2011: Day 4 - Vienna

Another great day!

We had a 6am wake up call - but it paid off!
Our tour director, Robert, secured the first reservations of the day at Shronbrunn Palace - which meant we were the only guests in the Palace for the most part. We went room to room with our own local guide, Gabi, for a nearly private tour! A one-of-a-kind experience for sure. The Palace and Gardens were beautiful. 1,441 rooms and acres and acres of grounds. We learned about Mary Theresa (and all of her 16 children). This was the summer palace for the Hapsburg dynasty.

We then switched gears and went to see modern art at KunstHausWien - what a creative artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser was. And a man who epitomized eco-friendly living and work. A very different experience after our tour of the Palace.

Next was a driving tour of some of the city's monuments, etc. with a stop for lunch along the way. We ended with a walking tour to additional historic spots and a tour of the downtown palace - the winter residence of the Hapsburg clan - and currently where the Austrian President is. {There was actually a visiting dignatary - we saw the motorcade and another country's flag in the courtyard (researching which country the flag belonged to).}

Then free time to explore some more - perhaps some shopping, some Sacher Torte, a stroll through one of the parks, or a glass of Austrian wine or beer. Tonight we head out into the coutryside for an Austrian wine dinner - looking forward to it!

Weather has been pitch-perfect thus far and no rain in the forecast for tomorrow as we make our way to Salzburg.

Hello to everyone back home!