I Want His Job!

This guy is bit on the nerdy side (I think I'm just jealous of his job), but in these videos, Rick Steves shows many of the fantastic things that await you in Vienna.

Enjoy!

And here, Rick is in Salzburg. We will take a trip together to Salzburg and see many of these sights.

Really, how did Rick get this gig? Oh well, I am grateful I get to experience Vienna and Salzburg with a great group of students.

Happy International Ferris Wheel Day!

If Valentine's Day isn't your thing, we've got an alternative—International Ferris Wheel Day.

Vienna has one of the earliest Ferris wheels, the Riesenrad (giand wheel). It was built in 1897 to celebrate Emperor Franz Josef I's golden jubilee. It's become one of Vienna's most popular attractions and has appeared in several films such as The Third Man and The Living Daylights.

So, to you and yours we wish a very happy Ferris Wheel Day!

Valentines Chocolates: From Vienna With Love

Before Valentine’s Day is officially over, we wanted to send you a little something to let you know what kind of Valentine’s chocolates you could find if you were in Vienna right now. Best of all, these chocolate delights are available in Vienna ALL YEAR ROUND.

Creamy Chocolate Eis at Tichy’s—simply the best!

A giant bowl of chocolate goulash. (Oh, yes, it really does exist. And we’ll take you there.)

 

A slice of the famous Sachertorte from Café Sacher. Add a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream, just because.

Chocolate-covered pastries from the Naschmarkt. Is the salesman telling Katie she's crazy? Crazy for chocolate?

Vienna’s signature “Manner”cookie—melt-in-your-mouth wafers with layers of hazelnut cream.

The chocolate selection at your local Viennese grocery store.

Here's a poster I saw in Vienna, and I say, "Sign me up!"

Salzburg Part Two: Party with the Archbishop

Prince/Archbishop Markus Sittikus was apparently not as lofty and serious as his titles might imply. In the early 17th Century he built Hellbrunn, a pleasure palace just on the outskirts of Salzburg. In addition to lavish banquets, guests of the Archbishop would inevitably be treated to a tour of the palace’s many water attractions, including the “trick fountains,” which doused duchesses and pelted priests. During our visit to Hellbrunn, we’ll enjoy the same soggy pleasures as guests from centuries ago. Forget Seven Peaks. This is the ultimate water park. Visitors can’t help but soak up the festive, playful ambiance. Literally.

The beautiful palace of Hellbrun

What's up with that vow of poverty thing?

Our youngest before his encounters with the trick fountains.

...And after. He was soggy but happy.

The nun can run, but she can't hide from the oncoming spray of the trick fountains.

A bonus for all you Sound of Music fans—the "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" pavilion is on the palace grounds.

Yet Another Cool Vienna Video

Class Credit Update

While in Vienna, you will earn credit for:

• one German class (4 credit hours)
• one Art History class (3 credit hours, cross-listed as Hum202H, Honors 303R, or Ger 444R)
• one conversation class (2 credit hours, for German majors or minors)

Salzburg Part One—The View from the Top

It’s our humble and completely unbiased opinion that Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As our group travels to Salzburg, one of our first stops will be the legendary Festung Hohensalzburg. This fortress, perched on a rocky peak in the city, has a storied past going back nearly 1,000 years. We’ll ride a tram up to the fortress and tour its massive staterooms and historical exhibits. Stroll out to the ramparts overlooking the city and surrounding countryside, and you’ll think you’ve stepped into a postcard photo shoot.