VIENNA IS BEAUTIFUL

Vienna lives up to expectation in the beauty of the buildings and the elegance that was the capital of the Hapsburg Empire so long ago.  The city is easy to discover by walking as well as travelling around the Ring Road that keeps the inner city contained.  

Where else can you find as much

attention paid to beautiful

buildings and great collections of

art as is paid to artistic pastry collections such as you see in the right picture.  This is a window in one of the many beautiful pastry shops. In all the cafes if the waiters (only  men) are dressed in Tuxedos you are able to order your coffee and pick up one of the many newspapers and sit all day if you want.  On the other hand in in the patisseries where women serve you are expected to have your coffee and pastry and leave!

We were able to visit the beautiful palace of .Schombrunn which was the summer palace of the Hapsburgs. This Palace is amazingly intact with beautiful floors as well as furniture from the time such as the incredible room heaters.  

The floors are intricate patterns formed with exotic wood.

And as much as the inside is beautiful the gardens are not to be missed.  They are extensive and beautiful.

  Finally in keeping with the important traditions of Vienna I was able to attend a performance of the Lipizzaner Horses and Swan Lake at the Vienna Opera house.  Unfortunately no photos are allowed but these were amazing.  Cultural performances are of monumental importance here.  If you can't get inside the Opera house then the performance is visible on the large screen outside and chairs are put on the sidewalks for everyone to take advantage.