Vienna - Christmas, Castles and Cold - Part 6 (and final!)



 

This is the final post for Vienna.  I really loved this city and plan to visit again in May. 

 

 First stop was back to Schonbrunn palace to actually do the grounds and the palace itself.  The gardens reminded me of Versaille - except I've never seen Versaille with some traces of snow in the grounds.  One of the reasons I want to go back to Vienna is to see the grounds in full bloom as they plant so many flowers in the fields outlining the area.  All I saw was dirt, but it's supposed to be great.  There was ice everywhere too - so it made for some treacherous walking.  Those people out there are brave!

 Normal view from the back deck of any large palace.

 Down on ground level

 Right side of the castle

 Middle of the castle

 Left side of the castle.

I actually did the tour of the castle, but no pictures allowed again.  Definitely worth it, comes with audio guide.  The only issue is that you need to book in advance or you wait a few hours for your entry time.  I didn't book early, but I enjoyed waiting in the Christmas market, drinking hot chocolate #2 and #3 (latter of which definitely had alcohol in it...oops!).  If anyone's keeping score, I believe I drank before noon on both days of this trip.  What a lush.

I also sampled the strawberries covered in chocolate on a stick.  You can definitely put anything on a stick and it just tastes good.  I also tried some risotto with a tomato sauce that was good and some more Christmas cookies.

 Back at the first Christmas market in the center of Vienna

 Obligatory angel photo.

 Like a Christmas wonderland.

 So happy to be in paradise.

Fresh and clean Vienna.

I reversed my trip back to the airport via the express train.  If you ever need to go to the airport around lunch time I DO NOT suggest attempting to eat there after you have gone through security.  There is nothing back there.  I wish I had gone later to the airport and had to make a mad dash because of an over extended meal in Vienna.  I flew hungry, landed hungry and it was too late in Schiphol for anything to be open. 

I got back to my apartment around 12:30, packed my big suitcase and headed back to the airport at 6:00AM for my flight to Houston.  What a weekend!