A full day in one of the world's great capitols today. Vienna was for centuries almost the center of the cultural universe and the Hapsburg Emperors were amongst the most influential and powerful people in Europe for almost one thousand years.
Our day starts with a guided visit of Schonbrunn Palace, summer residence of the Hapsburg's. I always make sure my group is there first as when you do this we get into the palace before other groups and before the public entrance opens. This way it's like having a private guided tour of one of the worlds most amazing palaces.
One of the highlights of the palace is that much of the furniture and items used daily by the Hapsburg's is still in place. This way you get a feeling of how these people spent their days in the palace. Take a look at the huge numbers of people coming to the palace as we are leaving.
Our morning continues with the start of the included tour and a drive around this elegant city. Highlights around the city ring include, The Opera, Natural History and Fine Arts Museums, Burg Theater, University, Town Hall, Votif Church, Stadt Park and much more. There is time to disembark at St Stephens Cathedral for a walk through the Graben, one of the old parts of the city and a famous shopping street, to the Hofburg Palace.
Our included tour ends behind the Opera house. This Opera has the longest running opera season in the world, due in large part to the modernization of the building when it was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War. The still had the original plans in the state library and so were able to faithfully recreate the original.
Last of all we visit the Hapsburg Crypts just a few meters from the drop off point for what I call Tales From The Crypts. It is an interesting and sometimes funny culmination of our introduction to the Hamburgs.
There is time for lunch shopping and just relaxing over a coffee until the coach transfers to the hotel for a well earned siesta.
This evening I like to take people to meet a family who were once one of the largest Schnaps producers in the empire. Unfortunately just at the end of the war their building was destroyed as a result of being too close to the railway station and the family lost everything. Now they are a small but prestigious schnapps maker still producing schnapps in the traditional way.
From here we will drive into the Vienna woods to a village called Neustift to have dinner at one of the famous Heuringer wine houses. Its where all the Viennese come on the weekend and is as authentic as you can get. The wine is good, the meal if comprised of cheeses, meats and breads to start. Followed by roasted meats ans schnitzel and salads for the main course. Ending with Apple Strudel and cream for desert.
During dinner a friend comes to entertain us with what is called Schramel Music for which the Heuringe are famous. His name is Rhinehart and he is always excited to teach visitors about his music and culture in a friendly and caring manner. Most people fall in love with Rinehart's warm and gentle nature.
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