Day 2 in Vienna

---

We started today off with a city tour of Vienna. Our driver, Joseph, suggested we go to Schonbrunn Palace because it is a holiday here today and many things would be closed. We headed to the palace and got there early enough to beat the crowds. We took an audio tour of 41 rooms (out of 1440!). Schonbrunn Palace was the summer residence of Empress Maria Theresia (mother of Marie Antoinette). After the tour we continued our city tour around the center of Vienna. We walked around the Josefplatz area and saw the Lippanzer horses in their stables at the Spanish Riding School (we are going back tomorrow to see a morning rehearsal). Joseph then drove us around the Ring and dropped us off at the Sigmund Freud museum where we also took a tour. There was not much to the Freud museum, but it is the apartment where Freud lived for most of his working life (1908-1938) and also where he practiced his psychoanalysis, so it was worth it just to go inside.

We had an afternoon boat tour booked so Joseph dropped us back at the hotel and we freshened up and waited for the next driver to pick us up. When the driver came, he took us to an area (I have no idea where we were) with a bunch of buses and dropped us off. After some initial confusion as to where we were supposed to go, we were directed to a bus for "Tour 3" and hopped on board. The bus drove us to Cobenzl (the northern part of the Vienna Woods) so we could see a panoramic view over Vienna. We then boarded the bus once again and headed to the Danube River where we took an hour-long boat tour on the river. There are actually two parts to the river, and we passed through a channel that controls the water levels so the river won't overflow. The boat docked at Schwedenplatz and we decided to stay and eat instead of finishing with the tour. We found a place called Maschu Maschu that was in my notes as having the "best falafels in town" so we decided to stop there. I had a vegi pita that was pretty good...I'd never eaten anything similar so I don't really have anything to compare it to. Being in another country, I've quickly realized what a hurry Americans are always in as opposed to people from anywhere else. The waiters do not bring your check to you here when you complete your meal. I guess it is customary to sit and relax for awhile before leaving so you have to get someone's attention when you are ready to pay. They also include the tip on the bill, which makes it easier than having to calculate what to leave.

After dinner we went to Eisallon am Schwedenplatz, a popular ice cream place here. I had a schockobanane (chocolate banana) ice cream that was yummy. I would have taken a photo of it but it was melting too quickly with the humidity here. After ice cream we wandered around the area and then hopped on Tram 2 back towards our hotel. When we got off the tram I got turned around and headed us off in the exact opposite direction from where we should have gone. When we reached Hoher Markt, I realized the mistake and we turned and headed back the right way. Luckily it was still light out when we got back to the hotel!

We were fortunate again with no rain today...the weather is incredibly unpredictable here so we'll continue to hope for the best!

---

Photos

Schonbrunn Palace
This is the front view of Schonbrunn Palace, summer residence of the imperial family.

Schonbrunn Palace
A closer view of Schonbrunn Palace...

Schonbrunn Palace
Another view of Schonbrunn Palace...

Schonbrunn Gardens
Schonbrunn Gardens (with The Gloriette seen in the distance)

Schonbrunn Gardens
Schonbrunn Gardens (with The Gloriette seen in the distance)

Schonbrunn Palace
Rear entrance of Schonbrunn Palace

Josefplatz
This is a statue of Joseph II, located in Josefplatz.

Josefplatz
This is Josefplatz, behind which is the Spanish Riding School (home of the Lippanzer stallions).

Old Drawbridge
This passageway, site of an old drawbridge, now connects the areas of Josefplatz with Michaelerplatz (where the entrance to Hofburg Palace is located).

Dome in Hofburg Quarter
This dome, located in the center of the Hofburg Palace, separates the locations of the Spanish Riding School and Imperial Apartments.

Loos House
This is the Loos House, located in Michaelerplatz. The Loos House, built by Adolf Loos in 1911, is one of the first modern buildings built in Vienna and is currently the location of a private bank. The street to the right leads to Kohlmarket, location of several high-end shops and also Cafe Demel.

Roman Remains in Michaelerplatz
These Roman remains, located in the center of Michaelerplatz, date back about 2000 years and were uncovered during the planned construction of an underground carpark in that area.

Hofburg Palace
View of Hofburg Palace from the center of Michaelerplatz

Sigmund Freud Museum
This is the outer view of the Sigmund Freud Museum, located at Berggasse 19. The museum was the location of both Dr. Freud's residence and office between 1908 and 1938.

Sigmund Freud Museum
Plaque and flags located outside the Sigmund Freud Museum

Sigmund Freud Museum
This is the door that led to Sigmund Freud's private residence.

Sigmund Freud Museum
Sign of Professor Dr. Freud

Sigmund Freud Museum
Copy of Dr. Freud's diploma from Clark University

Sigmund Freud Museum
This was the waiting room to Dr. Freud's office. The entire room has been largely restored to its original appearance.

Sigmund Freud Museum
Replication of "the couch" (the original is located at the Freud Museum in London).

Vineyards over Vienna
View of vineyards with Vienna in the distance (taken from edge of Vienna Woods)

Comments

[Michael]

Wow! That sounds a marvellous palace with so many rooms in it! I can't imagine a place with 41 rooms let alone 1440! It made me chuckle imagining you being dropped off by the bus amongst other buses and just standing around looking baffled as to why you've been brought to see more buses! Very happy to see the notes are coming in very handy when you went to the best falafel place in town. I love the little details in your blogs and the descriptions of all the foods you try. The Shockobanane sounds scrummy. Mmmmm.