Vienna details, part 4

Vienna details, part 3

Vienna details, part 2

Vienna details, part 1

Vienna patterns

Christmas trip 2011: Vienna

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It is the most wonderful time of the year again and I am on my traditional Christmas trip for two weeks. This year my first stop is Vienna where I am currently enjoying the atmosphere and patterns, of course.

Silent history

I noticed a strange but understandable thing while touring the alpine countries. References to Nazi history are few. One example of this is the brochure of Berchtesgaden in Austria. The village advertises Kehlsteinhaus as one of their main attractions. The place is better known as Eagle's Nest, one of Hitler's mountain get-aways. The brochure mentions the place representing a piece of history but it does not refer to the former occupier. Historic wounds still seem to need some healing. On the other hand, in Slovenia I saw Nazi symbolism in media and even Nazi medallions at Ljubjanian antique stores.

Left: A magazine cover from Bled with header 'Germany in year zero'

Right: A poster in Ljubljana with header 'Little dictator'

Salzburg

Some bubbly

I love my drinks bubbly. On my recent Berlin visit I tasted Austrian sparkling water called Römerquelle. In addition to its nice texture, it has been nicely branded. The bottles are beautiful, not to mention their glasses. Their branded glasses have Roman soldiers as reliefs on their bottoms. I wonder can I find them in London?