Summer Romance: Austria and Switzerland (Part 1)
Tour "Summer Romance: Austria and Switzerland" from 26.04. 2012 to 08.05. 2012, operator Akord tour, director Pavlo Kovalishyn, bus Neoplan, flight 196. The bus is comfortable, the drivers are smart, the hotels are four and three stars, the level is VERY decent. The best selection of movies on the bus in my memory. And about countries. And about life. And to think ...A movie with meaning.
Bonus day)))
I got to Lviv via Kyiv. So it was decided to dedicate one day to the capital. Paraphrasing the unforgettable film "On Family Circumstances"… Once one smart man offered to build a New City, and another smart man offered to demolish the Old Town цього. Hurry up to see Old Kyiv not only in pictures and photos…
Kyiv. Railway station. Luggage compartment in the basement. There are long stairs. We go to the luggage compartment to drink coffee, not to take suitcases for storage, so the escalator is not needed there))))
Botanical Garden. Magnolias in buds.
Favorite tulips. Terrible inscription "Do not walk on lawns". We need to hang this inscription at the border. To prepare foreigners. TO EURO 2012. Metro. People. Persons. Persons. Persons. It seems that the beginning of the war has been declared, but I am not aware of it. I already know others. That's why people are like that. Tense. Very tense. And I'm smiling. I'm going to Europe. I will be fine for two weeks))))
Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra. Favorite place in the city. A place with age-old energy. You come here to recharge. Here you believe - everything will be fine. Beautiful Dnieper. Bell ringing. Water from a spring. Aromas of flowering cherry. Floody birdsong. Harmony and peace. In its pure form. In the original source.
Railway station. Luggage compartment. Well, according to the plan, drink coffee there))) Exit to the platform, too, to drink coffee, not to move the suitcase to the car. Oh, don't believe it! ! ! ! ! ! ! A cockroach on the train! ! ! ! ! ! ! Live! ! ! ! ! Straight nostalgia for youth))))) Consider all the compartments. Exotics.
Such survived into the age of mobile phones.
Day 1. Lviv. Visa. Border.
Lviv. Castle Mountain. I finally enjoyed this place. Early in the morning. Dew on the grass. A light haze. The sun's rays penetrate a little through the dense canopy of trees. Amazing place. Calm down. There will be no people. Birds are singing. Enveloping fragrant flora. City view. Хорошооооо)))))
And then just walk around the city. "Golden Ducat". "Coffee shop on Bambetli". What coffee! No, coffee))) Many tourists. Locals often smile. I love Lviv. Even such, thoroughly dug up, as now)))
17-30. Gathering group. I still have no information about the visa. The head hands out passports. Visa is available! ! ! ! ! Dated today. Good afternoon, Europe! Урааааа))))
We are moving towards the state border. Our customs officers were probably bored, so they have fun. We were unloaded from the bus with our bags. A quick run through the customs corridor. Loading to the bus.
The concert is over. Released. Hungarian border. Unloaded with bags again.
This is not a race, but a total inspection of bags. Then check the bus.
Day 2. Dooooooool day. Cigarettes Doina. Vienna. Baden.
While our passports are being processed, complaints about night travel, which are stable for all tours, start on the bus. From the series - how much you can ride like that… This is a classic of the genre, so - smile and wave))))
Unfortunately, it soon becomes ridiculous. Hungarian customs officers found a block of Moldovan cigarettes Doina in the bus above the seats. The bus is driven to the penalty area. Screams, nerves, chamomile. No one admits to his cigarettes. The leader of the group decides to take the blame. Customs officers draw up a report. Fine. Paperwork.
And at this time in the bus… Logically found the victim. Potential culprit. Have you ever been in a cage with angry tigers? Neither do I.
But at this moment it would be better for me to be with animals ...And let's boycott it, and let's not take it on excursions, and let's ...
With the support of the group leader and adequate tourists, the atmosphere is a bit depleted, emotions subsided. But how quickly forgotten the hardships of moving at night))) No one complains, the irritation has acquired a different form and direction. I was lucky with the team. Very lucky (((
Vienna. Infinitely favorite city. Belvedere, Klimt and coffee are planned. The first and last point was fulfilled))) Klimt then accompanied the whole tour in the form of reproductions in hotels. Offended that did not reach him)))
Both palaces Belvedere (Palais Belvedere) were built in the early XVIII century as the country residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the savior of Vienna from the Turks (just for the money received for this salvation).
The name "Belvedere" (beautiful view) was given to the palace and park complex by Empress Maria Theresa, in whose possession he passed after the death of the prince.
The Upper Belvedere is the world's largest collection of Klimt's works.
Lower Belvedere - living rooms and ceremonial halls of Prince Eugene. In the park there is a fountain of the lower cascade with newts and nymphs, and above - statues of sphinxes, which are photographed by all tourists. They represent power and consciousness. The prince was a passionate amateur gardener and brought exotic flowers and plants to his garden from all over the world.
Baden. Relaxing. The resort town is in no hurry. Calm. Soothing. Cozy. Standard plague column in the center. Green. Flowers. The birds are singing. We walk with a guide obeying the general slow rhythm.
In Baden near Vienna is the first and oldest casino in Austria, which after reconstruction in 1995 was recognized as the largest and most beautiful in Europe.
But, of course, the main value of the city - thermal waters.
Baden's coat of arms depicts a man and a woman bathing in the same tub - a symbol of common bathing.
During the early Renaissance (XIV century) in the Baden baths there was a relaxed atmosphere. Swimmers of both sexes preferred not to get out of the water, so the baths were set up tables where servants served food.
The widespread fashion for treatment in Baden was introduced in the 18th century by Empress Maria Theresa, who began to "improve" the democratic atmosphere of the city. And the cult of art, which is still felt here, was instilled in the resort by other representatives of the Habsburg family, who have always contributed to music and theater.
Here, in Baden, Beethoven spent many summers, either by short trips from Vienna, or even by staying for a long time.
At that time, his health left much to be desired, and most importantly - the composer was saddened by the deafness that developed. But, despite his illness, Beethoven created a number of his outstanding works in Baden. Among them are most of the Ninth Symphony and the Solemn Mass.
The tour is over.
Loading to the bus. Transfer to the hotel. Forest park area. Huge area. Hammocks, sunbeds, pool, sauna. I master the technique of placing my own body in a hammock)))
Birds are singing. Slow walk around the neighborhood. The feeling that this is real life. Without haste and fuss. In peace and harmony. On a peaceful journey with your own life…
The hotel hosts a seminar and training at the same time. The people draw. Sitting by the fire. The apotheosis comes late in the evening. They walk on burning coals ...Something from the series is primarily spiritual, not physical. I will tell you the spectacle, brrrr)))) My spiritual is not ready for such extremes yet)))
Birds. Linz. Munich. Bregenz.
Lyrical digression. For myself, I renamed the tour a kind of romantic "Under the singing of birds…". Melodic melodies accompanied us all two weeks of our stay in Europe… Strange, but even in the center of the cities you can hear the diligent trills of happy birds…
Linz. I'll be brief))) I did not feel.
Once she took the city very calmly. Nice. Little. Pleasant. Cozy.
The main square has existed since 1260 and looks like a huge (13.200 square meters) open hall made in the Baroque style. In the center of the square is a twenty-meter white marble column of the Holy Trinity. There is also a building on the Main Square, on the balcony of which Hitler himself spoke during the Second World War. He announced the accession of Austria to Germany.
The New Cathedral in Linz is probably the largest cathedral in Austria of all known in terms of area and number of parishioners that can be accommodated during church services. It was built for about 60 years. It is famous for its famous stained glass windows, numbering approximately 2.000, and depicts great battles and warriors, the history of Linz and events related to the Catholic Church. I was especially surprised by the presence of the Ukrainian flag on stained glass)))) It turned out that in one of the lands of Austria the flag is the same as ours…
Pleased with the Museum of Contemporary Art. That's where the car show took place. Only cars were presented in the form of helicopters or carousels.
On the way to Munich we listen to Strauss's music. For the first time I look out the window at the classics. But how harmoniously this music is perceived, superimposed on the picture outside the window… And it is not very clear - this music complements the views, whether it corresponds to the music…
One of those happy moments when I walk without a band)))) Plus in the city not for the first time. And it's not that thrilling blind date, when you look at other people's photos at home, read other people's reviews and think, like it or not ...It's a meeting with an old friend. When you know where to go. When you already have favorite places and whole rituals - how not to rub the nose of lions near the Residence…)))
Today is Saturday. The city is resting. I want to join. I'm going straight to the English Garden.
It is something more than the largest inner city park in Germany, it is located between the center of Munich and the river Isar. The origins of the park date back to 1789, when the Chinese Tower was installed, which is today one of the main attractions of the flower garden.
There are several other very famous towns in the garden: the round temple of Monopteros - standing on top of a hill, a small lake Kleinhesseloer, a quiet river where you can swim and practice surfing in one small area - a powerful stream of water is created artificially. You can drink beer, looking at the sun setting in the water… What exactly do the people of the city)))
In the evening, live music concerts begin in Munich. An interesting approach. Showcase. It is played by musicians. And around, on the sidewalk, put benches, and everyone can sit and listen to a live concert.
Eat to the place of the first base night. Lake Constance. City of Bregenz. Night promenade.
Healthy sleep.
