A little more of Vienna

It took us a minute to figure out the entrance to the subway.  I know it now seems pretty obvious but it really was easy to miss in our defense.  So when you're in Vienna, just look for the big blue U if you need the subway.















About a 3 minute walk from our apartment is the Church of Mariahilf and it is our church for our stay in Vienna.  Consecrated in 1730, it is a beautiful Baroque church.

St. Stephen's Cathedral was first established in 1147 with construction continuing through 1511.  The church was damaged during World War II but renovations were complete by 1952.  You can enter the church for free but if you would like to explore the sanctuary in more detail, there is a small fee of 7€ (cash only) that includes an audio guide.  

We were treated to choir practice while we toured the church.

There is an amazing view of the city from the top of the North Tower (you can also go up the South Tower).  It's a quick lift ride up for 7€ (again, cash only) where you can also get an up close view of the beautiful roof top of the cathedral.

I think I've mentioned how hot it has been over hear which makes for a good excuse to pop in to a gelateria to enjoy a scoop or two.  One day we popped into Vittorio Vanini for a little snack and ended up making friends with Raven and her daughter, Alena.  They were visiting from Texas and Alena and I bonded over our mutual love for the Flying Tiger store.  She gave me a little gift to remember her and said she wanted me to come live with her.  

Hofburg Palace
Principal home of the Habsburgs
Today it houses museums, the office of the
President of Austria and other government offices.

We took advantage of our Sisi Ticket and headed to the Sisi Museum at Hofburg Palace. It was interesting to learn more about Empress Elisabeth of Austria...she's a prime example of history is kind as she was not as well loved while she was alive as she removed herself from court and her responsibilities for much of her time married to Franz Joseph.

The next few pics are Sisi's private rooms.  She would spend 2-3 hours a day just having her almost ankle length hair combed and styled.  Sisi was also obsessed with maintaining her girlish figure and would spend hours exercising in her rooms as well as walking the gardens and riding horses.

Like we saw in Schönbrunn, Hofburg also had these beautiful ceramic heaters to warm the rooms.  They were fed with wood from a secret door in the back so no dirt was brought into the Emperor & Empress' view.

Also at Hofburg is the Imperial Treasury which is part of our annual pass for Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. The Treasury includes the Imperial Crown as well as the Secular Treasury and Ecclesiastical Treasury.  With almost everything being behind protective glass most of the photos had reflections so I didn't get very many...but they are forever in our memory.

The Austrian Parliament offers guided tours in several different languages.  The tours are free but you do need to make a reservation as they limit the number to 20 per tour and they fill up fast.  We really enjoyed out time and definitely recommend it as you learn a great deal about the Austrian political system.  Prior to the tour, they have a very nice and informative exhibit (some of it interactive) in the lobby where you can take your photo and impose it on a background.

Noise canceling headsets are provided which are genius! They made it so much nicer and easier to be able to hear the guide.  With the headset, we didn't have to worry about being right next to the guide and we could wander around the rooms and still get all the scoop.

We do love the street vendors with the different sausages.  They are such a quick and affordable snack.  We went for the käsekrainer (cheese stuffed) again as it has become a fan favorite.