![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1501-1038x576.jpg "The \"Black Empress\"")
This year, I spent Halloween evening in the Prater. As this event is gaining popularity also in Austria, the celebrations there did attract quite a few Viennese. Continue reading Halloween in Vienna
Country Archive: Austria
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1459-1038x576.jpg "Floridsdorf und Donaupark")
Transdanubia from above
Today, I visited the sky terrace on the 60th floor of the DC Tower together with some friends. Continue reading Transdanubia from above
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/03-IMG_1239-1038x576.jpg "Dachstein plateau")
Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Mountains
As a heat wave is currently hitting Europe, I decided to spend an extended weekend in the mountains. So, I enjoyed three days of bright sunshine on Dachstein plateau at about 1,800 metres above sea level. Even though the afternoons were also quite hot up there, it was definitely much better than the 35° C (and more) in Vienna. Continue reading Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Mountains
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_0876-1038x576.jpg "Ötschergräben")
Hiking the Ötschergraben
Today, I was hiking in Lower Austria. More precisely, I explored the Ötschergraben. With just under two hours drive from Vienna, this is at the limit of what is acceptable for a day trip. However, it was definitely worth it. Continue reading Hiking the Ötschergraben
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_0795-1038x576.jpg "Schafbergspitze")
In the Clouds at Wolfgangsee
As last Thursday was a National holiday in Austria, I took the opportunity to spend an extended weekend in Salzkammergut – my first visit ever to this region! Unfortunately, the weather was not that good. So, I could not fully enjoy the gorgeous landscape in all its glory. Continue reading In the Clouds at Wolfgangsee
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/20150508_192958-1038x576.jpg "Fest der Freude")
Fest der Freude
Today, the “Fest der Freude” (Celebration of Joy) was held on Heldenplatz, a central square in Vienna. A free concert of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was the setting for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the liberation of Austria. Continue reading Fest der Freude
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/20150102_110855-1038x576.jpg "Hall bei Admont")
New Year’s in the Snow
Around New Year’s 2014/15, I delighted in the virtues of the Austrian Alps: Together with some friends, I spent a couple of days in Styria – with heaps of snow! Continue reading New Year’s in the Snow
Austria for Dummies
What does it mean to be Austrian? On occasion of today’s Austrian National Day, I would like to take a short (not quite serious) look on the Austrian way of life. Continue reading Austria for Dummies
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-09-19.jpg "Friday Night Skating")
Happy Anniversary, FNS!
Today is the 250th Friday Night Skating! Of course, I am participating – along with a record crowd of three to four thousand skaters and bikers.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014-05-30.jpg "View of Vienna")
Wild Boars in Wienerwald
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/europe/austria/wien/thumb/80.jpg "Wild boars")
Wild boars
Even though the weather could have been better, I went for a walk in the Lainzer Tiergarten today – I had some new hiking boots to break in. On this stroll with a friend, we enjoyed the nice view of Vienna. Moreover, we could see some wild boars, deer, and one lone squirrel.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014-05-16.jpg "Reactor of AKW Zwentendorf")
Inside a Nuclear Reactor
As the only country in the world, Austria has built a nuclear power plant without ever putting it in operation. Nowadays, this gives the opportunity to go inside an actual reactor (as part of a twice-weekly public tour). That is exactly what I did today with a group of friends. Continue reading Inside a Nuclear Reactor
Welcome to the 21st century
Monday morning instead of Sunday night, the new Terminal 3 instead of the old Terminal 2 – what a difference to the previous year!
Finally, the security check is right at the entrance, so that you can buy some drinks to take aboard. Moreover, the shops are not only modern, but also open – even though they resemble the typical airport shops all over the world. Still: That is more like an airport of a cosmopolitan city!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-02-15.jpg "Great Panda")
The Great Pandas of Hie-Tzing
Today, I went to Schönbrunn Zoo with a group of friends. We wanted to visit the Great Pandas of Hie-Tzing
, as the zoo’s ads call them. Continue reading The Great Pandas of Hie-Tzing
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013-10-26.jpg "Austrian Parliament, Vienna")
Austrian National Day
Today, I celebrated the Austrian National Day the way you just have to celebrate it at least once in your life, I guess: in the city centre of Vienna. Continue reading Austrian National Day
Only in Vienna!
The date is January 28, 2013, just after 8 p.m. The Vienna airport is entirely lethargic. Well, not entirely… A small group of indomitable merchants still holds out against renovation and early closing. And life is not easy for the straying tourists around these shops selling Duty Free goods, luxury clothes, magazines, and typical Austrian sweets… Continue reading Only in Vienna!
Derwisch erzählt
![[Foto]](../../../../wp-content/uploads/2011/12/derwisch.jpg "Derwisch erzählt")
Picture from Interkulttheater
For the sixth time, Turkish-born Aret Güzel Aleksanyan performs in "Derwisch erzählt" as Meddâh (storyteller) in the Interkulttheater in Vienna. For those of you speaking German, I can only cite Karl Farkas: Schauen Sie sich das an!
This blog entry is an abridged version of the original entry in German.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-11.jpg "Hohe Wand")
Exploring the Hohe Wand
The Hohe Wand is an elevated plateau South of Vienna. On one side, it has quite steep cliffs which are, quite probably, responsible for its name (in German, "Hohe Wand" means "high wall"). It is very popular with rock climbers, and paragliders. Continue reading Exploring the Hohe Wand
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-10-06.jpg "Austrian National Library")
Lange Nacht der Museen
Yesterday evening, the "Lange Nacht der Museen" (Long Night of Museums) took place for the eleventh time in Austria. Along with about 200.000 other participants, I visited several museums throughout Vienna. Continue reading Lange Nacht der Museen
Flashmob "Water Fight on Stephansplatz"
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/europe/austria/wien/thumb/01.jpg "St. Stephan's Cathedral")
Today, I participated in a flashmob for the first time. We met for a water fight on Stephansplatz, in the centre of Vienna. Continue reading Flashmob "Water Fight on Stephansplatz"
Alles Walzer!
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/europe/austria/wien/thumb/57.jpg "Ball at the Imperial Palace (Hofburg)")
For the first time since 2006/07, I am spending a whole winter at home in Austria (in 2007/08, I was on holiday in south america, and last year, I was on my RTW trip). As winter (or, more precisely, the carnival time) in Austria is almost unthinkable without balls, it is more or less mandatory to attend at least one of these events. Continue reading Alles Walzer!