Day 1 - Vienna
We flew into Vienna which took about an hour and a half. We checked into our hotel and had schnitzel lunch nearby while waiting for our room to ready. Then, we headed to St Stephens cathedral and toured the inside and north tower to get close to the roof tiles. Following that, we went to the Sacher Hotel to try the original Sacher torte invented there. A chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a little apricot jam between the layers. Good, not great. In the afternoon, we walked down to Karlsplatz and through the Naschmarkt before taking a rest at the hotel. In the evening, we walked the opposite direction and into a quieter neighborhood where we had goulash for dinner.
Day 2 - Vienna
After breakfast, we used the metro to head out to Schönbrunn palace - the Summer hunting lodge of the Habsburg empire. It is done in Rococo style with a huge ground - and it overwrought with tourists - even this late in the season. We toured the house and grounds including the mazes. We had doner kebap for lunch, because cheap and delicious. Then, we visited the Schmetterling Haus (butterfly house) attached to the Habsburg home in town. After 30 minutes chasing butterflies through a 40c, humid room we deserved a cold beer...and ice cream. Then after a rest, we headed out to see the Wienereisenfahr - the former largest Ferris wheel in the world. We took in a ride called the Dizzy Mouse. It was a roller coaster with a spinning car. That was fun! Then, we headed back to Stephansplatz for a burger dinner, which was fantastic but much too large.
Day 3 - Mikulov
Czech Republic! First stop: Moravia - the wine country, but first, a beer. #mikulov #moravia #czechrepublic
New country (to us). We traveled a couple hours north from Vienna to Moravia - the Czech wine region. We ended up in the charming and quiet town of Mikulov. After lunch on the main square ($15 ish for two) we hiked up the neighboring small mountain called Holy Hill. We followed the stations of the cross from the late 1700s to the small church at the top. It’s strange to, once again, be without any linguistic knowledge. Makes the train and bus transfers “interesting”.
Day 4 - Transit to Czesky Krumlov
After 7 hours, 6 trains and 4 busses, we arrived in Cesky Krumlov. We thought our first connection was going to be missed due to a late train, but fortunately made all connections today. Things are awry as the country is moving from diesel to electric trains, so there are lots of bus bridges for the time being. On the positive side, there were only Czech tourists that we saw in Mikulov. We are back in tourist bus land here. But, the town is charming in a medieval fashion. We dined on a pheasant and rabbit feast after settling into town. We have a full day of sight seeing ahead along with another overnight here.
Czech Republic medieval town Cesky Krumov. #sunset #czechrepublic#ceskykrumlov #middleages
Day 5 - Czesky Krumlov
Peek-a-boo. I see you, Fall. #krumlov #czechrepublic #fall #fallcolors
We attempted to walk the town early before the tour busses arrived - only to be thwarted by deep fog. We followed Rick Steves’ walking tour of the town followed by lunch along the river. In the afternoon we’d planned to tour the local brewery, but they apparently only run the twice daily tours in high season or when there are enough guests. So, we walked along the river path and found a secret garden with a tiny coffee stand. Only a few locals were there playing on the grass with their kids. No bus tours! After that, we took a rest before heading out for sunset photos before dinner. We got the glory of Fall and sunset today - a satisfying way to spend a day. Dinner was at the brewery followed by a stroll along the river path in the dark.
Textures of Cesky Krumlov - Sgraffito was the favored building decoration for many years. They carve away the outer layer of plaster in geometric patterns. Here are just a few samples.
Day 6 - Transit to Prague
Today we caught golden hour from the Chapel on the Mountain of the Cross above Cesky Krumlov. The ~30 minutes hike up and down gave us an aerobic workout plus sweeping views of the valley below. And, not a single other human to be found on the hill. Ahhhhh. A short final blast through town ended at the bus station where we caught the 3 hour bus to Prague. It was another hour walk to our hotel from the bus station, so we earned our Mexican feast.
More Fall splendor. #ceskykrumlov #czechrepublic #fallcolors
Day 7 - Prague
Trying out the monastic life. #fallcolors🍁🍂 #pivovar #prague #praha#czechrepublic
Prague/Praha. We took the tram up to the top of the monastery and then sauntered down through there - stopping at the brewery to sample the pale ales. Then, we continued down to the castle and cathedral. I think the cathedral is actually the best gothic style I’ve seen in Europe so far. The architect did interesting things with the windows to catch the light. Great attention to detail. Finally, we sauntered across the Charles Bridge (Karlovy Most) before taking lunch at another brewery. Post lunch, we headed back to the hotel for a rest before heading out for golden hour. We took in the old town and the bridge before finding a romantic Italian restaurant perched over a tributary with live acoustic guitar music. To end the evening, we crossed back over the river to catch our tram back to the hotel. Other than several hundred thousand tourists too many, Prague is a lovely city.
Day 8 - Prague
A video was really required here. #czechrepublic #prague #praha#pissingfountain
Don’t you look stunning !? #czechrepublic #prague #praha
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