Exploring Old Town Vienna (Part One)

Today was about exploring and getting our bearings.  We've been here before, but it was about 11 years ago - and we were on a river cruise that included a city walking tour, and we were totally tourists.  This time, we're a little more sophisticated and totally on our own...god help the Viennese.

Old Town Vienna (actually the city center) is wrapped by the Ringestrasse (Ring Road).  It used to be the path of the medieval city wall, but Franz Joseph decided to 'tear down that wall' and build a road that surrounded the inner city.  Today it's a giant traffic circle with tons of mass transit options - all fast and efficient, bicycles - zooming in and out, strollers - dawdling, very busy Austrians - hurrying, and tourists - waving their fucking selfie sticks.

Visitors can check almost all of their must-do boxes - and mostly on foot - inside the great road.  The Hofburg Palace (treasury, library, Lippizaner training school and the Sisi Museum - she's the Empress compared to England's Diana), the Parliament and City Hall, the Museum Quarter, the State Opera House, St. Stevens Church, and at least three breweries (that we know of).  Hotels, cafes, other churches, apartments, embassies and a host of retail therapy choices abound. 

We did a quick walk from our hotel to revisit St. Stevens' Church.

First sighting of the monolithic steeple.

It has this crazy mosaic tiled roof that was completely destroyed in the war and lovingly replaced by the citizens of Vienna.  

From there, we headed though the shopping district over to the Hofburg Palace and the still-in-place Christmas Market.

Last time we were here, we attended a concert in one of the great halls.

This is the dome over the massive porte-cochere where horse drawn carriages plod through the wide spaces leading into the courtyard.

In the middle of this vast space is a huge monument to Francis II - basically the founder of Vienna.  

On each side of the entrances are these larger than life statuary.  I think this one is a depiction of Joe trying to keep me away from the kiosks at the Christmas Market.

We had a nice lunch at the Palace Cafe and then continued our walk toward City Hall - where the ball will be held New Year's Eve.

We had to buy some hats.

In the Museum Quarter, we came upon another Market at the Maria-Theresa Platz.  There she is one top of this monument.  She is the matriarch of the Hapsburg empire.

Also found this cute little guy.

Time for a cafe latte next to the Opera House (we'll go visit there later in the week),

and a sacher torte - chocolate cake with apricot filling and a chocolate ganache topping.  MMMMM!

We followed the Ringstrasse back to our hotel (Vienna Marriott) and took a well-deserved nap before heading out to a brewery for dinner and some local craft beer.  

1516 Brewery fit the bill perfectly - IPAs, ambers, stouts and a collaboration with Victory Brewing in Pennsylvania.  Judging by the quality and styles of beer, the brewer is either American or has some very good American beer buddies!

A great day for exploring, and we have more to do.  Later in the week we'll hit the treasury to see the crown jewels, a couple of art museums, and the state opera house.  But first - tomorrow we head by train to Bratislava, Slovakia!