Keeleys, Wright, & Forster Viking River Cruise: Danube, Main, and Rhine : Vienna, Austria

We’re in Vienna, Austria- the city of music, art, and architectural beauty. This morning we walked around the heart of the city, admiring the exquisite architecture and partaking in the coffee culture at a Viennese coffee house where we sat outside and enjoyed Viennese coffee with apple strudel and the Austrian very dense and dry chocolate cake, sachertorte. In the afternoon, Beth and Page went to the large market with the Executive Chef on our ship to see the variety of foods and sample some local cheeses, stuffed peppers, and wine. Others went to Schonbrunn Palace- second to Versailles as one of the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe. After dinner, Beth, Dave, J, and Jackie went to one of the Viennese Concert Halls for a Chamber Music Concert of the music of Viennese composers.

David Keeley's impression of the Palace: Off to the Schonbrunn Palace this afternoon – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site designated in 1996. The planning for a “palatial hunting lodge” was commissioned by Leopold I in 1688. By 1700 the first sections of the lodge were completed. And then every relative of the Hapsburg Dynasty contributed over the next 600 years. (The most significant work was done by Empress Maria Theresa including extensive gardens that span as far as the eye can see.) In its hay day there were over 1000 workers tending to all aspects of the palace.

This Baroque palace (meaning everything is balanced) has over 2000 rooms of magnificent beauty and COMPLETE over–the-top opulence. Incredible wood inlay floors abound throughout the palace and one room has Rosewood inlay walls. Gold leaf is everywhere. Paintings that capture the Hapsburg lineage are found throughout the palace – many of whom were relatives. While intermarriages were common so were some disturbing results of cousins coming together to produce offspring. (Families of 10+ children were the norm. Maria Theresa had 18 children over 20-years!) Large tapestries (40’x20’) document different aspects of their lives. The Vieux-Laque room was perhaps the most amazing with black lacquer panels made in Peking. It was designed as a memorial to the Empress’ husband Franz Stephen in 1765. The only surviving bed of state from the Viennese court (used to display the newborns and baptisms) was recently restored for $1M. (It was red velvet with genuine gold and silver embroidery.)

Our tour guide, Silvia, was very helpful in describing the Palace’s history and in navigating us through the throng of people that were there to enjoy this most unusual place. We then walked through the gardens, enjoyed the Neptune Fountain, and climbed the hill to the Gloriette – which offered a wonderful view of the palace and extensive wings and annexes. A good time was had by all.

J's Impression of the concert: We were treated to a magnificent evening concert presented by the world renowned Vienna Residence Concert, a chamber orchestra. Held in the Hall of Fame (Ruhmesalle) of the Museum of Military History beautifully decorated with murals, the music resonated in a wonderful manner. The orchestra members were dressed in period clothing, were joined by opera singers and ballet dancers. So much more than we expected; such a great way to end our day in Vienna.

Cruising down the Danube tonight- arriving in Melk, Austria tomorrow.

One of the statues in front of the Palace in the heart of Vienna

Headquarters of the Spanish Riding School

Stable boys leading some of the Lipizzaner stallions out of the stable courtyard and across the city street into the Spanish Riding School.

Another view of the expansive Palace in the heart of the City

Beautiful architecture on every street

Wandering down a pedestrian street

A large statue in commemoration of the end of the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) in the 1500's.

The looming spire of St. Stevens Cathedral

More spires of St. Steven's Cathedral

Beautiful balcony on a private residence in the heart of Vienna

Vienna- The City of Art and Music!

Vienna- the City of Art, Music, Exquisite Architecture and Sigmund Freud!

" Did the guide say, 7 seconds on the lips, 7 years on the hips?- this sachertorte is pretty good!"

Enjoying some coffee and hot chocolate at a Vienna Coffee House- Still can't get David to try coffee, even in Vienna where coffee is part of the culture!