Vienna, Austria

We really lucked out with our apartment in Vienna; the new kitchen in the place we were supposed to have wasn't delivered in time, so we were upgraded to a really nice 3 bedroom. Aside from the minor stress of the proprietor texting us as we drove into town to ask if we could share the place with some of her friends for a night (um, no!) it was great. We were a short walk from the train/metro station and a 5 minute train ride to the center of Vienna. On Sunday morning we headed into the city to check out Hofburg Palace. There happened to be some sort of children's fair going on in one of the courtyards so Brennan scored a free balloon from a local bank. We took an audio tour of the royal treasury, although it was the visuals that were absolutely stunning. Brennan lasted pretty well and we were soon out in the fresh air again, where I happened to notice that it looked like it was going to storm. We high-tailed it to an Italian cafe where we sat outdoors but requested that the awning be opened. From our street it was impossible to see the approaching storm, so we felt pretty smug when the skies opened up and people ran for cover from the rain and hail while we enjoyed our pizza, coffee and chocolate milk from the safety of our awning. After that excitement we strolled past St. Stephen's Cathedral and then headed home for naptime.



Sunday also happened to mark our 6 year anniversary, and after naptime we celebrated with dinner out. We enjoyed live accordion music, Wienerschnitzel (which was pretty much the same as the schnitzel we get here, only 3 times as large) and beer. Not exactly a super romantic evening, but the best we could do while traveling as a family. After dinner we strolled around some of the city gardens, including a beautiful rose garden near Hofburg Palace. Happy Anniversary!!





On Monday we took the train to spend the day at Schoenbrunn Palace, home of the Habsburgs. We took another audio tour, which Brennan was not too excited about, but we really wanted to see the inside and the tour had lots of fun info about some of the royals, (e.g. Sisi, apparently everyone's favorite Habsburg, spent hours a day on her hair and usually skipped family dinners to maintain her figure.) We (barely) kept Brennan going with promises of apple strudel and train rides, but I think taking the tour was worth the small scene that we were constantly creating.

The strudel was great and we hopped on the Schoenbrunn train with one very excited kid to tour the grounds. We de-trained at the Gloriette viewing terrace for some nice photos and with the intent of trying to lull Brennan into a stroller nap while we walked around.



This did not happen (silly parents) and we ended up checking out the Schoenbrunn zoo. Because what palace is complete without a zoo? We saw elephants being bathed, tigers, and a wild yet photogenic squirrel. We don't really have squirrels here so it was sort of exciting. When we couldn't find our way out of the zoo, we stopped for ice cream and directions and then headed home for an early bedtime.