Budapest 2019

We had a 2 days tour with a local guide in Budapest.
First building we see as we arrive is the Parliament building

First day we visited Gellert thermal spa to relax from the full day the day before.

We had hungarian dinner that night.... chicken paprika with dumplings and sour cream dessert

The next day, we had a full day tour starting with Fisherman's Bastion

Matyas church

We took a stroll on Castle Hill neighborhood, then we ride the castle hill funicular down with the view of Danube and chain bridge.

Visit the shoe memorial... so sad the women of children were all murdered as well.

We took public transpiration everywhere

Walk across Chain Bridge

Try the local street food....langos

We visited cave church on good Friday. Cross was covered in remembrance of Jesus.

Then we climbed up Gellert Hill to see statue of liberty

Here is where you get the best view of Budapest

That night we had the best hungarian meals I ever had.

2nd day was another full day
I walk on the chain bridge early morning since our hotel is near by

We started at Budapest Eye

Visit St Stephen's Cathedral outside and inside.

Ride the underground to

Heros' Square where we had a history lesson.

Stopped by Szechenyi Thermal Bath. This where I drank thermal water... suppose to heal many illness.

Then we stopped by House of Terror

Saw a piece of Berlin wall and feeling sad for what happened here in history.

We had lunch at Muvesz cafe

Then we visited New York Cafe

Visited Central Market Hall

Eat Chimney cake

Drink Palinka

Visit Jewish quarter and its synagogue

Walk around Vanci Uta (shopping area) and had dinner... by now we were so happy to find an Asian restaurant.

On the last night we cruise around Danube river... it was so beautiful and a wonderful way to say goodbye to Budapest.

Salzburg 2019

We took a day trip to Salzburg from Vienna.
It is about 3 hours drive, we took plenty of breaks.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a tour guide. He took us to Mirabell Palace, this is where sounds of music was filmed. We had a blast relive the scene and enjoy the beautiful garden.

We then went through the love bridge to go to the town.

He took us to St Peter's grave yard. It is the most beautiful grace yard I've seen.

Then we use the elevator to go to the top where Museum of Modern Art to see the best view of Salzburg.

While we were there, I spotted Sky and Space by James Turrell

Afterwards, we went to Mozart Plaza and had a nice ice mocha drink and a cake.

We say bye to the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location of sound of music head back to Vienna

On the way back, our driver Andrew did a pit stop at this beautiful view of swiss alps. It was a wonderful tour!

Vienna 2019

Day 1
We arrived in Vienna, checked into Hotel Das Tigra and explored the area
Since we live in zone 1, we walked right into Easter Market. I have never seen so many eggs in my life. The crazy things is that they are real and hand made, definitely a bonus for being here during Easter holiday.

Then we walked to Cafe Central, since it was 4pm. The line wasn't super long.

We tried the famous chocolate cake, goulash soup, and Vienna coffee

After our satisfied meal, we walked towards Stephansplatz, but we wander off to Michaelplatz.
Vienna is so beautiful, it's very walkable and the white buildings with it's historic charm kind of blow me away.

We finally arrived at St Stephen's Cathedral

There was a service inside

Beautiful interior

While we were there, we decided to purchase a last minute concert ticket at Palais Schonborn 

We grab dinner to go at Stopfer, this is a restaurant we kept coming back a few times since we love their schnitzel and vienna soup and salad

Mozart and Strauss concert to conclude the first day.

Day 2

We climbed the south tower of St Stephen's Cathedral... 343 steps to the top! It was worth it since we got to see the view and the glazed tiles up close

Today we did a walking tour, it's highly recommended for first time tour in Vienna since they give you lots of information on the city. We saw the famous anchor clock while walking around the old city.

Then we did an afternoon tour at Belvedere Palace

where we see the famous "The Kiss" by Klimt

Lastly, we had dinner at Figlmuller, where the famous schnitzel is located to end our day.

We traveled back from Budapest and stayed at different part of the city. Close to Opera House

We decided to purchase hop on and hop off bus so we can see the rest of the city.

Our first stop is Kahlenberg, where we passed wineries of Vienna and went to the top to see the view

Besides Figmuller and Cafe Central, Cafe Demel is the third must visit restaurant when in Vienna. We had their famous Annatorte (a chocolate cake) and it was divine!

That night, we did a night time bus tour.

Hotel Kaiserhof has one of the best breakfast, highly recommended

After breakfast, we went to Hundertwasserhaus, so unique!

Then we stopped by Prater to ride the world's oldest ferris wheel

And the views!

We stopped by Secession building. It was closed due to Easter holiday but the ornament outside is beautiful

That night we attended a Mozart and Strauss concert.

On our last day we decided to visit Naschmarket

Then we hop on the bus and head to Schonbrunn Palace..

A UNESCO site 1996. It was a hunting lodge in middle ages, then it is imperial summer residence of Habsburgs

We climbed up to Gloriette at the top of the hill

Beautiful fountain and wisterias

That afternoon, we went back for the interior tour. Photos are not allowed, but I was able to find this Great Gallery room on internet.

We ate lunch at Schonbrunn Palace, highly recommended.

On our last night, we attempt a standing ticket at Vienna Opera House. Lily couldn't get in because of dress code. Somehow, God was watching us. There was a men outside the opera house handed her a free ticket and told her to go to the side door.... Miracle happens, we saw the Beethoven opera! I got in for 3 euros and she paid nothing. What a wonderful night to end our trip!