Vienna – European River Cruise

In Vienna, the boat was moored quite far out of town, however, there is a metro which is quite accessible and an easy trip in, with Prater Park on the way. Our greatest find was an internet shop along the way to the metro.  Forget about internet access on the boat as the crew will tell you that the speed, or lack of, is a huge problem.  It is very expensive as well.  In this shop it only costs 1 Euro for 30 minutes compared to a ridiculous price on the boat. This morning’s city tour and free time allows you about three hours in the city before the visit to Schönbrunn Palace.  As we’ve been to the Palace a couple of times, we decided to spend our time roaming the town and indulging in some Sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher. I think I prefer my chocolate mudcakes from home but Tony prefers the darker chocolate.

Vienna claims to be the capital of classical music and the Viennese take this quite seriously. But not all the time: check out the kitsch Opera Toilet in the vicinity of the Opera House.  You can enjoy classical music as you’re pleasurably relieving yourself.  The Austrians also appear to have a complex about being mistaken for Australians.  Everywhere you went you’d see signs indicating that there’s no kangaroos in Austria.

This evening, we enjoyed a Mozart and Strauss Concert at the Vienna Kursalon. These performances are put on for tour groups and although the recitals were good, the place lacks the atmosphere of a true concert hall. The price of the ticket includes a drink at interval time.  Nevertheless, it was good to have been to a concert in Vienna.

Helen