Linz An Der Donau, Austria

As I have been applying for winter season jobs in Austria (so far no luck) (and the best jobs are probably taken by now) here is a card of a pretty town of Linz - the capital of Upper Austria and the third largest in the country. I have to say this is one of my favourite official postcards received this year, as it is complete with a lovely stamp and cancellation, and an interesting message on the back - vielen Dank Alexandra :)

The Whole World Can...

It's probably something naughty that is supposed to finish this sentence heh, but this donkey seems sooo pleased, it's quite a nice place he lives at from the look of it; this Austrian donkey arrived from Berlin via official postcrossing, so he's traveled a bit too. But is here to stay!

Greetings From...Austria

Thank you Rosmarie for sending two examples of Greetings From...series :)

UNESCO - Semmering Railway, Austria

The Semmering Railway was built between 1848 and 1854, spreading over 41 km through high mountains with its tunnels, viaducts and other works that have ensured the continuous use of the line up to the present day; it is one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building.

Would be great to take a ride in one of these, thank you Nina :)

 

Hundertwasser Village, Vienna

Oh my this seems like centuries ago...one of my first trips was to Vienna, but I have spent too little time there...Stumbling into Hundertwasser art/architecture with no real plan was the most exciting experience of my stay there :)

UNESCO - Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, Austria

 

The very name of this site suggests its complexity - a small town of Hallstatt is situated in Upper Austria, in the Salzkammergut region; it gives name to the Hallstatt Culture which encompasses Celtic, Proto-Celtic and Pre-Illyrian people from the 8th-4th centuries BC, and is known for its production of salt (Hals being Salt in Greek). The town was rebuilt in late Baroque style after a devastating fire in 1750.

It took me about a second to fall in love with this view. Soon after receiving this postcard I've discovered there are day-trips to Austrian Lakes, including Hallstaetter See, from Zagreb. Would be nice to live in the capital for a while! Many thanks to Sarah, also for the great stamp :))

Bette Davis

Even when I was a child Bette Davis (1908-1989) was one of my favourite actresses from the era of 'classic Hollywood'. Now I realise there are still so many of her movies than I haven't seen yet - something that needs to be rectified soon! She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress - in 1935 for Dangerous and 1938 for Jezebel, plus eight nominations.

Once you see her you understand this song better ;)

Kim Carnes: Bette Davis' Eyes

Viennese Coffee House Culture, Austria

The Viennese coffee house (Wiener Kaffeehaus) is a typical institution of Vienna that played an important part shaping Viennese culture. Since October 2011 the "Viennese Coffee House Culture" is listed as Unesco's "Intangible Cultural Heritage".

The postcard shows Cafe-Konditorei Demel famous for its sweet stuffs; and the 2nd postcard a well-known Austrian dessert, popular in the former Austria–Hungary and Bavaria, called Kaiserschmarrn. It is actually made with eggs but also sugar so it can be both a dessert and a light meal..! I have made this at my sister's place in Bavaria and she has sent me the recipe to remind me :)

UNESCO - Historic City Of Vienna, Austria

I thought I could add some of the classic European cities to my blog today. As it happens, many are also on the UNESCO whs list. No wonder when you think of Vienna and all its historical splendour - this postcard shows the Hofburg Palace, which currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria but was the Habsburgs' principal winter residence. This was a nice surprise from my friend Ana (one of many dear Anas in my life!), and I really like the stamps and cancellation too xD

UNESCO - Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape, Austria

Lake Neusiedl or Fertő is a steppe lake in  Central Europe, on the Austrian–Hungarian border; its about 36km long and covering an area of 315 km². Traces of human settlement around the lake go back to the neolithic period - it was densely populated from the 7th century BC onward, initially by people of the Hallstatt culture, and remained so throughout Roman times.  It is also a protected wildlife habitat as its an important resting place for migratory birds.

Many thanks to Natalie who went there for a holiday :)

UNESCO - Eggenberg Castle, Graz, Austria

A great surprise from Andrea for CaC RR, new Unesco site from Austria - Vielen Dank! Needless to say I love the Europa stamp too :)

The Eggenberg Castle was added to the Unesco list in 2010 as an expansion to the listing of Graz Historic Old Town. The construction of the castle began in the late Middle Ages and continued throughout the early Modern Era. It exhibits the importance and might of The House Of Eggenberg, once a powerful noble family of the Styria state. The castle reached its height in Baroque splendour in the 17th century - and the surrounding gardens are just amazing!

Cute Little Things

This cute little mouse was in my favourites, until i received it in the CaCrr as a host - thanks to Stefan/Objektklasse :)

The little wolfie is howling - hopefully just a playful moment! I have tagged this card - thank you Christina/Balito! :)