If you’ve missed out on previous posts: Day 1 in Budapest and Day 2 in Vienna.
Day 3 in Vienna:
After a fun night out with everyone in Vienna, waking up was slightly difficult. Luckily, there was an endless amount of coffee at breakfast and, somehow, my cup kept refilling itself when I wasn’t looking. (Why can’t this stuff happen in real life?!)
After inhaling breakfast and chugging coffee, we all picked up our receivers and headsets and got off the boat to load the buses. The first half of the day, we would be spending on a walking/bus tour of Wien. (Wien=Vienna)
Exploring Vienna
We were able to see the outside of the Vienna Opera House, the Hofburg Palace, and the beautiful St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is known for its intricately tiled roof and its nearly 500-foot-tall South Tower (the highest point in the skyline of Vienna’s inner city). A few of us decided to pay the 5 Euros and climb the spiral staircase to the tippy-tippy-top to check out the views.
We climbed the 343 steps of the extremely tight, spiral staircase that led up to the watchman’s lookout 246 feet above street level. Normally, I tend to feel claustrophobic in such small places. But there were tiny windows every couple of feet or so. So I took it slow and steady and made my way up.
It was also a really good workout. By the time I reached the top, I was sweating buckets. Fortunately, there were large windows up at the top. So there was a nice breeze as we got to admire the city views.
Source: BrownBoyWonder
Once we had returned to the ground level, we all had worked up quite an appetite. Fortunately, our tour guide was taking us back to the cruise for a “Sky Bistro” where we got to enjoy a grilled lunch on the Sky Deck.
We needed to fuel up because the second half of the day, we decided to take an excursion to the Schönburn Palace. This palace was the summer residence of the Habsburg family.
Schönburn Palace
While the land was purchased back in the 1500s with the intention to serve as a recreational hunting ground, the Schönbrunn Palace – in its present form – was built and remodeled during the 1740–50s during the reign of empress Maria Theresa who received the estate as a wedding gift.
Our tour was heavily focused on the accomplishments of Maria Theresa. She was the only female ruler and the last ruler of the Habsburg family. She was the sovereign of Austria and Hungary and, by marriage, she was the Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and the Holy Roman Empress.
Maria Theresa had sixteen kids – which is a crazy accomplishment of its own. In addition to strategizing wars and tackling her responsibilities, she also was very strategic about marrying off her kids so that it would benefit the state. She used them as pawns to gain power and privilege.
Maria Theresa provided education for serfs, created unified judicial code that was the foundation for many of today’s central European laws, created a professional army, and enforced the German language as the only acceptable language of communication. Still, she did all this because she was motivated by political and economic advantage.
Many can argue that she was crazy and controlling. Others will argue that her actions improved the empire significantly. One thing is certain though. After her forty years reign, Maria Theresa left behind an empire that influenced the rest of Europe throughout the 1800s. Pretty darn impressive for being a woman during that time.
Back to the Boat
After a day of frolicking and galavanting around Vienna, we boarded the buses to head back to the cruise for dinner. While there were many more highlights to come during our trip, I was happy that we spent two days in Vienna. We were able to experience both the historical sites and also the modern city life and night life.
Similar to my feelings about Budapest, I could have happily spent many more days exploring the beautiful city. Still, I am so glad we were able to see as much as we did in such a short amount of time.
As we sailed off to Dürnstein that night, we kissed Vienna goodbye with a vow to be back in the future.
Questions of the Day:
- What is one city that you would like to go back to and explore deeper?
- If you’ve been to Vienna, what was your favorite thing you did/saw?
Great travel blog- I am absolutely crazy to visit Austria and this has heightened that!!
Chloe recently posted…‘One Love Manchester’
Wow! That cathedral is gorgeous! Sounds like a fun trip! I haven’t travel much, but there are so many awesome places to go and see! One day hopefully I will see some of them!
This looks amazing! The pictures are so stunning and really capture the feel of Vienna. I’ve never been, but know I need to add it to my bucket list!
I LOVE all of the food on a cruise! Havent been to Vienna in a long time but love all the castles and historic sights. NEver realized you could river cruise this area!
The food looks delicious!!
Vienna just became a must go to on my list.
Love always,
Zineb
Your river cruise looks like so much fun! The food looks simply amazing and so do the places.
Heather Johnson recently posted…Omaïki Lötus Feminine Pads and Wetbag Review
Seriously more amazing photos! I love the architecture and the food all looks so good! And having your coffee cup automatically refilled is the best!
Beth recently posted…Currently in June
Oh, my goodness, Divya–what gorgeous pics, and what happy memories you must have had on your European adventure. I haven’t been to Vienna in ages, but have many wonderful recollections of Opera houses and desserts (sacher torte, in particular, though I’m probably spelling that wrong?!) and schnapps 🙂 I am so excited to hear more about your travels!
Charlotte recently posted…The why
I haven’t been to Vienna yet. The architecture of the cathedral is amazing! I can’t wait to get there sometime to see it in person.
Elizabeth | Confidentlyelegant.com
I’ve never been to Vienna but it is included in my travel bucket list. I’m sure I’d love that view from the top but I don’t think my knees would love the climb.
So breathtaking! I am loving all of your pics and recaps. Looks like the most amazing time!
It sounds like a wonderful experience. I’m glad you got to spend a bit of time in Vienna. I’ve only left the country once and that was to London and yes, there is always more that I could have seen! It would be great to go back.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Currently June 2017 + Instagram Giveaway
Wow what an incredible trip you had! You got some awesome photos!
I love that hedge tunnel – so cool! Also, totally with you on wishing that coffee cups could magically refill in every day life… someday! <3 <3
Robin recently posted…27 Things You Might Not Know About Me (1 Fact for Every Year I’ve Lived!)
Looks like an absolutely fabulous time! I’ve never been to Vienna, but I would certainly love to go. One city I’d love to explore is Edinburgh – I’ve been there once but would LOVE to go back!
I am loving reading about your trip!!! And 16 kids?! 16?!?! What?!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy recently posted…Summer Bucket List {2017}
I have yet to see Vienna. Thrilled to read about your visit. I often wonder if I could live there. I can legally move there. It has so much appeal!
Jacqueline recently posted…How To build An Empire With Digital Magazines
This looks like an amazing trip. Vienna looks so nice.
Alicia recently posted…Sit Guests in Style with the Deluxe Tufted Leather Accent Chair- Black
Looks like you had a great time. Vienna is a beautiful place to explore. If I had one place that I could go back to and explore deeper it would be Tuscany, Italy. I just love the countryside!
I would love to explore Washington D.C. some more would also like to see Belfast in Ireland. It looks like you had such a wonderful vacation and tour.
Omg lovely photos!!!! I have always wanted to go to Vienna!!! So much awesome history there which is something I’m all about!!!
I would love to go to Vienna. Who am I kidding I would love to travel just about everywhere! One day I will see more of the world! For now all our trips revolve around our kiddos.
Carrie@thelavenderhytta recently posted…The Best Tips for When Mom Goes Back to Work
Vienna! Now that’s a place that I would LOVE to visit one day. As far as a city that I have visited and that I would like to visit in more depth, I would have to say Quebec City.
Marielle Altenor recently posted…3 Must-Have Furniture Pieces Every Home Should Have
My favorite kind of workouts are the ones where you get to see beauty like that. Love your photos.