then visited Wiener Prater: basically an amusement park, the Naschmarkt – unique market – but then it had closed down by the time I had reached and the church Karlskirche.

Vignettes from Austria-20190714_144906.jpg

Lasagna.

Karlskirche.

Karlsplatz area.

Hofburg Palace.

Beautiful landscapes as seen from the train.

Cafe central (finds several mentions in Sam Kapasi's blog)

Vignettes from Austria-20190719_195313.jpg

Baguette.

Schonbrunn palace.

When I returned to the hotel, it was almost 7 in the evening. And after multiple metro rides and long walks I was exhausted. Had a hot water bath and then some coffee.At night I went to a restaurant nearby and had Grilled Chicken in a cheese sauce and tiramisu. Superbly cooked.

Vignettes from Austria-20190713_082743.jpg

Breakfast in train.

Vignettes from Austria-20190713_215846.jpg

Grilled chicken breasts with cheese sauce.

Vignettes from Austria-20190713_223652.jpg

Tiramisu.

The next morning I went out again – first for breakfast at a lovely place and next visited Schonbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace. It took a long, long time. My train to Munich was around 4 in the afternoon. And as I took the train, a fleeting visit to a nice city came to an end.

vb-saan · 17th January 2020, 15:38

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!

BlackPearl · 20th January 2020, 18:17

Lovely pictures as usual Sayak! Austria has been on our list for a long time, so thanks for igniting the urge even more. The grilled Salmon and chicken breast with cheese sauce look delectable. Please keep sharing travelogues of your Europe sojourns. It will help us a lot to plan for our trips.

Sutripta · 20th January 2020, 18:40

I know this is about Austria, but

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayakc

I had travelled to Munich in the summer of 2019 and during the course of the workshop we got a few weekends in between.

did you visit the technical museum in Munich.

Regards
Sutripta

sayakc · 21st January 2020, 11:58

Hello BlackPearl,

My European stock usually has been brief and restricted to once a year - Usually a conference or a workshop. But this year it looks even bleaker

. But, yes, the food that I had in Vienna was amazing. Theres a restaurant "Cafe Europe" in St Stephansplatz , you may try that - food is very tasty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Lovely pictures as usual Sayak! Austria has been on our list for a long time, so thanks for igniting the urge even more. The grilled Salmon and chicken breast with cheese sauce look delectable. Please keep sharing travelogues of your Europe sojourns. It will help us a lot to plan for our trips.

Hello Sutripta-da,

Even though the Deutsche Museum was a one stop metro from the place where I was staying, I didn't visit it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

I know this is about Austria, but

did you visit the technical museum in Munich.

Regards
Sutripta

Sutripta · 22nd January 2020, 10:17

^^^
And the BMW museum?

Regards
Sutripta

sayakc · 22nd January 2020, 11:27

Okay Dada, you have me stumped now

I have been to Munich thrice in the past and didn't manage to visit the BMW Museum or the Dachau Concentration camp. Primary reason being my interests lie more on nature and landscapes.

On the other hand side, I have been to Konigsee (spell check?) and Neuschwanstein Castle - the roads and landscapes are so very beautiful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutripta

^^^
And the BMW museum?

Regards
Sutripta

Reinhard · 23rd January 2020, 10:05

Lovely. Brought back fond memories of my time there. It was like time travel. Places from dreamland these! I had stayed at Berchtesgaden in Germany & traveled around to all these places with a Renault Megane 2017.

Unfortunately I lost all photos from that time thanks to a mobile accident! And your pictures made me relive those times. I hope you rode the steep cogwheel train to the castle in Salzburg. Fun thing that one! And of course a nice Irish coffee on the banks of the river! Not to forget the boat rides in Koenigssee nearby across into Bavaria.

Thanks for the pictures. Nostalgia for some days for me now!

sayakc · 27th January 2020, 11:53

Thank you Reinhard. My limited time allowed me to explore only a bit of Austria - but yes, those meadows are heavenly!

I walked up to the fortress and IIRC it took me 30 mins on the way up.

Best Regards,
Sayak

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reinhard

Lovely. Brought back fond memories of my time there. It was like time travel. Places from dreamland these! I had stayed at Berchtesgaden in Germany & traveled around to all these places with a Renault Megane 2017.

Thanks for the pictures. Nostalgia for some days for me now!

13th November 2019, 20:44	#1
sayakc BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calcutta Posts: 521 Thanked: 3,547 Times View My Garage	Vignettes from Austria Writing a travelogue, if you are travelling “dedicatedly” is easy. Reasons are you are cent percent focused on the travel and the mental recordings of the travel are automatic. However, when you are making a quick escape with work in your mind, the mental recordings get difficult. In such a case, whatever gets recorded, is rendered through the camera and that forms the backbone of the travelogue - which is the case here. I had travelled to Munich in the summer of 2019 and during the course of the workshop we got a few weekends in between. On two of these weekends I ventured out to two beautiful Austrian cities: Salzburg and Vienna - both places are very near to Munich and were covered by train. This is an account of that travel. Unfortunately I didn't get much time to study about these places - though I referred to the late Sam Kapasi's travelogue a few hours before getting on the train to Wien. I covered Salzburg on foot and most parts of Vienna were covered through the well connected metro. Weekend One: Salzburg I had planned to visit Salzburg for a day. Since time was a constraint, I choose to visit the main sights which were in proximity. I had a cup of coffee and sandwiches in the train. The Rail Jet train from Munich Hbf was supremely comfortable. A clouded sky accompanied me on the journey from Munich to Salzburg, but the route through the undulating Alps landscape with meadows was soothing to the eyes. It took me a little more than 2 hours to reach Salzburg and it was rainy. The first thing that I did was to purchase an umbrella because the forecast predicted rain for the entire day. *Mirabell Palace & Gardens.* The Salzach river cuts through the city and there are numerous of those "love lock" bridges that connect one part of the city to the other. *Along the streets of Salzburg. It was raining.* Mozarts Geburtshaus:Mozart's Birthplace where he spent the initial 17 years of his life. *Getreidegasse:* the shopping street of Salzburg. One of the several squares of Salzburg. Residenzplatz. Residenzplatz: another view. As I discovered, Salzburg was the city where Mozart was born and spent years of his life here. The Salzach river cuts through the city and there are numerous of those "love lock" bridges that connect one part of the city to the other. The road to the Hohensalzburg Fort rises behind the Residenzplatz. The photos that follow are taken as I climbed to the fort. It provides a birds eye view of Salzburg city. And also of the hills that extend much beyond the city. The rains hadn't stopped and I had to use my umbrella and camera together - quite an arduous exercise . Last edited by sayakc : 17th January 2020 at 13:52.
	(15) Thanks

13th November 2019, 20:50	#2
sayakc BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calcutta Posts: 521 Thanked: 3,547 Times View My Garage	re: Vignettes from Austria Salzburg is host to some unique beer gardens and while coming down from the fort I went to Steiglkeller Biergarten. The rains had stopped by then and the waiters were mopping the wet benches. So, took a seat on the outside and watched the view of the city and the distant mountains. The long walks had made me hungry and thirsty – so after having a drink of water and beverages ordered for roasted chicken with sour potatoes. Sour potatoes is a local speciality – though I didn’t like it very much. *Entry to Hohensalzburg fort.* *The fort.* *Salzburg Cathedral from the fort road.* While coming down from the restaurant, I went to the Salzburg Cathedral – an architecturally impressive structure then through the Kapitelplatz – Getreidigass: Salzburg main shopping street - Dom Quartier - Mozart’s Birth place and Mirabell Gardens. Biergarten. Roasted chicken with sour potatoes. Aftersome time it became sunny and the view from the Biergarten looked very inviting. Met many Indians who we on tour of Salzburg. Interacted with a few local folks. Purchased some souvenirs and then took an train at 6 in the evening from Salzburg. I was back to Munich by 8.30 PM. Kapitelplatz. Musician. The fort overlooks the city of Salzburg and is visible from everywhere. *Beautiful views on the train back to Munich.* Last edited by sayakc : 17th January 2020 at 13:53.
	(11) Thanks

13th November 2019, 20:57	#3
sayakc BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calcutta Posts: 521 Thanked: 3,547 Times View My Garage	re: Vignettes from Austria A Weekend In Wien The Salzburg trip was nice, but it was only a day trip. The next weekend I was on a train to Vienna. Vienna takes around 4 hrs from Munich. And whereas the Salzburg trip was dominated by rain, this weekend was relatively dry. As I found out, the OBB Railjet trains are much better as compared to the Meridien ones (in which I returned from Salzburg). Ordered for a breakfast of Ham sandwich and coffee. Munched onto the sandwiches as I looked into the swaying sceneries on the outside. The trains had WiFi too – but then I was looking at the scenery and let my camera cut loose. Speeds touch in excess of 200 kmph and the coffee in your cup wont slip even a bit. *Colourful landscapes from Munich to Vienna.* *St Stephan's Cathedral* *St Stephanplatz.* *Inside the cathedral.* *Summer crowd* Last edited by sayakc : 17th January 2020 at 13:55.
	(9) Thanks

13th November 2019, 21:03	#4
sayakc BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calcutta Posts: 521 Thanked: 3,547 Times View My Garage	re: Vignettes from Austria I got down at Vienna Hbf and located my hotel which was around half a kilometer away from the station. Even though I had reached much earlier than the scheduled check-in time, the hotel said “Your rooms are ready”. *Misty countrysides of Austria.* *St. Stephansplatz* *Swelling crowd.* *Along the central square of Wien.* *The Spanish Horse riding school.* *Another view.* *Grilled salmon for lunch.* *The Naschmarkt.* Freshened up and from the nearest available metro, 50 meters from the hotel, got a 24 hour pass. The Vienna metro, stations and processes are slightly “old fashioned” when compared to Munich – but the routes are directions are much simpler. *Trying to find bouquets.* *Photos from Wiener Prater.* *Schonbrunn palace.* Last edited by sayakc : 17th January 2020 at 13:56.
	(9) Thanks

13th November 2019, 21:14	#5
sayakc BHPian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calcutta Posts: 521 Thanked: 3,547 Times View My Garage	re: Vignettes from Austria To tour Vienna in detail you need at least 3 days – but with only 24 hours in my hand I had shortlisted some of the following places which were near and achievable to cover: Day One St Stephansplatz & Cathedral: Vienna’s city center The Spanish Horse Riding School Wiener Prater Naschmarkt Karlskirche *Day Two* Schonbrunn palace. Hofburg Palace After visiting the first two places went to Café Europe at St Stephansplatz. Had a lunch of Grilled Salmon. Then visited Wiener Prater: basically an amusement park, the Naschmarkt – unique market – but then it had closed down by the time I had reached and the church Karlskirche. *Lasagna.* *Karlskirche.* *Karlsplatz area.* *Hofburg Palace.* *Beautiful landscapes as seen from the train.* *Cafe central (finds several mentions in Sam Kapasi's blog)* *Baguette.* *Schonbrunn palace.* When I returned to the hotel, it was almost 7 in the evening. And after multiple metro rides and long walks I was exhausted. Had a hot water bath and then some coffee.At night I went to a restaurant nearby and had Grilled Chicken in a cheese sauce and tiramisu. Superbly cooked. *Breakfast in train.* *Grilled chicken breasts with cheese sauce.* *Tiramisu.* The next morning I went out again – first for breakfast at a lovely place and next visited Schonbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace. It took a long, long time. My train to Munich was around 4 in the afternoon. And as I took the train, a fleeting visit to a nice city came to an end. Last edited by sayakc : 17th January 2020 at 14:02.
	(14) Thanks

17th January 2020, 15:38	#6
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,476 Thanked: 13,389 Times	re: Vignettes from Austria Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!
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20th January 2020, 18:17	#7
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,666 Thanked: 17,393 Times View My Garage	Re: Vignettes from Austria Lovely pictures as usual Sayak! Austria has been on our list for a long time, so thanks for igniting the urge even more. The grilled Salmon and chicken breast with cheese sauce look delectable. Please keep sharing travelogues of your Europe sojourns. It will help us a lot to plan for our trips.
	(1) Thanks

22nd January 2020, 10:17	#10
Sutripta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,665 Thanked: 6,234 Times	Re: Vignettes from Austria ^^^ And the BMW museum? Regards Sutripta
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23rd January 2020, 10:05	#12
Reinhard Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 4,908 Thanked: 18,123 Times View My Garage	Re: Vignettes from Austria Lovely. Brought back fond memories of my time there. It was like time travel. Places from dreamland these! I had stayed at Berchtesgaden in Germany & traveled around to all these places with a Renault Megane 2017. Unfortunately I lost all photos from that time thanks to a mobile accident! And your pictures made me relive those times. I hope you rode the steep cogwheel train to the castle in Salzburg. Fun thing that one! And of course a nice Irish coffee on the banks of the river! Not to forget the boat rides in Koenigssee nearby across into Bavaria. Thanks for the pictures. Nostalgia for some days for me now!
	(1) Thanks