Rust, Austria

One of the many more amazing things we saw in Austria had to be the city of Rust (literally; "Roost"), located on an inland see. This is where storks nest (roost) on the chimneys of the homes, like in the storybooks!

Down the Danube River

After touring Melk, we took a "3-hour tour" down the Danube River to the city of Durnstien. There were castles and quaint villages on every bend in the river.

(below) - Some of us hiked to this castle ruin above Durnstien; the views from the top were breathtaking (as was the climb!).

A view up the Danube.
Overlooking Durnstien from the castle.

Melk, Austria

We went to Melk, a monastary that is incredibly baroque, which is surrounded by a beautiful village . It was like being in fairy-tale.

The Graben

We are staying at a 300-year-old hotel just down a narrow street from the "Graben", which is a pedestrian only street and plaza shopping and dining area in the center of Vienna. It is a great place to people-watch and catch street performers. The muscians were incredibly good for some reason!

















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We went to a lot of art & history museums in Vienna; all of the museums were as much artistic as the art they held. Very baroque!

Jessica turned 12 on June 18th. We celebrated her birthday with some wienerschnitzl and chocolate cupcake.




Afterwards on the way back to the hotel, we browsed thru an open air street market.

Lippizaner Horses

Yesterday we went to see the Spanish Riding School Lippizaner horses, who perform in a elegant building just two blocks form where we are staying. The girls loved it; what these horses can do is amazing.

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take ANY photographs. (Had to shoot through the pillars - sure could have used the Mark III's live view!).

Stopped in at the Starbucks across the street for some iced frappachino mochas afterwards. It is pretty warm & humid here!

Beethoven

The next morning, we sent off on a trek to Vienna Woods to visit one of the homes of Ludwig Van Beethoven. It was an awesome feeling to stand in the austere rooms where Beethoven penned several of his masterpieces.

Vienna trip

I have embarked on a two-week trip to Vienna, Austria with my family and Mother-in-law Lelia Schlabach for a classical music appreciation/education tour organized by Lelia’s cousin Wilbur Maust. Thanks for the trip, Lelia! I know the girls will never forget it (and neither will Gretchen and I).

Well, we finally made it to Vienna, and after a five-hour delay in Atlanta thanks to a non-working “airpack” on our Delta 767, a total of 26 hours of travel time, we arrived at the Pertschey Pensionen, our hotel, as exhausted shells of our former selves.

The view from our room.

After we explored the streets around us and the “Graben” (a no-cars area) a bit, we hit the bed.

city streets of Vienna