VON VIENNA, AUSTRIA NACH MUNICH, GERMANY – July 2014

Munich  (or “München” in Germany) Bier and soccer

My third home, Munich, was alive with soccer fever when I was there during the 2014 World Cup.  Germany had just beaten Brazil (7-1) and was preparing for its final game against Argentina.  People were jubilant and beamed with national pride.  It is awesome to be in Europe, especially in Germany, during any soccer championships, but especially so during the World Cup.  Wherever I turned, German flags hung from every window, doorway and street sign in Munich.  They also flew proudly out of car windows as Germany awaited the final and deciding game of the World Cup.  Even the tourists who were there could not help but get caught up in the excitement of the atmosphere, as they too donned German flags painted on their faces and wore soccer jerseys.  Europeans can be fanatical about soccer and Germans were ecstatic about their big when over Argentina in the World Cup 2014 final game.  I was happy to be part of the atmosphere. 

Outdoor life is a very big part of German culture.  Bicycle riding is a favourite pastime and good way to get around.  Old and young people ride bikes everywhere.  The streets are also very bike friendly, with bike paths assigned for bicycle riders.  I love going on bike rides when I’m in Germany and my husband always makes sure to find a new scenic path for us cycle.

The biergartens are an inviting venue for families to gather for food and fun, and you can easily spend several hours eating, drinking and talking without realizing.  I went to the Augustine Biergarten, which is one of the oldest biergartens in Munich.  It holds over 5,000 seats in an open area shaded by many chestnut trees.  Biergartens are common all over Bavaria and are a big part of the landscape of the state.  I enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere that is also kid friendly and was very relaxing for adults.

Weiss wursts with pretzels (or brezens) are a favourite Bavarian food.  Most Bavarians eat the wursts shortly after they are made (this is when they are at their best quality).  This is not something that they typically store for future use although it is available at most Bavaria restaurants.  I don’t eat wursts but I tried a miscroscopic piece once.  I usually stick with pretzels and sweet mustard.  So yummy!  I also love the salads in Germany.  The vegetables are always extremely fresh and the salad dressing, which is not fussy, is some of the best I’ve tasted anywhere in the world.  Schnitzel, grilled chicken, fries and bier are heavily consumed.  This is true of the latter three especially during Oktoberfest, where they are the most consumed foods.  I’ve had the grilled chicken and fries and they are both very good.  The chicken is always grilled to perfection.  It is normal to drink, at a minimum, one whole stein (about 1 litre) of beer although some people can easily drink two or three steins.  Not being so much of a beer drinker anymore, I could barely finish one stein, but I did it.

The Danube River flows through Bavaria and is a place where people gather on its banks to hang out.  My husband took me on a long walk along the Danube (through Ingolstadt) and it was very serene.  The water is therapeutic as it flows along the banks and listening to the sound the ripples make is very relaxing.  I love Sundays in Germany because it’s the day that’s most peaceful.  Almost all businesses are closed and people generally attend church and take it easy on Sundays. 

Written by Screenname TriniTravelDiva (a.k.a. NSL-R) on 8/2/14 . All photos taken by and are property of TriniTravelDiva (a.k.a. NSL-R)

VON VIENNA, AUSTRIA NACH MUNICH, GERMANY – July 2014

Vienna  (or “Wien” in Austria)

Photo taken by and property of TriniTravelDiva a.k.a NSL-R
Vienna, Austria(July 2014)

Vienna in summer, aahhh!  She is such a magnificent old city with all of her charm and warmth just waiting to welcome you.  The city is exciting at the same time that she is easy going, and you will find that is it easy to acclimate to both.  Sidenote: Don’t worry, because you’ll unknowingly ease into one or the other.  The people I came into contact with were eager to interact and I really had to put my limited German speaking skills to the test, since my husband was not there with me.  People seemed to appreciate their surroundings and their moods reflected the same.   Also, people were willing to offer information about where to go and what to see.  Going for walks or just sitting on a bench and watching Vienna go by, was a favourite pastime of mine because I saw a lot from that vantage point.  Also, being there with family made the journey all the more worthwhile.  Sometimes you need to have experiences through different eyes, especially kids’ eyes, in order to really appreciate them.    

Horse-drawn carriages, Vienna, Austria (July 2014)
Photo taken by and property of TriniTrave;Diva a.k.a NSL-R



It is plain to see some of the cultural influences on Austria.  Mainly, the German language is widely spoken.  Also, Austria has a strong and long-standing history with the various arts.  You can hardly say Vienna without thinking of the Viennese waltz, the Vienna philharmonic, the Vienna boys’ choir, or the great classical musicians and artists who have all left their mark on art and music today.  The architecture also cannot be denied with its gothic and German influenced styles.  Many of Vienna’s buildings were damaged or destroyed during World War II and many of the older buildings were renovated and restored to almost what they were before the war.  Buildings, like the famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the city, was also damages and the renovations somewhat altered the original details.  Vienna would not be Vienna without the horse-drawn carriages.  They are part of the landscape and a big draw for tourists

Photo taken by and property of TriniTravelDiva a.k.a NSL-R  
Vienna, Austria (July 2014)

Having lunch or dinner (which of course should never be attempted without wine) in the garden at Griechenbeisl, one of the oldest restaurants in Vienna was a real treat.  It was really something special.  No one rushes you out the door and you are can truly enjoy the Griechenbeisl experience, which offers an honest taste of Vienna.  I long for more Viennese cuisine, which has influences from surrounding countries, but also has its own regional varieties.  It was some of the tastiest cuisine I’ve ever had.  Imagine having a meal or a drink where the likes of Mark Twain, Beethoven, Brahms came before you, is enough to make one want to have every meal there.  Eating ice-cream is a popular thing to do and in recent years, other food options like pizza, burgers, fried chicken and other fast food chains have all found a place and have become available in Vienna.

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria
Photo taken by and property of TriniTravelDiva a.k.a NSL-R  (July 2014)

Vienna offers many wonderful sights, which must be seen.  St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which was under construction while I was there, was as commanding a sight as ever, even with all of the scaffolding around it.  The impressive Schoenbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace and the zoo are just a few of the others sights to see.  There is a giant ferris wheel, which has become a part of Vienna’s skyline and is a popular tourist attraction.  However, walking along Mariahilferstrasse was a much more fantastic experience.  This is the main shopping street in Vienna and it is a haven for shoppers who can choose from designer labels to more affordable bargains.

Written by Screenname TriniTravelDiva (a.k.a. NSL-R) on 8/23/14 . All photos taken by and are property of TriniTravelDiva (a.k.a. NSL-R)