Day 11: Vienna Austria

We had a whole day in Vienna – not nearly enough, but enough for a glimpse.  

Our first stop was the Bevedere,  originally the summer palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, whose claim to fame was defeating the Ottomans at the gates of Vienna.  It now houses a museum, home to Klimt’s “The Kiss”.  Sadly, we had only enough time to see the exterior and take in the gardens. 

Next our bus took us on a tour of the city, along the Ringstrasse, and stopping in the center of town for our walking tour. 

We did spot a familiar sight -- WE ARE EVERYWHERE!

 

We passed along a street near the stables for the famous Lipizzaner horses, and just as our guides were explaining how they come and go to their practice ring at unexpected times, there they were.  

 

A flag told us the the chancellor was working in his office behind the window below.  

 This is how the Austrians decorate their archways into the government square...with cars traveling underneath. 

Just outside the government square we saw a familiar sight:  Roman ruins, this time being excavated right in the center of town, with cars traveling on all sides.

But now it was time to walk into the commercial center of the city.

 Local water -- very tasty! 

 

We ended our walking tour at St. Stephens Cathedral. 

 

We had intended to go inside to take a look at  ABC (another beautiful church), but it was crowded, surprisingly psychedelic, and expensive...plus we would have had to wait until the end of mass.  

 

So we passed.  After a lunch of wiener schnitzel, where each one was bigger than a dinner plate, we headed back to the government square to see the crown jewels at the Treasury.  

They keep them under lock and key. 

 These are the fingers of someone or other...

We headed back to the ship to rest up for a concert of opera and ballet,  held at a bank, no photos allowed, of course.

 I gotta say, looks a lot like my bank....