Vienna

After getting back from Belgium, I had only one full day in Frankfurt before I was off again. On Easter Sunday I spent most of the day on the train travelling to Vienna. It was an easy trip, somehow almost 7 hours on a train is much nicer than the same amount on a plane. I knitted a baby hat for Claire, ate, relaxed and then was in Vienna!! I was travelling on my own, but meeting up with Dorthe, Kees and Regina for Claire's wedding. We had a lovely time in an amazing city. I started planning my trip back there before I had even left!

The Staatsoper, though I sadly did not have time to see an opera there

The Austrian parliament. There are European elections next weekend, and so there were posters and advertisements all over Vienna, just like Frankfurt. This one says "our Europe, your vote."

Schönbrunn Palace

I had a lovely visit to Schönbrunn Palace. It almost looks like a cardboard cutout in parts of the facade! It was the summer residence of the Hapsburgs, though now is relatively central in Vienna. Just a short hop on the UBahn out to visit. I took the "grand tour" of the suites of Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth, "Sisi."

The bride and groom

Claire and Felix's wedding! It was a lovely, simple wedding. They just had the Standesamt ceremony (registry office). It was only about 10 minutes, as in Germany you always have to do that first, and then have your proper church ceremony. After that, Claire had rented an old tram that took all the guests on an hour tour of the city. It was perfect! It dropped us off right at the restaurant where the reception was held.

View from the vineyards above Vienna

The next morning Claire and Felix took their parents and Claire's family and friends from abroad on a hike in the local vineyards. It was a glorious day for an easy hike up to this viewpoint. Unfortunately I think Claire doesn't realize that, even pregnant, she is still very active, and so it was a bit much for some of her relatives. But we all survived, and were rewarded with a drink in a shady back garden at a local wine restaurant.

Me with Hofburg in the background

Hofburg was the winter and main residence of the Hapsburgs. I visited the museums there on my last morning. They have the royal residence open and a special Sisi museum all about the Kaiserin Elisabeth. I actually visited there on her 160th wedding anniversary. 

A last lunch in Vienna with Regina, at a proper Viennese coffee house!

The dessert course - after having Schweinsfledermaus for lunch ... pork bat??