Vienna, Shonbrunn Palace Day 9

9am bus took us to the Hapsburg's summer palace, fashioned after Versailles. Built in the 13th century and remodeled over subsequent centuries. Our tour of the highlights focused on the main ballroom and apartments of Maria Theresa (1801-1855) who ruled for 40 years and introduced mandatory education for all. She had 16 children over 19 years, growing to 282 pounds because doctors insisted on 12 meals a day to insure a healthy baby! Well non of her babies were premature and only two children died, in the early teens due to cholera.

One of the huge tapestries featured a marketplace scene in which barber's monkey was picking fleas from a patron's head. Hence the term we use today: flea market!

The gardens were not blooming, since its Fall. But we're actually enjoying the Autumn colors, realizing we haven't seen them since we moved to Florida.Read more