Showing posts with label Thessaloniki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thessaloniki. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

January 4, 2013 from Greece to Vienna

The moment of the departure has come.
I definitely miss everyone and everything in Greece.
Surely miss breakfast there too, such as feta and tomato....


From our hotel we took a taxi to the airport.
It took a long time until the check-in counter opened. Greek time?


The airport was actually comfortable to kill your time until your flight.
Inside the gate, there were some stores such as a duty free shop and a food stand.
I bought some nuts bars and olive soaps as souvenirs.

We took the Australian air again.


Good-bye, Thessaloniki, good-bye, Greece!




 Aaaand, we arrived at Vienna!
Because of the flight schedule, we had to stay there one night, and that was a good experience for us.

The airport was quite new and well designed.

What amazed me was the SPAR!
I really didn't know that SPAR was the global chain supermarket!
I thought it was a local chain in Japan! Hahaha

The way to Vienna from the airport was quite convenient.
There was a shuttle called City Airport Train to Wien Mitte, the central station in Vienna.



Arrival to the Wien Mitte.

The station was new and modern with variety of stores.

Then taking the metro....



Then got off at Shtephansplatz station.

Actually we had no idea what would be found in Vienna since this one-night visit was just for transit, however, just by the entrance of the metro we realized we need much time if we want sight seeing!

There was a big, big cathedral, St. Stephen's Cathedral!

(And so many travelers and sticky sellers of concert!)
Better to escape.
Our hotel was only 1 minute walk from the station actually, but it took minutes to find since the roads were radiating from the station square in front of the cathedral.
HOTEL ROYAL Vienna, small and enough comfortable.


I really loved their classical European furniture.

And tiny treat of chocolate!

After resting for a while we went out to see around the town and find something for dinner.


The illuminated cathedral was worth to see.

And carriage horses!
Sorry as blur, since they were walking.

Then we happened to see this signboard...

And a line of people....

We were really curious if it's good.
The signboard said there is another branch that we tried to go there to expect shorter line.

There were several people waiting too, but we decided to wait.
The name of restaurant was Figlmüller and at the entrance there were lots pf clips from magazines and newspapers with their article.
We were the only person who didn't know about them, hahaha.
Actually in addition to those waiting, there were more people who had reserved the seats, so we had to wait more than expected, still we could have seats after 30-40 minutes.




They are known by "schnitzel", fried pork, as it's not only delicious, but also its size.
HUGE.

They say it's 30 centimeters and 250 grams.
We shared 1 dish by 2 persons, but since most people were ordering 1 dish for each person.

And since we were in Vienna, I tried Apfelstrudel with Vienna coffee. Good, and big!

There was a line when we left the restaurant, and it started pouring.


Somehow a few Greek restaurants or stores were found there.


After shopping water and some snacks at the supermarket, we went back to the hotel.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

January 3, 2013 Greece Day 5

So the last day in Greece! Time flies indeed.
Still I tried not to cram the schedule as one of the purpose of the travel is to relax.
Missed some spots? Never mind, we'll have a chance. I hope!








There are a few TIGER stores in Thessaloniki.
We have it in Japan, but in Osaka, far from Tokyo where I live, that it was my wish to visit it.
I bought 2 EURO camomile tea bags there.


Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Full of excavated articles and icons.
If you have enough time to visit Archaeological museum in Thessaloniki nearby this museum too, there is an inclusive ticket for both.


Then moved to the White Tower to see my friends again, then we had a late lunch together.
I really love Greek dishes!



Statue of Alexander the Great.
Some construction around that we couldn't reach there but still his profile looked really great even from afar.

I was willing to find any shopping mall, that my friend brought me to Notos Galleries.

She recommended me to try the Greek cosmetic brand APIVITA sold there, which products are made from natural ingredients.
The attitude of the shop lady was polite and I bought face scrubs, olive and apricot there,  and found them indeed nice.
Actually they have branches in Japan, but sell less products by more expensive prices.
If you have a chance to go to Greek, I definitely recommend you to try their products!