Part 1: Today we did a motorbike sightseeing tour in the city of Vienna. We started at 0800 in our hometown and rode 60 kilometres to our first stop in the "Wiener Prater". One of the oldest and most famous amusement parks of the world which was opened to the public in 1766 by the emperor Joseph II. Next to the modern highlights you can find the "Green park" where many options for sports, walking, hiking, cycling, horse riding, etc. in a wonderful part in the middle of the city is possible. After a short walk through the modern roller coasters and many more attractions we bought our tickets for the "Riesenrad" (Giant Wheel). Once it was one of the biggest in the world. In 1897 it was opened on the occasion of the 50 the crown jubilee of the emperor Franz Joseph I. The ride lasts about 15 minutes and you can enjoy great views all over the city of Vienna. From there we rode to the center of the city and visited the "Stephansdom", the biggest catholic dome of Austria. The first church at this place was built in 1137 and the actual dome was built until 1511. During the WW II. some parts were completely destroyed but rebuilt again. Our next stop was at the historical town hall of the city of Vienna. It was erected between 1872 and 1883 and is still in use for official duties. From there we rode through some inner district to a former anti aircraft tower of the WW II. This building situates since 1957 one of the three zoos of the city. It is also a big aquarium. More then 10.000 animals and fish can be visited by the public. But our today's interest was not the zoo. On top of the building a great cafe/restaurant/bar is situated since 2020. On level 11 we enjoyed the great 360 degree view of the city and delicious coffees and croissants. For our next stop we left the bikes at the former "tower" and went some minutes to an asian restaurant and enjoyed a real great asian lunch. Refreshed and with filled bellies we walked back to our bikes and headed to one of the oldest (opened in 1955) and most famous ice cream stores called "Tichy" in a south district of the city to get a "dessert". Our last stop was the the park of "Castle Schönbrunn" and the "Gloriette". The castle and it's park is one of the tourist hot spots in the city of Vienna. The castle was built from 1695 until 1743. The emperor's of the Habsburgs used it since 1700. In 1775 the "Gloriette" was opened as a hall of Fame. Today a cafe is situated there and tourist are allowed (after paying !) to enter the roof of the building to get a great view of the park and the castle and also some parts of the city from there. From there we rode back to our hometown where we arrived at 1500 hours. It was a great historical sightseeing tour with our bikes today. With public transport we won't have been able to reach all those points in this short time! In the following some impressions of our tour. The "Riesenrad". A view over the "Green Park". A view of the old town of the city. In the middle the "Stephansdom". A "wagon" of the "Riesenrad". The "Stephansdom". A view from the inside. The "Giant organ" of the dome with 12.616 pipes. "Stock im Eisen" - A mysterious historical tree which is dated about 1500. Many mythic stories are available for the original use of the tree which is "decorated" with iron nails. A view into the "Graben" next to the "Stephansdom".
Part 2: The "Haas" house. A famous shopping "temple" with a great roof top restaurant/bar. The "Kärntner Straße" - a famous, expensive shopping street in the inner city. The typical Viennese "Fiaker". 30 minutes ride cots about €50.-! The "Burgtheater" - the biggest theatre of Austria. The "Rathaus" - town hall of the city of Vienna. "Haus des Meeres" - a former anti aircraft tower. Today a zoo and cafe/bar/restaurant. A view from the top. The famous ice cream store. The "Gloriette". Castle "Schönbrunn ".