And Wirtshaus Kultur.
A semi-solo weekday wander.
Continue reading “Hiking & Schnitzeling. Vienna’s “Water Forest””
Last week I toured the new Haus der Geschichtes Österreich (House of Austrian History), a museum that recently opened in a wing of the former Hapsburg Palace. The museum’s focus is on Austria from 1918 forward, when the Empire was dissolved.
One might be surprised at what there is still to learn.
Once upon a time Japan was terra incognito. Then along came Commander Perry in 1845 to “suggest” (he brought his fleet of American warships as a calling card) that Japan end its policy of national seclusion by opening its ports to trade, and the fascination with the exotic began.
Including a bumper crop on the usual subject.
A little alpine fix for the two of us before the holidays, because the children responded with, “Anywhere but Tirol” when asked where they wanted to travel for the Christmas break. They just don’t get it.
Schloss Hernstein is a Theophil von Hansen creation; in fact, it is the design that inspired his more well-known constructions in Vienna, Parliament and the Wiener Musikverein (where Anna Grace has performed), one of the most acoustically perfect halls in the world. Another near acoustically-perfect hall is Hill Auditorium on The University of Michigan campus, at which the Vienna Symphony Orchestra (and Jack) have performed. The castle also served as a Hapsburg hunting lodge; and from 1945-1955 was home to the Russian Commander-in-Chief.
Continue reading “Castles and Castle Ruins: Adventmarkts in the Wiener Alpen”
An incredible morning at the Albertina.
