17 February 2010

Laxenburg and Mariazell

Our excursions with Nana and Mrs. Brown included Laxenburg - the nearby Habsburg Palace, and Mariazell - the greatest Marian shrine in Central Europe.

Schloss Laxenburg has a huge garden, complete with a man-made lake. Katie was testing the strength of the ice for potential skating.

The sun was going down as we left the gardens to find a good restaurant. Many thanks for the fine meal!

On the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin (Candlemas), we made the 2+ hour drive to Mariazell, which took even longer on account of the thick blanket of snow that we encountered as soon as we started into the mountains (almost the whole drive is through the mountains). Above is an example of the scenery passing by out the van's windows. Below the magnificent shrine comes into view.


2 comments:

Somebody Calls Me Nana said...

Thanks for the reminders of our wonderful time there. The Austrian Joys are fabulous hosts!
1-2-3 Mom

Unknown said...

You're more than welcome, and it was lovely having you here (and Mrs. Brown, too).