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London, Vienna, Prague Trip Report -- Part 5 First Full Day in Vienna

London, Vienna, Prague Trip Report -- Part 5 First Full Day in Vienna

Old Apr 20th, 2015, 05:23 PM
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London, Vienna, Prague Trip Report -- Part 5 First Full Day in Vienna

Trip Report – Part 5 - First full day in Vienna

We started the day as usual with the walk to outside the Evangelist Church outside our hotel, where we catch the #1 tram to Karlsplatz. I decided we would go to the Naschmarkt. Up until now I thought the name was Nachtmarkt, and was wondering why it was open in the day time. Now it makes more sense, the Nosh Market.

Nosh we did, the first thing I saw was the giant triangle Borek. My grandmother used to make borekas when I was young, they were triangular and made with phyllo dough, and had a potato and spinach filling, as well, but her’s were about a fifth of the size. I bought one and split it with my wife. We also bought a bag of nougat pieces, which I ate too many of. My wife wanted to try the olives with chili peppers , but she didn’t like them , so I pulled out the chili peppers and ate all the olives.

We walked some more and went and sat down inside the café DoAn. It looked like a lot of locals were having their lunch break there. It was very reasonably priced. We looked over at what the 2 young guys next to us were having and we ordered the exact same thing. A skewer of grilled chicken breast with mango chutney , my wifes was with some indian spices and basmati rice. It was very good and I recommend it.

After that we stopped in at the Museum Café and had a couple of desserts, a chocolate tort and an apple strudel drowned in vanilla sauce, and some coffees with schlagobers (whipped cream.) You’ve got to love those Viennese cafes. I remember when I was young and worked in a catering hall, at the end of the banquet they always brought out the Viennese Table, filled with assorted pastries, now I know why it’s called that.

I don’t remember the exact order we did things after that but some of the things we passed were the Opera House, The Secession Building, The Albertina Museum, The Sacher Hotel, The Memorial Square where there is a monument commemorating the Nazi takeover of Vienna, Graben, St Stephensplatz, The Plague Column, St Peters. The more I watch my video, the more I appreciate how beautiful it all is.

My wife shopped in Humanic and bought a pair of boots. After that we walked through the gate into the Hofburg courtyard and walked past the Hofburg Palace , marveling at its enormity.

It was late afternoon and we were deciding whether or not to try to go to a Heuriger. I saw the D tram and decided to go for it. We got on the tram and rode all the way to Nussdorf , we didn’t see anything there so I asked a lady how to get Heigelinstadt and she told us to go back a couple of stops. We got off the tram in Heigelinstadt, but no one seemed to know where Pfarrplatz was, so I found my way over to the Heigelinstadt metro station and from there followed the guide book directions onto the 38a bus and over to Pfarrplatz.

We took some pictures in the charming square and walked over to the Beethoven house for more pictures. We came back to the square and looked into the back yard of the Mayer Heuriger, but no one was sitting out there, it was too cold. We thought about leaving but instead looked inside the building , and lo and behold there were a lot of people in there.

We got a table, my wife had the dumplings, I had the boiled beef we knocked off a bottle of some Mayer Riesling wine. There was a man playing the Viennese waltz on an accordion. Another enjoyable meal.
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Old Apr 20th, 2015, 05:32 PM
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I forgot to mention, after Pfarrplatz, we took a ride over to the Donaukanal area, it wasn't very busy but some of the bars had activity. We went into one and had a couple of beers, then took a look at the canal, before calling it a night.
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Old Apr 20th, 2015, 06:14 PM
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OK, Gov...anyone who remembers borekas can't be all that bad!
My bubbeh made them the same way. Here are some pics that hail Vienna in the 80's and early 90's. Don't be confused by the TWO women. I'm a two-time widower.

Try to get over to the Friedrich Hundertwasser buildings in the eastern districts of city (walkable) or take subway or taxi....weird and kooky sights at the same time. He was an uber-eccentric architect who once walked around Vienna nude, just to show he was different. I'll say! (all posted below).

Stu
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Old Apr 20th, 2015, 06:33 PM
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https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...nna1980S1990S#

For a feel of a famous 15th century pub try The Griechen Beisel (The Greek Vessel).....excellent menu, music and ambience. It's at the start of Fleischmarkt across from St. Stephens...frequented by so many historic pesonalities, known writers, artists, Viennese society over the past 6 centuries....see pics...

Happy Borekas!
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Old Apr 20th, 2015, 10:51 PM
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Governator, did you exit the D tram at Nußdorf, or at the next station, its terminus, Beethovengang? I only ask because there are two heuriger literally across the street from the terminus, whereas exiting at Nußdorf gets you nothing but a cafe, a Chinese restaurant, and a Gasthof. But you found Mayer and had a good experience, so that's all that really matters.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 03:35 AM
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Tower,

Sounds like we're from the same tribe, except my grandma was a Nona. Did your grandma make Fritata? Seems like you've spent a lot of time in Vienna.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 03:40 AM
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fourfortravel,

I had seen in the guide to go to the last stop, but I think I got off at Nusdorf by mistake.

I did want to see Pfarrplatz, however. It was very charming square and it was cool to see where Beethoven lived.

I liked everything about Mayers, I would recommend it.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 06:50 AM
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https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...cenesOfPrague#

Gov..in preparation for your Prague/Czech visit, these pics may give you some insight and a preview for it. Once, we stayed at The Three Ostriches smack on the Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)..highly recommend.

Stu tower
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 07:03 AM
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Are you in Vienna over a Sunday? We were and everythign was completely dead! Make sure you plan something to do that day, as wandering round the city on a Sunday wans't particularly exciting- every shop is closed.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 08:25 AM
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Tower,

We're actually back already. I've been doing my trip report a little at a time.

Those are some interesting pictures, was that before the velvet revolution? It must have been nice to be in the Old Town Center without all the crowds and tents blocking the view. You were also lucky to have view of the Charles Bridge from your hotel. I found myself going back there each of the 3 days we were in Prague.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 08:27 AM
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Juan,
We were in Vienna from Mon to Weds, so didn't run into that issue. We were in London on one Sunday and Prague on the other, and found lot's to do.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 05:37 PM
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 08:06 PM
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Juan, your comment made me laugh. It's not only Sundays that the city is shut down, it's Saturday nights and all of the 39 public holidays, too. The busiest places to be on those days are one of the three train station groceries trying to serve those who really aren't into long afternoons at Oma's eating Tafelspitz.
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