Imperial Capitals 6

Day 8 - Gyor, Vienna

Today we leave Budapest and head for Vienna, with a stop in Gyor (Hungary).

We are getting to know the other passengers a little better, especially R who sits behind us. R has already come to blows with one of the drivers, and today is asking whether there have been any coach incidents, and whether anyone has died. I fear R is in danger of being the first. He is a history buff so has continuing discussions with TC about the country we are in. I am very thankful for my headphones.

Gyor is nice enough but is basically a coffee stop. A little road train lays in wait for unsuspecting tourists who are looking for something to do. We know how to holiday and head for the Spar. 

 

Eventually we reach Vienna. We are taken to the Schönbrunn Palace and are given 2 hours to race around. The weather is around 14C, windy and wet so we make haste for the ticket office. All of Vienna has decided this is a good option for a wet day and a little notice says a possible 3hr wait to enter the Palace, so we plump for the cafe instead where I have Prosecco with elderflower and a berry sundae. The service is impeccable and by the time we have finished the sun is out and we wander round the gardens. Reminiscent of Versailles. Not a total damp squib, thankfully.

Tonight is a 'Vienna Supreme Concert', and we arrive with a few other coaches. This is obviously a tourist concert and as we go in there is a table selling wares. TC is like a bee round a honey pot. An extra fridge may be required to accommodate the magnets being purchased. We are in the 'House of the Engineers', a strange sounding venue for a concert but it looks classy. Even the music stands are posh.

 

Viennese music is not really my genre, but the concert is hugely enjoyable. Highly professional and entertaining with opera arias, ballet and a few skits. Audience participation is encouraged, especially clapping. TC is in his element. If you have ever heard him clap, you will know exactly what I mean.

We have yet to explore Vienna proper so another guide to meet tomorrow...

Day 9 - Vienna

Our guide today is Frederica, an older lady with a softer voice than our previous guides. At one point she says curiously, 'am I talking too much?' I don't say anything. Being here for such a short time, we bolt round Vienna on the coach with Frederica naming most of the buildings. My camera's auto focus is struggling with the window, so I take the opportunity to have a nap. We are allowed out of the coach once or twice to take photos. The Belvedere Palace is beautiful and houses The Kiss by Klimt. Alas, no time to view it.

 

Vienna is a much larger city than I had realised and I am now comparing everything with Prague which was perfect. Finally, the tour ends and we are let loose. We head for St Stephen's Cathedral and sit at its feet with a drink and an almond croissant. 

 

 

With only a few hours it's very tricky deciding what to do but we make for the Tower for a panoramic view of the city. The lift whizzes up and has a glass roof (better than a glass floor!) The lift attendant is very cheery. The viewing platform is open air but completely caged, but this helps only marginally. However I manage to get some snaps. We then ascend higher to the cafe. A notice reads, 'Due to a technical problem the cafe does not spin at the moment'. Good.

 

 

I can't quite settle in the chair directly by the window (or anywhere at this height to be frank). There is relief as we descend and TC collects yet another fridge magnet. A short wander in Vienna and we are the last on the coach again. I think we are getting a bit of a reputation.