I have been unable to post until now because this new chromebook had me logged in as the work me and I could not get to this page until now. Unfortunately this is my last day in Vienna and for that mater Europe for the summer. I return to the States tomorrow!
Vienna has been wonderful as ever. The Konig von Ungarn Hotel is one of the best hotels I stay at anywhere. I did not have too much to do since this was my 12th trip here, but I did learn some new things. The Kunst Historische Museum has a new installation that is fabulous! They put in part of the Schatz Kammer since last summer and have done something very interesting. Many Schatz Kammers, ie Dresden, Munich, have table pieces, made from gold, that do something. In the past all you could do was read the description of what the object did. Fort example, ride around the table and then shoot an "arrow"at someone. But now they have installed touch pad computers on the benches and you can look at video of the machines in the room doing whatever it is they do!! I found this fascinating. I have seen these objects before and to actually see them in action was wonderful. The Leopold Museum, which holds all the Schieles and a good number of Klimts, has been reorganized as well, although nothing as great as the other.
I also started going to Il tempo this year. It is on a side street off the street from the graben leading to Michaelertor. It is right next to the Levant restaurant. This place is great after dinner for a drink and a dessert. I enjoy the chocolate mousse and a 1/4 l of red.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Bratislava, Slovakia August 2014
I have spent 2 nights in Bratislava with one to go before I head for Vienna. It has been interesting as these little cities always are. I am staying at Marroll's Boutique Hotel. It is pretty wonderful. My room is very nice and the public rooms are also very nice. We are in a quiet street and are only a 5 minute walk to the pedestrian zone. The breakfast is a standard European hotel breakfast and is included in the room price - which is very reasonable. The staff here could not be nicer or friendlier and the internet access is free!
There is not much to do in this city. There are some historic sites, a city museum and a castle up on the hill. Really if you are just interested in the sites this could be a day trip from Vienna, which is less than an hour away. There are lots of tourists, poorly dressed as usual, on walking tours and there are lots of places to eat, drink and hang out. Everywhere I have gone the people have been very helpful and nice. The food is basic and good. The local beer is no good. Drink something else. I did go to the tourist office yesterday and sign up for their walking tour. I had to buy a tourist card to go but it also would allow me to use all the public transportation for 2 days. But I didn't because you can walk everywhere.
There is not much to do in this city. There are some historic sites, a city museum and a castle up on the hill. Really if you are just interested in the sites this could be a day trip from Vienna, which is less than an hour away. There are lots of tourists, poorly dressed as usual, on walking tours and there are lots of places to eat, drink and hang out. Everywhere I have gone the people have been very helpful and nice. The food is basic and good. The local beer is no good. Drink something else. I did go to the tourist office yesterday and sign up for their walking tour. I had to buy a tourist card to go but it also would allow me to use all the public transportation for 2 days. But I didn't because you can walk everywhere.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Budapest, Hungary - August 1, 2014
I arrived in Budapest by train from Munich on Wednesday. It was a long train ride - over 7 hours- but I didn't have to change trains at all. I got money from the atm at the train station and then took a cab to the hotel. The ride is a standard fee that depends on where you are going. Mine was 20 euro.
I am staying at the Kempinski Hotel and let me say that of all the 5 star hotels I have stayed in, this one is the best. It is just gorgeous, the room is great and the service could not be any better. For the room and breakfast everyday, which is great, I am paying $200 a night. Not too bad at all considering that I have paid more for one night in a 3 star hotel in Manhattan and got nothing.
Budapest is a good city. I am liking it more each day. Like anywhere else you go that you are not familiar with it takes time to get to know the place a little. I have been disappointed with the evening meals that I have had so far. The first night I ate in a restaurant that the barman recommended to me in the pedestrian zone by the Basilica. I don't remember the name right now but the food was OK and the prices were way too high. But down the street was a nice outdoor bar that had the football game on and so I had a few beers and one of their version of an obstler.
The second day I walked all the way up Andrassy Utca to the National Galley to see the art. It was a nice walk and the museum is worth it. They have 2 Giorgiones! On the way there I passed an Italian at the beginning of Andrassy and went back for dinner. I had the usual caprese salad and then taglitelli will shrimps and tomatos. The salad was good but the pasta was a little bland and I could only get 0.125l of a glass of wine! The service was marginal at best. It is one of those places where the owner sits out front and has one friend after another come and take up his time. And the waiters just putter around. So if you don't know them and you don't speak Italian don't go there.
Today I went up to the castle hill on the bus. I walked around and took some pictures and had a lemonade. It was super hot and humid and I was soaked. So after stopping at the Hard Rock to buy a glass, I came to the hotel and am now writing this poolside!
I am staying at the Kempinski Hotel and let me say that of all the 5 star hotels I have stayed in, this one is the best. It is just gorgeous, the room is great and the service could not be any better. For the room and breakfast everyday, which is great, I am paying $200 a night. Not too bad at all considering that I have paid more for one night in a 3 star hotel in Manhattan and got nothing.
Budapest is a good city. I am liking it more each day. Like anywhere else you go that you are not familiar with it takes time to get to know the place a little. I have been disappointed with the evening meals that I have had so far. The first night I ate in a restaurant that the barman recommended to me in the pedestrian zone by the Basilica. I don't remember the name right now but the food was OK and the prices were way too high. But down the street was a nice outdoor bar that had the football game on and so I had a few beers and one of their version of an obstler.
The second day I walked all the way up Andrassy Utca to the National Galley to see the art. It was a nice walk and the museum is worth it. They have 2 Giorgiones! On the way there I passed an Italian at the beginning of Andrassy and went back for dinner. I had the usual caprese salad and then taglitelli will shrimps and tomatos. The salad was good but the pasta was a little bland and I could only get 0.125l of a glass of wine! The service was marginal at best. It is one of those places where the owner sits out front and has one friend after another come and take up his time. And the waiters just putter around. So if you don't know them and you don't speak Italian don't go there.
Today I went up to the castle hill on the bus. I walked around and took some pictures and had a lemonade. It was super hot and humid and I was soaked. So after stopping at the Hard Rock to buy a glass, I came to the hotel and am now writing this poolside!
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