Winter in Vienna

I finally managed to select and arrange some pictures I took in Vienna this winter. As I had only one day to visit the city's attractions, you won't see too many places.. so this is just a glimpse of Vienna...

The following pictures are from Schönbrunn Palace.

detail of the front gate of the palace...


the front side...


part of a facade...


the Gloriette and some details...


Neptune Fountain and details of it...

view of the palace from the gloriette...


The gardens offer interesting sights even in winter, when they are desolate...


Obelisk Fountain...


the Roman Ruin and a small fountain in the foreground...


... which was a resting place for several couples of ducks.. you gotta love them! :)

As I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside the palace, I had to settle for a postcard. So this is it... the most impressive room.. the Great Gallery... As I entered the room, the audio guide started to play classical music... This was the room where balls, receptions and banquets were being held at the court. Mozart loved to hang out here. :)

And this is a panorama I made of 6 horizontal photos - the palace as seen from the gloriette hill...


Next are few night shots I took on the city streets.

This is Mariahilferstraße, the most famous shopping street of Vienna:


The Museum of Art History:

The Austrian Parliament:


And finally, the Town Hall:


Next city: Prague. Check back in a week or so! :)

Winter in Budapest

It's been a while since I uploaded pictures here... so I'm gonna change that starting now. In the following posts, I will show you some of the pictures I took during this winter's holiday - one post for each city I've visited.

First is Budapest.

Views of the Chain Bridge over the Danube from Buda part of the city:

The mythological Turul bird statue at one of the gates of the Royal Palace:


Part of the equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy, on the Danube terrace of Buda Castle (or the Medieval Royal Palace):

Matthias Fountain, decorating the western forecourt of the Royal Palace:


In the same forecourt, the statue of a Horse Wrangler:

Part of the facade of the palace...


... and some uncovered ruins...


Statue of two saints near Saint Matthias Church, followed by parts of the church (which, unfortunately, was under restoration, so it was mostly covered):


Near Matthias Church is the Fisherman's Bastion and the statue of St. Stephen:


After visiting the Buda part of the city, it was time for a short walk on the Pest side... This is at one end of the Chain Bridge:

This is the Hungarian Parliament, viewed from the Chain Bridge...

... and the same building, at night, seen from the Danube:


If you go to Budapest, a cruise on the Danube at night is a must!

Liberty Bridge:


The Royal Palace and the Chain Bridge:


Next city is Vienna. Stay tuned! :)