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Published: September 11th 2018
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Our first morning in Vienna we discovered that not only did our breakfast buffet was as extensive or more than in Budapest, but this enlightened hotel kept sparkling wine on ice for those who wished a little perk me up in the morning!
Our first full day in Vienna was planned around some of the major landmarks around the Inner City. Hofburg Palace, the Museum Quarter, the Opera House, etc. With slightly more confidence as to where we were going, we set out for the Inner City and managed to do a fairly good job about finding the landmarks we were looking for.
I enjoyed the Hofburg complex, and the wonderful architecture of the Museum Quarter, although having the grounds prepared for a festival was a bit of a turn off.
The highlight of the day was the visit to St. Stephen's to go to the top of the North Tower for the view, and to tour the catacombs under the church. The view was very nice, although I actually enjoyed the designs on the roof more than the actual views of the City. The catacombs were extensive and impressive, with even the remains in a plague mass
grave for viewing. The containers with the organs of the mummified monarchs was a bit creepy. No photography was allowed, but the guide who conducted the tour in English and German was extremely knowledgeable and detailed, and made it a very interesting experience.
About the church, what can I say. The scale is immense, and the altars, the massive columns covered in reliefs that are different in each one, the entire amazing structure. I could not do it justice. It has to be seen personally to appreciate it. It is just overwhelming.
We also visited the Imperial Crypt, but I felt self conscious about taking photographs of the coffins after a couple. After all, it was their tomb. Some of the elaborate coffins were almost as big as tiny houses are these days and were extremely elaborate and a bit macabre.
Of course, Franz Joseph is interned there, and Sissy is next to him in a smaller but beautifully decorated coffin.
Some of the coffins had offerings left in front of them, specially that one of Maximilian, short lived emperor of Mexico. Several Mexican flags were left for him.
We missed the opportunity to tour
the Opera House because they were not having tours that day and we had planned to dedicate the following day to Schonbrunn Palace. That was very disappointing since we were also missing going to a performance there. The first performance in September was Carmen, but it was on the 6th, the day we were leaving.
One fun stop was at Café Sacher for the famous chocolate torte and old world ambiance. Although they had many delightful coffees, we opted for sparkling wine instead. It was way too hot for coffee. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it. It was funny that, at first, we thought the atmosphere would be a little snobby, given their status, but the waitress was a delightful girl who spent a long time talking to us about our visit and trip in general. It was her who told us that Vienna was an impressive imperial city, but that Prague was a fairytale place. I remembered that remark later on.
Delightfully, we didn't get nearly as turned around and lost that night on the way back to the hotel, even after an impromptu stop at a very cute wine bar that had a rooftop.
However, the rooftop was closed because of the spotty rain, so we only stayed for one drink.
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