» EURO 08 Places to Visit

Now you have to get some chocolate…

Ana — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:34:30 +0000

If you are planning on going to Austria and Switzerland for EURO 2008, or are even just planning to go in quieter times, a must-see stop is the Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate factory located in Kilchberg, Switzerland. Eating lots of Lindt chocolate is a requirement for those wanting to fully experience Swiss culture (coupled with good fondue, raclette, and lots and lots of good cheeses).

The famous chocolate dates from 1845 when the confectioner, David Sprüngli-Schwarz and his inventive son, Rudolf Sprüngli- Ammann, owned a small confectionery shop in the Marktgasse of Zurich’s Old Town. They mus have doen soemthing right because elites simply adored Lindt chocolates since then.

Don’t forget to indulge yourself in the free samples you will get. They say that when a Lindt chocolate is free, it tastes even better.

Do me a favor and bring me some Lindt Lindor truffles.

Lindt Sprüngli Chocolate Factory
Address: Seestrasse 204, CH-8802
City: Kilchberg Switzerland
Phone: (+41) 1-716 22 33

EURO 08 - Places to visit: Mozart’s Geburtshaus. Salzburg, Austria

Ana — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:53:29 +0000

The Mozarts lived in 9 Getreidegasse from 1747 to 1773, and their son Wolfgang Amadeus was born there in 1756. Music lovers flock to see the typical old burgher’s house where the great musician was born. You can still see many of his childhood belongings, including a lock of hair from his egg-shape noggin, his first viola, and a pair of keyboard instruments. Mozart’s concert violin, clavichord, pianoforte, portraits, and letters of the Mozart family can be seen there.

Mozarts Geburtshaus
Getreidegasse 9
Tel.: +43 (0)662 84 43 13
Fax: +43 (0)662 84 06 93
archiv@mozarteum.at

Opening Hours
9 am to 6 pm (last admission 5.30 pm)
July and August: 9 am to 7 pm (last admission 6.30 pm)

Admission Fees
Adults: EUR 5.50
Children: EUR 1.50
With Salzburg Card: free

EURO 2008 - AUSTRIA - Places to Visit

Ana — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:35:32 +0000

Going to EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland?

I certaitly am. So if you are looking for places to visit during your stay there, I will give you, every week, tips on nice places to visit, good food, and so on on both Switzerland and Austria.

Today’s choice: Schonbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace

Schonbrunn Palace
The palace has been in the possession of the Habsburg rulers since Maximilian II, and at the end of monarchy to the ownership of the Republic of Austria. Empress Maria Theresa did major rennovations and used to take the whole family (11 daughters and 5 sons) there during the summer, including little Marie Antoinnete, who would later become Queen of France. The palace was considered the summer residence of the Empress and her family.

Do not forget to visit the gardens!

Hofburg Palace
This palace is located in Vienna and has housed the entire Habsgurg generation, especially during the winter season. Now, it is the residence of the President of Austria.

You will get to see the imperial apartments, with state rooms used by Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth, which evoke courtly tradition and imperial lifestyle in the 19th century.

You can also visit the Sisi (Elisabeth of Bavaria) museum. In six rooms you can explore the life and complex personality of the famous empress in an exhibition free from the usual clichés associated with Sisi.