ungkler: EU Go-Round

Netherlands : Amsterdam, Gouda

Belgium : Brugge, Brussels

Germany : Freiburg im Breisgau

Austria : Innsbruck, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna

Hungary : Budapest

Slovakia : Bratislava
Winter 2018

On the Hafelekar Summit - Nordkette. Jewel of the Alps
(Feb-2018)

Journal Entry... It was a race to six countries and eleven cities... crossing borders by rail transit... in thirty days of winter.

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels 2018 | EU-Go-Round feat. Netherlands Belgium Germany Austria Hungary Slovakia

Centraal Station
in Amsterdam

27-jan: Touchdown, Amsterdam!

#EVAAirlines' Boeing-777 at Taipei connection, from departure gate in Manila and Bangkok-Taipei layovers, was flying nonstop at last. I had nine hours left to enjoy the Royal Class that came with much-awaited Apujan and Rimowa sets for the long haul.
Five years... and thirteen total flight hours later, I was back in Amsterdam.

Link to>>> Journal Entry: Say Cheese, Amsterdam! #netherlands #amsterdam #winter2013

Hotel room with a city view in Amsterdam

Check-in: #DoubleTreebyHilton on the Amstel river front. Hotel was steps away from hopping out of the airport train terminating in Amsterdam Centraal station. Talk about immediate slumber for the night to wipe off that jet lag. Check-in came with a big chocolate chip cookie welcome treat from front desk, and Crabtree & Evelyn amenities in the hotel room. Great for looting er, souvenir*wink :) Dang! that baggage allowance.

Gothic scene
in Gouda

29-jan: Day trip to Gouda...

Five years ago, I took a day trip to Zaanse Schans, from Amsterdam, by bus; Zaanse Schans is known for its working windmills. This time, day trip was to Gouda, from Amsterdam, by train; Gouda, like Zaanse Schans, is one hour away from Amsterdam.
Rainshower was forecasted for Gouda in the afternoon. Better hurry then, if I'd like to keep my clothes dry sans umbrella. Better question, when hubby and I stepped out of the Gouda (train) station, was, "Which way is it to Gouda?" Gouda's old town is walking distance, but is it to the left, or right? Hubby did not want to ask for directions relying on a phone app. There was no Tourist Information office in sight. Grocery, Spar, beckoned across the street. Grocery staff could assist us on which way to go, I thought. It was lunch time, I might as well grab something to eat, or at the very least buy bottled water (which costs Euro-1 in the grocery vs. Euro-3 in restaurants.)

No cheese display
at Marktsquare

Grocery cashier was ringing up an elderly lady's purchase. On my turn, I asked casually how to get to Gouda, and was glad he responded in English which is the only foreign language I can understand. When another voice piped in... The elderly lady had come around offering to accompany me to the old town which, she said, was on her way. Outside, hubby was still tinkering with his Iphone. Thanks to the elderly lady, hubby and I did not end up walking the opposite route the phone app had mapped out. How to get there: Exiting Gouda station, go left... continue walking to the intersection... cross the street and the little bridge... and enter the old town of Gouda.

A deserted Markt Square on a wintry Monday in the old town of Gouda

Say cheese!
when in Gouda

Day trip to Gouda fell on a Monday. Either it was winter, or a weekday, Gouda was a sleeping town. There was no cheese market at Marktsquare, and the cheese museum was closed. Gusty winds blew on the deserted square, it howled an eerie sound which complemented the Gothic-style city hall standing solitary in the middle of the square, and the gloomy overcast mid-afternoon.
I was hungry by then, the last meal I had for the day was hotel breakfast. A corner shop sold the Bitterballen (Dutch meatballs) - a street food scrumptiously deep fried it let out steam in the cold of winter as I bit into it which meatball, hopefully, was not horse meat. On the other side of the square was #GoudsKaashuis cheese shop. Thankfully, it was open to satisfy my curiosity for Gouda cheese, and the shop had a variety of it. Before each variety was a laid out plate filled with cubed cheese for tasting.
Little did I know, there's really more to Gouda cheese than those mini red rounds in a netted bag sold at the grocery. So I have discovered from the Gouds Kaashuis shop, which incidentally carried an award-winning aged Gouda cheese sealed in black wax. It was aged to my preferred choice of cheese, and I bought a vacuum-sealed wedge. Shop owner, and renowned cheesemaker, kept watch from behind the cash register, and I did not want him to think my only interest at the cheese shop were the freebies.
It was a great relief the forecasted rains fell only after hubby and I were back inside the roofed Gouda station... making our Gouda day trip rather pleasant.

Quintessential scene
in old town Brugge

30-jan: Train to Brugge.. Brugges.. Bruges!

Rolled the luggage to First Class section of the arriving French rail, Thalys, at Amsterdam Centraal train station. Hubby had purchased online first class tickets in advance* when ticket prices are discounted to nearly half its original price. (Hubby had proved triumphantly it in one connecting station, when he checked on the same day-ticket price, that it had nearly tripled in price!)
Crossed the Netherlands-Belgium border to our next destination: Bruges via Bruxelles-Midi station. Bruges, or Brugge as the train stop sign had spelled it. Any which way you say it, or spell it, won't make a difference, you'd still get there*wink;) It was 5-km to the old town of Brugge, from the train station, so definitely, taxi ride it is!

Market square scene on a winter day in Brugge

Check-in: #CrownePlazaBrugge. Hotel lobby was under renovation; a makeshift reception desk had been set up next to the hotel's revolving door. This particular hotel was on ground zero, and stone's throw to Brugge's historical landmarks. No need to hurry checking out the sights. As the train crew at a connecting station had aptly said, whilst looking at our anxious faces to catch the right train, "Relax, you're on vacation!"
After check-in, hubby made his way to the local grocery to gather essentials, including a daily supply of two litre-sized bottled water, and an extra bottle of liquor for him. Hubby also found the laundromat where to wash our travel clothes I could not launder in the hotel tub. I made coffee from a complimentary pack in the hotel room, and put the steaming cup down on the window sill... switching to traveler's downtime mode and gazing out to Brugge's ever quintessential setting. Down the street, hubby was strolling back with grocery items, and looked up when he heard the "Psst"-call from me.

Its called, the Lake of Love, in the old town of Brugge

This way to the
Basilica of the Holy Blood...

Hubby was set to celebrate his Golden Age ("50") in two days... Next morning, hubby and I made a Church visit to the Basilica of the Holy Blood, located in the smaller Burg square. Not hard to miss, it was guarded by a Lion statue at the entrance; a circular stairway led up to the Basilica. As I'd say, there's always a time for prayer on every travel. Trivia: The (minor) Basilica holds a "venerated relic of the Holy Blood of Jesus", in a vial kept inside a glass case, which is put on display for an hour by 11AM. The "Holy Blood" on cloth is believed to have been preserved by Joseph of Arimathea, who had helped clean Jesus' body after Jesus was taken down from the Cross. The relic reached Brugge, from Jerusalem (Holy Land), during the religious crusades. No photography was allowed during public viewing of the "Holy Blood" relic. One is given a gift pamphlet for a monetary donation.

It's called, the Rozenhoedkaii view - night in Brugge

Birthday Boy
in Brugge

There was a sweet sunshower in the morning of hubby's birthday. I thought it would rain the whole day, thankfully, the rains stopped by midday and skies ushered in heavenly sunshine that lasted the rest of the day. My silent prayer in the Basilica was answered. Hubby, the #BirthdayBoy, turns "50" in Brugge [confetti]. We were in #BierbrasserieCambrinus for a celebratory countdown to hubby's birthday; again returning for a second dinner meal on the day itself. At both dinner service, Cambrinus handed a thick leather-bound Menu, which boasted of, and would you believe [drumroll]... four hundred kinds of beer. Menu selection was translated into several languages, all food choices simmered in house specialty beer broth. Cheers t0 "50", le poupee !!!

Swans-a-frolick
in the Lake of Love

An eventful "Super Blue Blood Moon" bathed the town in mysterious glow for a One Night Only show that 31st of January countdown to hubby's birthday.

Last day in Brugge, hubby and I went on a leisurely stroll wandering off to the Lake of Love, where the frolicking swans are. Soon it'll be Hearts Day...

At Grand Place
in Brussels

2-feb: Brussels stopover...

Connecting at Brussels going to Brugge, we got back to Brussels for the next train connection. Already in Brussels, we might as well stay a little while more...
Check-in: #HiltonBrusselsGrandPlace. Got a day in the city, it was wise to hop in, hop off from the hotel's location across Brussels Centraal station, where we'd catch the next train out of Belgium. Hilton Hotel got its Peter Thomas Roth house amenities, and knowing the drill... a spillover to my luggage*wink;) By the elevators was Savanne- one of eight Brussels Elephants art work posted in and around Brussels' hotels - helping fund the preservation of Asian elephants.

Focal 17th-century architecture at La Grand-Place in Brussels

Tourists abuzz
at Manneken-Pis

Brussel's postcard Grand Place was two blocks from the hotel, and the pissing boy, aka Manneken-Pis, nearby-- two must-see on my checklist. A flock of tourists huddled before the little boy statue in a street corner spouting water from his you-know-what, and pointed their phone camera at it. Legend says, catch a droplet from the Manneken-Pis for good luck. (Okay, I made that legend up, lol)
There's a time for prayer on every travel.. hubby and I walked to Notre-Dame au Sablon. It was 1-km to the church from the Grand Place. But there was no time to figure out the bus routes, and I did not want to pay more for taxi.
When in Belgium, food trip Belgian chocolates at the hometown favorite chocolatier #Neuhaus shop, as well as Belgian waffle at #Vitalgaufre (which looked, and tasted, better than countless others selling the waffle.) At nightfall, the illuminated Grand Place beckoned as I gazed back to it from the hotel room window, ready to retire. Hubby and I put back on our winter coats taking advantage of the remaining night hours. Only the most determined tourists explored the Grand Place late at night.

A medieval town
in Freiburg im Breisgau

4-feb: Train to Freiburg...

Crossed the Belgium-Germany border to our next destination, arriving six hours later: Freiburg im Breisgau. Train ride from Brussels to Freiburg was tiring I felt feverish because of heater in first class... down to changing trains dragging luggage from OBB to Railjet, at Zurich Hbf.
Check-in: #HotelOberkirch, right in Munsterplatz (old town square). There's no excuse not staying in the old town a tram ride from Freiburg Hbf. A nice Freiburger lady helped us buy tram tickets from the dispensing machine, and signalling on what stop to hop off for Munsterplatz. Hotel check-in came with bedside "ear plugs" for when the church bells start ringing in medieval style, every hour on the hour of the twenty-four hours in a day, and without fail. Ho-hum... what music to my ears! Faintest sound of streaming water in little canals fed by the river Dreisam, called "Bachle", is heard throughout streets and alleys in the old town. Legend even says, step into a Bachle and end up marrying a Freiburger. (No, I did not make the legend up.)

Schauinsland's Black Forest amidst cottony clouds and snow

Schauinsland in winter

Freiburg is the gateway to Germany's Black Forest. Oh, I can't wait to see it... and it sounds yummy, too! Next day (Feb 6), hubby and I took to Germany's longest loop cable car to float up to Freiburg's highest address in 20 minutes. Before that cable car, first hop on the tram going through Martinstor (old gate) and terminating at Dorfstrasse stop. Tram rolled on its way, and thick evergreens on a mountainside replaced the townscape. Black Forest was deep in fog staying true to form to fairytale introductions. Did you know? Evergreens keep their green color and leaves all-year round.
At Dorfstrasse was the stop for Bus 21, plying the route to Horben, where the Schauinslandbahn - cable car to Black Forest, is. Tip: A single ticket is valid for 1-hour journey via public transport, i.e., tram, bus. Bus driver did not bother to mention, that hubby and I did not have to purchase bus tickets if we had valid tram tickets. (Thanks to the elderly (Asian) lady passenger on the tram, who stopped us from purchasing return tickets coming in from Bus 21, explaining the 1-hour journey rule. She pulled aside someone in the tram who can translate what she was trying to tell us, until we understood. Hubby and I did save Euro-4 on that return trip, which was not bad even if it redounded to only half in savings.)

Trudging through
Black Forest

Welcome to Schauinsland's Black Forest-- "Discover life at 1,284 m above sea level and leave everyday life behind." Hubby and I got as far as hiking to the Tower well above the clouds. Black Forest ain't the black forest without a cherry on top*wink;) Got a slice of a traditional black forest cake at #DieBergstation to cap the Black Forest experience with happiness on my plate!

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels 2018 | Schauinsland's Black Forest - GERMANY

A ski town
in Innsbruck

8-feb: Train to Innsbruck...

Crossed the Germany-Austria border to our next destination: Innsbruck. From Innsbruck Hbf, hubby and I followed a lady's route, who made her way through shortcut passageways, and reached the hotel in no time. And that is how you save on a bus or taxi ride in Innsbruck, folks! Walking to the old town, from the train station, is doable in fair weather.
Check-in: #HotelMaximilian. Original room assignment on the first floor had a street view, that necessarily came with street noise... Hotel gladly attended to our request for room change, and re-assigned us to fifth floor that had alpine view on the rear side. Thanks, Mr. & Mrs. Penz!

An alpine adventure up Hafelekar Summit awaits in Innsbruck

A snowcapped Hafelekar

When in Innsbruck - "Hop on board the Nordkette Cable Railways-- the journey begins at the Congress, right next to the old town of Innsbruck... all the way up to the Hafelekar Station (2.256 m, 7,400 ft above sea level), and experience what it feels like to reach the summit of an Alp!"
Take a well-constructed path er... not with snowfall going about in town; in winter, the pathway to the summit is a goner! "LOOKS LIKE MOUNT EVEREST UP HERE TODAY!" hollered the Austrian crew digging snow trying his darnedest to clear the marked area for visitors arriving to the foot of Hafelekar summit.
I will not forget the mountain in Innsbruck... that made it into a ski town. But when one loses the nerve to ski, what can one do around town on a visit? There's Nordkette. Jewel of the Alps. On my first visit (Feb 10), the mountain from Seegrube all the way up to Hafelekar was in deep fog and snow. Light reflected back from the whiteness of snow it blinded the eye. Fog disguised the edge of the mountain, and snowfall made it even more tricky. Hiking up the Hafelekar summit was nerve-racking sans crampons to my boots. I regretted taking off those boot crampons from my backpack and leaving it in the hotel room, thinking there was no need for it. I did not exercise precaution on a first time hiking up the mountain and without any inkling what was up there, in winter. Right past those twin stone markers, my boots would slip a foot back every time I took a step forward. Snow on the trail had been compacted for continually being stepped on by the hikers. Because of almost zero-visibility, fear had gotten the better part of my senses. To my mind, I was closing in to the mountain edge looking for fresh snow to dig my boots on, and that slipping from any point on, I'd free fall to Seegrube, from Hafelekar. In short, I chickened out, not forgiving myself that day, while a retriever dog scampered its way to the summit overtaking me and giving me the look.

Photo-op at the Hafelekar Summit Cross at the Nordkette

Next day's forecast (February 11) told me, "Try Hafelekar, again." I will not be in Innsbruck everyday. Hubby and I had a firm resolve-- if sun comes out and fog clears up by 11AM, it's all systems go for Hafelekar summit. T.S. Eliot's words, etched on glass at Seegrube station, reverberated in my consciousness, "Only those who risk going too far can find out how far one can go." That's it! "Let go, and let God," I told myself, continuing to inch my way to the summit even if I had to scale that final stretch, on fours, to SET FOOT and claim the summit no matter what the cost. Cable car ticket prices did not come cheap having to purchase it twice, for two persons, already. FOR THE RECORD - hubby and I made it to the Cross at the Hafelekar summit on February 11, 2018, at 1:37 PM. Thumbs up !!!

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels 2018 | Nordkette. Jewel of the Alps - AUSTRIA

Apartment in Salzburg

12-Feb: Train to Salzburg...

What are the odds I'd find myself returning to Salzburg on the same day I left it last, and to see things exactly where they are five years ago... today. Check-in: #WolfDietrichAppartements, in Linzergasse.
Salzburg was in its most natural element come winter.

I woke up to snowflakes pitter-pattering on the window sill, it was a Christmassy scene, post Christmas.

Winter wonderland at the historic center of Salzburg

Altstadt scene
in Salzburg

Hubby's left foot big toe was (still) swollen and hurting, from his hike to Hafelekar summit, in Innsbruck. He put way too much pressure to it paving the slopes for my benefit. Hubby was without choice but to rest in the apartment, while I got assigned to gather grocery essentials. Apartment setting means having to make your own breakfast, so better make sure to know where the grocery is. I knew my way around Salzburg by now, and did not need a map. Across the Linzergasse apartment was Despar (grocery) - closes at 8PM; the bigger Despar a block away to Altstadt (old town) - closes earlier at 7PM; and then a third grocery after crossing the bridge to the old town - closes at 9PM.
Stored memory led me back to the Slush er, Schloss Mirabell once again covered in snow, than flower blooms; the unicorn statue had icicles; and the sign cordoning off Mirabell gardens (still) cautioned: Wintersperre, like the last time. I retreated back to main street, and crossed the Bridge of Love to old town. Set against a bright blue contrast of nightfall, the old town all lit up by twilight was a postcard scene worth capturing, as always.

Fürst's Original Mozartkugel

When in Salzburg, one must get hold (yet again) of the best mozartkugeln in town. For me, nothing comes close to Paul Furst's handmade "Original Salzburg Mozartkugel" - Euro 1.50 each. Glad to have gotten hold of at least one ball... after the bagful of mozartkugels was marked "Off Limits" by hubby upon purchase, lol. Trivia: The mozartkugeln, a treat made of marzipan with pistachios, nougat and dark chocolate is characterised as such by its perfectly round shape. Accordingly, each bonbon is placed on a small wooden stick and dipped in chocolate. Creating the chocolate in 1890, Furst chose the name Mozartkugel to pay his respect to Salzburg's hometown prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. (Source: Cafe Konditorei Furst) It went on further that when imitation products began to appear, Furst applied for a trademark but by then, it was too late from the number of competitors around. An agreement was reached obliging Furst's competitors to add other indication to theirs to identify the source, like Mirabell's "Real Salzburg Mozartkugeln", Reber's "Real Reber Mozartkugeln", and so forth. And only Furst's chocolates can be called the "Original Salzburg Mozartkugel". By 1981, it was Court decreed that only Austrian chocolatiers have the right to the label-- mozartkugeln, with the sole exception of Reber, a Belgian, due to prior and continued use, provided there is a hyphen to mozart-kugeln.
My only concern, on the other hand, was how to get my hands on the bagful of chocolate bonbons in hubby's bag.

Hearts Day
in Hallstatt

14-feb: Heart's Day in Hallstatt...

Donning customary red scarf on Valentine's Day, hubby and I were off to Hallstatt for a date.

How to get there from Salzburg:

Bus 150 from Salzburg Hbf to Bad Ischl;

then OBB train from Bad Ischl to Hallstatt station;

and then "Stefanie" ferry on the lake from Schiffstation to the old town.

Easy!

Hallstatt lakefront village is a sight for sore eyes

Two Peas
in Hallstatt

Every part of Hallstatt was a sight for sore eyes. Lakefront village stretch was about 1-km from end to end. Coming in via ferry docking at the north end... was I in for a big surprise walking to the south end. Let me put it this way-- when I thought I've been castaway to an island unplugged from civilization, I find out I've been pranked-- I went aboard a ferry cruising a lake to the village, I'd naturally think so.
Cupid's arrow must have struck mostly the Asian tourists to visit Hallstatt, on Valentine's Day, and they came in busloads to the south end, and yes, attached to dry land. Hallstatt was a theme park of sorts, like HK Disneyland... seeing and hearing everything Asian, lol. Only attraction was to walk the paved road between north and south ends. Most restaurants were closed for the season, except the food kiosk at the north end making one hella-profit from "shawarma shavings" on pita bread, and a burger stand at the south end serving hamburgers nowhere close to Salzburg's #Burgerista. Grocery at the south end already had its food inventory wiped out from a heavy turnout at Hallstatt that day.
Hubby and I were not staying in Hallstatt... Must-not miss the last Stefanie ferry out from Hallstatt's north end at 6:15PM; set alarm; check! 'Cause Stefanie ferry is the only romantic way to go in my book, especially on Hearts Day.

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels 2018 | Hearts Day Hallstatt - AUSTRIA

16-feb: Train to Budapest...

Crossing Chain Bridge

Crossed the Austria-Hungary border to our next destination: Budapest. Check-in: #Sofitel on the Pest side... that unexpectedly came with #Hermes amenities... is just fabulous! Hotel room on the Executive Floor got a 180-degree view of the Buda side across river Danube-- a fine combination with complimentary coffee on a traveler's downtime, as well as access to Club Sofitel for the happy hour by sundown.
Next day, hubby purchased a 72-hour Budapest Card for unlimited access to public transport to our self-guided tour; hold tightly on the card, a transport checker does random inspection in the bus, trams, etc..
How's Budapest? Eastern Europe always had that air of mystery to it for me.

A tale of two cities-- Buda & Pest up Castle Hill

Buda (left bank) & Pest (right bank) up the Citadella

Crossing Liberty Bridge

One can't really claim to have been in Budapest, until one has actually crossed the Chain Bridge over Danube river linking Buda & Pest. Trivia: There are at least eight bridges spanning the Danube river linking Buda & Pest. The Chain Bridge (1849) is the oldest of them all. Hubby and I crossed three bridges for good luck: first bridge, the Chain Bridge crossing to Castle Hill; second bridge, the white Elisabeth Bridge crossing to Citadella; and third bridge to luck it all in (no pun intended) - an Irish green Liberty Bridge crossing to Saint Ivan's Cave (Catholic/Grotto chapel) on Gellert Hill. So, here's to 'Three Bridges' in Budapest for good luck!!!

#GOT feeling
at Fisherman's Bastion

Medieval walls and fairy tale towers awaited in historical Buda side on the left bank... at Fisherman's Bastion up Castle Hill. It can be accessed by bus, funicular, or on foot. Hubby and I took the funicular, a 1-minute ride to the top.

The commercial Pest side on the right bank zoomed out on the funicular's ascent. Timely catching the changing-of-the-guards at the palace grounds.

As always, there's a time for prayer on every travel at Matthias Church, which is beside Fisherman's Bastion- do pay a fee to enter the church.

Hermes fountain
in Pest side

When in Budapest, food trip by Hermes fountain on Pest side, and hands on the Kürtóskalács, if you get what I mean*wink;) Trivia: The Kurtoskalacs, or chimney cake, is a traditional Hungarian street snack made out of dough and rounded on a cylindrical tool, baked in a chimney cake oven, and served hot, rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Yum!

It was my third try of the Kurtoskalacs.

First tasted it in Vienna's Naschmarkt, in 2011, and second time near Prague's Charles Bridge, in 2013.

I must say, the respective city atmosphere had the Kurtoskalacs tasting differently.

Hotel room with a view - night in Budapest

The morning we were leaving Budapest, snowflakes began to fall. Snowflakes are kisses from heaven... bidding us a happy journey ahead:)
P.s. Special mention to the nicest people: Balint Huszar (Sofitel Rooms Manager) who made sure we had the most memorably impressive send-off from the hotel capped with a much-appreciated Hermes gift, in addition to daily room supply of Hermes amenities (c/o Zita, Sofitel Housekeeping) safely stored in my luggage*wink;); Eszter Horvath (Sofitel Guest Relations Officer) who sent sweet dessert for hubby's post-birthday treat on top of Sofitel lounge's dessert spread; and lastly, Petra (Sofitel lounge) who with her doll-like features I wanted to adopt. Much thanks!

Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels 2018 | Destination Buda + Pest - HUNGARY

20-feb: Train to Vienna...

Hotel room balcony

At journey's tail end [Applause]... crossed the Hungary-Austria border to pit stop: Vienna.

Check-in: #HotelamStephansplatz... next door to Stephansdom.

No need for earplugs to the Church bells, the floor-to-ceiling windows are soundproof, Amen to that!

Hotel room at the topmost floor came with an impressive balcony, which was all mine to enjoy for the duration of the stay.

Vienna hotels in a bustling city center

Two Peas - Kiss
at Belvedere

Missed seeing Klimt's The Kiss five years ago... but not on this trip. A visit to Belvedere museum was forthcoming. Every visitor to Belvedere went straight to Klimt's painting. Push came to shove getting the coast clear for photo-op, aptly sealed by a kiss!
When in Vienna, FOOD TRIP IN ALL CAPS! It was flat-out bigger than the house plate!!! Presenting House Speciality: the #Figlmüller's schnitzel (vom Schwein/made of pork), House Original since 1905. What luck to have found seats- dinner for two -at Figlmuller's original location on walk-in. Nom nom nom... that Figlmuller experience (see photo) Trivia: The wiener schnitzel- thin, breaded, pan-fried cutlet -is said to be "the best known specialities of Viennese cuisine, and one of the national dishes of Austria."

Figlmuller's schnitzel at Wollzeile 5

Aida chocolate torte paired with Julius Meinl tea

Traditional Viennese apfelstrudel at Cafe Diglas

What's for dessert? #Aida's chocolate torte for takeaway I paired with hotel's complimentary Julius Meinl tea... mmm!!! Can't have enough of dessert? Make room for more traditional Viennese dessert, as sweet endings, I actually skipped lunch for it. Thanks, Andrew Zimmern for the traveling foodie tip, it was humming in my ears-- #CafeDiglas... Cafe Diglas... apfelstrudel slice for me, please:)

22-feb: Day trip to Bratislava...

Snow-covered hill
up Bratislava Castle

Crossed the Austria-Slovakia border to post-script destination: Bratislava, to complete the race to six countries and eleven cities. One hour and a half via rail from Vienna, a day trip to Bratislava is doable.

Trivia: Czech Republic and Slovakia used to be a single country-- Czechoslovakia (1918-1992). On the 1st of January 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two independent nations: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Main town square was a few Metro stops from Bratislava (train) station. Hubby and I managed to get on the Metro, after troubleshooting Bratislava's default language and directional signs jumping not as words to the eyes. How to get there: From Bratislava train station, go left and walk down a staircase to the Metro terminal. One little school girl passenger kept eyeing me out and the hubby with her unmistakably curious gaze upon Asian faces.

A deserted square of Bratislava in winter

"Man at Work"

Bratislava was a ghost town that winter, which is a tourist haven for photo-op. I spotted "Napoleon's Army Soldier" -statue at the square, arms resting on the bench. The "Man at Work" -statue halfway up the manhole, took some effort to locate off main square.

There were many statues scattered around town, but these first two topped my list on a limited day. That, and visiting the Cathedral of St. Martin... before walking uphill to Bratislava Castle.

Castle grounds was blanketed in snow, which I didn't mind at all. Where I come from, there's no such thing as snow.

A view of old & new Bratislava up the hill of the Little Carpathians

25-feb: DAY 29... Transit day.

Bout time I shed off my winter wear to the dry cleaners. Hubby and I were home bound. Many ways to get to the airport, from Vienna's city center, just be there on time. Hubby and took the train to the airport... Fly me home, EVA Air!

But wait, there's more!