Vienna, Vienna, Austria
We woke up this morning moored next to another Viking ship in Vienna. Today was the first day we have had an overcast day on this whole trip. Our weather has truly been amazing with lots of sunshine…too much heat, but nonetheless nice, sunny weather. Our cruise director suggested to everyone to bring some rain gear, which we did. Luckily, it did not rain and was probably the most comfortable day temperature wise we have had the whole trip. Our tour guide today was amazing. She was clever and funny and altogether did a great job.
Vienna was not what I expected at all. I guess my thoughts were that Vienna was a city lost in the time of regency novels, but it was anything but that. Our bus took us through areas that were VERY modern high rises, juxtaposed with buildings from a much older era. The royal palace is HUGE. I think our guide said it had more than 2,000 rooms! We lucked out and saw some of the famed Leipzig horses as they were lead through the horse barn (which was so nice you could live in it!) on their way to practice their famous “Airs Above the Ground”.
They are amazing animals.
After our tour ended, John and I went into St. Stephens’s Cathedral. It is so big and closed in so tightly with other buildings, it was impossible to get far enough away to get the whole building into the camera’s frame. Hope you can get some idea of what it looks like. It is totally different from any other cathedral we have ever seen both inside and out.
After touring the Cathedral, we stopped at a Viennese Coffee House and had the best cup of coffee I think I have ever had, along with some fancy dancy sponge cake that we had never had before. There we were—in Vienna, having coffee and a treat on a sidewalk overlooking St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It was like being in a 1940’s movie for sure! We have had a very good day. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Howerton
2023-08-23
Sounds like it would be worth the trip just for the coffee and “fancy dancy sponge cake,” view, etc.!
Cathy
2023-08-23
I would have to stop at EVERY coffee shop. I love treats! :-)
Yvonne
2023-08-23
How come so many Churches are named St Stephen on the trip? This city is past and present even have the cranes.
Lora Carbary
2023-08-23
This is my kind of day, Cathedrals, Horses, Castles, and Bakery. It doesn't get any better than that. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Lora
Paul Wylie
2023-08-23
Our dance teacher calls the Cathedral the “Scary Church”
Mike
2023-08-24
What a great day with a great ending. Your pictures of the cathedral are very good; nice picture from the coffee shop to make us all jealous. From your description I was confused that Vienna must not be that large a city. So I looked it up - about 2 million people. :O looks like you have another day there tomorrow!
Ashton
2023-08-24
Wow, beautiful pictures! I could live in that castle. Glad you had a great time in Vienna!
Gary and Kathy
2023-08-24
When you said that you saw the horses, you really did see the horses, up close and personal! Great pictures, as always.Thanks for sharing!
Pam
2023-08-24
We, too, were struck by how well the new buildings blended in with the old. I loved Vienna.