Travel Archive - Madame Schischi

How to plan a city trip….

08/22/2024 Keine Kommentare

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Booking a city trip is connected to a lot more work and arrangements than an all-inclusive stay at a gorgeous hotel. First of all you need to pick a place you want to visit and a time frame. Then you have to find a way to get there and also transport from the airport / train station to your destination.

For our trip to Vienna we went by car cause it is only about 4 hours away from our home and way easier. Before passing the border you need to get a vignette to be allowed to use the foreign streets but that´s about it. Always check the local customs first like how fast you are allowed to go and so on.

Accomodations

Booking an accomodation isn´t also always that easy. Do you want to stay at a hotel with breakfast or do you take an AirBnB and do the grocery shopping all by yourself.

We went with a hotel for ourselves cause with the girls staying and their grandma´s I didn´t want to have anything to do with any kind of meal prep so hotel with breakfast it was. It was a little outside of the main sights and I probably would not pick it again. The hotel itself was fine but in a very questionable neighborhood. Do your background check on city parts before you book anything.

Transport

If you visit by car you have to find a hotel with a garage or a parking spot and if you are there by train or plane you need to find some kind of transportation to your hotel. Vienna has a metro and a tram so it is fairly easy to get around. You just need to study the plans a little and make yourself familiar with the routes you need. There are sights everywhere and mostly each sight has its own exit. You can also rent bikes or socooter via app to get around. I definitely would have rented a scooter if I wasn´t this pregnant. It is the fastest way to get around.

We had a parking garage near our hotel and we took the tram on our second day to get out exploring. Navigating the tram was pretty easy and we mostly only sat about 5 to 10 minutes. A daily ticket costs 8 Euro and you can use it for 24 hours. We booked it online and payed via PayPal.

Sights / Guided Tours

You can pick some sights upfront you definitely want to visit and get lower ticket prices if you book online in advance. Of course there will always be some things on the way you want to squeeze in cause you find it interesting when you are there. We visited the museums quarter and there are plenty of things to see without paying any entrance. There is a wonderful garden between the national history and art museum where you can rest. On the backside is the justice building you can visit for free as well. Definitely worth a visit. Never have I seen such an abundance on beautiful and decadent huge buildings like in Vienna.

We visited the building of justice on our first day and had lunch on their panorama terrace. I would definitely recommend to get up high somewhere so you can have an idea on where you are and how far away everything is. You will also find interesting buildings you haven´t seen before and maybe a few more sights you definitely want to visit.

Afer that we went on a guided tour and then had some time left and explored the beautiful gardens and buildings in the museums quarter and also got a New York Roll filled with pistacchio. Then we headed a little outside and went to the very hyped Rollercoaster restaurant for dinner on the Prater area.

On our second day we took the tram and headed out to city hall. From there we went to the Hofburg and then strolled around Volksgarten. All three of those are for free to visit. Then we went to the National History Museum and had a famous Bosna sausage in a bread as a late lunch. Then we headed back to our hotel and took a long nap cause it was so so hot on that that and just enough walking for me. Afer that we headed to a nearby Indian restaurant. Food was very good. The streets a little sketchy and the restaurant definitely needed an update.

The third day was mostly dedicated to gettting back home to our girls but we visited the Prater in the morning and took a ride on their famous ferry wheel. It was very nice in terms of views but super hot and I sweat so much it was really embarassing.

As far as it goes for guided tours I would definitely book these upfront and build your day around them.

We booked a guided tour into the underground of Vienna and while I was thinking about if we should really go tickets went fast so I got them and it was so so cool. The entrance was through a trap door in the backroom of a very old pharmacy.

Restaurants

There are many visitior in Vienna and lots of great food recomendations so if you count two and two together I would suggest to decide your restaurant upfront and definitely reserve a place for you or your group.

I always like to look on Instagram for food recommendations. You can definitely find a ton of different types and price ranges for every city plus you´ll mostly have pictures of the food and drinks and a little review within. It is fairly easy to find what you are looking for just type in the name of the city and food into the search bar. After choosing some I would like, I visit the website to have a closer look at the menu and reservation options.

Travel

A 3 Day City Trip to Prague – What we did, ate and what I wore….

05/28/2024 Keine Kommentare

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In the middle of March my husband and I went to Prague for a 3 day city trip. It has been the first time we went somewhere without our two girls and while it was bitter the very first day we had a great time together as a couple and lots of fun.

It was a very short road trip, only took us about 2 and a half hours to get there (but this always depends on where you are coming from). There was no toll on the road but you have to get a vignette before crossing the border (this is a little sticker you need to have in you car to make sure you are allowed to drive on the interstate).

Where we stayed

This was our second time in Prague (we have been there eight !!!! years ago) and we stayed at the Astoria Hotel, a cute little boutique hotel. There was parking in front of the hotel but we ended up reserving a parking spot in the parking garage around the corner. Breakfast was included and our room was pretty big and the best it was right across the street from an awesome Indian restaurant.

The staff at the hotel was very nice and helpful. Also our hotel was very central. It was just about 5 minutes walking distance to the astronomic clock (right in the middle of the city).

What we did

Day 1

Rooftop Bar TerasaUPrince for Lunch

Saint Nicholas Church (one of the prettiest churches I have ever been too – the chandelier !!!!)

Speculum Alchemiae

Ribs of Prague for Dinner

Day 2

Castle of Prague

Wenceslas Square

Lunch at Restaurant SV Vaclava for traditional czech beef stew

Astronomic Clock – it plays a music and the figurines move every hour

Indian Jewel for Dinner

Day 3

Carl´s Bridge

Trdelnik – the sweetest czech treat

What we ate

BBQ marinated ribs at Ribs of Prague

Traditional beef stew (Gulasch) at Restaurant SV Vaclava

Chicken Tikka Masalla at the Indian Jewel

Pistacchio Trdelnik with vanilla ice cream

Outfits I have worn

It was a little cold when we got there but the weather improved throughout the first day. Nevertheless we still had Winter coats with us and ended up wearing them at night.

I had a full plan of outifts and loved everyone I was wearing. Initially these have been planned for Rome but we switched cities last minute cause I didn´t want to fly this early in pregnancy.

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City Trip – A Guide to Verona, Italy…

04/01/2024 Keine Kommentare

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Oh Verona you are one little Italian city with so much charme and flair. I just don´t know what it is with all of the Italian cities. With the old buildings, the croocket pathways and small alleys. Maybe it is La Dolce Vita or just the delight of being on vacation that everything seems so dreamy and perfect.

How to get there / where to park

This depends on where you are coming from. You can go directly and stay in the city if you are planning on staying more than one day but we are always visiting when we stay at Lake Garda. It is a 35 minute drive from there and costs about 2 Euros of toll.

We like to park as close as possible so we always go to Parcheggia Arena di Verona or Parcheggio Saba Arena. Both are about 2 minutes by foot from the Il Portoni della Brá away – the huge stone gate you will enter to get to the biggest piazza with all the restaurants and the Arena di Verona.

What to see

After you pass through the beautiful Il Portoni della Brá you are in middle of Piazza Brá, the biggest piazza in Verona. To your left is a very long row of cafe´s and restaurants who sell authentic and delicious Italian food. It is a little pricier than in other streets cause you pay for the front row, but in my opinion it is worth it to take in the Italian flair and the hustle and bustle of the city.

To your right is a huge garden area – the Giardini Vittorio Emanule II and right behind it the biggest sight of all. The Arena di Verona.

The Arena di Verona was built 30 after Christ and mainly used to amuse the people with animal or slave fights. It is used until today but of course not for fights anymore. In the Summertime there are many operas and concerts.

Of course you can visit during the day as well and have a look back in time. You can check out the cells where the slaves and the animals had to wait to enter the arena as well as the steps inside and the viewing platforms high above. The entrance fee is about 10 Euro but you can stay and explore the whole day.

Now you can choose between two directions. You can go shopping at the longest and most exclusive street in Verona – the Via Giuseppe Mazzini. It has everything the heart could long for. From Luis Vuitton to Pinko and Sephora.

At the end of the street is another piazza to your left, the Pizza della Erbe. Here you can have lunch or enjoy a cool Spritz Bianco. The beautiful Fontanella Storica can also be found on this piazza as well as a weekly market.

From here you could go back or follow the street down to Casa di Giulietta. Crowds here are always huge so I would suggest to go there right in the morning when the city is still empty. You can get a lot done before 10´o clock. The ticket to Guilietta´s balcony costs 1,10 Euro but therefore you can stand upon there all by yourself and get a cute pic without any strangers. Of course you can still have a look at the balcony without going up and buying a ticket.

After we have checked all the boxes from the sights above there is one thing left. Leaving downtown and taking the scenic route along the river Adige (about 20 minutes by foot) with the goal to visit the Basilica san Zeno di Maggiore. It is one of the most important and biggest churches in Verona and was built hundreds of years back in the 12th century. I personally love the big round window on the front the most.

You take a left before the first coffee shop of Piazza Erbe and go down Via Roma until you see the river. Then you follow the river Adige and the signs to the Basilica.

If you decide to do everything at once you take up a few others of the day but it will surely be a great expericence and so many interesting things to see and learn.

Food to try

This is a whole other category and a very delicious one I might add. There are tons of Italian foods you could or should try but I am sharing three of the best things I have eaten there in quite a while.

Minuto di Bauli – These have been the most amazing little cakes I have ever had. They where soft and moist and filled with so much cream of your choice. We had lemon and pistacchio in the picture above but they also have chocolate of course as well as jam and hazelnut.

Forneria Mazzini – We got slices of pizza and paninis for take-away to eat at our apartment. It was very very soft, tasty and overall delicious but it is expensive. I think I paid about 30 Euro for 5 things.

Grom Gelateria – Our girls got a strawberry gelato from here and it was fair to say that this was the best one I have eaten ever.

Where to shop

Via Mazzini is your first stop for high fashion and affordable pieces as well as food and drug store products. Souvenirs are also available at every corner and the piazzas.

Travel

24 Hours in the Wild West – a Guide to Pullman City….

10/25/2023 Keine Kommentare

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I have gifted my husband a 24 hrs stay in Pullman City for his birthday in September. Pullman City is a Western Town and as close as you can get in our area to a Western lifestyle. I definitely loved going there in the Fall cause Western looks just look best in the Autumn.

We tried to do everything they offer and got around pretty good but let´s break it down for you, so if you are interested you can spend your own 24 hours in the coolest western city around.

Where to stay

There are different places to stay. It just depends on the experience you want to have. There are two different hotels – the Palace Hotels (where we stayed) and the Hacienda Hotel. If you are up for the real western experience you can stay at a tipi or at a log cabin, but there are no bathrooms there. You have to go to the bath house to shower and to go to the toilet.

Another thing that is new are the country houses. These are new and I have never seen them before. They are like tiny houses and are very modern looking. So if you are just looking for a normal place to stay this would be your preference.

We stayed at the Palace Hotel and from the moment I went into the lobby to the moment we checked-out it was the whole western experience. I have loved the look of it and every detail so so much. It definitely was like you stepped into a western movie.

There is one office right outside the park where you can check-in and -out and get your key.

Breakfast is buffet at the Black Bison Saloon for all the guests from the different hotels but it has to be booked separate.

We stayed in the President Suite at the Palace Hotel and it was the most authentic lobby and room I have ever seen in my life. Disney could have not done it better.

Where to eat

There are several restaurants on but not always open. This depends on what months you are visiting and also if you are visiting on the weekend or during the week.

You can eat at the Black Bison Saloon, the Rodeo Steakhouse, the Cantina Mexicana, Scarlett´s Restaurant, a coffee place and also a cocktail bar.

We have had lunch at the Black Bison Saloon many many times so we went to Scarlett´s for lunch this time and had dinner at the Cantina Mexicana.

Scarlett´s – Baked Potatoe with Turkey and Salad / Western Burger

Black Bison Saloon – Western Pan / Turkey Salad / Pullman Giant Burger XL / Baked Potatoe with Beefstrips

Cantina Mexicana – Enchilada Roja Chili / Chili con Carne / Ensalada Scampi / Guacamole

Shows to watch

Wild West Show – Horseback riding and Indian dancing as well as thomahawk throwing.

The Great Pullman City Show – Dive into the Wild West of America –

Indian Culture and Mythologie – Learn more about the Indian life and culture of the different tribes then and now.

On weekends you can also watch the American History Show and also join in for several other things like Line Dance Workshops and torchlight hikes.