Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
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Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
Prague- don't miss the old town center and Charles bridge. Others will fill in their favorite restaurants (been a few years since I was there). It's a great city to just walk around like Salzburg. It's like going back in time.
Vienna is one of my favorite cities. Everywhere you turn there's history. Schonbrunn palace and grounds are worth a tour-
Belvedere Palace museum-
St. Stephen's cathedral- (climb to the top for views of the city)-
Hofburg Palace-
Imperial burial crypt (Kaisergruft)- (ok it's a crypt with a nondescript entrance off the street but neat to see the tombs of all those famous emperors/ empresses you read about in history class back in the day......at least if you're a history buff like me )-
Circle the Ringstrasse and go to the pedestrian area of central Vienna. Eat at some outdoor restaurants and just observe the locals. You'll feel like you're back in time of the Habsburg empire with the architecture all in the Imperial yellow. One of the most impressive streets in terms of architecture and history. It's not too far from the state Opera House which is worth a visit (or at least a tour) as well. You don't have to be into opera but if you're in Vienna you might as well say you went there.
You picked some really nice cities to see and should have a great trip.
You forgot ME, Bro!!! lolTaking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
History buff? Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden is a must. You can also do a boat ride on the Konigsee there to make a nice day's excursion. From Vienna an excursion to the Monestary in Melk is worthwhile as is an excursion to Bratislavia. If you are into bicycling, the Danube bike trail that runs through Vienna is an option. Bike are easy to rent and you can take them on trains to get to/from an interesting starting and ending town. Or for more casual rides there are lots of nice bike trails on the Danube Island in Vienna too. There's a nudist beach on the island so maybe you could organize a wrong turn. If you are by chance a biology type, the Mendel Museum at the Augistinean Abbey in Brno is an interesting stop and it's on the train line between Vienna and Prague. Enjoy the hotel buffet breakfasts as well as the local restaurants in these cities. They are pretty good.Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
Similarly went to Prague and Vienna with my teenagers three summers ago. We organized it our selves with the help of my Uncle who lives in Prague. It's tough keeping adolescents entertained! They're favorite thing was going off and exploring on their own (not alone however). Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square were perfect for this. We did the Old Jewish Cemetery, Ghosts and Legends Tour by Haunted Prague (very fun and informative). Had a very good meal, and view at night, in Old Town square at Starometska Restaurace. When we were there Budvar released an unfiltered Lager which most restaurants carried on tap. Wish we could get it here!Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
i lived in Vienna for 3 years and really enjoyed the highlights that others have listed such as Shonbrunn, Hofburg, Stefanzplatz and Naschmarkt, but the Wienerwald is really what i miss. Here are a couple things that you can check out if you like to hike:Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
You've picked 3 great cities to visit for your European vacation. I vacationed in Salzburg 4 summers ago, and did a Prague & Vienna trip 2 summers ago. Ironically enough, typing this from Amsterdam Schipol Airport, in the midst of this summer's European vacation with my wife & daughters.Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
+1 On the Charles Bridge. It's been almost twenty years since I was there. I was in Prague for about 2 1/2 days. Have Pilsner while over there since Pilsen is where this beer was created.Prague- don't miss the old town center and Charles bridge. Others will fill in their favorite restaurants (been a few years since I was there). It's a great city to just walk around like Salzburg. It's like going back in time.
Vienna is one of my favorite cities. Everywhere you turn there's history. Schonbrunn palace and grounds are worth a tour-
Belvedere Palace museum-
St. Stephen's cathedral- (climb to the top for views of the city)-
Hofburg Palace-
Imperial burial crypt (Kaisergruft)- (ok it's a crypt with a nondescript entrance off the street but neat to see the tombs of all those famous emperors/ empresses you read about in history class back in the day......at least if you're a history buff like me )-
Circle the Ringstrasse and go to the pedestrian area of central Vienna. Eat at some outdoor restaurants and just observe the locals. You'll feel like you're back in time of the Habsburg empire with the architecture all in the Imperial yellow. One of the most impressive streets in terms of architecture and history. It's not too far from the state Opera House which is worth a visit (or at least a tour) as well. You don't have to be into opera but if you're in Vienna you might as well say you went there.
You picked some really nice cities to see and should have a great trip.
I know it's touristy, and I generally try to avoid dining at touristy locations, but I really liked this place. Plan ahead, it gets very crowded. Their schnitzel is so big it literally hangs off the edge of the plate. I've also had schnitzel at a locals restaurant and I honestly thought Figlmuller's was better.For huge weiner schnitzel, the Figlmuller restaurant is popular with tourists.
I also highly recommend Rick Steves' guides. The last time I did Europe, I used his free app which had free downloadable walking audio guides that were designed to complement the maps in his guide books. Our hotels usually had a copy of his books at the desk so we'd take photos of the maps, load up on the audio guides while connected to wifi, and walk around town with our own free virtual tour guide.For all 3 cities (plus many others in Europe), we relied extensively on Trip Advisor for restaurant suggestions. For the most part, Trip Advisor did not steer us wrong.
Can't believe I forgot to include the Cafe Mozart. We had great long thin wieners with a mustard sauce, then the Sacher tortes.I know it's touristy, and I generally try to avoid dining at touristy locations, but I really liked this place. Plan ahead, it gets very crowded. Their schnitzel is so big it literally hangs off the edge of the plate. I've also had schnitzel at a locals restaurant and I honestly thought Figlmuller's was better.
Vienna is also known for the Sacher torte (chocolate cake) from the Hotel (or Cafe) Sacher. I had it just to say I did given it's fame, but really it can be skipped. I enjoyed sitting at their outdoor tables people-watching more than the cake itself. It wasn't bad, but it didn't amaze me either. The hotel is in the heart of the pedestrian friendly center of Vienna so it's a good place to rest your legs, which as with all European cities, will likely need the rest. If you do have a sweet tooth Vienna has a ton of great pastries and goodies to offer at cafes and shops all over town.
Also there in Grinzing is the little Grinzing Cemetery. Austrians have the most elaborate and artful monuments. Any cemetery is worth a look. Grinzing has the resting place of composer Gustav Mahler.i lived in Vienna for 3 years and really enjoyed the highlights that others have listed such as Shonbrunn, Hofburg, Stefanzplatz and Naschmarkt, but the Wienerwald is really what i miss. Here are a couple things that you can check out if you like to hike:
1. Heuriger in Grinzing - From the ringstrasse, take street car D to towards Nussdorf and dont get off until the end of the line at Beethovengang. Walk up Grinzingerstrasse until you find a trail head and enjoy a nice stroll through the vineyards and stop at a heuriger (a winery) along the trail.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190454-d1913436-Reviews-Beethovengang-Vienna.html
Nothing quite like it!
When I was in Salzburg I did a guided walking tour. It was roughly 2 hours. The tour guide started out very monotone and straight laced ,as the tour continued she seemed to loosen up. By the end of the tour she was absolutely giddy showing us the red light district and explaining that some building damage had dated back to a tank crashing into the wall at the end of the war, apparently the tank drive was looking for something in that area and the road just got too narrow for his tank.Taking wife and 16 yr old daughter... taking train between cities and cashing in Marriott points for hotels. Never been to any of these cites. Have a few tours scheduled but generally lots of free time to fill. Midnighter?
I think that's the specific one I was also trying to remember as well, but I was drawing a blank. Some of the desserts in Vienna are crazy good. I love European cities and their dense city centers with pedestrians and outdoor cafes everywhere. Some of my favorite vacation days have been those where I didn't make any plans and just casually hit some cafes, or piazzas in Italy, and just watched the world go by.Can't believe I forgot to include the Cafe Mozart. We had great long thin wieners with a mustard sauce, then the Sacher tortes.
I have walked through that cemetary on numerous occasions. It is such a great hike up that valley and the wineries are wonderful once you learn how to enjoy the Heurigers.Also there in Grinzing is the little Grinzing Cemetery. Austrians have the most elaborate and artful monuments. Any cemetery is worth a look. Grinzing has the resting place of composer Gustav Mahler.