Rome to Vienna

November 21, 2012 (Wednesday)

Today we leave the NCL Jade and our beautiful Penthouse Suite. It would be difficult not having these extra amenities the next time we cruise again. Oh well. I must say that we had a great cruise not only enjoying the wonderful ship but also traveling to such places like Israel and Egypt. It was indeed a memorable cruise.



back to Civitavecchia

the Jade docked on one side and I believe that was a RCCL ship on the other side of the port

leaving our 'home' behind

looking down at the terminal

Saying "good-bye" to Carlos, our concierge. Again we were escorted off the ship to the terminal, through passport check, and to the baggage area personally.

Our private transfer from RomeCabs was waiting ship side to take us back to the airport.

I believe that's the line for the free port shuttles which take passengers to the port gate.

We were way too early for our 2:15 flight to Vienna, so we had time to check out the airport shops and eating places.

3rd floor of the airport

Finally checked in for our flight to Vienna. As business class passengers we were able to utilize the Fast Track security line, which made quite a difference at this busy airport.

settled in comfortably inside the Austrian Airlines lounge

good lounge chairs for a little nap

on board the airplane

leaving FCO

Don't know what you will call this...late lunch or early dinner? But it was gooood!

Vienna was our layover for our connecting flight to Tokyo. We were in Vienna for 19 hours.

Arriving Vienna in the early evening.

A sleek and stylish airport.

Arrival Hall

As described on the hotel website, hotel shuttles are available between the hotel and the airport. We found out that it was actually the airport bus that has a stop in front of the Park Inn. This is where we purchased our bus tickets. 8 euro one way and 13 euro round trip. The young lady at the counter was very pleasant and helpful.

Forget about asking questions at the airport information counter. The lady there was neither courteous nor helpful.

Really nice, big bus for only a few passengers.

It was a comfortable and easy ride.

Our room at the Park Inn, part of the Radisson chain. We are Club Carlson Gold, so we were upgraded to a business suite. No lounge, but breakfast was included. The Park Inn is conviniently located with Ubahn station and airport bus stop right there.

Spacious and clean room.

The Ubahn station is just across the street from the Park Inn at the Vienna International Center (VIC) so we took a trip to Stephenplatz which is about six stops and less than 10 minutes away. You have to turn the handle a little to get the door open when the train arrives at your stop. From what I observed, they don't open automatically.

This was what we saw when we came out of the station--St. Stephen.

I was fooled by the warm hotel room and left my sweater and scarf there. It was freezing cold...burrrrrr!

The stores were all dressed up for Christmas. Unfortunately the Christmas lights on the streets were not lit yet. Otherwise it would have been much more festive.

Due to the odd hours that we were here, we were not able to see the sights we wanted but having a chance to walk around Vienna made us really happy.

We wanted to have authentic Viennese food for dinner so we ended up at the Hotel Sacher. Wienner Schnitzel = hotdogs in the U.S. but here it is fried breaded veal. Really good!

Forgot the name of this plate, it was a combination of veal and chicken. Next time, I will just have the Wienner Schnitzel.

Signature dessert-- Original Sacher Torte as seen on Rick Steve's program. BTW, if you are dining at the Hotel Sacher during winter time, be prepared for the mandatory coat check-in at 1 euro pp.

It just got too cold for me so we decided to go back to the hotel before I turn into a popsicle.