Vienna, Austria
In Vienna, we stayed at SMARTments business service apartment that was just walking distance to the train station. Super convenient, clean and tidy, and I loved the accommodation. Giving them a free shoutout!
First thing first: lunch stop at the buzzling Naschmarkt.
Karlskirche
We didn’t enter the church – but just here to take some photos. This area is quite a chill place, with many seated around the pond doing their own things. I vividly remember this 2 kick-ass ladies who came with camera and tripod, obviously here for some serious photography. What happened next, a lone guy decided to come and chat them up, but they were very straightforth in declining to chat. At first, politely tell him that they are busy, and refusing to reply to his questions, while snapping photos away. However, he was insistent and kept repeating his question, (eg where are you girls from. I still didnt’ get a reply), while they clearly refused to entertain him. To one point where the lady in the camera frame just straight-up fiercely snapped at him – all niceties gone – “Why don’t you just f-off! Yeah I am the bitch here~!” With that finally he gave up and strutted off. Salute to these 2 ladies. xD
While we were here, one dressed up like a Mozart came up to us and offered us show tickets at Vienna State Opera (if I remember correctly). As much as my sis and I were very tempted, I was feeling under the weather to sit through a show. Regretfully, we declined. A missed experience, I think I need to return for a show at least.
The rest of the evening, we wandered around the touristy areas eg outside the compounds of The Hofburg, Ausgrabungen Michaelerplatz, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Heldenplatz.
And lastly, settled for the well-known austrian cake – Sachertorte from Demel. We had a takeout instead of dining in as it was a long wait for a table at the restaurant.
Schönbrunn Palace
We had one-too-many palace visit on the entire trip, that I couldn’t remember much specifics. I do remember one thing from the audio guide – Empress Sisi wasn’t on good terms with her MIL. That kinda woke up my gossipy mode. Afterwards I did went back to google a little more on Empress Sisi just because of this tidbit. Part of which I also learnt of the interesting story behind the Austrian pancake dish Kaiserschmarrn. And oh yup, Netflix has a series on the Empress Sisi – The Empress.
This palace also have some interesting mazes to get lost in and “games”.
For lunch, we dined at Der Schwabl – das Wiener Wirtshaus – a short walk away from the palace itself.
Belvedere Palace
Tbh – I feel like we had one-too-many palace visit. I can’t seem to recall much of this visit…
Dinner at Gasthaus “Zu den 3 Hacken”, where we found our very first Kaiserschmarrn – fluffy, torn-pancakes with their special raisin and plum sauce. Our absolute favourite since then.
Munich, Germany
Finally we reached our last city for the entire journey. After checking into our airbnb, figured our way to supermarket and found ourselves at Echardinger Einkehr – Augustiner Bräu for lunch. Idk, but this time the dishes looks like tzechar dishes – felt like we could do with some rice.
Seems like Day 1 in Munich ended early with just sightseeing – visiting Marianplatz, and New Town Hall area.
Nymphenburg Palace
Yup, another palace visit.
Oktoberfest
That day was drizzling a little – but didn’t dampen the spirits of all who went. Btw, we have to walk quite a distance. People were already holding onto a beer or such while on the way there. And note that you can’t bring liquid stuff into the fest, so yup – there were bag checks and such.
The bummer thing for us was – we didn’t book a table – so, we were turned away by the restaurants. Basically – we could only walk around in the halls, and basked in the hyped ambience where everyone was chugging beers, hearty laughing louder than others, all along with the lively band music. We didn’t have much choices left, and just bought snacks from stalls outside the halls, including an extremely expensive mug of coffee. Ouch, kind of a failed experience for us.
So, you know what you should do when you are going for Oktoberfest.
Neuschwanstein Castle Tour
Next day, we are up for a day tour to Neuschwanstein castle tour – and we booked with Radius Tour. They did a great job during the bus journey, telling us the heroic sagas of Wagner’s opera, of which King Ludwig II had based it on in designing the castle, giving us context to see and think about when we reach the castle. Some were nodding off, but wow, I am intrigued by the storytelling though.
We had some time to ourselves at the area before we set off for the hike up. Well – precisely – we could choose to sit down and have a proper breakfast, or do some sightseeing. So we prioritized the latter.
We took the hiking route up, and there was some viewpoints where we could capture the 2 castles:
Once we reached the castle, it was another waiting game to for the tour to begin. Meanwhile, we could explore some of the open compounds (it was drizzling).
Thought this photo was kinda funny 😀 like my sis was trapped at the top of the castle ahaha
I am intrigued by the Wagner’s sagas – that I even purchased a little book on the sagas at the souvenir shop.
I might also recommended to spend like a night here, so you can also do the tour at Hohenschwangau castle as well.
Last dinner in Munich
Again, we stopped by the same restaurant of our first visit in Munich – and we must have one last kaiserschmarrn.
Not sure why – but the kaiserschmarrn here is a little weird, the texture is more like kueh than fluffy pancakes. Not too sure if its because its a german rendition.
Finally – completed this series 2 years later!