sakaara

Hi Jeff.

I was slightly traumatised as I thought Watercooler had been removed as it's not a sticky,and which meant I had no way to thank you for all your help with our trip to Vienna.

Wow, Vienna was captivating. we had an amazing time, and not long enough!

Can't wait to return. Thanks to you we found our way around easily. The day at Schonnbrunn was wonderful. The kids loved the Zoo, and we had blue skies and sun. We took the U Bahn to Schonnbrunn and left after seeing the new baby Panda through the Heitzing exit. this was great advice and as we made our way to the station we found a Lindt store, so my kids say thank you for the chance to have had the best Hot Chocolates ever!

We visited the Natural History Museum which was fantastic ,and also the Art History Museum which you also mentioned. Did you know there is a display of Faberge Eggs and Jewels on display until May? hopefully you will be able to see these on your next trip. We had lunch at both Demel, and Cafe Central both great and also 3 types of Wursts at Bitzinger near the Opera. I had mine with a snipe of Champagne- Great fun. Speaking of Opera, have you been? Both of my kids want to go next time as the photos advertising it look great. We couldn't go as we hadn't brought suitable clothes.

You should try Cantinetta Antinori if you can as it was wonderful and the food and service was fantastic.

Nigella, I can't recommend Vienna enough. It is a city that you can happily get lost in and still be wowed by your surroundings. There is something fabulous to see at every turn. The people are so friendly and could"t help enough when we were looking for directions with my Pigeon German. It is sooo Beautiful we hated leaving. Can't wait to return. Thanks for the inspiration Jeff!

Nigella

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakaara

Morning Jeff, flying to Vienna today. You have given me so many incredible options, can't wait now.

I certainly think we will love Vienna. I have always wanted to visit since I first saw Before Sunrise movie years ago.

You have been a great source of inspiration and a fount of information.

Thanks again

Have a great time sakaara.

I agree about Jeff's inspiration, I'm actually planning a trip to Vienna as well now!

Hi Nigella, yes Jeff's posts on Vienna seem to have that effect !!

Thank you for your well wishes. Off exploring tomorrow . Lashing rain today and arrived late afternoon so haven't done much.

Really really impressed with the Ritz here. I will try to post a little and if I can add some photos. Club lounge is superb for food offerings. Ate at hotel restaurant Distrikt whose chef is renowned here in Vienna. Unbelievable service , excellent food. The restaurant manager insisted I do a tasting of white Austrian wines to ensure I would get one I liked. Whilst doing this he organised for the barman to take the kids behind the bar to make kid cocktails. These were given free of charge.

At the end of our meal a Polaroid was taken of the three of us and given as a momento.

SchonnBrunn Palace & Zoo to see (hopefully) the new baby Panda.

Really beautiful city Nigella, I think I may have caught Jeff's Bug!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakaara

Morning Jeff, flying to Vienna today. You have given me so many incredible options, can't wait now.

I certainly think we will love Vienna. I have always wanted to visit since I first saw Before Sunrise movie years ago.

You have been a great source of inspiration and a fount of information.

Thanks again

Lovely!

Please let us know about your trip and what you did!

Jeff, I will try to follow in your footsteps, but your shoes are hard to fill!

Morning Jeff, flying to Vienna today. You have given me so many incredible options, can't wait now.

I certainly think we will love Vienna. I have always wanted to visit since I first saw Before Sunrise movie years ago.

You have been a great source of inspiration and a fount of information.

Thanks again

Hi Jeff, lots of very useful tips thank you.

Really appreciate all the effort you have gone to. I will definitely take your advice

On the travel cards. How long is the walk from Heitzing to Schonnbrunn, is it a safe area? I'm on my own in Vienna with the kids until Friday when my husband will join us.

Is the Heurigen worth a visit at this time of year, I checked out Martin Sepp and it looks lovely?

I know an Italian restaurant is an odd choice in Austria but when I saw that the Antinori Restaurant was there we had to go. We ate at Osteria Di Passignano Near Florence at Antinori's Vineyard a few years ago on a Silversea excursion and it was fabulous. I will let you know on our return if it was worth the detour.

Thank you, you have been a great help!

Thank You Jeff, you have given me lots of info to Google.

I'm so disappointed about the Swiss House being closed but your advice about reheated alternatives was great,as I never thought about that.

We are staying at the Ritz which is offering 4 nights for price of 3. Have you been there ?

I will get to work checking your tips.

Thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Babe

Hi Jeff

Yes, still around, I don't post often but I'm here each day having a 'catch up'.

We're still deciding what to do about MC - will have to make a decision soon though.

Wondered where you were, I've seen you pop your head in every now and then. Hope all well.

Karin

G'day Karin,

Lovely to see you are still here ....

Yes .. all is really well and still here asttempting to keep Lux and others mildly amused (or irritated as they wish ) or at least trying to hedge boredom by introducing a little off-topic diversions!

Just back from three lovely weeks in Singapore following our extended August stay and getting reaquainted with street food, having some quality time with the suite mini-bar and the lounge cocktail (2) hours .... The IC is a wonderful second-home. Singapore was lovely this visit ... no storms .. no haze and discovered a few more things to lean to cook.

Just booked Vienna for a couple of our regular 4 nighters ie 17th to 21st March to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary and then 15th to 19th September for our joint birthday celebrations ...(I'm 36 hours older than her ...) and I've also booked just a long day in Amsterdam in May which she doesn't know about yet .. I'll leave it to the night before ... when I'm taking her for a canal ride followed by a rijsttafel .. and then home. It'll be a long day but I did it a few years ago for the whole family and she loved it. Also just booking a couple more extended Singapore stays for this summer and next January. I'm still agonising about how I might get her up to see the Northen Lights as this year is going to be particularly good ... but I'm not certain about the palaver. Those Hurtigruten mail boats might be the thing.

If you or any in-thread congenials are happening to be in Vienna during the above dates and fancy a CC Stelze (pork knuckle) meet up - just post interest in this thread and we'll arrange a nice meet up lunch at the Swiss House for Budvar and Pork and some bratties for the longest and most pointless lunch ever devised to discuss life and it's various permutations. And or a lunch at a heurige we know well.

http://www.schweizerhaus.at/#!/page_home

How about you? You must be excited about your upcoming trip.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Can you recommend any other restaurant to try Stelze as the SwissHouse is closed when we travel later this week, our concierge suggested Salm Brau?

Have you any other must try restaurants? We have booked Cantinetta Antinori for one evening. I'm travelling with 2 older kids, but don't want stiff Michelin type places.

I have never been to Vienna before so am looking forward to going.

We are hoping to visit National History Museum and SchonnBrunn Palace/Zoo.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

We sailed on the 20th March from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados with 2 large groups. There were other Cruise Critic members who I recall had no adverse comments. We however did find a big difference in comparison to our previous Med Cruise. On embarkation the two groups had long queues to reception and we had a short wait but there was no offer of Champagne to us, all the attention was for the group.

I had pre booked some treatments at the spa which were cancelled when I went at my allocated time. No explanation given other than the spa thought I would prefer my treatments the following day. I believe my treatments were cancelled to accommodate the large group. This happened twice.

We spoke with some crew that informed us that Room Service was being ordered at all hours of the night but when delivered, rooms would be unanswered and occupants were asleep.

We were also told that large quantities of Champagne was ordered to suites and opened but there were large volumes of wastage. Comments were made by crew to us about the impact on this particular sailing. We saw no problem with required dress code.

Despite this we had a fantastic cruise but I would really prefer not to have such large groups on future cruises, but it's very difficult to predict.

Hi Frantic36/ Julie,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it.

I will certainly check out recommended hotels and Museum.

I haven't heard of The Fullerton before, so thanks for that!

Regards

Sakaara

Hi Jeff,

Yes, you are right, I never thought they would see it as a possible negativity.

I absolutely agree with you Jeff.

I have also done similar thank you's by reviews on Trip Advisor and sent a copy of my review to the G.Manager.

This has made a big difference to our arrivals at hotels.

Thanks again.

Sakaara

That's a great help Jeff thanks. We have stayed at IC Park Lane and enjoyed their Club experience. That's great advice for the Carlton too, as we love Cannes but have stayed in The Martinez previously.

Any advice on HongKong or is it the same as Singapore, The IC?

We aren't travelling to Asia for a year or so, lots of time to prepare.

Our miles are with Virgin and we are in Florida for New Year so HongKong will be our base into Asia.

Hilton has never been a first choice but the new Hilton Algarve is lovely, so we are accumulating points from there too.

Enjoy tonight, and look forward to your next instalment !

Hi Jeff,

Don't have Amex, but do have Ritz Rewards card.

We tend to stay on Club Level in the Ritz. We like Four Seasons too.

Neither myself or my Husband travel for business only leisure.

Which Deluxe Hotels would you recommend ? We will also be taking our kids

Currently 10 & 14. ( they behave very well in a Club Lounge😉).

Thanks

Sakaara

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for taking the time and posting. Really enjoying your photos too, as I have never been.

Really want to do a trip with Singapore, HongKong and a beach.

Do you know anything of Bintan? There is a Banyan Tree resort there which looks lovely.

Where do you recommend staying in Singapore?

Thanks

Sakaara

Your writing is inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing.

Wow Terry you've done it again! Amazing coverage from the Solstice. I thoroughly enjoyed your reports from the Cloud and due to your postings and photos, that voyage is now on my bucket list.

Thank you so much, it is wonderful to be travelling alongside you as your photos make me believe I'm there.

I nearly was taking your itinerary on Solstice and would have if we had to take our kids, but luckily we have managed to go solo on Silver Spirit instead.

We sail from Cannes to Rome in a few weeks and I'm super excited as a first time Silversea sailor.

We sailed on Solstice last July to E Caribbean. She is stunning and I'm sure you will have an amazing voyage. Prepare to be blown away by Murano.

Silk Harvest is amazing too.

I look forward to your updates. As you say "enjoy"

Regards,

Sakaara