Three Days in Vienna, Austria

We overslept in Prague but Sara saved the day by rushing us out the door to the train station where we just barely caught the 8am train to Vienna, Austria.  In Vienna, we rented another apartment but weren't able to connect with the owner for the key.  Instead, we had to go to a local restaurant and tell them that Nathalie sent us.  We were then presented with a bright red envelope with keys and instructions on how to get to the apartment.  It was very much like the Amazing Race!

Inside Vienna's gothic St. Stephan's Cathedral.  

 The famous north tower of Vienna's St. Stephan's Cathedral.  It was from here the united Christian armies kept watch on the besieging Turkish armies in 1500's and also 1600's.

 The Mozart Statue and treble clef flowerbed.

 Michael recommended we see his favorite Vienna sight - Karlskirche (Charles Church).  We were not disappointed!

 Karlskirche's Reflection Pool.

 Ryan outside the famous Loos' designed American Bar from the 1890's.  This place was great but strictly Viennese, we were the only Americans.

 Mozart(s) outside St. Stephan's Cathedral.

We climbed to the top of the St. Stephan's Cathedral North spire.

Then to Eugene of Savoy's Belvedere Palace.  Now it houses famous works of art including the works of hometown hero, Gustav Klimt.

 Sunset outside of the Hapsburg's Hofburg Palace.  The Hapsburgs were the ruling family of the Holy Roman and later Austro-Hungarian Empire.

We took the U-Bahn out to Prater Park to ride the famous Wien Reisenrad, Ferris Wheel.  A few seasons ago on the Amazing Race, the contestants had to eat a giant plate of Wiener Schnitzel during a full revolution of the Ferris Wheel.  It moved pretty slow, so the Wiener Schnitzel must have been pretty big!

 The Reisenrad illumintated.

 Sara with our apartment.

 We saw the Lipizzaner stallions practice to classical music under glass chandeliers!

We visited the Hapsburg's Royal Treasury and saw the actual crown and scepter of the Holy Roman Emperor!  And his ermine and velvet cloak (below).

 We were served coffee at the famous Cafe Central coffee house by tuxedoed waiters.  This is their famous coffee drink- espresso with apricot liquer and whipped cream, delicious!

The Cafe Central has changed little in the 120 years it has been open.

 The front of the Hapsburg's Hofburg Palace.

While walking the streets of Vienna, we stumbled upon the Lipizzaner stallions in their stables.  Their stables were the nicest stables we had ever seen.  Fitting given they practice to Mozart under chandeliers...

We paid our respects to the Hapsburg family by visiting the royal burial crypt.  Here is the massive sarcophagus of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband.