Goldener Saal Hall of the “Musikverein” in Vienna. Note that its precise name is Großer Konzerthaussaal Hall, “golden” just being a later added common attribute (guess why ;). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Over the seven week trip, probably the following stand out as our ten most precious memories:
- Stopping firstly in Brugge, Belgium, with its highly attractive Medieval architecture, pretty cobbled streets, canals and bridges, its numerous art galleries and museums
- Being fortunate enough to hear the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra playing at home at the splendid Musikverein in the Golden Hall – that same day we had lunch at the legendary Cafe Mozart, where Graham Green wrote “The Third Man“
- Visiting Vienna’s famous sites, including: the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Schonbrunn Palace and gardens, the amazing Austrian Parliament Building and not to forget the outstanding beauty of the Art Nouveau architecture to be seen in the centre of Vienna
- Walking across the famous Charles Bridge Prague, which in the Middle Ages was one of the Wonders of the Modern World, reaching the Old Town and watching the historic Prague Astronomical clock performing its spectacle on the hour
- Crossing the Freedom Bridge, Budapest, over the River Danube, going from Pest to Buda and slowly climbing the very steep Gellert Hill, with many twisting paths and breathtaking views of the Danube and the city, finally reaching the Citadel, at the top of the hill
- People watching in St. Marks Square, Venice, sitting in Cafe Florian (which dates back to 1720), having a wonderful fresh fruit salad with ice-cream and a glass of Prosecco, and admiring the beautiful architecture surrounding the square – the only downside, of course, being the bill!
- Seeing Michelangelo’s stunning, five hundred year old statue of “David“, in the Accademia di Belle Arti, during our four days in Florence
- Sampling the delights of Tuscany and Umbria, Italy, including art, architecture, fashion, cuisine, wine and not to forget the charming, picturesque hillside villages
- Viewing the breathtaking sight of the absolutely unforgettable Amalfi Coast, Italy
- Discovering Palinuro, Italy, on a stunning bay overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most beautiful, relaxing, unspoilt and sparsely populated parts of Italy, within the Cliento and Vallo di Diano National Park (a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1997) – we explored the national park and the World famous grottos, swam in the almost transparent deep blue sea and sampled the local fresh fish caught that day, washing it down with excellent local wine, of course.
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