Vienna

Today we took a panoramic bus and walking tour in Vienna. The Ringstrasse, Boulevard is on the site of old city walls during the mid 19th century. Inside the circle is the Hofburg Palace, elegant buildings, and grand residences. There is also within this circle the Spanish riding school with the Lippizanner horses. The Hofburg Palace was the winter home of the Habsburgs. The Habsburg’s dynasty lasted for 650 years until the end of World War I when Charles I was forced to abdicate and leave the country. It was the end of the monarchy in Austria. We also visited Saint Stephen’s Cathedral.

After lunch, we visited Schönbrunn Palace which was the summer of the Habsburgs. It started as a hunting lodge and 1569 but then the Empress Maria Theresa, who was the only female ruler of the Habsburgs, turned it into a magnificent palace that was to rival Versailles. It was so crowded there today because it was the first day of the Christmas market which was right outside the palace doors.

We ended the evening with a really good lecture on the 1000 year history of Austria,Read more