City Snapshot: Vienna

Quite a few years ago, I visited Vienna, in Austria. I was only there for two nights (unfortunately), but the city had a lasting impression on me- so far my favourite city in Europe!



One of the reasons why I love Vienna so much is because I love the Schonbrunn Palace- until I saw the Neuschwanstein Castle, near Munich, Schonbrunn Palace was my favourite Palace/Castle I had ever seen (and this included all the Palace's in Russia as well).

The photos above and below of the interior of the Schonbrunn Palace are not my own. They are from the palace website: http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/home.html



The Palace website is well worth a look to find out more information about each room, the royal family that once lived there, and you can even view a 360 degree video of each room.



However, as much as photos and videos can capture images, there is nothing like standing inside the actual room. The above room is the Millions Room, named this because the magnificent decoration allegedly cost one million gold pieces! I wouldn't be surprised by this either.

Each room in this palace has its own theme, and its own look. I was in awe of the craftsmanship; such detail and beauty- it is hard to forget that all of this was made such a long time ago! If I could, I would decorate my whole house in this style... I love over the top, ornate detail. My husband the opposite- minimalist.



Even if you don't like the wall and ceiling decorations, anyone can appreciate the effort it takes to make a parquetry floor... take a look at the above and below photos- amazing aren't they. Imagine how long it would've taken to do this! Imagine the effort, expertise and work involved...



...Now take a look at the below photo, and the floor in this. Yes, that is again parquetry. Amazing isn't it!? How did they do it?


The above room is probably one of my favourites, The Chinese Cabinets. Everything about this room is simply stunning, and I love Oriental and Chinese art.


Below is the outside of the Schonbrunn Palace. I visited Vienna in the end of March, when it was still quite cold, and Europe was celebrating Easter- which is great time to go. I notice no one celebrates Easter like Europeans do! They had a lovely market out the front of the Palace- I wish I had've bought more there. They had amazing cookies too!



While in Vienna, I attended the opera; a great experience!




St.Stephen's Cathedral- I remember this cathedral especially as it was situated in the exact middle of the city, howver, mainly because of the amazing mosaic tiled roof.







The Belvedere Palace houses the beautiful Gustav Klimt collection- where I truly fell in love with Gustav Klimt paintings. Again, the detail is amazing in real life- something you just don't recognise in prints, no matter how good the reproduction is.


Above, Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" and below "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I"


Vienna is city of great food, amazing culture- a slight mixture of east meets west as they have a Hungarian influence, stunning art and architecture, and friendly people. Surprisingly, it was one of the cheaper cities to visit as well. Definitely worth the detour to get there!

City Snapshot: Budapest

Virtually five years ago, I visited the beautiful city of Budapest. This was before I started Penelope Red; and before I had been to Russia- so for me, Budapest was the most unique city from all the others I had been to thus far.


I can't remember the names of the sites, or facts about the city, but I do remember feeling lucky to have visited... especially since it was not overrun by foreigners like most other European cities. Budapest still had it's own unique flavour. Although the old Austria/Hungary ties are still there (you can really see it in the architecture on one side of the town especially), there is a definite Eastern feel that you don't get in any of the West European cities. It is really hard to describe- you really just have to be there.



The currency took a while to get used to... it was something like 200 HUF to 1 AUD.


The train ride there was interesting too... tour guides and others would board the train and try to sell to you what they have. We actually booked a tour on the train; we were a little sceptical at first, but when the tour operator didn't ask us for the money, and said that we would pay the tour guide in person, we thought he must be ok. The tour was actually excellent- a lady who spoke perfect English, who drove my friend and I around to all of the different sites and was very informative.



I spent quite a bit of time in the markets, and looking at embroidered table cloths etc. They were stunning! Such bright colours on a white background, all hand made. Besides fabric, it was probably the most expensive item I bought on the entire trip, but it was worth it. I have them on my dressing table now, and every time I look at them, I am reminded of my trip.




I would recommend Budapest to anyone who would like to visit a city in Europe that is very different from the rest, who doesn't necessarily want to loose the conveniences of the Western cities.

Most of the younger generation can speak English (and with the older generation you can kind of get away with using a few phrases of German.).

A great city to start your Eastern European experience from!

My Life In Ruins: A Review

My friend and I went to see the new Nia Vardalos movie, "My Life In Ruins" last night.


I quite liked it.... The plot basically is about a woman, Georgia, who has gone to Greece looking for adventure, romance and spontaneity, and has ended up working as a tour guide instead of following her dreams, and she has lost her love for life.

I loved "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"- the movie which Nia Vardalos is famous for. It was over- the-top and predictable at times, but at the time it was a new idea to me.

This is another over-the-top movie, sometimes a little too, what I call "cringe-worthy". I guess mainly because they had the stereo-typical Aussie backpackers in the tour... well, what Americans think of us anyway... but I guess, these movies basically rely on stereo-typical cultural scenarios- so I can't complain really.

Anyway, besides that, it was funny, had a nice little "moral to the story", and was generally a very easy to watch movie. This is a chick flick that you could easily take your boyfriend or parents to, and they would like it.

The scenery was to die for, and it has inspired me to visit this beautiful country! I could imagine being in awe of the beautiful ancient ruins and monuments.... Very inspiring.

For now, memories of the movie and the internet will have to do! I would say for this movie 3.5 out of 5 for me.