Switzerland and Austria

Elina and I decided to take a trip to the Austria and Switzerland! We bought eurail passes and the original plan was to stop in Munich, Germany for two nights, Vienna for two, Innsbrook for two, and then Zurich for two. Plan failed when we went to go book train tickets at the station and EVERYTHING was booked. We spent two hours trying to figure out how to proceed. We finally figured out a plan that delayed our trip by 4 days so we only ended up going to Zurich first, then Vienna (which were the top two places I wanted to go) so I was a very happy camper :)

TUESDAY, MARCH 22nd
We departed Rouen and caught the train to Zurich from Paris. We arrived in Zurich around 4:00 where we roamed around the old town for a bit and grabbed some food. One unfortunate thing about Zurich is how expensive it is! Elina and I walked around for a while trying to find something to eat in our price range - found a chicken wrap (no sides) for 13 francs (equivalent to the Canadian dollar) and this was the cheapest thing we could find. Our host , Alan, then picked us up at the train station where he drove us back to his place, got us settled in, and then took us to what he said to be the hottest club downtown which he got us on the list for (connections baby! and free cover) Cover there is normally 30 franc, yikessssss.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23rd
We got up and headed out to explore the rest of Zurich. We did the independent walking tour which takes you around Lake Zurich and through little streets and main shopping streets. It was so beautiful. Zurich is surrounded by the Alps so they were almost always in sight. We also ended up taking a paddle boat out on the lake which was sweet, worked on our tan ;) We then headed back to Alan's where we took him out for dinner as a thank you for letting us stay with  him. We went to a traditional Swiss restaurant where we ate yummy swiss food!

THURSDAY, MARCH 24th
Off to Vienna we go! These 8 hours on a train were probably the best 8 hours on a train I will ever experience! Alps alps alps, i love the alps. Apologies for the abundance of photos:

staying hydrated

We arrived in Vienna, checked into our hostel, and then met up with Elina's friend Reeta who is studying there for an Italian supper and then we explore downtown for a bit before heading back for zzzzz.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25th
Pit stop numero un: Shunbrun Palace. This was the highlight of my trip. It was so beautiful and the weather was amazing! (shorts and t-shirt acceptable). We went on a audio guided tour of the palace and then explored the grounds:

We then headed to a cute market in the city center, grabbed a coffee and dessert at a little street cafe, and then went to Sisi's museum where we learned all about the history of Sisi and her family and got to explore the  royal apartments. We then grabbed some delicious chinese food at a cute restaurant (did I mention that Vienna was a little cheaper than Zurich?? It was awesome!!) and then Reeta took us to her residence where it was her friend's birthday party so we celebrated with them and all of the international students at her school - I met so many more Canadians but I have yet to meet anyone from the Maritimes here in Europe! I guess I'm just one of a kind ;)

SATURDAY, MARCH 26th
Slept in a bit and met Reeta downtown where we went into this awesome chocolate shop (obviously I have pictures):

hehehehe

After the trip to the chocolate shop, we walked down the main shopping street, popped into a few shops, then continued on to the important political buildings and museums and parks where we snapped some photos and then proceeded to supper where we all ordered the famous schnitzel. Yuuuuummmy yuummm.

Elina and I then said goodbye to our amazing host and headed to the train station where we caught a 13 hour night train back to Paris. On the train ride home, we realized that one of our goals on this trip was to sing "the hills are alive with the sound of music" on the Alps, but this plan clearly failed. But we couldn't leave Austria without doing this. So we looked out the window, and there happened to be a hill of garbage that we were driving by, so it had to suffice as we sang this song on the train. You think I'm kidding? I'm not. I have video proof but the uploader isn't working.. I swear :) Oh well, guess you folks will just have to wait until I come home.

And that concludes this trip. I arrived back in Rouen at 1pm on Sunday, having to prep for my trip to Germany the next day, post to come soon...