Two Excursions into Vienna

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 Friday, May 23, 2025

We started the morning by boarding a bus for a 45 minute drive into the city.  The boat was moored on a re-routed portion of the river that had been created in the late 1800's to prevent flooding in the old part of the city.  Our guide for this tour was quite the character.  He walked us through areas of the old city while carrying on a constant commentary.   The facts and stories he told were fascinating.  At times he was pretty 'flippant' with his comments.  Just for our Swiss friends (now remember our Guide was Austrian) I  will tell you a story.  He was talking about all the countries in Europe that speak German.  He was naming them all and then as a throw in he said "and even the Swiss think that they speak German". Now remember that was the guide making that statement not me!  But it was kind of funny!

We were let loose in the shopping district of Vienna.  God only knows how long the street actually was.  We walked half a dozen blocks and still there was no end in site of this district.  This was high end retail.  And it was 'stupidly' busy.  There were way too many people in too small an area.  I guess I should not complain, we were part of the problem.

In the afternoon we set out on the same 45 minute bus ride to get to Schonbrunn Palace.  The Palace was the summer home of the Hapsburg Family who ruled Austria for over 600 years.  The Palace is huge.  It was built based on the design of Versailles in France.  This place bleeds 'opulence' I consists of over 1000 rooms and 460 acres of gardens.  We toured through about 25 rooms.  It is spectacular...but...we came away in dismay as to why anyone, royalty or whoever, needs such luxury.  I guess the reality is that we are on different today.  We build houses that way too big just because we can.  Can you say, 'keeping up with the Jones'!

After returning to our boat, we again hooked up with our new found American friends.  We were able to re-hash some of our experiences from today.  Vienna, it was concluded, would be well worth a future visit.  

St. Stephen Cathedral - Vienna

St. Stephen Cathedral - Vienna

Too Many People

Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace Gardens

Schonbrunn Palace Gardens

Schonbrunn Palace Opulent Interior


 Vienna Sunset



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