10-5-2011 - Elegant Vienna

We went early with a local guide to Schonbrunn Palace of the famous Hapsburg Empire.It was truly remarkable to see how they lived in that era and the history attached to these people. The famour Maria Thresa who was the empress had 16 children, one of the most famous Maria Antionette that was beheaded in France after marrying french royalty as you know, there was a movie about her. You will have to read up on the history if you want more. The Palace gardens were amazing, some of us walked right up to the top, you will see in the photo the building on the hill, absolutely stunning!
But what was more facinating is that we went into the Hapsburg cribb which is under the monastry in Vienna, where they are all buried/embalmed in amazing cycoffigusses (sorry spelling???). After the guided tour we got into an open air horse carriage, and explored the magnificent romantic city of Vienna (Wien) as they call it. The soaring spirals of St Stephens church was truly amazing. The tour guide explained all about the Viennese cafe culture and how to order a coffee. Well coffe is not just short black or latte as we know, there are a millions ways you can have your coffee here, its like mixing a drink.
Therest of the afternoon, Carole and I ventured the streets on our own with map, as finally we had 5 hours to ourselves to rest, recoup and do abit of our catching up on emails, bloggs etc. Not easy to get internet all the time, we tried in the Starbucks coffee house, but it was 10 minutes free access only, as its expensive, and mostly, not much time in between our breaks. Its litterally sightseeing on the bus from 7.30am, and in the evenings round 6-7pm we arrive then its bags in the room, and down to go for dinner or sightsee somewhere else, so it was nice to do a bit of handwashing, repacking the suitcase etc.
Tonight we are going to a Gala Viennese concert with dinner! Before we see the wonderfull conce3rt of Viennese Classical mm usic, and some including works of Johann Strauss and Mozaert (seeing we visited his birthplace yesterday), we will be enjoying dinner and have a free champaigne...photos of that to follow.....
Tomorrow we off to Croatia, so out with the passports, get some Kronna ((money) and we will work our way down the Dalmation coast off to Greece!
10-5-2011 - Vienna
We went early with a local guide to Schonbrunn Palace of the famous Hapsburg Empire.It was truly remarkable to see how they lived in that era and the history attached to these people. The famour Maria Thresa who was the empress had 16 children, one of the most famous Maria Antionette that was beheaded in France after marrying french royalty as you know, there was a movie about her. You will have to read up on the history if you want more. The Palace gardens were amazing, some of us walked right up to the top, you will see in the photo the building on the hill, absolutely stunning!
But what was more facinating is that we went into the Hapsburg cribb which is under the monastry in Vienna, where they are all buried/embalmed in amazing cycoffigusses (sorry spelling???). After the guided tour we got into an open air horse carriage, and explored the magnificent romantic city of Vienna (Wien) as they call it. The soaring spirals of St Stephens church was truly amazing. The tour guide explained all about the Viennese cafe culture and how to order a coffee. Well coffe is not just short black or latte as we know, there are a millions ways you can have your coffee here, its like mixing a drink.
Therest of the afternoon, Carole and I ventured the streets on our own with map, as finally we had 5 hours to ourselves to rest, recoup and do abit of our catching up on emails, bloggs etc. Not easy to get internet all the time, we tried in the Starbucks coffee house, but it was 10 minutes free access only, as its expensive, and mostly, not much time in between our breaks. Its litterally sightseeing on the bus from 7.30am, and in the evenings round 6-7pm we arrive then its bags in the room, and down to go for dinner or sightsee somewhere else, so it was nice to do a bit of handwashing, repacking the suitcase etc.
Tonight went o a Gala Viennese concert with dinner! Prior to the wonderful concert of Viennese Classical music, and some including works of Johann Strauss and Mozart (seeing we visited his birthplace yesterday), we enjoyed dinner and had a free champaigne...Tomorrow we off to Croatia, so out with the passports, get some Kronna ((money) and we will work our way down the Dalmation coast off to Greece!