Revisiting Imperial Austria in ViennaAs home to the Habsburgs - Europe's ultimate royal family and Holy Roman Emperors to boot - Vienna has a particularly regal air about it. In our first day alone, we saw the dancing Royal Lippizan Stallions, artwork by Raphael and Caravaggio, and Napoleon's crib. We also learned about more modern Vienna, which has rebounded from World War II and its aftermath, to become a cosmopolitan and multi-cultural city.
Our favorite thing: Can we call it a tie between sneaking into a St. Stephen's Cathedral with Gerhard and our full tour group and the Imperial Treasury with a huge jeweled crown with its custom made crown, or is it hat, box? |
Waltzing Through ViennaA walking tour of Vienna is a lesson in the Habsburg Monarchy. Their characteristic profile is seen in fountains throughout town and many city buildings are painted classic Theresian yellow. Local guide Gerhard entertained us with stories of the Habsburgs and their sixteen children, as well as stories of being a schoolboy in post-war Vienna. A wonderful and unexpected part of the tour happened as we were walking down a small, deserted side-street. We paused to look through windows at the arched doorways across the courtyard. A group of large, gray horses were being led from the arched doorways toward our tour group. Without a tour guide, we would have continued walking; but we were stopped to watch the horses parade on by. These were the Royal Lippizan Stallions developed over 400 years by the Habsburg family for war and peace. The gray horses are young animals transitioning in strength and color to the beautiful white stallions of Austria.
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Glacis BeislStrolling through the cool evening around sundown, we arrived at Glacis Beisl. Without a reservation, we were offered seating at a high-top table near the stone garden wall. We enjoyed our meals. Jody opted for the cheese-filled dumplings topped with sour cream, while Lex had the beef with vegetables and a side of crispy hash brown casserole, and whole-fish lover Justin ate brook trout with parsley potatoes. Everything was delicious and the meal was finished with a dessert of apricot ice cream and fried dumplings with raspberry sauce.
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A Collection Fit for a KingWhat do you get the Royal family that has everything, including a 400 year reign? Artwork obviously, and Vienna had plenty of masterworks in its Kunsthistorisches Museum, which now houses the Habsburg's personal collection. Portraits of nobles like Maria Theresa and Marie Antoinette put faces to the names of rulers past, and timeless works by Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Pieter Bruegel were amazing to see in person. We also really enjoyed exploring the museum's collection of "curiosities," including 400 year old clocks, pocket sundials and automaton ships that moved across a table shooting a tiny cannon. Apparently, this last item was part of a regal drinking game.
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Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone: Lex (comfort zone 60-75°F) & the Delicious Diet CokeIn general, I am out of my comfort zone the entire time I am overseas. The lack of air conditioning and the lack of ice are always a challenge for me. The first few days in Germany were very hot, but I managed to survive nonetheless. After being in Europe for nearly two weeks, we spent the last few days of our trip in Vienna. During a walk along the scenic streets of old Vienna, we stopped at the Mozart Café for a brief rest and to have a drink. The three women in our group opted for various types of fancy coffee, while Rick and I wanted Diet Cokes. We thought we must have misheard the waiter when he asked if we wanted ice in our Diet Cokes. Of course we both enthusiastically exclaimed “Yes!” Since ice in Europe is usually dispensed, if it is available at all, as if it is small cubes of precious gems instead of cubes of frozen water, I was expecting one or possibly two cubes in my glass. Imagine my great surprise and joy when I received a glass completely full of glorious ice cubes! There was more ice in this one glass than I had seen in two weeks! For a short time at this outdoor café in Vienna I was in my comfort zone thanks to a delicious glass full of ice and Diet Coke.
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The Imperial Treasury or
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