Austria & Germany 2024 - Day 4 / Melk & Vienna

Steps today: 20 857 / 13.74 km

Today we took a day trip to Melk. We were supposed to do 2 day trips from Vienna (Melk & Linz) but since we lost a day with the fun and games of getting to Austria, one of them had to go.  We chose to keep Melk because before I even met Frank, I went on a bus tour that was supposed to include Melk but that excursion was cancelled and many people were very upset about missing their chance to visit the Abbey. At the time, I knew nothing about Melk nor it's Abbey, so this was my chance to see what all the fuss was about.

Meh, it was just ok. No pictures allowed which always pisses me off, but I don't think I would have taken many anyway. The two main attractions are the Church, which was nice but comparable to other beautiful and amazing Baroque interiors, and the Library which was nice but the ones I saw in Prague or St-Gallen left more of an impression on me. Here are a few shots of the courtyard

 

After the Abbey, we strolled around the gardens... 

...and it was warm enough to sit with a Radler in the sun in the café. ("real" beer for Frank)

The little town was attractive, basically one street...

...and we had a nice lunch outside.

We were done by about 3PM and headed back to Vienna. During our walk yesterday, we spotted a place that boasted the best schnitzels in Vienna, so we decided that's what's we do for supper.  

It seems that "Schnitzels too big for the plate" is their signature. I could not finish!! 

After supper, I was feeling good so I managed to persuade Frank to go for a nightcap at an outdoor café.  It took persuading because he DID his schnitzel and wanted nothing more to do with food and drink! ha!

Back to the hotel to pack after this, moving on to a new homebase tomorrow.

Austria & Germany 2024 - Day 3 / Vienna

Steps today: 23 667 / 15.58km

We were supposed to go on a day trip today, but because we missed a whole day in Vienna by spending Saturday at the airport in Geneva, I didn't get to all the things on my "Vienna List" so we decided to nix Linz. Too bad, but that just gives us a reason to come back again someday.

We started the day with a walk through the Stadtpark because I wanted a shot of the Strauss Memorial...  which as it turns out was completely covered for renovations. figures! So we just strolled around the park for a while.

Searched and found for the "Wolf and Cow Playing Backgammon" mural that dates back to 1509!

Next it was off to Café Demel to complete the Sachertorte taste test.  

We both agree that Demel wins!

On our trip in Vienna in 2007, we visited the Kaisergruft and our pictures were so bad I wanted to be sure to come back and get better ones. Mission accomplished! It's really quite something.  The resting place of the members of the House of Habsburg (including Sisi and Maria Theresa / mother of Marie Antoinette) since 1633, it houses 107 metal sarcophagi and they are very impressive!

Next was a walk through the Volksgarten to see the Sisi Memorial

And then lunch at the Ratzkeller - you guessed it: Schnitzel AGAIN!

  

We tried to walk it off afterwards with some aimless wandering, and we were BURNT after 2 hours so settled in for a drink. Bring on the Radler!

After that LONG break, we walked around the Cathedral and then on a whim decided to climb the tower - it was a killer on our full stomachs!

 

I was DESPERATE for vegetables and we didn't want much for supper so I said we'd head back to the hotel and stop at the first place along the way where I could have a salad.  It turned out to be a Greek restaurant and based on the plates of food I saw going by, it looked like a great place to eat! but all I wanted was plant food (but the Feta cheese was a nice treat!)

Another great day!