Europe Trip

Vienna was a real highlight for me. The best way I can describe it is that it was a mixture of Berlin and Prague: the majesty and imperialism of the former, and a bit of the colour and cheer of the latter. Once you get to the city centre (the 'Ringstrausse'), all you get is one incredible building after another. Each is a magnificent architectural work of art in its own right.

Plenty of must-see places here! The Hofburg (above) is where the Habsurgs lived and ruled their empire from for a few hundred years. Walking around the Ringstrausse presents plenty of photo opportunities. Even outwardly undistinguished buildings are worth looking at inside, as frequently that's where the work and care has been spent.

The Schonnbrunn palace is one of the few Viennese attractions outside of the centre. The Habsburg summer palace, it has some jaw-dropping rooms inside, and some lovely gardens outside. Weather was much warmer here too.

This photo is typical of many streets within the city centre. Just big, grand buildings. Incredible really. I was fortunate enough to go to a Mozart concert while I was here, which I loved. Really made the trip memorable. Sitting in the old Koncerthaus, listening to the wonderful music, you could almost feel yourself going back in time... well, not really, but it was lovely.

I had to include this photo of the Reisenrad, a really old Ferris Wheel (1896!) just to the north of the city centre. It was used in one of my favourite films, 'The Third Man' (1949), starring Orson Welles. Great film, recommend it to anyone. Anyway, it also gives great views across the city. I stayed quite close to the centre, for 3 nights, in a reasonable hostel that had separate showers for tall people and short people. Freaky.