The great bus driver stopped just short of the final hotel; it was a short walk. After a brief rest, we joined our local guide in Vienna for an orientation walking tour. Gerhard Strassgschwandtner was excellent, knowledgeable, and humorous.
Busy red bus in Vienna streets
Innere Stadt on the central museum staircase
American candy got my attention in Vienna
Having been born in New Orleans this fleur-de-lis gate in Vienna got Julie’s attention. Obviously, the French design is all around Europe, not just France though that is where it originated. In French, fleur-de-lis means “lily flower” or “flower of the iris.” It’s been used for centuries to represent a vast variety of things, including royalty, French cultural heritage, Christianity, light, defense, and female virtue
Europe celebrates Halloween. Since it was October, the paraphernalia was out and about in Vienna as well.
Getting ready for Halloween in Vienna
Julie appreciated the choice of basic substance with a simple omelet. Flexibility is required with travels because during meal times many restaurants required reservations. This charming café was just right, being a reprieve from the cold rain while enjoying a hot meal.
Lovely pea hummus on toast at a cafe in Vienna.
At the entrance to the famous Albertina in Vienna
The use of having a camera on the phone is so fun – this graffiti is Bruce’s initials – Julie snapped the picture and sent it to their kids
The landmark St. Stephen’s in Historic Vienna
Raingear – our experience:
When we were in Ireland it rained. I was the only one who stayed dry wearing a hoodie rain jacket. It was windy and the umbrellas people used were blow inside out. Also, it’s cumbersome having to carry an umbrella even if it’s not windy.
When we were in Rome it poured. The sellers of raingear came out immediately and our RS tour guide bought a clear rain poncho. It was cheap, looking like it was meant for single usage but seemed to keep him dry.
My husband and I had raincoats in the hotel room because they were too bulky to carry. Husband did not want to buy something. We were getting soaked. A kindhearted travel companion, with both a hoodie rain jacket and an umbrella took pity on us and handed me his umbrella; which I shared with Bruce – but never again were we going to be in this position!
So, for our Germany / Austria tour I was prepared! Men’s and women’s hoodie rain jackets that folded up in small accompanying bags. I got dark navy-blue for Bruce and bright, don’t lose me in the crowd, blue for myself.
These hoodie rain jackets stayed rolled up, in their bags, on the bottom of my husband’s backpack he carried every day until we needed them in Vienna. Wala! Perfect! We stayed dry!
Great to have compact raingear when needed.