The Captivating Charm of Vienna, Austria!

 

 

Located on the Danube River, Vienna has a
rich intellectual and artistic history. The imperial
palaces such as the Baroque palace Schönbrunn
offer opulent interiors. This elegant palace
was the summer residence of the Habsburgs.

The pace of life was vastly different from today.
First impressions as we toured the city were
that the buildings were elegant. Horse drawn
carriages moved about the city and palace
grounds leaving the history to our imaginations.

Besides being the capital city of Austria, Vienna
has many famous cultural events, coffee houses,
restaurants and wine taverns. It is the city of
charm and a feast for the eyes. We enjoyed
the many outdoor cafes where we sat with

wonderful coffees and pastries. Our hotel room
upgrade spoke of an earlier period with its
chandeliers and large desk, a sitting area with
sofas and chairs, a wardrobe and high ceilings
by our standards. Fresh linens adorned the

   

tables to the breakfast room with floor to
ceiling windows overlooking the city. In
a sitting area with chandeliers stood a
beautiful Bösendorfer Grand Piano which
was handcrafted in Austria. After

inquiring about the piano, I learned
that it was in need of repairs. I was
allowed to play a few notes though. Such
a gem has long been on my wish list. It
also requires space to be appreciated.

After a tour of the city, we walked the
pedestrian zone near our hotel and browsed
the windows of shops. Lanz of Austria,
a quality name in Vienna and around the
world offered just what we wanted:

two beautiful sweaters in traditional
gray colors. These will serve us well in
the winter months. Day two included a
visit to a local monastery which will
be the topic of a future blog. Suffice

to say, Vienna is worth the trip. Go
inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral and
view the magnificent altars and stained
glass windows. We listened to the bells
toll and left behind prayers for loved ones.