5 Reasons to Visit Vienna: Living the Good Life in Austria

Posted by on Apr 28, 2012 in Austria, Vienna | 6 comments

The Vienna Opera House (Staatsoper) taken from the Albertina's Mezzanine.

The grand imperial city that is Vienna stands proud, claiming its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ninth most populous city in the European Union is also one of the most preferred locations for the headquarters, conventions, and events of international organizations. Even as Vienna has retained its old world grandeur, it has kept up with the developments of the modern world. The city has been ranked in global studies as one of the most innovative cities the world over. Not lagging behind are its rankings in terms of the quality of life it provides its residents. There is no wonder that tourists have grown fond of Vienna whenever they want to take a break from their daily grind.

Here are some of the 5 reasons why you should put down Vienna as your next vacation destination:

Palatschinken/Pancakes served with ice cream, fruits and whipped cream.

Wiener Schnitzel - Veal in bread crumbs served with potato fries.

2. Gustatory Journey – The unique gustatory offerings of Vienna are among the best in the world. Most popular of Viennese cuisine are the Wiener Schnitzel, the Tafelspitz, and the Geröstete Erdäpfel. Of course, no one should forego the Viennese cakes and pastries that provide the perfect crescendo to any meal. Cap your gustatory journey with Vienna’s versions of the hot Apfelstrüdel, Palatschinken/sweet pancakes and Marillen Knödel/apricot filled dumplings. Make it a point too to try out the Sachertorte that the Sacher Hotel is world famous for.

Painted stairs at the Albertina.

3. Treasure Trove of Art – Vienna is known as one of the major centers of contemporary art what with its extensive collection of works from old masters like Rubens and Raphael. The city boasts of a museum complex where Hofburg’s imperial stables used to be housed. Tourists can visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Belvedere Palace Museum, the Albertina, the Leopold Museum, and the Liechtenstein Palace Museum.

Be an emperor and empress on your wedding at the Schönbrunn Palace.

4. Palaces and Gardens – You will be transported through time with the preserved imperial palaces that are full of interesting stories and artifacts. At the Hofburg Palace are massive tapestries as well as the Schatzkammer which holds priceless imperial jewels and other treasures. The Hofburg Palace is also home to many of the balls held in Vienna throughout the year. Around these palaces and other buildings in the city are vast gardens where tourists can join locals in strolls through the greenery.

Wiener Melange and macaron.

5. Coffee and Company – Viennese cafes trace a tradition of their own, surrounded by legends dating back centuries. Just about every corner of the city has a Kaffeehaus serving up coffee concoctions and perfect pastry pairings. Hanging out at Cafe Diglas, Cafe Pruckel, Demel or any other cafe in Vienna is a great way to enjoy Viennese coffee. One of the must try is the Wiener Melange (German for “Viennese” and French for “Blend”), it is “properly” coffee with milk and is similar to a cappuccino but usually made with mild coffee (e.g. mocha), preferably caramelized. Drop me a note if you happen to be in the city, I’ll treat you to a cup.

5 Reasons to Visit Venice: Romance and the Arts in Italian Veneto

Posted by on Apr 20, 2012 in Italy, Venice | 9 comments

Fascinating and charming sights and sounds await those who travel to Italy to visit the lagoon-surrounded sanctuary of Venice. Although the heavy tourist traffic is being pinpointed as one of the causes of the city’s decay, Venice remains to hold its charm and beauty for local and international visitors to enjoy. If you only have a few days for your Venetian vacation, here are 5 reasons to make it one of your best vacations ever:

Take your partner and ride a gondola.

1. Romantic gondola rides – Venice is surrounded by water and aside from walking, the only other way to get around is through the water buses (vaporetto) and the water taxis. The more classical and romantic way to travel through Venice’s canals and waterways is through a gondola. A gondola ride will take you on scenic routes. Those who are on a budget should remember that gondola rides cost a whole lot more than vaporetto rides.

Pick a mask!

2. Exciting festivals and carnivals – Among the world’s most colourful festivals are held in Venice. As a major hub of international conferences and festival, Venice is host to events like the Venice Biennale, the Carnival of Venice, the Festa del Redentore, and the Venice International Film Festival. The city will surely be packed with international tourists during times when these festivals and carnivals are held but the experience is well worth enduring the crowded venues.

Murano and other glass products on display.

3. The intricate art of glass blowing – A visit to Venice will not be complete without making a visit to one of the Murano glass makers either in Venice or in the nearby island of Murano. The intricate details of Murano glassware have made these products Venice’s most popular export. Make sure that you allocate some of your vacation budget to take home a Murano glass bowl or dish…or earrings and pendants!

Fresh seafood.

Authentic pasta from where it originated - Italy. My plate of canelloni with spinach and ricotta.

4. Palate pleasing seafood, wine, and gelato – No trip to a foreign land will be complete without sampling the food and beverages the local cuisine is notable for. Seafood dominates Venetian cuisine complemented by rice and other greens from nearby islands. Must try are the sarde in soar, the fegato alla veneziana, the cicchetti and the bisato complemented by prosecco. If you’re in a hurry you can always have what Italy is famous for; pizza and pasta or the more convenient tramezzini with your choice of spread and fillings.

5. Interesting discoveries while getting lost – Another great inexpensive way to explore Venice is to walk through the city and, as the locals jest, get lost. Walking through the alleyways will reveal architectural beauties and quaint places of interest tucked into the cityscape. Make sure to check the tourist board for information about the acqua alta or the high tide predictions for the day. Some places can get flooded during acqua alta but these places usually have elevated blocks to serve as pedestrian walkways during floodings.

It is best to visit Venice when you have more than just a couple of days on your hands. Spend about a week to leisurely explore the boroughs of Venice and all their interesting offerings.

5 Reasons to Visit Prague: Bohemian Magic in East Central Europe

Posted by on Apr 12, 2012 in Czech Republic, Prague | 8 comments

  
(Sunset reflection at the Old Town and a crystal store.)

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Escape into the preserved cobblestone walks, walled courtyards, and spire dotted skyline of Prague. Be magically transported to the majestic past as you walk through the streets of this capital city, moving among the mix of cathedrals, towers, and domes along with establishments offering a more modern and energetic take on Prague’s cultural scene.

National Museum Building, designed by Czech architect Josef Schulz, and the statue of Wenceslas at the Square.

 There are plenty of things to discover and enjoy in Prague. Below are just five of the reasons why going to Prague is included in most people’s travel wish-list:

1. The Attractions – There’s a great number of museums, architectural sights, and other places to see in Prague. Particularly interesting are the Old Town and the New Town, two locales that are popular among tourists for the historic buildings and monuments they have as well as the beautiful panoramic sights and quaint parks.

2. The Activities – Prague’s old world charm is not deficient in exciting things to do. Among the things that you should try when visiting Prague are sightseeing flights and river cruises. Sightseeing flights give you a bird’s eye view tour of the city on board a helicopter or a hot air balloon. While you’re at it, you might even want to try skydiving in Prague.

     
(Prague’s Orloj -600-year-old Astronomical Clock – at the Old Town and a balloon floating above the city.)

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3. The People – The people of Prague are jovial and accommodating. They are actually the best people to show you around the city. Walking tours conducted by locals themselves can be requested right off the street, usually free of charge with the locals regaling you with historical tales made more interesting with their personal commentary and anecdotes. It is also an acceptable practice for tourists to join a group of people to banter with during drinking hour.

4. The Food – Prague has a number of restaurants serving up local cuisine. Lunch time is busiest in the city since this meal is traditionally regarded as the main meal of the day. Expect to be served a selection of meat dishes, usually pork or beef, with sidings of dumplings or potatoes. Street food can also be enjoyed in Prague with vendors dishing out Czech style hotdogs right at the Old Town Square and in New Town’s Wenceslas Square.

  
(My plate of larded braised beef with a thick sauce of carrot, parsley root, celeriac, and chantilly cream – served with dumplings on the side. View of a church from the corridors of a nearby palace.)

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5. The Booze – Prague’s beers and alcoholic drinks are considered to be one of the come-ons for international travellers. In this part of the world, these drinks cost even less than drinking water. Bars and pubs would have their own selection of brands. The more adventurous drinkers would have a ball with the all-night bar hopping and drinking parties called pub crawls – there’s one at The Crawl and another group that meets in front of the Astronomical Clock.

Prague really has a lot to offer to travellers looking for more than just amusement parks and shopping sprees during their vacations. The adventurous and independent traveller yearning to discover some of the world’s cultural treasures would definitely enjoy a week or two in Prague.

One of the many colorful train stations in Prague that I was so interested with.

5 Reasons to Visit Paris: Postcard Perfect Shots in France

Posted by on Apr 6, 2012 in France, Paris | 7 comments

Kiss your loved one under the Eiffel Tower .

Brush up on your French and take a trip to the French capital city of Paris. You have to know at least a few key phrases in French to put yourself right in the middle of Parisian settings that have so often been featured in many movies. Be très chic when you experience gay Paree in all its fame and splendour.

Here are five reasons for you to love Paris:

Historic Monuments – Most popular among the landmarks of Paris are the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe,  Eiffel Tower and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (or Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris). These sights are often included as part of pre-paid passes that tourists can purchase ahead of time. Since these sights are among international tourists’ list of must-see places, these historic landmarks can get really crowded.

Fashion and Shopping – Paris is one of the world’s fashion hubs comprising the Big 4 along with cities as London, Milan, and New York. Plan your trip right around the time when the bi-annual Fashion Week events are scheduled and catch a glimpse of the next season’s fashion on the runway. Bring your pocketbook for some high end couture shopping in the 8th arrondisement or in the boutiques that line Canal St. Martin and at the Palais-Royal.

Get a bite of authentic macarons.

French Cuisine – Ditch the French fries and go for authentic French cuisine served in bistros and restaurants around Paris. Put the French culinary reputation to test as you sample the fine cuisine in some of the most luxurious locales as Hotel Ritz and the Hotel de Crillon. Be ready to shell out oodles of money at these glitzy dining places, though. 

If French fashion is identified as haute couture, its gastronomic department is considered haute cuisine. Foie Gras, Pommes duchesse, Coq au vin, Crème brûlée, Eclairs, macarons, Tarte Tatin, the list goes on.

For the budget conscious, street side delicacies and fair offerings will give you a good sampling of the more common French gustatory fare.

Opera Theater – Visit the largest Parisian opera houses and choose from their mixed repertoire of classic and modern ballets and operas. Historic Opera Garnier and Opera Bastille along with Opera Comique and Theatre Lyrique should be in your opera theater itinerary while in Paris.

Not Just in the Movies – Take the time to go and see places in Paris that have been featured in one or several Hollywood films. The Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge dinner theater, and The Louvre are just some of the places that you might already have “visited” during your trips to the movies.  The Seine River is a must-see too! Get to ride an excursion boat to see more of the historic city.

Our old P&S Camera didn't do the Arc justice, we'll definitely go back!

Ooopsss…make that 6 reasons! Disneyland Resort Paris – Let the kid in you out and be a child once again at Disneyland Resort Paris…enjoy the company of Mickey and friends, tour Sleeping Beauty’s castle and enjoy the magic that is Disneyland in the city of the most romantic language. There are a lot of new rides and attraction so be sure to book not one but at least two days for you to enjoy everything!

The tourist scene in Paris can be quite busy especially when there are international events happening in the city. It would be a good idea to plan your trip to Paris early on and get your bookings ahead of time – you want to beat the long queues during peak tourism season. You might also want to take a look at buying pre-paid passes that already serves as your entry card to a list of tourist attractions in Paris. Finally, don’t forget to take a reliable camera with you to capture the beauty that is Paris.

Our Lady’s Church (Nuremberg)

Posted by on Mar 11, 2012 in Churches, Nuremberg | 19 comments

At the eastern side of Nuremberg’s market/main plaza is a beautiful brick gothic church called Frauenkirche or Our Lady’s Church. Looking back at the archives of this blog, here’s one post I did earlier on. I don’t know why but we haven’t been inside this church even before. I assume though that it’s as grand inside.

I would have written a lot more about this architecture but I believe the photos will suffice. ^_^

Nuremberg is one of the ideal city for Religious Heritage, Pilgrimage Tour, and Church Choir Tour programs for church groups.Aside from Our Lady’s Church, there’s St. Sebaldus Church (St. Sebald, Sebalduskirche), one of the most important churches of the city, and also one of the oldest. There’s also St. Lorenz Church (Lorenzkirche), another church of Gothic architecture.

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Prague’s Dancing House

Posted by on Feb 28, 2012 in Prague | 17 comments

Or the Drunk House  is a building  in downtown Prague, Czech Republic at Rašínovo nábřeží 80, 120 00 Praha 2. Technically the Nationale-Nederlandenbuilding. It was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront lot. The building was originally called Fred and Ginger, a nod to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as the house resembles a pair of dancers.

I requested hubby that we must see this Art Noveau building before the day ends. I knew it would be worth the trouble walking and braving the streets for some shots!

The Dancing House is situated on the riverfront. Going on the other side of the road to have a full view of the building, I can’t help but shoot the scenic river too.

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Which Bridge?

Posted by on Feb 12, 2012 in Bridges, Nuremberg | 17 comments

Nuremberg certainly has a lot of bridges within. Understandably so since it is situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, the former flowing through the city center. They may not be as many as the bridges of Venice but they add charm to historical Nuremberg’s appeal.

Coming from the Fleischbrücke’s other side we moved to the left on that supposedly summer day, here’s what I saw – a restaurant terrace by the riverside overflowing with pelargonias. Parasols paraded too and went accordingly with the flowers’ color.

Looking beyond the terrace you’ll see another bridge which I don’t know the name of…this one is crowded too but without the vendors…on our side were souvenir carts of different sorts. There, on their side, were just people passing by, one or two playfully fetching water with a pail pulling it up and down with a rope. Can’t tell what they’re up to.

Here is a view of the bridge in whole:

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