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Sun comes, sun goes.
Sun comes, sun goes.
If we see life like that...
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Morning surprise! First snow for Vienna's 2012-2013 Winter season.
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Back Schönbrunn Palace
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It has been a joke among my friends to take the broom when autumn comes. I just love this season, all the earthly colors showcasing themselves. I'll opt the broom out.
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“Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed.” - Buddha
Seeing the beauty of life in a world seemingly in chaos is a gift. It's more than just being positive - more on actually being contented with what one has. It's really easy to say but requires great effort...on my part perhaps. Who would say no to ease and beautiful living, a vacation here and there at some point or a pair of boots every month?
It is perhaps our nature to always look for more and we forget that what we already had our treasures or privilege considered by some. Exaggeration? It could be. As the quote says if we look at the small things that make us unhappy, it will be amplified to great heights. But, if we look at the small things that makes us glad it will drown every doubt.
It is perhaps our nature to always look for more and we forget that what we already had our treasures or privilege considered by some. Exaggeration? It could be. As the quote says if we look at the small things that make us unhappy, it will be amplified to great heights. But, if we look at the small things that makes us glad it will drown every doubt.
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| Riesenrad/Giant Wheel at night |
It has been my yearly habit to post one such as this, like an overview of the year past. On this day, ten years ago, my daughter and I came to Vienna to rejoin my husband.
Then, I often include a number of photos from different years so today, let me do just that again except, I'm sharing photos from within the year 2011-2012.
Then, I often include a number of photos from different years so today, let me do just that again except, I'm sharing photos from within the year 2011-2012.
This year, I was able to somehow take that exam that has waited for 8 years already---the citizenship exams, well, there's a study material of about 55 pages containing Austrian history, government system, regulations and the like that I skimmed through. Come exam day I was disappointed that there were only 18 questions. Haha! So miniscule, then again it was good, I passed with flying colors, got a perfect score! ;) Well, hey...they say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst...I was cramming, I had about a month to study but actually did 3 days prior. It helped a lot that I have been writing stuff on this blog so I am somehow truly familiar with Austria's government system and history. There's still a document or two that I need to submit - hopefully everything will clear by the end of the month. :)
That aside, this year has not been like before when I am often out and about taking photos within the city. Sorry, blogging - more on the writing part of it, came in the way. Kidding! But, really I have been doing a lot of blog posts that I haven't gone out a lot when this school-year began, I have to scout my archives for the photos of summer for posting but that would be inappropriate to post now for autumn. :/
That aside, this year has not been like before when I am often out and about taking photos within the city. Sorry, blogging - more on the writing part of it, came in the way. Kidding! But, really I have been doing a lot of blog posts that I haven't gone out a lot when this school-year began, I have to scout my archives for the photos of summer for posting but that would be inappropriate to post now for autumn. :/
This year saw me in a photo coverage of a wedding. It was fun and really worth breaking my neck and shoulders for. Well and yes, will definitely go about breaking them for another year of Vienna Daily. ^_^
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| bride |
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| Neptune Fountain back view |
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| Lamp at the Schönbrunn grounds |
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| Praterstern after the rain |
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| sunrise, view from our window sometime last week |
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Autumn - looks like spring though save for one tree. Loving it!
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| photo by hubby, night after work |
Ten years ago, we lived in this busy area of Vienna, where shopping stores are abundant and where there are always a lot of people like ants going about looking for food.There's a number of romantic Vienna hotels, apartments and cafes lining up - it was a busy everyday fare.
Since we transferred to a place a little farther from the city center (below photo), I rarely get the chance to take photos of Vienna's busy streets at night, except of course if we go out for dinner, during a special event to cover or attend or venture through the Long Nights at the Museums (which happened last week and I have an overdue post once again). I truly miss taking night shots in this illustrious city.
There have been big changes comparing how the city was nine or ten years ago, economically speaking - there's a rapid change at commodity prices and even apartment rent. Imagine it going up from 400Euro to 500Euro in 2 years! There are now security guards in many shops - which points out that crime rate has certainly gone up. I don't read much of the tabloids because they always contain such stories, based from those few instances I got ahold of one to pass time off while in the train when I forgot my precious book. For those who have lived in this city all their life, it is but rightful to complain how things have changed.
I, however, being a foreigner have seen worse. I still appreciate the government for providing affordable housing, a transportation system that is perhaps par none, clean, pure water you can drink from the tap and of course, free education for children.
Change is inevitable, that's true, it's much unfortunate if that change is for the worse...but Vienna still remains to be at the top of the list of most livable cities in the world (2nd to be exact). With its culture-rich history, it's music filled late nights, palaces of grandeur, walkable parks, friendly people (mostly), the most picturesque surroundings, I wouldn't trade Vienna for any city in the world...
Then again, I think of Tokyo. ^_^
Since we transferred to a place a little farther from the city center (below photo), I rarely get the chance to take photos of Vienna's busy streets at night, except of course if we go out for dinner, during a special event to cover or attend or venture through the Long Nights at the Museums (which happened last week and I have an overdue post once again). I truly miss taking night shots in this illustrious city.
There have been big changes comparing how the city was nine or ten years ago, economically speaking - there's a rapid change at commodity prices and even apartment rent. Imagine it going up from 400Euro to 500Euro in 2 years! There are now security guards in many shops - which points out that crime rate has certainly gone up. I don't read much of the tabloids because they always contain such stories, based from those few instances I got ahold of one to pass time off while in the train when I forgot my precious book. For those who have lived in this city all their life, it is but rightful to complain how things have changed.
I, however, being a foreigner have seen worse. I still appreciate the government for providing affordable housing, a transportation system that is perhaps par none, clean, pure water you can drink from the tap and of course, free education for children.
Change is inevitable, that's true, it's much unfortunate if that change is for the worse...but Vienna still remains to be at the top of the list of most livable cities in the world (2nd to be exact). With its culture-rich history, it's music filled late nights, palaces of grandeur, walkable parks, friendly people (mostly), the most picturesque surroundings, I wouldn't trade Vienna for any city in the world...
Then again, I think of Tokyo. ^_^
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| view from or bedroom window at night |
Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I
would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
- George Eliot
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Despite being at home somewhere in the world, it's inevitable for someone to look back at his or her origins and miss how life was once then (read: me). I agree with the song that goes:
- George Eliot
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Looking out the window in the morning is something I do everyday. Hmmm, I can't particularly say why, it must have been a habit acquired - sometimes to calculate how cold it is outside, sometimes to just wonder about life.
It's almost ten years ago when I came to this wondrous city, Vienna. The leaves were brown and yellow then as they are now when I looked out the window. The smell of autumn always makes me nostalgic. I have my share of good memories and not so fond ones but I always see Vienna as a beautiful city all in all.
Despite being at home somewhere in the world, it's inevitable for someone to look back at his or her origins and miss how life was once then (read: me). I agree with the song that goes:
Even though we walk the diamond-studded highways
It’s the country lanes and byways
That makes us long for home
Hopefully, there will come a time for me that I can say Vienna has totally enamored and owned me but that thought just makes me miss my childhood even more.
It’s the country lanes and byways
That makes us long for home
Hopefully, there will come a time for me that I can say Vienna has totally enamored and owned me but that thought just makes me miss my childhood even more.
Gloriette, Schönbrunn
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As an impressionable kid growing up, I’ve always loved the great outdoors. Even if the gadgets we have today were available back then, I still probably would have preferred going outside to play than staying in the living room, fiddling with my Nintendo DS. It was simply much more fun to feel the sun kiss my cheeks and the wind blow my uncombed hair.
I have carried this trait with me well into my adult years. It would probably take somebody to offer me a million bucks to get me to stay indoors for an entire day! I try to strike a balance between staying inside the house to blog and taking in the breathtaking sights Vienna has to offer.
One marvelous architectural structure which never fails to make my jaw drop is the Gloriette at Schonbrunn. This edifice is made up of a central section in the form of an arch, flanked by two covered wings. It has a flat roof which serves as a viewing deck. You get up there via a stairway. From there, you can have a better view of the surrounding lush greenery. Fantastic!
The fun doesn’t stop in the daytime, though. Evenings at the Gloriette mean hanging out at the café and restaurant which is found in the central section. Good food + good company = an unadulterated great time. I just love coming here with the whole family.
If you’re a naturally indoorsy type of person, there’s nothing wrong with that. Once in a while, though, you might want to check out what the real beauty of the outdoors is all about.
Beautiful morning for a run.
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It's October...finally? The cool breeze is setting in...and it's the perfect day to run.
If those old pair of skinny jeans can go no further up than your knees when you try to put them on, don’t pull your hair out just yet. Although this may seem like a moment worthy of all sorts of frustration-induced tantrums, there is hope. With the plethora of workout options out there, it’s easy to get lost. To spare you even more frustration, why not stick to the basics- exercise with your children.
If those old pair of skinny jeans can go no further up than your knees when you try to put them on, don’t pull your hair out just yet. Although this may seem like a moment worthy of all sorts of frustration-induced tantrums, there is hope. With the plethora of workout options out there, it’s easy to get lost. To spare you even more frustration, why not stick to the basics- exercise with your children.
Working out with your children will hardly feel like exercise, because you’ll be having so much fun while you’re at it.
Soak up the sun and go for a morning run with the kids. You can drive to a scenic jogging place, or simply run around the block. Remember to do a few stretches before you run. Take water breaks as well.
If you prefer to stay indoors, you can dance with your kids. Put on their favorite Katy Perry or Justin Bieber tune, and dance like nobody’s watching. An hour of dancing will burn more calories than you ever thought possible.
Listen as your backyard beckons, and play a game of tag with your kids. All that running will be almost equivalent to running around a track oval a couple of times. The endorphin rush will make you feel like a kid again.
Staying fit doesn’t necessarily have to mean slaving away for hours at the gym. Get creative, work those muscles with your kids. All that physical activity will keep the excess pounds at bay, and keep your family bonded at the same time.
Saying goodbye to the summer that was.
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Without batting an eyelash, I’d say with firm conviction that summer is the best season of the year. Who in his right mind wouldn’t like summer? Other than the fact that the sunny weather gives you reason to show some skin, there just seems to be more things you can do during the summer. For a mom like me, summer means school’s out, so I can get to spend more fun times with the kids.
But, just like all good things, summer has to come to an end. Just like a kid scraping off the remaining peanut butter inside a bottle, so did I savor the final days of summer. As much as I wanted to hold on to the happy memories summer brought me, I knew I had to let go. Those carefree, sunny days were soon becoming a thing of the past.
Life is all about living in the moment. This is easier said than done, I know. But if you think about it, that’s all we really have- the present. There’s nothing more useless than regretting something about the past or worrying about the future that has yet to happen. Instead of wasting our energy feeling guilty or fearful, we should just try to just immerse ourselves in the moment, leaving the past behind, and waiting to deal with the future when it finally comes.
How do we learn to live in the moment, then? It helps to mindful of the things and people around you. Take in everything that’s there where you’re at: the sound of the falling rain, the booming voice of the next door neighbor, the smell of freshly cut grass…
Practice makes perfect. Before you know it, living in the moment will come naturally for you.
This...a view of Vienna's outskirts from our apartment.
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“Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone”…
This line from a Joni Mitchell original keeps playing inside my head (better that way, I guess, than me singing it out loud, lest I irritate the neighbors!).
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that there is a grain of truth to that line.
Oftentimes, we fail to realize how much we have to be thankful for. When these are taken away from us, that’s the only time we see their real beauty and worth.
Take for instance this lovely view outside our apartment. It’s been there all this time, but it’s only now that I have really learned to appreciate and marvel at its beauty.
Same goes for people. Day in, day out, the people we hold most dear- our families- are just… there. Sometimes we all get so physically close, that we push each other’s buttons and soon get on each other’s nerves. When one of us goes away for a vacation, that’s when we start missing him or her so bad, it hurts to the bone.
We should all learn to appreciate what we have. We may be beset with countless problems, but if we learn to see tiny bits and chunks of beauty around us, we’ll realize that life isn’t all that bad, and that we are truly blessed.
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| It is Blue alright, but not as picturesque as Hawaii |
Sun, sand and surf are perfect elements for a picture perfect summer vacation, and you may find all these in abundance when you visit the fun islands of Hawaii. Totally different from how Vienna is...
Hawaii's got six islands open for tourism with wonderful beaches, breathtaking scenery and great culture that the locals are proud to share. Each of the islands has its own taste of adventure and excitement to offer making Hawaii Vacations a great summer get away for just about everyone.
Hawaii's got six islands open for tourism with wonderful beaches, breathtaking scenery and great culture that the locals are proud to share. Each of the islands has its own taste of adventure and excitement to offer making Hawaii Vacations a great summer get away for just about everyone.
Most visitors of this famed summer destination go through Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii’s major airport located in Oahu . You need not go far from the airport to start your fun in the sun as this island has already plenty to offer to its tourists. You can have your first stop at the world famous Waikiki Beach where you can enjoy the gorgeous beach with golden sand and clear tranquil waters. Waikiki beach is ideal for lounging around, leisurely swims and beginners’ surfing lessons. Their sunset is also one that you shouldn’t miss. Taking a snapshot of it while on a Waikiki Sunset Cruise would make for a great souvenir. This part of the island is also known for world class resorts, shopping, entertainment and dining facilities for the comfort and enjoyment of their guests.
A trip to the Diamond Head is also a must for first timers in Hawaii . This iconic landmark is a volcanic crater that was formed over a hundred years ago. Aside from the interesting historical and geological facts on this site, visitors also get to enjoy a great view of Oahu ’s coastline when they get to the summit. You can even spot some humpback whales on the horizon during the winter.
If you’d rather go for ocean adventures or marine life explorations then you can check out the Waikiki Aquarium. This is where you can find around 3,500 marine animals on exhibit. There is no shortage of interesting marine life here with around 500 species of aquatic plants and animals to discover including the popular Hawaiian Monk Seals and Sea Jellies. A more up close and personal experience with the island’s marine life awaits you on a snorkeling adventure at the Hanauma Bay.
These are only a few of the sights that you can enjoy during your visit. There are other wonderful attractions to discover in the other islands of Hawaii. A trip to Hawaii will certainly be a memorable vacation filled with great views, fun experiences, great tasting cuisine, rich culture and warm hospitality of the locals. All these plus the magnificent sunset of Hawaii are unforgettable images that you will miss when the summer season ends.
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| Google image |
After the rain, the sun shines....
That Vienna lags behind other European cities when it comes to attraction and amusement parks is so true. Comparing Vienna to Paris in an earlier post, there is more to do in Paris within this department, Paris has Disneyland Resort to boast. Even Germany has a number of amusement parks on its Turf, Legoland, Playmobil Funpark, Europapark and a lot more.
Vienna has smaller amusement parks and rides that are not really what you'd go crazy about...but they're nerve-wracking and worth the thrill and screams.
So we went one Saturday to treat the kids and meet their cousins too. It's almost summer anyway, time to enjoy and have fun after the long, really cold winter past.
Since I am more of homebuddy and I really have fear of heights and getting dark under the sun, I'd rather play online games like Restaurant City, past time games offered by online bingo sites like Ladbrokes.com or online chess. Not even seeing this smiling sun (below photo) made me change my mind...
Hubby and the kids went on riding bumpcars, bumper boats and other rides. Kids tried motocross and did horseback-riding and went all the way jumping on trampolines...I went about taking photos. Yes, I'm that of a killjoy.
Aside from the ducks and ducklings inhabiting this pond at Schönbrunn's Roman ruin, there are two sculptures representing the rivers Danube and Enns. Though the ruin is a set of follies, the sculptures perfectly fit as though the surroundings were made just for them.
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| Neptune Fountain, Schönbrunn. (I'd be under this fountain and stay there should I be allowed, the heat is just too much!) |
It's summer and it's time to get away for a while. :) We're thinking New York.
There are some cities in the world that you never seem to get enough of. One such place is New York City. This modern city is teeming with activities that planning a vacation can be a challenge in itself. It has numerous historical and cultural attractions that are well known across the globe which is quite difficult to cram in a short vacation period. Not to mention experiencing other stuff that the city is known for like Broadway, baseball, panoramic views from skyscrapers, and dining. To make things a bit easier for you, simply browse through the different New York vacation packages that are available online and simply pick one that appeals to you.
A tourist will never run out of vacation packages to choose from with a destination like New York City or the Big Apple as it is fondly referred to. There may be a lot of tour packages available for New York but nobody can show you around the Big Apple better than a New Yorker. This is something that you may want to keep in mind in your search for great New York Vacation Packages. You may want to prioritize checking travel sites that specialize in arranging tours for New York . The chances of finding good packages and unique travel itinerary are likely to be better there. This is what we did when we made arrangements for our first New York City Trip. Since we don’t go out of the country that often, I wanted to make sure that the whole family gets to experience as much as we can of the city in a short span of time. We went for a Best of New York Tour package from an online site that has a good reputation for specializing in such tours. Our package included accommodations in a midtown Manhattan Hotel of our choice, meals at popular dining establishments in the city, reserved seats in a Broadway show, admission to the top of the Rock Observation Deck and a Freedom comprehensive tour of Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty and 9/11 memorial. With everything arranged through our online travel agent, there was nothing left for us to do but conveniently enjoy our trip and savor every moment of our New York experience. Not only did we cover the must see destinations of the city, we also got great restaurant and hotel deals in the package.
Having a taste of the Big Apple experience left us craving for more, the best part of having a travel agent that specialize in New York packages is that they can easily arrange for additional city tour packages that you may want during your vacation.
Before one gets to Schönbrunn's Great Parterre, coming from the right side, there's a landscaped part that one can't miss and can't resist taking photos of. There's a walkway that one can thread under the vines...there's a wall of roses too and this part are asymmetrical arrangements with fountains in the middle...
The Wagenburg is a museum of carriages and vehicles used by the imperial household of the Austrian Empire. It is housed in the grounds of the Schlosses Schönbrunn in the Hietzing district of Vienna and is a department of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Its exhibits include the Imperialwagen. We unfortunately weren't able to get in at the time we visited as it was closed.
Highlights of the exhibition:
the gilded “Imperial Carriage,”
the Golden Carousel Carriage of Maria Theresia,
the Child’s Phaeton of Napoleon’s son,
the Black Hearse of the Viennese court,
the personal Landaulet of Empress Elisabeth and
the only preserved Court Automobile of 1914.
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| Sailing calmly at the Danube. |
Two of the things the kids and I planned to do for so many years now is to cruise around the Danube and go boating. The latter we did some time ago. It was a bit cold but we went biking and afterwards boating at Vienna's Old Danube...that's a section of the Danube for boating and surfing. We've cruised too before, but that was...5 years ago. :/
For this summer, we plan to go cruise at the other side of the Danube...it could be a cruise going to Bratislava, the nearest city from Vienna...I anyway have discount tickets from the city's transportation office for buying the yearly ticket. teehee. However, my daughter's class is going this week too! :D I'd probably just tag along and use my discount ticket!
Anyway, cruising is a really fun experience. A cruise around Spain or along the Italian coast or perhaps a Galapagos Cruise will truly be appreciated. Especially because the kids had watched the movie Nim's Island and they saw how fun it is to be in such a place. The Spain and Italian trip cruise could not be far off so it's ok to set it later on, but a Galapagos trip, down South America is like a chance one shouldn't let go. Galapagos is a natural paradise, an archipelago full of beautiful scenery being a biological marine reserve, it's a sure-to-go to for those looking for adventure and a grand vacation.
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| Daughter enjoying the boat ride. ---- click below logo for more info about Galapagos cruise. |
Today's view of Vienna's skyline from the Gloriette. Seen is the back of the Schönrunn Palace, there's going to be a concert so it was a bit chaotic today...
Below is the Gloriette, would love to go up the top again this summer!
It's almost summer, time to head out and enjoy, have fun with the kids! For Viennese, there's the Danube where a lot of things can happen and the Praterstern where you can find rides, food and what other things can stir the child in you.
Ever met the very photogenic Pomeranian Boo? He's the most famous dog around with over 4.2 million fans on his page. Boo's owner doesn't disclose much about their whereabouts but we can be sure they're somewhere in the US....so what is Boo doing on the pages of Vienna's tabloid Heute? Just a guess, someone took the photo to enter a photo contest about pets...and there he is!
We accidentally saw this today as we were looking at the kid on photo; the girl is my son's playmate at the Kindergarten...
--Naturhistorisches Museum--
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Many of my friends who travel abroad often would ask how Vienna fare against Paris. These two cities are very distinct and I can't help but be biased about the former to the point of saying that it is still one of the top (most of the time, first) cities in the Mercer's annual "Quality of Living" survey of hundreds of cities around the world.
The last time I was in Paris was 5 years ago, it still remains a top priority for us when we plan travels but you know, first impressions really matter. Diversity, is something not comparable but I put up this list to help my friends so I'd just show this whenever they ask again.
Cost of Living
According to surveys, it is 26% cheaper to live in Vienna than in Paris. That's comparing Food, Housing, Clothes, Transportation and Entertainment. Only Personal Care in Vienna goes up by 9% compared to Paris'. (source: http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/comparison/paris/vienna). So to compare, you would spend €3,000 in Paris but with the very same standards you would only need about €2,229 in Vienna.
Transportation
Vienna's railway system is one of the most organized and the wagons and stations are cleaner than any of the other cities I've been to (gotta mention Singapore and Budapest as well for cleanliness). Connections to different lines in the Metro is easier too with those lines intersecting at some points and escalators along with elevators are available. Buses and trams are also easily accessible. I'm not sure now but most of the stations in Paris do not have elevators, we used the stairs mostly...we still had a stroller then and it wasn't the easiest trip. That gives an advantage though - to walk - which will give you more time to appreciate bits and pieces of the romantic city...and if you take the bus, the operators are sweet and courteous..you'd feel relaxed while also viewing the scenery.
Ticket-wise, I've already forgotten about Paris' rates but Vienna offers different tickets depending on individual needs.
The last time I was in Paris was 5 years ago, it still remains a top priority for us when we plan travels but you know, first impressions really matter. Diversity, is something not comparable but I put up this list to help my friends so I'd just show this whenever they ask again.
Cost of Living
According to surveys, it is 26% cheaper to live in Vienna than in Paris. That's comparing Food, Housing, Clothes, Transportation and Entertainment. Only Personal Care in Vienna goes up by 9% compared to Paris'. (source: http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/comparison/paris/vienna). So to compare, you would spend €3,000 in Paris but with the very same standards you would only need about €2,229 in Vienna.
Housing and Accommodation
Whether one's own or staying short term, whether in hotels or apartment rentals in Paris France, it's more expensive compared to Vienna. Why, tourism-boost is much ahead there than it is in Vienna, it's natural that the rates are higher. As for housing, a few friends living there always say it is better to have a shared flat if you're single.
Transportation
Vienna's railway system is one of the most organized and the wagons and stations are cleaner than any of the other cities I've been to (gotta mention Singapore and Budapest as well for cleanliness). Connections to different lines in the Metro is easier too with those lines intersecting at some points and escalators along with elevators are available. Buses and trams are also easily accessible. I'm not sure now but most of the stations in Paris do not have elevators, we used the stairs mostly...we still had a stroller then and it wasn't the easiest trip. That gives an advantage though - to walk - which will give you more time to appreciate bits and pieces of the romantic city...and if you take the bus, the operators are sweet and courteous..you'd feel relaxed while also viewing the scenery.
Ticket-wise, I've already forgotten about Paris' rates but Vienna offers different tickets depending on individual needs.
Food
French cuisine wins, hands down. Foie Gras,Coq au vin, Pommes duchesse, Crème brûlée, Eclairs, macarons and there's a lot more goodness that Paris can offer. Vienna boasts of Tafelspitz, Wiener Schnitzel, Selchfleisch, Apfelstrüdel and Sacher Torte. Depending on your preferences of course, the two cities are very different in this department and has a variety to offer.
Clothes
Paris is one of the Big Four - Fashion capitals of the world. It follows that it's more expensive there as in most other cities, not only Vienna. If you're for haute couture and you have the means to spend on such then by all means, indulge. If you're on a budget-limit yet still want to enjoy branded items, visit Vienna and you'll find that there are also a lot of shopping streets to suit your fancy.
Vienna is the music Capital of the world. You will find music, theatre and opera a part of daily Viennese living. Museum-wise, Paris has the Louvre, so if you're an art enthusiast it is much better to experience the Louvre than Vienna's smaller museums where you're not allowed to take photos. ^_^
Architecture-wise, Vienna's gothic, baroque castles and an ensemble of such integrated in parks, gardens is like reliving classic era when you walk on cobblestones in the city's hidden streets. Paris' wide avenues lined with neo-classical stone buildings of bourgeoisie standing that made it so romantic, one might often think of Robet Doisneau's Le baiser de l’hôtel de ville (Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville) while going on a walk.
Disneyland Resort Paris is a must for kids...Vienna despite boasting a big Ferris wheel cannot compare to the entertainment that Paris brings. It's true what reviews said, Vienna could be boring...that is, if you don't know the places to go...Comparing, entrance to certain establishments are also higher in Paris...perhaps to the Opera is an exception.
Vienna and Paris are two distinct cities, whichever you decide to choose on your next vacation, I hope you enjoy it well and make the most out of that vacation to make memories. If you can, visit the two cities and experience the best of both worlds!
Clothes
Paris is one of the Big Four - Fashion capitals of the world. It follows that it's more expensive there as in most other cities, not only Vienna. If you're for haute couture and you have the means to spend on such then by all means, indulge. If you're on a budget-limit yet still want to enjoy branded items, visit Vienna and you'll find that there are also a lot of shopping streets to suit your fancy.
--Musee du Louvre--
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EntertainmentVienna is the music Capital of the world. You will find music, theatre and opera a part of daily Viennese living. Museum-wise, Paris has the Louvre, so if you're an art enthusiast it is much better to experience the Louvre than Vienna's smaller museums where you're not allowed to take photos. ^_^
Architecture-wise, Vienna's gothic, baroque castles and an ensemble of such integrated in parks, gardens is like reliving classic era when you walk on cobblestones in the city's hidden streets. Paris' wide avenues lined with neo-classical stone buildings of bourgeoisie standing that made it so romantic, one might often think of Robet Doisneau's Le baiser de l’hôtel de ville (Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville) while going on a walk.
Disneyland Resort Paris is a must for kids...Vienna despite boasting a big Ferris wheel cannot compare to the entertainment that Paris brings. It's true what reviews said, Vienna could be boring...that is, if you don't know the places to go...Comparing, entrance to certain establishments are also higher in Paris...perhaps to the Opera is an exception.
Vienna and Paris are two distinct cities, whichever you decide to choose on your next vacation, I hope you enjoy it well and make the most out of that vacation to make memories. If you can, visit the two cities and experience the best of both worlds!
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What I look forward to in spring are those colors, vibrant colors of the sky, the trees starting to turn green and the reflection of the now lively river.
A cargo rail train passes by the train tracks seen from another platform --- for passengers. ÖBB stands for Österreichische Bundesbahnen - Austrian Federal Railways. It is the national railway system of Austria, and the administrators of Liechtenstein's railways. The ÖBB group is owned entirely by the Republic of Austria and is divided into several separate businesses that manage the infrastructure and operate passenger and freight services.
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At present, I am mainly observing the physical motion of mountains, water, trees and flowers. One is everywhere reminded of similar movements in the human body, of similar impulses of joy and suffering in plants.
-Egon Schiele, Austrian painter
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My favorite flowers, now out! Achoo!
Every corner and street and view in Vienna becomes so picturesque when spring comes...it's the sky, the grasses and the trees waiting to come to life that brings in all those earthly colors. Gotta love!
A drive by shot.
How many times have you seen this Ferris Wheel featured here? :)
It's spring and it follows that a lot of flowers are now blooming. A lot of flower shops, big and small are now open for business. Most popular of course are the tulips, daffodils and gerberas but roses and other flowers in different colors are available too. Spring is just so colorful, a sudden birth, so to say, from the gray-season; winter.
Spring 2012
In many cities, plum blossoms and magnolias mark the arrival of spring. True enough, they are the first to bloom this season.
Plum blossoms, pear tree blossoms too are now starting to bloom and it also brings the beginning or pollen allergies. Achoo! The skies are totally in synch, the perfect blue background for a a thousand blossoms.
Still from the Bridal Fair, I took a lot of photos of different wedding cake toppers for my friend to look at. Cake toppers say a lot about the bride and groom. Their choice of whether elegant bride and groom figurines or funny cake toppers to monogram cake topper letters. Of course, the wedding cake is an important piece of the wedding reception and a matching cake topper would make or break it.
Couples can go traditional or unique, even funny or choose personalized toppers --- your own faces, like the one above right. There are also customized bobhead toppers that would surely make your guests giggle.
Couples can go traditional or unique, even funny or choose personalized toppers --- your own faces, like the one above right. There are also customized bobhead toppers that would surely make your guests giggle.
