Vienna2: Austria

October 20, 2008

Now, the mention of a “concierge” and “the opera” seems to have suggested that we’re rolling in the dosh, throwing money away willy nilly on a grand European holiday.  Well, please let the record be corrected!  What we have done is research, research and research!  Last minute hotels offer much more for the average Yapping Dog who likes to wake up to buffet breakfast, enjoy a long hot shower (woof!) and arrive back each day to clean fresh bed linen.  As for the opera, well it was actually the State Opera House which offer tickets for plays and ballet for as low as €8 if you’re willing to turn up an hour before the show and take what’s left.  To our good fortune, our seats we’re pretty good.  So lavish, this trip is not, but great fun it is. 

We’re leaving Vienna soon, although have had the most fantastic time here.  We spent a day at Schonbrunn Palace, went to the top of St Stephens (67m, 340 steps) and to the bottom of St Stephens in the catacombs, learned all about the musical greats of Vienna at Haus De Musik, learned how to make authentic apple strudel and repeatedly got into the original “Wiener Schnitzel”.  We spent an afternoon at the Vienna Library & Museum which was originally built as a Royal Palace that was never used.  Some pics.

Inside the State Opera House

Inside the State Opera House

 

The ballet

The ballet

Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace

Maria Theresias' Georgiette Platform

Maria Theresias' Georgiette Platform

Back of Schonbrunn Palace

Back of Schonbrunn Palace

JB trying to hide (I got out of the maze before him...)

JB trying to hide (I got out of the maze before him...)

Here he comes - but I still won!!!

Here he comes - but I still won!!!

From hero to zero (time to fix the teeth!)

From hero to zero (time to fix the teeth!)

Yapping Dog in wig

Yapping Dog in wig

Inside Library building

Inside Library building

Ephesos exhibition at musuem

Ephesos exhibition at musuem

 

Ceiling frescoes inside library building

Ceiling frescoes inside library building

Weather has been brilliant – only one day of rain, the people v friendly (Morgen!), the sites amazing and musical history phenomenal.  Off to Munich next!