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Our trip to Vienna was a quick but very fun one. On our way to the court, we stopped at the Hapsburg’s summer palace for the morning. Many people were thrilled about it because it was raining. I, on the other hand, loved it! I could have spent two days exploring every inch of that place!

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The girls went on their own to explore the gardens and get food. I joined another group and decided to spend my time touring the inside of the castle.

The palace was magnificent. Not only was it beautiful, but it was oozing history. From the Empress Maria Theresa, to Franz Joseph, to Sissy, to Napoleon, to the last of the Hapsburg dynasty, every room had a story to tell. It was a dream for me! To see where they sat, where they worked, and where they slept. And to top it all, to be surrounded by the most amazing works of art spanning all ages and styles. The ballroom was magnificent. Here were held meetings and treaties that changed the world. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed.

After the tour, we headed straight for the Apple Struddel demonstration. We were very warmly greeted when we walked in and ushered to the very front of the stage. Giant pieces of struddle and fresh brewed lattes were waiting for us. We wasted no time trying the Viennese dessert…and they wasted no time figuring out we weren’t the Russian group they were waiting for. It was hilarious…and although they moved us from our prime view, we got to keep the life sized sweets while everyone else received a bite sized piece of struddle.

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It was raining cats and dogs by the time we got out. However, we were not deterred to explore the gardens. By the end, we looked like drowned rats…but we were happy drowned rats! The gardens were awesome: beautifully manicured and expanding as far as the eye could see. There was a zoo, a maze, rose gardens, overlooking towers… you name it!

I can’t imagine actually living here before all the tourists arrived!