We both left Phoenix on Monday, Oct. 8. Ellen flew Britsh Air and I flew to Salt Lake City on SW and then Delta from Salt Lake to Amsterdam. This 9 hour flight was a new for me - business class. I had a fully reclining seat and 2 very good meals. Plus we got into Amsterdam an hour early. Then I took Easyjet from Amsterdam to Vienna where I met up with Ellen.
We took the train into Praterstein station and walked about 3 blocks to our hotel, Arthotel Ana Adlon Vienna. Comfortable hotel with a great breakfast. We ate dinner at the Gusthaus restaurant and I had the veal schnitzel. To me it was a lot like our chicken fried steak. Not my favorite.
After a good nights sleep we were up at 6, ready to explore Vienna. Ellen had picked this hotel and it was a good choice. We were very close to public transportation. So we took the underground to St. Stephen's cathedral. This is the city's most famous church with a very colorful roof and one tower. Saying goes they ran out of money to build the second tower.
The one tower has a winding staircase of 343 steps which we climbed for the great views of Vienna. Our calves are still sore!
After the climb we walked over to The Spanish Riding school which is a world famous riding school and a major tourist attraction in Vienna. The Lipizzan horses perform to the sound of baroque music. The show is based on 300 years of training experience in classical dressage. It was very crowded and got a little boring after awhile since all the horses and riders were doing the same thing. Ellen took a couple of pictures while they were training.
I took some pictures of the horses outside in their training barn.
The horses were exercised in this barn and behind each horse is a big conveyor to keep them moving. They are beautiful horses.
Next we tried to find the living quarters of the Hofburg Palace. We wandered around for awhile on the palace grounds which is huge! Finally we were told that the entrance to the quarters was directly across from the Riding School.
The Hofburg Palace provides an authentic view into the daily life of what was once the center of the powerful Hasburg dynasty, a family that once ruled the Austria-Hungry empire. We began with the Imperial Silver collection, a museum dedicated to the facilities and tableware that were once used by the Royal members of this great dynasty.
The entrance to the museum of the Hasburgs
Now I know how to set a table. There were so many beautiful dish sets and silver and gold serving ware.
We also saw the Imperial apartments that hold some impressive royal furnishings and decoration.
Then we continued on with the Sisi Museum which is dedicated to the life on their famous empress, Empress Elizabeth, married to Franz Joseph, one of the last rulers. He ruled for 69 years then after his death his son took over for a few years until the monarchy was dissolved.
For lunch we ate at the Augustinekeller, which is a typical beer cellar. I had the pumpkin ravioli which was just ok, not great. Ellen had the beef goulash which was much more hardy.
Since we bought the Vienna pass we had admission to a lot of museums and also the hop on, hop off bus. So we took the yellow line bus to the Schonbrunn Palace. This is a Rococo style summer palace of the great Hofburg monarchy. The 1441 room palace as built in 1696. The monarchy used it as a hunting lodge.
Front of palace
Back of palace
Part of Palace gardens
After walking thru the palace and around the gardens we went to a strudel making demo in th cafe on the palace grounds. The strudel maker was a very entertaining Austrain girl that made twirling the dough look easy.
We rode on the yellow Hop on, Hop Off bus then the red Hop on Hop off, back to the train station and then back home. Tired from walking over 17,484 steps today (7.7 miles) and 27 flights of stairs! Ate at the same place as the first night. This time I had the truffle stuffed ravioli and the dish was wonderful.
Day two - Vienna
Another early start and we again took the train into the center of the city to the Opera house. We wanted to enter but were told that it was closed today and tomorrow. Thank goodness we have one day on our cruise in Vienna so we will tour it then. But we took some outside pictures.
We went to the Albertina Art museum. This is a fabulous art museum and holds one of the best art collections to be found. There were some great works with familiar signatures like da Vinci, Picasso, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Monet, Renoir just to name a few.
Outside the museum
Monet exhibit
Picasso exhibit
We didn't have much time left in Vienna so we rode the blue hop on hop off route which went in the modern part of the city. I was amazed at the graffiti on the buildings and walls.
Crossing the Danube
Tower of Vienna
Ellen in front of our hotel
Once back at the hotel we grabbed our bags, headed for the train and went to the airport. The train was very crowded today. But you can't beat the price - $2.50 Euros compared to $25 taxi ride.
We again rode Easyjet from Vienna to Amsterdam and got in around 6. Next three days will be in Amsterdam.
