Vienna Part II

Yesterday was a misty day in Vienna (or as the locals call it "Wien") but that didn't stop me from going out and exploring!  I started by visiting the famous coffee house "Demel" for breakfast.  It was absolutely gorgeous with high ceilings, crown molding everywhere, and chandeliers in every room.  Definitely a notch up from Starbucks :) After that I trekked out to the Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Hapsburgs.  It was absolutely gorgeous and the plus side about the weather was that there were hardly any tourists there.  

Vienna

On Wednesday I took the train from Lucerne, Switzerland to Vienna, Austria.  It was a long trip (about 9.5 hours including a stop in Zurich) but absolutely stunning.  The train twisted and turned through the Alps and the Austrian country-side.  We passed huge snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes, ancient farm houses, and quaint villages.  I arrived in Vienna after the sun had set {it sets at 4:30PM!!} and took a taxi to my hotel. Although my hotel is very nice and in a very safe and central neighborhood, I am unfortunately not too pleased.  It is on a pedestrian street that is about a mile long and is the most touristy area I have seen EVER in Europe.  Within 200 meters of my hotel is a McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, H&M, Forever 21, and about 20 tacky souvenir shops {photo of location at the bottom of this post}.  Definitely not the authentic, imperial Vienna I was going for!  But on the plus side it is extremely close to all historical buildings and the fact that it is so touristy means there are always people out and about, so I feel very safe walking home at night.  I guess that's what happens when you plan a four-country jaunt to Europe in less than a month!

Travel :: Auf Wiedersehen Lucerne

The last three days I spent in Lucerne were an absolute fairy tale.  From our trip up to the Swiss Alps, to feeding swans while eating fondue by the lake, to toasting with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot in our hotel that overlooked the lake, gorgeous buildings, sunset, and mountains...it was simply perfect.  I had the best time with my mom and Amanda, and was really sad to see them go.  Now I am onto Vienna, with plenty of more adventures ahead!

Alpine Dreams

As promised yesterday, I have rounded up about fifty of the 1,000 {yes, you read that correctly} photos we took on our journey to and in the Swiss Alps on Thursday.  We woke up and road a boat across Lake Lucerne, then took a cog-wheel train to the top of Mount Rigi.  It was one of the most memorable days of my life.  From the snow covered peaks, to the glittering lakes, to the green valleys, to the clear and crisp mountain air, to the red and gold fall foliage - everything about the Alps heightens your senses.  It is amazing how as the day progresses the landscape continues to change just based on the clouds, fog, and the way the light hits the mountains and lakes.  

Mount Rigi

Yesterday was one of the most amazing days of my life.  We took a boat then a train to reach the top of Mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps.  It was more beautiful than words can describe.  I have to wake up insanely early tomorrow to catch a train to Vienna, but I promise to post a detailed recap of our last two days in Lucerne {including TONS of photos of the Alps} as soon as I can!

Switzerland

On Wednesday my mom and I took the train from Paris to Lucerne, Switzerland.  The ride was filled with absolutely stunning views of the French and Swiss country side -- rambling fields, steep mountains, fall foliage, ancient stone houses, cows, sheep, and tiny chalets.  We arrived into Lucerne and were literally awe-struck with how absolutely beautiful it is.  It feels like a fairy tale -- from the 700 year old covered bridge, to the colorful buildings surrounding the water, to the 360 degree views of the Swiss Alps.  There are even swans that  swim around the lake!  To make things even better, my sister Amanda {who lives in Berlin} met us in Lucerne so the three of us could have a girls weekend together!