Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Europe 2024 overview

Trip to Europe, September 2024


30th 
Aug. Catch Airtrain from Robina at 16:13. Arrive at Bsb International at 17.52.
Fly from Brisbane to Prague. Qantas QF8435 Dep 21:00 Ref 5G269Q. AU$3,367.72
31st Aug  Land in Prague. ETA 13:00pm
31st Aug Stay in Thunovska  
5th Sept. Check out 
Train to Vienna. Railjet #75 08.44 from Prague Main Station to Vienna Hbf. Eta 12:49pm. Trainline. Tips. Tickets in Dropbox.
Rent car. 
SIXT 
Booking number:B41476220 Res. no: 9934591015. How to find SIXT at Vienna Central Station
5th Sept. Drive to Unser Rosa Haus für Sie at Rust am Neusiedlersee.  Approx 1 hour.
6th Sept. Drive to St Wolfgang. Approx 3 hours. See and City apartment.
7th Sept. St Wolfgang.
8th Sept. Check out of St Wolfgang. Drive to Durnstein. Approx 45 mins. Stay in W
achau-Living.
9th Sept. Checkout. Drive to Vienna. Approx 1 hour. Stay at Kurrentgasse. Return car to SIXT Vienna, Hauptbahnhof by 1.00pm 461505294004
Check in to  Cozy 1-bedroom apartment near Judenplatz, Kurrentgasse 10, 1010 Wien.
9th - 15th Sept. Vienna.
15th Sept. Checkout. 

15th Sept. 8:42am OBB train to Budapest from Vienna HBF. EC 141.

Arrive Budapest-Keleti 11:19am.

15th - 18th Sept. Budapest.

18th Sept. Fly Swiss Air from Terminal 2A Budapest to Nice. LX 2255 operated by Helvetic Airways. Dep 14:45 Eta 18:20

Booking code: VIBL3J

18th - 22nd Sept, stay with McDonalds near St Tropez.

22nd Sept. Check into Nice airport at 12:55pm. Fly QF8078 flight from Nice to Bsb. Dep Nice at 15.55pm to Dubai. Stopover 2.30hrs 

23rd Sept QF8430 2;30am Eta Bsb 22.20pm. 

$2,096.12 for two. 

23rd Sept. Arrive at Brisbane Airport 22.20pm. 




Airlink rebooked $290.00

Office Phone: +61 7 5563 8600 Mobile: +61 412 047 756  

Email: enquiry@airlinkexpress.com.au

Web: www.airlinkexpress.com.au


"Upon your return I will meet you inside the main part of the terminal in front of the Vodafone Kiosk after exiting the Customs Hall, approx 30-40 minutes after your flight has landed. I will also keep an eye on your flight status in case you’re early or delayed and will be holding an iPad with your name displayed on it. Please have your mobile phone switched on once in the terminal.


If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us by email or phone.

Kind Regards, Trudie Rigon"


Two week Budapest, Vienna and Prague itinerary


Get Airalo eSim. Psyberspace. Sounds00X2!




Hi David! Thanks for reaching out to us!


Don't worry as most Airalo eSIM packages (including your Eurolink eSIM) activate (you have access to data) when the eSIM installed on your device connects to an allowed network at the destination. 


This means that you must be located in your data package's country to be able to connect to a network. Therefore, if you're still at home, please don't try to activate your eSIM because you won't be able to connect to the local network. 


At this time, when your eSIM connects to the local network, the validity of the eSIM starts.


Upon reaching your destination, kindly activate your eSIM under Cellular Plans/SIMs and select it for Cellular/Mobile Data.


Roaming Data should be ON for your eSIM cellular plan to establish an automatic connection.


Additionally, temporarily disable your Primary Line (SIM card) until the eSIM successfully connects to the supported network. We recommend keeping your Primary Line disabled to avoid extra charges from your local carrier during your trip. 


👉🏻 Please refer to the video tutorial starting from the 2-minute mark for instructions on how to access data and set up your device to activate and enjoy your eSIM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RNFrMAVVjY


David, even if the chat closes automatically due to the time elapsed without interaction, please know that every time you write, our conversation can continue.


Instructions on settings.


Prague

31st August. Land at 13:00pm at Vaclav Havel Airport, Terminal 1.

Go to Residence Thunovska, Thunovská 19, Prague 1, Malá Strana.

Irina. Tel: +420 721 855 880. Booking a taxi for us from the airport for CZK750.

1.00 Australian Dollar = 15.2 Czech Koruny



See page 73 of Prague & Czechia ebook

Taxi or Uber. Uber in Prague: Everything you need to know

Taxi booking.


Residence Thunovská 

Should be met by host after we advise arrival time.

Honest Prague Guide

Saturday 31st August. Crash after long flight.

Sunday 1st Sept. 9am - 12 noon. Tour with Dimitris. Guest pick up in front of Slavia Cafe. 
Booking number ee7d2a18 https://www.cafeslavia.cz/


Walk to Slavia Cafe 

Monday 2nd Sept. Stromovka Park?

Tuesday 3rd Sept. 

Wednesday 4th Sept. U Modré kachničky  06:45 PM - 08:45 PM confirmed. 
Beautiful restaurant in Malá Strana. 'The traditional roast duck is very good'.


U Modré Kachničky, Nebovidská 460/6, 11800 Praha 1 - Malá Strana
During our business hours, you can reach us via phone on: +420602353559

Thursday 5th Sept. Leave Thunovská and get to main Prague Hlavni Nadrazi Station by 8.15am.

Train to Vienna. Railjet #75 08.44 from Prague Main Station to Vienna Hbf. Eta 12:49pm. Trainline. Tips. Tickets in Dropbox.
Rent car. SIXT Booking number:B41476220 Res. no: 9934591015. How to find SIXT at Vienna Central Station

Does it matter which side of the train I sit on from Vienna to Prague?

'I go this way really often between Prague and Brno but I know the whole journey.

I recommend you to sit on the right. (I.e. sit on the left from Prague to Vienna)

When sitting on the left side, when you leave Brno, you will see some gipsy buildings in mess. The way up to Svitavy is boring on that side. Past Svitavy, near Česká Třebová, you’ll see a train graveyard and depo. Between Česká Třebová and Choceň, you will be passing a valley and on this side there is not anything special to see. Between Pardubice and Kolín, there is a Coal power plant Chvaletice, near Český Brod there is a huge transmitter. That is pretty much it.

BUT right side. Despite that you’ll see the less nice part of Brno, when leaving this city, you’ll see little villages and towns on the right side. Adamov is one of the strangest, there are block of flats on the hill and it is really ugly town. Also you can see the town of Blansko, Letovice. Past Svitavy, there is a rubbish dump, and right past it there is another major train rail that will get connected to yours. Also the building of the station Česká Třebová is quite nice. When leaving this station, You’ll see town of Ústí nad Orlicí, when going through their train station, you’ll may get lucky to see old Polish electric train. Then the train will get to the Orlice valley, mostly nice countryside with an organic farm. When entering Choceň (the train will speed up there), there is a corridor through rocks and this is the area where fractions of meteorites were found. After this, you’ll probably see Krkonoše mountains in the background. Past Pardubice, you’ll enter Kolín, and right behind the station, there is a nice view of Labe river with an island and old bridge. Then enjoy the countryside. Prague is also better on the right side because you’ll see the district of Libeň, then Karlín, and just before the Prague main station you’ll see the town itself.'


Highlighted = Prague to Vienna, normal route. 

Green = scenic sections of line. 


Prague (Wanderlust & Life)



Charles Bridge

How To See The Best Of Prague In 4 Hours



Prague Castle gardens. Graced by several gorgeous Renaissance follies. The most beautiful of the buildings is the 1569 Ball-game House. Also the Summer Palace and the old Riding School.

Strahov Monastery monk's library; 'one of the most beautiful in Europe'.


Strahov Library

Climb Petrin Hill (or take the funicular). See page 109 of Prague & Czechia ebook.

Hidden gardens of Mala Strana. See page 111 of Prague & Czechia ebook.

A 4 day Prague itinerary to help you plan your perfect trip – everything you need to know

Prague itinerary 4 days

Day 1

On day one of your 4 day Prague itinerary we recommend an early start. Take advantage of this quiet time in the city and head to the John Lennon Wall to get all your photos before it becomes swarmed with tourists. Then explore St Nicholas’ Church nearby. We recommend spending the afternoon exploring the Prague Castle before walking back down the hill and feeding the swans in the late afternoon.

Day 2 

Another early start, but make your way to the Charles Bridge to enjoy the sunrise, before checking out the Old Town of Prague. Get lost in the windy cobble stoned streets, before making your way to the Old Town Square. From here you can watch the astronomical clock, and enjoy the views from the top of the Old Town Hall Tower. Spend the late afternoon sipping drinks in the Old Town.

Day 3

On day 3, of your 4 day Prague itinerary, make your way to the Dancing House for photos before exploring the New Town. If you aren’t into partying explore New Town early as in the afternoon and evenings it can get rowdy with stag and hen parties.

In the afternoon head over to Petrin and explore the grounds, and Tower for the rest of the day. We recommend exploring and seeing where you end up once you have caught the funicular back down.

Day 4 

The last of our 4 day Prague itinerary and another day of exploring at your own pace, although we recommend heading to the Jewish Cemetery, as well as doing a relaxed boat tour in the afternoon.

Are you also visiting Prague?

Here are two friends of mine who run photo tours there:

Jan Miracky – www.johnnyspraguetours.com

Martin Bisof – martinbisof.com/photography-tour-in-prague/


What’s the weather like in Prague in September?

Following the peak of summer, the weather starts to get colder in September and it’s not as hot as previous months. However, there are fewer crowds in the city and plenty of sunshine, which is great if you prefer a cooler climate on holiday.


Autumn in Prague

Prague is on the Vltava river in the Czech Republic and has an oceanic climate with warm summers and cold, humid winters. The Sudetes and nearby mountain ranges get most of the rainfall, which means Prague is quite dry with just a few showers spread over the month.

Prague weather in September is mild with an average temperature of 21°C. At night, the weather cools to 11°C, which is quite cold so don’t forget to take a jacket out with you in the evening. You’ll have eight hours of sunshine per day, which is slightly less sunlight than in August. Humidity is at 75%, which is quite high and continues to increase towards late autumn and winter. The average rainfall is 39mm, which means you can expect around 15 rainy days over the month.

September Weather in Prague
Late summer in the Czech Republic is often very beautiful; clear blue skies and sunny days. The weather in September in Prague is mild with temperatures ranging between 8ºC and 19ºC and the days are still relatively long. At the beginning of the month, sunrise is at 6:18 AM and sunset is at 7:46 PM. 

The high season is almost over and especially towards the end of the month there are considerably fewer tourists. The autumn colours in the parks are getting more beautiful every day. The Czechs go out in droves to pick wild mushrooms or cycle along the Vltava River, especially at weekends. September is an extremely suitable month to spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Český Krumlov One Day Trip from Prague with castle tickets

Český Krumlov

Monday, 29 July 2024

Austrian Road Trip

Thursday 5th Sept. Arrive Vienna Hauptbahnhof. Eta 12:49pm.

Collect rental car from SIXT. B41476220 SIXT Res. no: 9934591015 AUD 676.99. €35.18 to pay.

The SIXT station is located directly in Vienna's main train station. If you arrive by train, please go to the second basement level (UG-2) where you will find the SIXT office.

Drive to Unser Rosa Haus für Sie at Rust am Neusiedlersee.

Zum Alten Stadttor 1, 7071 Rust, Austria


Unser ROSA HAUS für Sie

Friday 6th Sept. Drive to See and the City apartment. 26 Markt 1 Etage, St. Wolfgang. Go through Hallstatt and Bad Ischl.





26 Markt, St. Wolfgang

Saturday 7th Sept. St Wolfgang. Check out the Lake District and possibly Salzburg.


Salzburg

Sunday 8th Sept. Drive to Dürnstein. Apartment No. 1 in Dürnstein No. 39

Phone +432771 212 555
Key safety box 192

In the heart of Dürnstein
Terrace use with barbecue
Daily breakfast possible in the Schloss Greisslerei nearby
Discounted parking coins available for public parking spaces

Alte Post in Dürnstein:
Please do not park your car in the town center, but only in the public parking spaces P1, P2, P3, P4 or P6.
You can find more information about the parking situation in Dürnstein in the information folder in your room.
Please note that parking is prohibited in the entire town area.
You can park in a marked parking space for 20 minutes to unload your luggage, subject to availability.






Wachau Living - 39 Dürnstein

Monday 9th Sept. Check out of Dürnstein and drive to Vienna, to the Am Hof garage and drop bags. 





Walk from Am Hof to Kurrentgasse 10.


From Kurrentgasse 10:
You will see the Grimm bakery; go to the right through the gate and enter the arcade, walk a few steps and you will see the entrance door of the building on your left.



The colleague who will meet you will send you a whatsapp on  +61 404 857 283 a couple of days prior. Cheers,  Johan & team
Phone number: + 43 677 647 897 32

Drop bags and return to car in Am Hof garage.



Bahnhof City Wien Hauptbahnhof

How to find SIXT at Vienna Central Station

return
Please use the "BahnhofCity Wien Hauptbahnhof" parking garage on Gerhard-Bronner-Straße, directly at or under the main train station. Park your SIXT rental car on the second basement level. Outside of the station's opening hours, please use the orange key safe located at parking lot A 48.

Saturday, 27 July 2024

Vienna

 Monday 9th Sept. Checkout from Dürnstein. Drive to Vienna.

Vienna has been called the "City of Music" due to its musical legacy, as many famous classical musicians such as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schoenberg, Schubert, Johann Strauss I and Johann Strauss II lived and worked there. It played a pivotal role as a leading European music center, from the age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. Vienna was home to the world's first psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud. The historic center of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque palaces and gardens, and the late-19th-century Ringstraße, which is lined with grand buildings, monuments, and parks.

 €6 = AU$10



It would be possible to drop off luggage at Kurrentgasse 10, 1010 Wien on the way to the station.

This has been agreed with Johan. We will drive to the Am Hof carpark. Park briefly. Drop bags off at the flat any time after 11am. Drive to Hauptbahnhof. Return car, and then maybe walk back to the flat after 1.30pm.


Return car to SIXT Vienna Hauptbahnhof by 1.00pm.

How to find SIXT at Vienna Central Station

Return
Please use the "BahnhofCity Wien Hauptbahnhof" parking garage on Gerhard-Bronner-Straße, directly at or under the main train station. Park your SIXT rental car on the second basement level. Outside of the station's opening hours, please use the orange key safe located at parking lot A 48.

From Hauptbahnhof: take the U1 direction Leopoldau, get off at Stephansplatz. Or Taxi. Close to Bäckerei Arthur Grimm.


From Hauptbahnhof: take the U1 direction Leopoldau, get off at Stephansplatz. See
at the end of the document for real-close indications.

Taxi:
There are always enough taxis waiting at the train station. Follow the taxi signs.

With a private car/taxi
If you are with a taxi/private driver, ask them to drop you at the corner of Schultergasse and Tuchlauben.

1) From the Kleeblattgasse:
When you arrive at point “B”, this is what you will see


Enter the arcade and after a few steps to your right you will see the entrance of the building (below):



Go to the intercom and press “26”. We will then come down to meet you and show you up.

2) From Kurrentgasse 10:
You will see the Grimm bakery; go to the right through the gate and enter the arcade, walk a few steps and you will see the entrance door of the building on your left (see above).

Address: Kurrentgasse 10, 1010 Vienna – Apt.26, 4th floor

The day before your arrival, the representative who will meet you will contact you via Whatsapp or Viber, at the phone number that you provided either us or airbnb. If you use none of those, and/or if you use a different number, please let us know ahead of time. You will then be in direct contact with the person who will meet you at the apartment and give you the keys.

Upon arrival you will be greeted by our check-in team. Also, no Airbnb messages on the day of arrival!

If necessary you can also call our general business number : +43 677 647 897 32

During your stay (not check-in) call this number for support or questions.

For arrivals later than 9pm (21h) there is a 50€ extra fee. If later than midnight, the fee is 100€. 

If you arrive later or earlier than arranged please call to let us know and avoid waiting or paying extra charges. Looking forward to meeting you!


Down here on the left


Press 26

Find the Cozy 1-bedroom apartment near Judenplatz, Kurrentgasse 10, 1010 Wien. See Dropbox 'Piccolo access guide 2023a'.


The best 2 day Vienna Itinerary – how to make the most out of a short trip

The 12 best things to do for free in Vienna

Innere Stadt (District 1)

This is in the very centre of historic Vienna, and it is close to a lot of the main attractions like St Stephen’s and the Spanish Riding School. Accommodation can be a bit more expensive here, but transport links are excellent. If you are a first time visitor or if like us you only have 2 days in Vienna, this is probably the best area to stay in.


Monday 9th Sept


Tuesday 10th Sept. 
9.00am. City Kickstart Tour with Roxane. Guest pick up in In front of the Column of Pest memorial.



Pest Memorial


Roxane

20:15 Vienna Mozart Orchestra. Musikverein - Golden Hall

Wednesday 11th Sept. Spanish Riding School
Consider a combination stable tour and training ticket package for a full behind-the-scenes experience that saves a bit of money too. Reviews. Tickets in Dropbox.



The Sisi Museum is very close to the Spanish Riding School and might be visited between the Training and the Guided Tour. Tickets here. Time inflexible.


Thursday 12th Sept. Ringstrasse? The Vienna Ring Road is a 5.3 km circular grand boulevard that serves as a ring road around the historic Innere Stadt district of Vienna. Ivie audio guide here.

11.30am Zoom to Pete & Jenny.

Friday 13th Sept. 2.30pm - 5pm. Freud walking tour. 
Claudia Muchitsch <c.muchitsch@freud-museum.at>
Dear Dave and Georgina,
Wonderful! I will send you the tickets within the next few days. You can simply pay on the spot when we meet. Meeting point is Universitätsring 1, on the outside stairs right in front of the main entrance to the big University building.
I really look forward to meeting the two of you!
Warm regards,
Claudia
Tickets in Europe Dropbox. Pay 78 Euros in cash. 

7.00pm Figlmüller Bäckerstraße restaurant. Bäckerstraße 6, 1010 Wien, 
Telefon: +43 1 512 17 60


Saturday 14th Sept 
6.30pm Ilona Stüberl restaurant booking made by phone 'David'. 1010 Vienna, 
Bräunerstrasse 2. Tel.: +43 1 533 90 29
Di Guise said: Our all time favourite for some good homestyle cooking, just like my Grandmothers and flavours of my childhood is Ilona Stüberl Restaurant (Hungarian) in Vienna, booking essential. May I recommend some of the following: Crumbed mushrooms, Bean Soup, Paprika chicken with gnocchi and Pancakes with jam filling or curd cheese filling.


Sunday 15th Sept, check out.

A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888/1889, by Frederic Morton. A novel to give a feeling for Vienna in the years before the Austria-Hungary empire collapsed. 

On January 30, 1889, at the champagne-splashed height of the Viennese Carnival, the handsome and charming Crown Prince Rudolf fired a revolver at his teenaged mistress and then himself. 

Frederic Morton deftly tells the haunting story of the Prince and his city, where, in the span of only ten months, "the Western dream started to go wrong." In Rudolf's Vienna moved other young men with striking intellectual and artistic talents--and all as frustrated as the Prince. Among them were: young Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, Theodor Herzl, Gustav Klimt, and the playwright Arthur Schnitzler. Morton studies these and other gifted young men, interweaving their fates with that of the doomed Prince and the entire city through to the eve of Easter, just after Rudolf's body is lowered into its permanent sarcophagus and a baby named Adolf Hitler is born.

What to do in Vienna in three days.

Things to Do in Vienna

Sightseeing in Vienna

Vienna Sightseeing

DDSG Blue Danube river cruises

September Events in Vienna

Music

13 BEST CLASSICAL CONCERTS IN VIENNA 2024

Vienna State Opera: Check the schedule for performances at the Vienna State Opera during your stay. They offer a variety of operas and ballets featuring world-class performers. Experience a world-class opera performance at the Vienna State Opera. Check their schedule for performances during your visit and book tickets in advance for a truly unforgettable evening.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra: The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra often performs at prestigious venues such as the Musikverein and the Vienna State Opera. Look for their schedule to see if there's a concert during your visit. Catch a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the finest orchestras in the world. They often perform at the Musikverein, a historic concert hall known for its exceptional acoustics.

Musikverein: The Musikverein is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts a range of classical music concerts, including orchestral performances, chamber music, and solo recitals.


Route to Musikverein

Concerts at the Mozarthouse in Vienna The Mozarthaus concerts are probably the best musically and the room is gorgeous. The main hall at the Musikverein is a world class and famous venue though the surroundings are going to be much better than the music!

Vienna Mozart Concerts: Enjoy an evening of classical music by Mozart, performed by talented musicians in period costumes. These concerts often take place in beautiful venues around Vienna, adding to the magical atmosphere.

Vienna Concert House (Wiener Konzerthaus): Another venue famous for its classical music concerts, the Vienna Concert House offers a diverse program including symphony orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and soloists.

Vienna Boys' Choir: If you're interested in choral music, consider attending a performance by the Vienna Boys' Choir. They often perform at venues like the MuTh concert hall. Their angelic voices have enchanted audiences for centuries, and they often have performances scheduled throughout the year.

Schönbrunn Palace Concerts: Enjoy a classical concert in the magnificent setting of Schönbrunn Palace, where you can experience the music of Mozart and Strauss performed by talented musicians in historic costumes. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Vienna's imperial past with a classical concert at Schönbrunn Palace. You'll be treated to a repertoire of Mozart and Strauss, performed by a chamber orchestra in the palace's stunning Orangery. Two A tickets = $295.


Schönbrunn Orangery

Haus der Musik (House of Music): For a more interactive experience, visit the Haus der Musik museum, where you can learn about the history of music in Vienna and participate in interactive exhibits. They also host concerts and events.

Vienna Chamber Orchestra: Keep an eye out for performances by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, which presents a wide range of classical repertoire in various venues across the city.

Be sure to check the websites of these venues closer to your travel dates for specific concert schedules and ticket availability. It's advisable to book tickets in advance, especially for popular performances. Enjoy your time in Vienna and the wonderful classical music experiences it has to offer!

Vienna Events Sept 9th - 11th.

Vienna Events Sept 11th - 14th.

Freud Museum