Welcome to Vienna, Austria

Having already seen the beauty of Salzburg, and Jason deciding that a country that lives on a variety of sausages for every meal is alright by him, we headed to the grand dame of culture...Vienna. Vienna is similar to Salzburg in that its gorgeous and steeped in music and history. Vienna, however, is different. Its a thriving, modern city. Perhaps, its the best of both worlds.

I thought by way of introduction, a few shots from around the city would be in order. The architecture of Vienna is amazing. And that's in no small part to Otto Wagner. The famed architect has left his mark all over Vienna. The picture above is one of the famed Wagner apartment buildings. We didn't even need to see the inside...the outside is beautiful enough! (Oh and across the street, was a market. By market, I mean, a wonderful market, stuffed with fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, homemade delicacies, and of course, every cuisine (with outdoor dining space) you could ever want to eat. My absolute idea of heaven...)

These are the steps leading to Vienna University. Jason and I just stumbled upon it. We were wandering around the city one afternoon, and ended up in a park filled with students. Everywhere we looked groups of students sitting in the grass studying, talking, having a late lunch...we were a bit stunned by the sudden population on our walk. After walking around a bit through the campus, I decided it would be a very hard place to study -- the entire area around the University is beautiful, and certainly a temptation to do nothing on a gorgeous spring day.

More of the University. This is the old botanitcal gardens. Today? Concert hall for student organised concerts. Of course, more distractions.

Karlskirche (or Karl's Church), Vienna, Austria

I know, you are already thinking it. A new country and what's the first thing I show you? A church. I could go on and on about how beautiful the churches in Vienna were, but I think by now you are getting the picture. Churches in Europe are gorgeous. They just are. And Karl's Church is no different.

I have to admit, this is one of the most stunning altars that I have seen yet. The skylight is designed to illuminate the entire piece, and frankly gives it an ethereal quality. It was beautiful.

Jason, far braver than I, took an elevator to the top of the church and then was kind enough to take a picture looking down at me. (I'm blurred by the scaffolding...) However, I thought it was a cute picture. And if you look closely at the top of the picture you can see the light by the altar on the floor of the church...amazing what a window and sunny day can create!

Karlskirche (Karl's Church) Vienna, Austria

Just a couple of pictures to show you that the church is not only beautiful on the inside...but you probably already guessed that! Karl's Church, with its unique green dome, can be seen all over Vienna.

The Church is surrounded by a beautiful park-like square, which apparently is a favourite for the students studying at the University across the street! (Doesn't Jason just fit it? So studious looking!)

The Belvedere (Vienna, Austria)

The Belvedere (read beautiful palace and gardens -- now museums and state apartments) was originally built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy. We walked there late in the afternoon when everything was closing. So, instead of a museum afternoon, we wandered around the grounds, stopped to smell a few flowers, and of course, got lost in a hedge maze or two.

Throughout the gardens are statues representing just about everything. One thing I can say about Vienna...they love statues. Everything of significance is commemorated there by a statue. Here, Jason is standing next to one of the statues of the Sphinxes. The Sphinxes have lion bodies and human heads. They are said to represent strength and intelligence! And to think, I just thought it made for a very unique picture.

The Spanische Reitschule, AKA The Spanish Riding School (Vienna, Austria)

Two things by way of introduction. We weren't allowed to take these pictures. We didn't, however, know that... that is until the guard very sternly told us to put the camera away. Consequently, the pictures we got weren't the best, but its worth it...you'll see. Second, I'm not wild about horses. Jason is. I am not. (I know...a girl who doesn't go nuts over horses...its a bit weird.) Anyway, I am crazy about these horses. Which is a funny thing for me. But I insisted on the visit and oh my, was it worth it.

Here's the setting. This isn't the show that the horses are training for. In fact, this is only the morning workout. The riders are wearing the standard uniform, and these horses may be the younger ones just working on a few new skills or the older ones working on staying limber and remembering their routine. Either way, its a treat. But, back to the setting. The room looks palatial. Its so beautiful...looking up there is marble, crystal chandeliers, stunning paintings, and looking down is the softest loveliest dirt for the horses to train on. Oh yeah, and classical music is played throughout the work out. Its surreal at best.

The people watch from the balconies and the horses (there were three or four on the training area at a time) just go about the morning training. Okay, now for the horse part: they are Lipizzaner stallions. A Lipizzaner is a breed originally produced by crossing Spanish, Arab and Berber horses. And yes, its true, they are born black and slowly turn white. And although the white ones are stunning, I was thrilled to see some of the two and three year olds looking a splotchy grey.

Last unique bit, the horses run with their heads down. It makes them look very playful. In fact, I didn't realise this at all. I was just thinking there was something different about the horses, until Jason pointed it out to me. So cool! Oh, and one more thing. They are training to dance. That's the show. The horses glide and prance about, moving in all directions, in rhythm with the music. Simply incredible!

A "Little" Music, Perhaps? (Vienna, Austria)

Could a trip to Vienna be complete without an afternoon concert by the Vienna Boys Choir? I think not. And after having listened to them sing...I definitely think not. They are great. At first the conductor let the boys have a bit of fun...they got to sing silly folk songs, make silly noises, and of course, to poke fun at one another. From there, the concert only gets better and better... (Oh and for the peeps back home, I should mention there is an American on the choir right now. A boy from Ohio!)

Taken during the intermission. I was actually trying not to be a complete tourist by flashing the camera all over the room. The result? Less than perfect pictures, but hey, you get the point. Oh and the room was incredible. As you can see...completely fitting the mood of the choir.

Final bows. For the second half of the concert, the boys are joined by an orchestra and older (past) members of the choir who are often asked to join in, even though clearly their voices have deepened considerably!

Its not all grandeur! (Vienna, Austria)

At first, I was going to put these first two photos in here for absolutely no reason, perhaps other than to remind you of what we look like! But I just remembered something better. This park was across the street from our hotel. So Jason and I, because we hadn't walked enough in the day, would wind up here for a stroll before dinner! On our first evening, we were walking past a pond and there were very funny little movements on the top of the water. Upon closer inspection, I saw them! Baby ducks. Little tiny balls of fuzz zipping around in the water. Hence, the nightly walk. We were thrilled to sit on the bench and watch them exploring the pond with their parents.

I am standing at the entrance to the park. These two pictures allow you to see the statue thing. Jason is standing by one, I am in front of another...they were everywhere!!

Perhaps you were interested in what a typical street in Vienna looks like? We are in the central shopping area, and as you can see, the architecture is still amazing. Every street provides you with something to see!

Stephansdom (Vienna, Austria)

Stephansdom is in the heart of Vienna. In a massive square, all the roads from the shopping district lead to this cathedral. The unique mosaic roof was like nothing we had seen before. It consists of over 250,000 glazed tiles. The cathedral is so massive and dominating, it is impossible to capture the entire cathedral in one picture!

A close up of all those tiles!

On the Inside...the Good and the Bad (Vienna, Austria)

First, the bad news. Stephansdom is crowded. Unbelievably crowded. Needless to say our time inside this beautiful cathedral was short. Very short. We also didn't plan our trip very carefully as mass was about to begin when we arrived so all the tourists were forced into one quarter of the cathedral. Ugh.

Here's the good. Its very pretty inside. And unique. Jason was able to take these pictures facing into the cathedral (with all of the tourists behind and around him). All that effort to take these pictures...I gotta put them on the blog!

A side altar. The main altar (in the middle picture) is to the right.

A Watery Goodbye! (Vienna, Austria)

It seemed only fitting that our holiday should end in the place it started! Schwarzenbergplatz. This jet fountain was built in 1973 to mark the connection of Vienna's first Alpine water supply. The tall statue (see another one!) in the back of the picture commemorates the Russian liberation of Vienna.

At night, not only does the fountain continue with full power, but the entire square turns into a fantastic light show. The lights on the water change colour as well as the lights in the sidewalk! Its quite pretty!

A final goodbye to Vienna!