From Budapest to Vienna

It is 172 miles or 275 kilometers from Budapest to Vienna. Photo: More canola fields in bloom.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

Hungarian countryside.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

More Hungarian countryside.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

At a comfort stop near the Hungary/Austria border. Here, there were machines to put our euros or florints in to get a ticket to use the toilet. If you bought something at the comfort stop and if you show your ticket, you will get most of your money back.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

This was the first time I have seen one of these new hand dryers. It will totally dry your hands in about 10 seconds. This was one of my “wait until I tell the folks back home about this” moments. I looked it up on the Internet. It is probably a Dyson Airblade, developed in the UK in 2006. I also discovered that they are already being used in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

An unbelievable amount of food was being sold at this comfort stop. But this was not long enough after our breakfast to want to try much of it.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

Some of the desserts.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

Soups.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

Salads.

From Budapest to Vienna

From Budapest to Vienna

We are now at the Hungarian/Austrian border.

From Budapest to Vienna

Vienna

We have reached Vienna.

Vienna

Vienna

Passing the Urania Observatory.

Vienna

Vienna

Vienna is a city of very large buildings.

Vienna

Vienna

And also a city of some strange artwork. One of the paintings on the cement along the canal.

Vienna

Three Walks Around Stephansdom (See Slide Show)

We were dropped off near the shopping and dining street near Stephansdom (a church in the center of the area) and were given a few hours to explore the area. We came back to this area two other times––later this day and the next day. I put all three of our walks around Stephansdom on a slide show on this website. Go to Slide Shows, Central/Eastern Europe–1, Three Walks Around Stephansdom, Vienna.

Three Walks Around Stephansdom (See Slide Show)

Shopping Near Stephansdom

I bought the famous Vienna Mozart candy in this store for gifts. I also bought Helmut Sachers  coffee at another store for both gifts and for myself. This is the coffee that is served in the restaurants and hotels in Vienna and it is so good. I used up all my coffee and will try to buy some more through the Internet. While drinking it, you can dream that you are sitting in a sidewalk cafe in Vienna and drinking some of the best coffee in the world.

Shopping Near Stephansdom

On the Ringstrasse

We went back on the bus and traveled along the Ringstrasse (the Ring Road) around Vienna. The Ringstrasse dates back to 1850 and it replaced the city walls. Many government buildings and museums are located on the Ringstrasse.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

I haven’t been able to find out all the names of the buildings I took photos of, but I have named the ones I have found a reference to. I do not have a name yet for this one.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

The famous Vienna Opera House, built 1861–1869. It is an extremely large building.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

A closer–up view.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

And a closer–up view.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

The Vienna Opera House from a different side.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Another photo of the Vienna Opera House taken later when the sun was shining.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Maria Theresa Monument in front of one of Vienna’s numerous museums.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

The Austrian Parliament House.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

On top of the Parliament House.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Statue seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

The Neo–Gothic Town Hall, built in the second half of the 19th century.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Close–up of the statues on the roof.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

And closer–up.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

And even closer–up.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Another statue on the roof.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

Seen on our drive.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

The Ringstrasse.

On the Ringstrasse

On the Ringstrasse

An interesting idea: a swimming pool on the canal.

On the Ringstrasse

The Hofburg Complex

Our next stop: The Hofburg Complex which is the former Hapsburg emperor’s residence.  Photo: our local tour guide.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

The front of the palace.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

One of the palace gates.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

The Neue Burg, the last wing of the Hofburg, built just before the outbreak of World War I and at the end of the Hapsburg rule.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

A closer–up view.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Another view.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

A view of the statues on the roof.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Across from the Neue Burg, the Heldenplatz, the Heroes’ Square, where Hilter declared Anschluss (that Austria and Germany would unite) in 1938.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Close–up of the statue of Archduke Charles.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Gate to the Hofburg Complex.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Flags on the side of the gate. The American flag is there.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

A guardian in front of the 16th–century Swiss Gate, entry to the Old Palace.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Another view of the guardian.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

And one more.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

More of the complex.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

A close–up of the statues.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Where the Vienna Boys Choir sing every Sunday.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Statues half–cleaned.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

The Nationalbibliotet.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Close–up of the banner.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Close–up of the top of the building.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Also on the top of the building.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

The famous Spanish Riding School is located here. They put on shows riding the Lipizzaner horses.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

One of the horses looking out.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

Close–up.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

We walked out of the complex and around the side of one of its buildings.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

We are now in the Michaelerplatz, on the side of the complex. Imperial Chancery Wing, Emperor Franz Joseph’s apartments.

The Hofburg Complex

The Hofburg Complex

The dome.

The Hofburg Complex

The Stephansdom

Our next stop was back to the Stephansdom area to view the inside of the church. My photos of the inside of the Stephansdom are on a slide show: Go to Slide Shows, Central/Eastern Europe, Three Walks Around Stephansdom or go directly to

http://wp.peggysphotos.com/three–walks–around–stephansdom–vienna/

We then had time to pick up something for dinner that we could eat in our hotel room. We were going to a concert this evening and wouldn’t have time to eat a dinner sitting down. I picked up a ham and cheese sandwich and some pastry.

The Stephansdom

Seen Driving to Our Hotel

Urban art seen driving to our hotel.

Seen Driving to Our Hotel

Seen Driving to Our Hotel

An old water tower we passed.

Seen Driving to Our Hotel

Our Hotel

This hotel was quite far from the city center but it was very nice: the Austria Trend Eventhotel, with its conference center shaped like a pyramid.

Our Hotel

Kursalon Waltz Show

Tonight, we had an optional Kursalon Waltz Show held at this building.

Kursalon Waltz Show

Kursalon Waltz Show

The show was very pleasurable and I have put six movies of the show on this website. Go to Movies, Central/Eastern Europe.

Tomorrow, we stayed in Vienna for the morning and then drove to Prague.

Kursalon Waltz Show