Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for austria
The Year of Klimt
By Linda Tancs
2012 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Klimt, an Austrian painter and illustrator. Ten Viennese museums will herald the event with special exhibitions throughout the year, featuring his paintings, drawings and designs. The Belvedere has the world’s largest collection of Klimt paintings, where a special exhibition is already underway highlighting his collaboration with Josef Hoffmann. Later, in May, don’t miss the first public viewing of the Wien Museum’s collection of 400 Klimt drawings. In the meanwhile, don’t miss the Art History Museum event beginning next month, or the spectacular events scheduled for Albertina, the Theatre Museum, Kuenstlerhaus, Folklore Museum, Leopold or the Museum of Applied Art.
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High Society Shines in Vienna
By Linda Tancs
The evening view of the Vienna State Opera is spectacular, but what happens in it today has high society all aglow. The auditorium of the State Opera hosts debutantes in white rustling gowns crowned with crystal tiaras and men in tails, regaling guests in a precise and dizzying waltz around the dance floor. Held on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, a ticket to the ball is one of the world’s most coveted. Get your dancing shoes ready for next year.
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Opera on the Lake at Bregenz
By Linda Tancs
The town of Bregenz, the capital of Vorarlberg in the westernmost area of Austria, is located on the Bodensee (Lake Constance). Like any lake district, it offers striking views of the neighboring settlements from its eastern shores, especially those viewed from mount Pfänder towards Lindau. Unlike any other lake district, it has an open-air floating stage to mesmerize visitors during the annual Bregenzer Festspiele, a summer music festival open now through 22 August. This year’s opera on the lake is Verdi’s Aida, a fitting selection for a story that uses the banks of the Nile as a backdrop. As if that setting weren’t memorable enough, you can add to the experience with the purchase of a premium ticket for Festival Lounge, which includes a four-course dinner and a loaner of Swarovski opera glasses for viewing the four-act extravaganza in the lounge’s comfortable, covered viewing area. Your chariot awaits.
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Mozart Celebrated in Austria
By Linda Tancs
The hills are indeed alive with the sound of music as Salzburg readies for its annual Mozart Week beginning tomorrow, timed as always to coincide with the birthday of Austria’s musical genius on 27 January. The International Mozarteum Foundation organizes performances from musicians, singers and orchestras around the world. Of special note is a series of concerts to commemorate both Mozart and Haydn, Mozart’s mentor. At the Mozart Residence an exhibition highlighting their mutual admiration will continue until 31 May. Here’s a good opportunity to understand Mozart the artist and Mozart the man.
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European Culture East to West
By Linda Tancs
Year-long festivities are kicking off in Lithuania and Austria as the cities of Vilnius and Linz, respectively, take top honors from the EU as a European Capital of Culture. In Lithuania’s largest city and capital, the program of events coincides with the country’s millenium celebrations and its contest to anoint a new Lithuanian Capital of Culture for the town or city with the best cultural project. A particular high note for the EU’s honoree is the song and dance festival in July, during which 30,000 voices will unite in song. On the western front, the Danube city of Linz (Austria’s third largest) will showcase its art and art exhibitions, including summer’s famous street art fair and Ars Electronica, the world-renowned media arts festival in early September. So which will it be–Lithuania or Austria? Why not go Baroque and visit both.
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Air Barista
By Linda Tancs
Okay, so there’s really not an airline by that name. But Austrian Airlines Group is a strong contender for the title, billing itself as the first Viennese coffee house above the clouds. Business class passengers get to choose from 10 of the finest Austrian coffees such as Kaisermelange and Franziskaner. Business class is also touted for its unparalleled sleep comfort. Seems to me you have a choice: enjoy the fine coffee or get a good night’s rest for, as the saying goes, “Sleep is a symptom of caffeine deprivation.”
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A Guide to New Year’s Eve Celebrations
By Linda Tancs
Baseball great Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Well, 2007 is almost over, but not until we clink a glass or two of bubbly and salute the great bard Rabbie Burns with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne (which means “old long ago”). All dressed up with no place to go? Then check out the fun read at www.pubclub.com for some suggestions. You might not agree with all of their assessments, but as another saying goes, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. One interesting event that didn’t make the cut on this Web site is Vienna’s big bash at Hofburg Palace. Visitors descend on this grand imperial city from every part of the globe to usher in the new year in the former winter residence of the Austrian emperor. Well, there’s always next year! See you then.
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