Vienna: July 10: Inner Stadt Tour

The outside of the Secession museum. Pretty, isn't it? I love these bowls.

This is the incredibly ornate Opera House. 

There are stars in the sidwalk surrounding the Opera House with the names of the House directors.

Gio really wanted to take a picture of this trash can.

Ming and Gio squeezing orange juice at a local grocery store.

Gio's pic of an ad for these hazelnut chocolate truffles. They're everywhere in this part of town. We got some and, of course, Gio was a fan.

This is St. Stephans church. The spire is incredibly larege. Notice the tiled roof. 

Mozart was married here.

And his kids were baptized here.

Gio's photo of me while reading our guidebook.

A gaudy memorial to thank God for ending the plague, erected by the Emperor Leopold.

A very touristy street.

Exhausted boys.

Eamon checking out the Roman Ruins.

These are the Roman ruins which are right outside the Hapsburg Palace.

A fountain at the end of the palace.

Budapest: July 9: Szechenyi Baths, Hero's Park, Central Market

This is the outside of the Szechenyi Baths. We couldn't actually bathe there as it's not recommeded that children under 14 go. We were hoping for a tour, but it's not really worth it. But, at least we got  to see the outside, which is quite pretty and impressive.

Hero's Square

Pretty fake castle in the park. 

Gio expertly riding the subway.

Eatiing more ice cream. Gio got a flavor called Rose. It really did smell and even taste like roses smell. Gio chose it after trying a few different flavors. But, he abandoned it after trying Ming's sour cherry flavor.

I got fig and Lavender Chocolate. Unexpectedly yummy.

Gio eating Ming's sour cherry and cinnamon apple. Notice his chocolate mouth which he got from tasting my lavender chocolate. Gio will try it all!

Pretty peppers in the Central Market. We had to come here again so Chris and LiLi could see it.

Eamon choosing a cheese to go with his apricot.

It was pretty hot that day so the boys LOVED these misting fans. They were giggling like crazy!

The boys checking out a construction site.

Some typical Pest architecture, big and grand.

The boys trying on some paper crowns that Ming got on a castle tour with his colleagues.

Budapest: July 7: Castle Hill and Gerbeaud

Eamon checking out the view of Budapest from Castle Hill.



Maybe a little intimidated by the soldiers!

Matthias Church on Castle Hill

Fisherman's Bastion is actually a watchtower area for fisherman who also acted as guards.

Tourists swarming the Fisherman's Bastion

Panorama of the view from the Fisherman's Bastion. If you look really close, you can see Parliament.

Gio and Aunt LiLi

The lovely Chris and LiLi.

With crazy Gio!

Gio was always begging for gelato. He had a good day so he got a stawberry gelato. 

Gio's photo of Eamon

This is the cute little town within the castle walls. 

The other side of Matthias Church. Notice the tiled roof and the patina'd copper rain gutters.

This is the castle itself. It's on the Buda side of the Danube River.

There was a nice playground up on Castle Hilll. We had lunch on a nearby picnic table, enjoyed some classical music being played up the hill a bit and watched the kids play. It was a perfect afternoon!

A view of the Chain Bridge which connects Buda and Pest across the Danube.

Exhausted Eamon!

Incredibly silly Gio outside the restaurant where we ate traditional Hungarian food. Lots of pork! It's yummy!

Kids posing in front of some park art on our way to Gerbeaud.

Our dessert sampler at Gerbeaud, a famous pastry shop in a posh part of Pest. Gio and I loved everything, but the other's weren't as keen. Too sweet and rich they said. I do agree, but it's very tasty!

Gio is excited to dig in!

A nearby fountain where Gio learned how to adjust the spray......

and spray Eamon!