We are sitting at the Liechtenstein Palace. In Vienna. Watching an opera. Created especially for us.

An APT exclusive and a little surreal.

Today was Vienna.

We left the boat at 8.30 for a bus tour along the sights of the Ring Road. Bit different to Ballarat’s Ring Road.

Our guide told us quite a lot of interesting stuff although we are finding the guides with overlapping stories can contradict each other. So don’t take what I’m repeating now as gospel. No time to fact check my friends.

Let’s see……

The Romans founded the city and there is a wine growing tradition dating back to 1700 – taught by those very Romans.

Vienna is a very green city with over 1000 parks. It also has a goal to be climate neutral by 2040. Given the renewable energy they create in Austria it could be on track.

The Saint Francis Joseph church commenced building in 1889 and finished in 1913. We just drove past it and in the dark it also looks pretty spectacular.

Mexico were the only country to protest the annexe of Austria to Germany in 1938 so there is a Garden Square dedicated to Mexico as a thank you.

I saw a Kyokushin Karate Dojo on Ring Road. I may not have practiced for 30 years but I have to say it set me up for life. The guide did not tell us about the Dojo.

Until 1873 the residents drank beer, wine and cider – a recurring theme here – after that the water came from the first pipeline in Austria. Here in Vienna.

The kipferl was invented in Vienna in the 1300’s and was imitated by the French using pastry, becoming the Croissant.

Johanne Strauss Jnr had three marriages and was engaged thirteen times. Good prospective husband to bring home to mum and dad 😜

In Vienna there are 40 orchestras who play different operas each night, many of them are international musicians.

It is legal to be a spy here, in fact it’s the playground of spies – just as long as you don’t spy on any Austrian businesses.

Our guide took us through the Volksgarten, past the Hofburg Imperial Palace. through town and ended our tour at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral. Lucky we ended there. I heard meek, mild Joy from our group, echo most peoples sentiments. If he doesn’t shut up there may be a murder. He wasn’t the best.

Anyway..

The Volksgarten (gardens) were created in 1805 and many of the trees and plants are sponsored, so they have the name of the plant along with the sponsor.

The Hofburg Imperial Palace was built in 1670 and has 19 wings, 18 courtyards and over 2000 rooms.

I swear he said the Architect not only married his cousin but also his neice ……

Vienna is opulent and majestic and beautiful.

There was a lot to take in. Especially from an overly loquacious tour guide. Who didn’t really stop anywhere for us to really enjoy the moment.

So I just took photos. A lot of them.

After we left our tour guide at St. Stephen’s Church, our group decided coffee was in order.

Whilst I did have my eye on the local Starbucks, of which I counted at least three, we ended up going to Cafe-Konditorei Aida-Wein which is a pretty little, everything pink, cafe/bakery in the main area.

We all tried the Austrian Strudel with Bavarian cream. If you ever get to Vienna make sure you try it. Truly heavenly. Their coffee however was not.

After that the group decided to go their seperate ways and meet later. First stop for MoD and I? Starbucks. Where we found Dani, Petra and Johan. Dani had just been telling Johan that the best coffee in Vienna was really Starbucks. Totally agree Dani.

From there MoD and I just wandered around, finding a few out of the way places. Like stepping into an ongoing Mass at Saint Peters Church. That was pretty special. And outside horses and carts were poised to take you for a city tour post Mass.

A cute little art shop next to the Art Museum – made me want to be creative and draw again.

MoD ignoring the Cannabis Store.

Some out of the way lanes, which took us up to the gorgeous and very orange Greek Orthodox Church.

The Police were actually booking a truck which was in the middle of unloading.

The Gin Store looked like fun.

And there it was. The Billabong Australian Food and Drinks. Closed until later in the day. Alas we would be busy and couldn’t go back.

By then we were hungry so headed back to the centre to find something to eat. Which we did. Authentic Italian Pizza restaurant to have probably the best pizza we have had in some time. So naturally you all have to see it.

Then it was a quick hop on the extremely busy underground to take us back to the boat, which just happens to be moored across the Danube from what you might say is the modern part of the city.

After a rest and an early dinner we then boarded the bus to take us to an evening at the Opera.

Yes. Like I said. At the Liechtenstein Palace.

In Vienna.

We were treated to champagne on our arrival before an hour listening to a stunning orchestra, a young and very talented baritone, a beautiful female opera singer and three young boys from the Boys Vienna Choir.

I said last night it doesn’t get any better than this.

Apparently it does.

Gute Nacht 😴