Homeward bound to Tuebingen going south through the Czech Republic, towards the Austrian Alps and sunset.

It was a gorgeous day, tons of sunshine, bright blue skies, with temps in the low 70s!

Allie enjoying her first visit to the Czech Republic. When you see pictures of just one of the kids...the other one is usually asleep.

On one of the bridges. You can rent canoes, rafts and inner-tubes in the summer. We saw someone kayaking.

Walking through a park along the river's edge in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.

We took a side trip on our way back to Germany through southern Czech Republic and ventured to the picturesque city of Cesky Krumlov. The city has an ancient feel with cobble-stone streets, a river (Vltava) meandering through the city center, and a brightly painted castle to top it off.

No speed limit on the Austrian Autobahn. This isn't quite focused...because I wasn't looking.

Complete with Trauma, Emergency, and a Starbucks.

A never ending hallway in the Vienna City Hospital. This place is massive.

Allgemeinus Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien-Universitaetsklinken

Jamie had his micro-neurosurgical course here and was able to meet neurosurgeons from all over Europe.

A look outside the windows of the Riesenrad.



Jamie had full days at the conference but had a half-day on Saturday. It was great to finally have him join us on our adventures in Vienna.

This 220 foot ferris wheel (Riesenrad) is located in a large amusement park.

Belvedere Palace was originally the home of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736). This is now an art gallery for 19th and 20th century art and houses the famous painting by Klimt, "The Kiss", which is much more amazing to see in person. It has other paintings by him (like "Judith"), and also has some Van Gogh, Manet, Monet and others.

The Rathaus with skating rinks set up in front.

Schloss Schoenbrunn is the summer residence of the Hapsburgs and has 1,441 rooms. The girls (tuckered out from the zoo experience), gracefully slept in the stroller while I got to listen to the LONG (not 1400 rooms long...you only get to see 40 rooms) audio tour and visit the palace.

Isabelle had no interest visiting the pavilions inside (she preferred the excitement of the outdoors), and after I strapped her and Allie in so they couldn't escape, I got to see the Aquariums at the Tiergarten.

How far can you jump?

A black panther in the Tiergarten (Tier means animal in German) is Europe's oldest zoo and was built for entertainment of the rulers and their court.

Penguins taking a swim.

Isabelle was in heaven.

The zoo had 2 giant pandas.

And a pair of koalas that were napping. I have never seen a koala up so close before. They are such interesting animals.

One of the rooms in our "appartement hotel" in Vienna. We were north-east of the inner ring of Vienna and close to the U-Bahn, restaurants, cafes, and many spielplatz (play-ground-the girls love to be outside). The hotel room was equipped with a small kitchen (refridgerator, microwave, utensils, stove, etc), a huge bedroom that you see and a middle room with chairs and futon/ pull-out bed that the girls slept in. It was a great place and a super price.

Kaisergruft (Capuchin Crypt) is the final resting place of the Hapsburgs. Many of the tombs are very intricately designed with great detail.

There are about 150 tombs in all.

The streets of Vienna. The weather was very nice (in the 50s) and windy.

Museumquartier. In the morning, I would pack snacks and food and at lunchtime we would picnic in various places. One day it was in a large grassy area at the Hofburg Palace that turned into a dog park while we were there (Izzy was very excited by this)...I was less then enthused by the begging 4 legged friends and used my limited knowledge of German to scream sitzen (sit down) and nein (no), another was in the Tiergarten by a giant lizard (in a cage of course), and this day was in the middle of a plaza surrounded by beautiful buildings, hedges, and this sculpture.

Kunsthistorisches Museum has much of the Hapsburgs' collected art from all over Europe. There were alot of nudes (paintings that is) in this museum and works by Titian, Intoretto, Rubens, Raphael, and Rembrandt to name a few.

On the ground floor was an Egyptian display (Isabelle liked the sphinx and the sarcophagi) and statues.

Isabelle really enjoys art museums and it is pretty easy to keep her interest and engaged in the paintings. It is unreal how she can point out details that I miss.

Rooms filled with amazing art.

Conversation (with her reflection) goes as follows..."What?" "You don't know how to jump?" "Really?" "Then I will have to show you."

She loves the baby in the mirror...wait...she sees a mommy too!

Staatsoper. This is one thing that I really wanted to see, but didn't. You have to go by tour only and there are limited times during the winter months and sometimes they are cancelled due to rehearsals. I would have loved to attend a performance but they were just a little too late for the girls to behave. The Opera was built 130 years ago and rebuilt since the bombs of WWII. Apparently the "critical reception of the building led the architect to commit suicide".

The treasury (Weltliche und Geistliche Schatzkammer)is noted to have some of the best jewels in the world. It has everything from swords and crowns to gowns and robes. The collection is quite extensive and amazing. The rooms were quite dark, so unfortunately alot of my pictures didn't turn out as I didn't bring a tripod with me.

Christening gown made from silk and golden threads.

Silver and Porcelain collection in the Hofburg Palace.

A horse drawn carriage arriving in one of the many wings of the Hofburg (Imperial Palace).


Hofburg Palace. Isabelle, Allie and I visited the Kaiserappartements, Sissi Museum, and the Silberkammer (the royal silver and porcelain collection. There are many museums throughout this palace as well. This was the winter residence of the Hapsburg rulers until 1918. The Hapsburgs ruled the Austrian Empire from 1273 to 1918.

Forgive me Father for I have sinned...it has been a long time since my last confession.

A beautiful organ.


A look inside St. Peter's Church. Vienna's 1st Christian church was built here and mass has been celebrated daily at St. Peter's for 1600 years. Originally a Roman Church was here but in the 18th century, Lukas von Hildebrand built St. Peter's in a Baroque style of architecture.

St. Peter's Church.