Vienna: home of the Viennese Coffeehouse Culture

A city of fine culture. Incredible architecture, museums, churches and coffee houses. UNESCO evens include the Viennese coffeehouse culture as a cultural heritage. Honestly, the coffee did usually upset my stomach though as its too strong.

Kunsthistorishches Art Museum built to house the Hapsburgs' art collection. Inaugurated in 1891.

St Stephan's Cathedral

Troops getting ready at the Palace to greet Hungary's President Orban

a lot of heavy lifting after this awesome apple strudel

Mozart and Strauss Concert - excellent concert but hotter than blazes. No A/C.

The Melk Abbey and Krems, Austria

Its a bright golden abbey nestled high on a hill surrounded by towers.  The view up to the tower and down below once at the abbey is spectacular.  This abbey was built in the 1700's and most impressive are the libraries (still used by monks on-site) and the church with its gold leaf statues and faux marble pillars.  The church is like no other with its extravagant baroque features and frescoes.  Its not surprise that the abbey was originally a palace.

We walked the small town of Melk which was perfect for a cafe and shopping and later the town of Krems.  In the afternoon we sailed on the Danube with a cool welcomed rain.  I'll take rain any day over the high temperatures we had a few days ago.  The Melk region is a wine growing region with beautiful villages and castles.  What a fantastic sail today.

River scenes

The Abbey

Abbey gardens

Krems

Passau and Bavarian Cruise at the Baroque Town Schärding, Austria

Leisure morning walking the beautiful city of Passau.  Shops, churches, cobblestone roads and cafes.  St Stephan's Cathedral is amazing with its baroque interior located at the highest point of the city.  This cathedral is famous for its frescoes, largest organ outside the US and its large eight church bells.

After touring the baroque town of Schärding Austria we floated on the Inn River while drinking beer or wine snd Jäegermeister.

A beautiful and relaxing day!

Lori and I hanging out at the fountain

St Stephan's Cathedral

Schärding Austria

mid-evil mask and some jägermeister

Schärding