Vienna – Travels with Lori

Austria

March 17/18, 2019

AMA Waterways River Cruise

Vienna with all the Imperial History, Hapsburgs rule, grand Palaces, museums and music make it a cultural delight! It has always been one of my favorite cities in Europe and I love coming back over and over again.

St. Stephansdom or St. Steven’s Cathedral is an iconic landmark in the city. It’s my favorite out of the many church’s in Vienna. The sheer size, architecture and history are intriguing.

The inside is cavernous and ornate, and there was an art installation with pink colored paper objects hanging in the center, it was pretty.

Taking the 343 stairs up to the top of the taller south tower. Great way to work off the Weidner Schnitzel! The stairs are narrow, worn and smooth so not so easy to navigate, plus if someone is coming down at the same time you have to both squeeze by each other. It took about 10 minutes to get to the top and the views are worth it.

I love the colored tiles on the roof and the patterns, looks great close up and from afar

I really enjoyed doing this alone so I could spend time looking at Vienna from above in all directions

See how beautiful the tiled roof is!

Please look at this collection of pictures, zoom in on each photo to see what the cathedral looked like after it was bombed in WWII. You can’t imagine how it was able to come back to its current glory.

The girls having fun in Vienna

One of my favorite spots to take pictures in Vienna! Plus there’s always a horse and buggy to go by!

We all need to get a picture here!

Ready for a traditional Viennese Heuriger lunch experience.

Oh yeah, the best comfort food in Bavaria is Kasespatzle!

Traditional and crunchy Weiner Schnitzel with lemon! Tender veal pounded thin, breaded and fried til crisp! You have to try it at least once in Vienna, it’s their signature dish. Wein means Vienna in German, so Weiner means it’s from Vienna-so Weiner Schnitzel is a Schnitzel variety from Vienna!

Potato dumplings stuffed with meat, sauerkraut with speck and herbs.

Not sure I we can eat anymore!

Spring is in bloom in Vienna! I loved seeing all the spring bulbs and plant I don’t see in California.

I could not wait to shop for Austrian Crystal at J & L Lobmeyr on Kärntnerstraße!

Just look at the inside of the shop, it was spectacular, glittery and shimmering!! The middle chandeliers are the same as the ones they made when they were commissioned to make them for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York!

Speaking of an Opera House, the Vienna Staatsoper is so beautiful and opulent inside with its red velvets and gold. Definitely take a tour inside, it’s fascinating.

Jamie and I ready to go into the infamous Hotel Sacher right next to the Opera House on Kärntnerstraße.

The hotel is opulent and beautiful!

The infamous Sacher Torte is only genuine if made here! Have it mit obers and an einspänner

Here is a good view of the double balcony from the outside. Sunken in with the chairs is the traditional balcony and right next to it is the French balcony which is pushed out flush with the outside of the ship.

This window is inside the bathroom and it works with a switch to make it clear or frosted for privacy. I thought it was a bit strange but than realized it made the bathroom feel more spacious when open and gave better lighting.

Ready for another gourmet dinner!

Tonight’s Menu

Dinner was sublime as usual, I loved the salmon trout, it was perfectly cooked.

We had a fun evening at the Kursalon. A classical music concert with Strauss and Mozart favorites. Everyone was dressed up, champagne was flowing and and waltzes being played. I’ve seen a similar concert like this in Shönbrunn Palace before and loved it so I was excited to go again and it didn’t disappoint!