Christmas in Bologna

Bologna will always be one of my favorite cities. There is always something interesting each time you look at a certain direction. Last December, I went for an interesting walk around the city. Thank God there is no snow! Here are some of the pictures I took!

I went on top of the Asinelli Tower first. It is 97 meters above the ground and the view is just breathtaking! You have to pay 3 euros to enter but it is really worth it.

The San Lucca Basilica with a glorious sunset.

The city center is open for people to walk through during the weekends. I really love the atmosphere.

A wonderful view from the top of the Asinelli Tower.

The Two Towers of Bologna looking beautiful as ever.

The man inside this shop is playing the theme song of the movie Amelie on his piano. It really made me study my piano pieces again!

A tribute for Nelson Mandela in Piazza Maggiore.

A woman goes for a bike ride at Parco Margarita, Bologna's largest park.

A family plays with their dogs.

A street performer along via Independencia.

Vienna at Winter

Hallo!

Sorry for the late post! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! =D.

     Anyway, the first place on my list to visit when I go to Vienna is the Hundertwasserhaus. It is a building designed by my favorite artist/environmentalist Hundertwasser. After taking my breakfast, I've decided to walk from my hotel to the building. It was very cold and drizzling a little but it never stopped me!

God it is soooo creative!

     I went inside this whimsical apartment and saw recycled glass bottles turned into walls. It reminds me of one of my favorite places in Baguio city, Philippines, the VOCAS art space. It has a lot of mosaics and there is abundant vegetation. I am so inspired by Hundertwasser.

     After staying for an hour at Hundertwasserhaus, I walked towards the Belvedere Palace with the intention of seeing Klimt's paintings including 'The Kiss'.  After almost an hour walk in the rain and wind, I've reached my destination. 

The way to the Belvedere Palace

A woman enjoys the tall tree from below

The Palace from the outside

Taking photos is forbidden inside the palace so I took a photo of the outside.

The palace lights up as dusk approaches

The Belvedere at night

     After adoring hundreds of paintings by masters like Klimt and van Gogh, I've decided to go home. I took the subway. I rested a little and watched CNN. After an hour, I have to get up because I am going to Stephensplatz. I was convinced by a guy to watch a classical concert they will be performing at the place where Mozart used to entertain the Austrian royalties.

     When I arrived at the center, I was so thankful that the weather is better. I went to look for the place.

The concert hall

Dancers

     It was a wonderful experience! I am the only person there who went alone I guess. 

After the concert was finished at around 10pm, I went for a mini stroll around the center. The St. Stephen's cathedral was illuminated with colorful lights.

The Stephensplatz at night

     After a long day, I went for a simple dinner at a fastfood chain near my hotel and chatted with two friendly Filipino crew member. I went back to my hotel and drank a hot chocolate and immediately fell asleep!

     I woke up early in the morning and prepared all my bags. I went for a breakfast and then checked out. I was a little sad when I left. My plan before going back to Italy is to go to the UN Headquarters and to roam around the Ringstrasse or the center of Vienna.

     My trip to the UN Headquarters is one of the highlights of my trip. I really would love to work for the UN one day! The UN headquarters is like another state of Austria. It has over 4, 000 workers from 110 countries inside.

The conference room. This is one of four rooms. The walls are detachable so as to give way for bigger conferences.

After my UN trip, I went to the center.

The National Library

The Volksgarten

The Parliament

The Parliament with a sculpture of Athena

The Rathaus and its famous Christmas market!

     I strolled for a whole day! My feet is so tired and sore but I absolutely loved it! I met an American friend who is backpacking around Europe too.

     After a very tiring day, I decided to head to the train station to eat and prepare for my trip. I said goodbye to my friend and took the subway to the Westbahnhof. I ate at a sandwich and then headed to look for my train!

     I was so tired that day but I had soooo much fun! I will go back soon! I will see you again enchanted Danube!

View from my train the next day! Good to be back in Italy!

  

Vienna (Part 1)

Two weeks ago, I have decided to travel to the magical city of Vienna, Austria. I took the night train from Venice. It is about an 11 hour trip! It is one of the most exciting trips of my life! I stayed there for 2 nights and three days. I saw a lot of interesting Baroque castles. I've met interesting personalities, went to the UN building, rode the subway (for the first time I admit lol), night strolling in the Danube River, enjoyed a classical concert and had a taste of the Viennese snow! Here is the first part!

The Wien Westbahnhof Train Station

My first destination is the Schonbrunn palace. It is very cold but there are a lot of tourists.

The Star Pool

The Gloriette

I fed this peacock illegally!  He came to me begging for the bread I am eating! I am surprised to see it walking freely outside.

Tourists and the Gloriette

What's Up? Thousands of crows haunt Vienna during the dusk!

The Vienna Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world.

My Seal-fie

Me viewing stars in my hotel window! ;)


I will be posting more pictures soon!

The Danube River at night!