Schloß Schönbrunn

View of the summer palace of the Hapsburgs, Schönbrunn, from the Glorietta : Vienna, AT

At one point during my tenure in Vienna, I lived in an apartment on the Hietzingerhauptstraße, which isn't that far from Vienna's -- and in fact, all of Austria's -- most famous castle, Schloß Schönbrunn. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to see the inside, so it was high on the list of places I wanted to see if ever I returned to Vienna. Since we weren't able to see everything we wanted the day before, Maya and I trekked back up to the city without Charlie. It was absolutely horrid weather; pouring rain, wind. We took our cameras with us, but since photography was not allowed inside and it was too damn wet to use them outside, we shot photos with our iPod Touches instead. So, here you go. Crappy Instagram photos!

Another view of the summer palace of the Hapsburgs, Schönbrunn, from the Glorietta : Vienna, AT

Nepture Fountain just below the Glorietta : Schloß Schönbrunn : Vienna, AT

Schönbrunn has some really beautiful gardens. This was the best I could do, given the weather : Vienna, AT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/2012

Albi Cathedral (Gardens)

Sculpted gardens : Albi Cathedral Gardens : Albi, FR

The gardens near the Cathedral of Albi were open, so we paid a short visit. The sculpted boxwood hedges always intrigue me for the intricacy and artistry. It's also early spring, so not a lot is in bloom, but the daffodils were making a good show of it!

Early Spring : Albi Cathedral Gardens : Albi, FR

Slice of Garden with Cathedral : Albi Cathedral Gardens : Albi, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/2012

Private Tour, Part I

Death on the Astronomical Clock in Old Town : Prague, CZ

Beautiful Baroque interior at the Church of St. James : Prague, CZ

On Monday morning, we met up with Czech native and private tour guide, Dana Jungrova. These are just a few of the treasures of Prague she shared with us. From top to bottom: The astronomical clock on the town hall in Old Town Prague; the interior of the Church of St. James; the Wallenstein Palace and Gardens; and just a random street in the castle district.

Gardens at the Wallenstein Palace : Prague, CZ

Venetian-style passage over a street in the castle district : Prague, CZ

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/11

Rearview

 Rearview : Bellelay, CH

All countries have their oddities and Switzerland's is putting benches in random places. For example, you'll be driving down a busy road and suddenly there will be a bench on the side of the road with a view of the cornfield across the way. Or, like in this shot from the grounds of the Abbey of Bellelay, rather than turning the benches to face the lovely garden, they're facing the buildings. (I know you can't see that in this picture, but trust me on this one!) You would think people would prefer to look at the flowers and trees and sculptures, but no--they're looking at the buildings. Go figure! Hence the title of this photo: Rearview. :-)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/10

Japanese Garden

Japanese Garden : Geneva, CH

A variety of countries have donated paintings, sculptures, tapestries, rugs, carvings, stone facing, and metal work that add to the architectural uniqueness of our campus. Tucked away in a little corner between the main building and the cafeteria is a Japanese garden. The gardeners recently cleaned out the pond and refilled it with clean water. The trees around the pond were in full bloom, so I snapped a few pictures. You can see them in Picasa Web Albums.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/10

Le Senate

Le Senate in the Jardin du Luxembourg : Paris, FR

On the first day in Paris, we mostly wandered around and hit all the tourist highlights. Before we could get the Eiffel Tower and the Arc d'Triomphe and Notre Dame, though, we walked through the Jardin du Luxembourg. At the top of the park is the Luxembourg Palace where the French Senate meets. These are just a few pictures.

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 08/09