So Prague had been a tourist haven, I was hoping for a bit more of a chilled time in Vienna. I didn't know much about the place before arriving, except that it is quite an expensive city. I arrived at the Wombat (hehe) Hostel knowing that I only had a two night stop over so would have to pack it all in as quickly as possible. However... I'd arrived at 5pm on a Sunday evening. Absolutely sod all was happening. Not even any tourists. What I'd have given for just a few Japanese people with selfie sticks to laugh at.
Walking tours have become something of a standard in most cities so that was where I started the next morning. Lots of interesting info and facts about the old Austro-Hungarain empire, which resulted in some massively over the top 'houses'. We also saw a number of Beethovens old homes too : he moved around Vienna nearly 80 times. Arrogant sod.
I saw the state opera house and while there were some really good looking tours of the building, I just didn't have time so maybe another visit is required... The cathedral was also really impressive but I have to admit I'm feeling just a little 'churched-out', having seen about three thousand in the past month.
So I went on a little jaunt on the metro to a place called Schönbrunn which was another over the top extravagance from the 1700's. I've put a few photos of the place on Facebook but I don't think they really capture the scale of the place. The main palace has 1400 rooms inside. The gardens include a zoo, for f***s sake. To cut the story short, it was fairly big. But the sun was shining and it was fantastic to walk around aimlessly for a few hours. Without a selfie stick.
I then went with an Aussie chap I'd met the night before to the Danube, to sit and have a few beers while the sun was disappearing. How bloody romantic.
And that was about that. A night of pool then happened with a 6'6" American guy who said "I used to play a bit", which then evolved into him showing photos where he won all manner of big American trophies.
So, currently sitting in the sun with a coffee waiting for my train to Budapest. It's a hidden treasure chest, so I'm told.