Vienna

Cruising along the Wachau Valley into Vienna was a scenic experience.

 Flanked on both banks are acres of vine yards growing grapes for the wine industry. 

The cool breeze accompanying us allowed us to relax without a worry in our minds.
It was as if life could be simple indeed. No worries; for a while.

Slapped in between the landscape are castle-like buildings belonging to times of old but today has become important land marks.

I wonder what is the building being used for today. Hotel? Residence? B & B? or is it under state protection?

The cruise director opined that if there was a place he would pick to stay in Europe, it is Vienna.

Vienna is chic, modern and happening. People, buildings and culture are poised and up beat.

The city is under major construction and expanding. 

However, we were told that it is a very expensive city.

The building at the extreme left is a public swimming pool. 

But it did not seem to receive any good response.

Vienna has many theaters ; it being an arts and culture rich city. There is music, play and dance at almost every corner of the city. Every artiste is inspired to reach for the sky. If you happen to further your studies in this city in the field of arts, you will probably grab the maximum out of it before you leave for home. 

While being given a guided tour around the city we saw a wall of paintings of many modes and designs. Inspired works.

Our tour guide, a Jewish surgeon told us that after he retired he thought it would be good to be tourism ambassador for his country. Therefore this land mark above is a reminder of the cruel act of the Nazis in Austria. This was the spot where the former building was burnt to ground zero killing 400 children. Today he relates this sad incident to all he guides around the city.

I believe this must be the town hall. Beside it is a square which comes to life during Christmas.
So baroque in style.

This is a horse riding training ground. Apparently the elite come here for this purpose.

St Peter's Cathedral; a famous landmark here.

Again it connotes the Christian faith being practised here.

The monument here is supposedly the statue of a husband to a famous person; but I have forgotten the name. He must have been known for some acts. I do not remember.

This is a building of the famous being buried slapped in the middle of the city.

St Stephen's Cathedral is a must visit. Everyone who visits Vienna will make it a point to go in.

The interior of the Cathedral is as majestic as can be depicting architecture and fine works .

In the city again are landmarks worth seeing. A beautiful city with its innate qualities.

The market where both local and foreign shoppers look for both wet and dry products.

This another castle? church? The old in the midst of the new but all so courtly and dignified.

Yes, you have free drinking water.

A refreshing change from other European cities.

Shopping haven in Vienna. But alas, it was a Sunday and nothing was open saving husbands money.

Karntnerstrabe -the pedestrian street is one of the main traditional shopping streets of  Vienna.

Even on a Sunday when shops are not open, the crowd is there. It's a carnival-like feeling; surreal too. Life is just too good and beautiful.

Later in the afternoon, we went to Schonbrunn Palace, a summer Imperial Palace where East meets West. You can name all the nationalities in the world. Everyone must see the palace.

The site of 1441 rooms of Baroque style, Schronbunn Palace houses significant cultural, architectural and historical monuments reflecting the history of the time.

This queen , Empress Maria Theresa received the estate as a wedding gift. The guide showed us family photos of the royal family and being the mother of 13 children, Empress Maria Theresa was truly the matriarch who ruled the land. In the palace, there were just so much to see and history to be told; half of which I cannot remember. Wikipedia will do the trick. 

The garden in the Summer Palace is a splendor of roses. I seldom have the privilege of seeing roses being grown is this mass. Roses so freely and wildly grown.

The arch in the garden covered so prettily with beautiful roses.

The Roman Ruins at the background is so majestic looking integrated into parkland surroundings.

Freedom !

Vienna, known as the "City of Music" inspired the creative works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Every aspiring musician also loves to have a stint at the art culture here. On an evening, we were given a choice to hear a concert performance ; live music.

Outside Albertina Concert Hall. 

It was a first experience and to be kept for memory.

The evening was warm and the surroundings were well lit. Happy to be here.

Of course, the strings and wind instrument players were excellent for my ears only. I do not know what the experts think.

Yes, dad enjoyed every moment. 

I observed movements which he did not.

 He truly enjoyed the music. I enjoyed the dance and movements.

At the end, we are thankful for the experience at the hall here.

Bye Vienna.