Austria & Germany - Vacation (last part)

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA

Finally, I have reached the final part of my Europe blog.

So, we finally arrived in Austria. When our coach crossed the border from Italy, it's already dark and I could barely see anything outside. I'm not sure whether it's the cold winter or the laid back lifestyle as I can hardly see any shops open when we arrive at about 6.30pm.

Checked in to the hotel after dinner, turned on the telly realised everything are in german, austrian, whatever. wtf. *sleep*
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Next morning.........


snow !!!! hehehehe !! yes....I could make ice kacang on the spot if I got some syrup and ground peanuts with me. happy happy happy !
This is the hotel we stayed for the night. Very cozy.


Ski jump stadium. Innsbruck is one of the most popular winter sport centres in Central Europe.



Triumphal Arch.
The cold and dry weather caused my hair to stick out like chicken feather. The crazy hair situation was worst when I woke up in the morning, like 'crazy chicken' and I managed to tame it a bit by slapping it down with cold water.


Innsbruck is the home to Swarovski Crystal. You can get all your swarovski here. Ah Siong is not a swarovski fan but I think he fell in love with all the animal shaped crystal. Everything is so pretty here. The shop is so friendly, they even allow you to take all the photos you want here.



Beautiful and richly-couloured buildings can be seen everywhere in the city.


Mozart stayed here briefly when he was a teenager


Alps at the background.



MUNICH, GERMANY

Germany wasn't on our itenary and me being me. Since, our itinerary is less hectic here, our tour leader offered to bring us to Munich. Being the super "kaki bunga" I got really excited. He would even consider brining us to Slovakia, if everyone agrees. At that point, I wanted to jump up and said "I want I want I want". But of course, everyone must agree on the de tour. I silently hope everyone would.

So when voting time arrive, everyone have no objection and I was over the moon. I almost wanted to put-up my feet if I need to to garner more votes.

We all paid 30 euros each, but it money well spent.

So we left Innsbruck and took a detour to Munich.
We spent the rest of the day in Munich and reached Salzburg, Austria for dinner the same day.

City of Munich.

Marienplatz ( St. Mary's Square). Behind is The New Town Hall. Very gothic looking.
The strong wind over here numb my nose and fingers, I had to hid behind the pillar and spilled mustard on my glove while eating german sausage with my gloves on.



Bicycles !

So, I finally decided to get me a LV here. Coming all the way here and didn't get one seemed like almost unforgivable and with the Value Added Tax (VAT), I might not forgive myself when Ireturn.


SALZSBURG

This city is soooooo pretty and the scenery here are almost poscard perfect.


view of Festung Hohensalsburg Fotress taken from Mirabell Gardens. the biggest and most fully-preserved fortress in europe.


Salzburg is sooo breathtakingly beautiful. This is one of my favourite shot.





Mirabell Gardens.

Mirabell Gardens at the other end.


Easter In Salzburg ! Thousands of brightly coloured easter eggs for sale.

I mean thousands all stacked up. They are all so pretty !


Getreidegasse. Austria's most beautiful shopping centre.

We stayed at Renaissance Hotel, Salzburg. This is the best hotel we stayed throughout our trip.


VIENNA

Schonbrunn Summer Palace in Hapsburg, Vienna.

At the palace compound

Inside the palace private gardens


Belvedere Palace


Rauthaus. Vienna's City Hall. If only our city hall looks a bit like this.

Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Used to be the Habsburg's winter Palace, but currently serves as the official residence of President of Austria.


Palace compount all covered in snow....breathtaking !

At the compound in front of Schonbrunn Palace and it's snowing. Weeeeee !!!


Status of Marie Antoinette


Snow covered bench at the palace compound



Breakfast at the hotel in Vienna


Outside the hotel ready to depart to the airport.
With a layer of thermal cloth and my muffler, I still managed to take few more photos.

Verona - Vacation Part 5

This is our final stop before we cross the border to Austria. And I couldn't be more excited !
I can already hear Maria sing DOE a deer a female deer, RAY a drop of golden sun, ME a name I call myself......

Arena amphitheater - famous open-air opera venue.


Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's house) and this is Juliet's Balcony.


Touch Juliet's right breast for good luck. wtf.
Romeo and Juliet is a fiction and didn't they both died at the end?


cute puppy.

Venice - Vacation Part 4

Inside the waterboat to Venice...the "City of Bridges"

The bell tower of St. Mark's Square.

We were lucky as the "high-water" subsided when we arrived, otherwise everyone would have to walk on these platforms.


Bridge of Sighs. One of the many bridges in Venice. The enclosed bridge (as you can see above our heads) are made of white limestone and it connects the old prison.
Prisoners would "sigh" at their final view of beautiful venice out of the window before being taken down to their cells.


Piazza San Marco.

St. Mark's Basilica in the background.

Gondolas, anyone????

Florence - Vacation part 3

Reached Pisa at at 8.30am. Weather got colder each day we travelled up north.
And I'm not complaining a bit.....and I still got excited being able to see my breath as I inhale and talk.

Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Square of Miracles.

Breathtaking view of Florence from hilltop Piazza Michelangelo.


Status of David. This is a replica. The original one, sculpted by Michelangelo is so perfect you can see his muscles and veins.


Another replica of David statue at Palazzo Vecchia, Florence.

Gelato is Italy can be a bit overrated as it cost and taste the same in KL.
They may have more varieties and more exotic flavours.


Basilica of Santa Croce.
Inside are Michelangelo's, Galileo's and Machiavelli 's tomb.