24th October Vienna

This morning we began our day visiting Schonbrunn Palace. We were one of the first groups in which was great as we didn't have to compete with other groups to see the wonderful sights in this magnificent palace. Schonbrunn Palace is a former imperial, 1441 room summer residence. The palace and gardens reflect the tasts, interests and aspirations of the Hapsburg monarchs. The name Schonbrunn means 'beautiful spring' and was named after one of the monarchs commented on the beauty of an artesian well from which water was consumed by the court. It was here in Vienna I was really introduced to 'Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina, the only female ruler of the Hapsburg dominions and the last of the House of Hapsburg. The House of Hapsburg was one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formerly elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740. A series of dynastic marriages meant that the family were able to expand its domains throughout many parts of Europe. Maria Theresa and her husband Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, had sixtenn children, including Queen Marie Antoinette of France. Under Maria Theresa's rule she led many financial and educational reforms, developed agriculture and reorganised the military, which all strengethened Austria's international standing. The palace is surrounded by many magnificent gardens, which would have been fun to explore, but we just ran out of time. There were lots of locals taking advantage of the grounds and using the area to jog.

After the palace we then headed back to the main part of Vienna for a walking tour with our local guide Sylvia. We saw St Stephen's Cathedral which is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna. It is a Romanesque and Gothic structure and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches. We then walked up to Hofburg Palace which has housed some of the most powerful people in European and Austrian history. It currently is the official residence of the President of Austria. We saw the balcony where Hitler delivered his speech on the 15th March 1938 to the people of Vienna in....That was VERY weird, to stand in the place where he had spoken, kind of eerie! After the walking tour was complete a few of us headed to the Sacher Cafe where the original Sacher Torte was created. I had Goulash soup and of course, the original Sacher Torte for dessert! I then headed up to see the Hapsburg crypt, about 140 members of the Hapsburg family are buried here, well not exactly 'buried', they are inside very elaborate metal coffins. The coffin of Maria Theresa and her husband is huge and very elaborate! I took a walk on the ringed road to see the town hall and parliament building and then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the Viennese concert we were attending.

Many concert venues offer concerts (aimed at tourists) where they perform many of the works of Mozart and Strauss. We first had dinner and then headed upstairs for the performance. The music was beautiful and they also featured some amazing dancers and singers. Another great night with a great group of people.