May 16, 2011 - 2nd Day in Vienna

Pictures - 2nd day in Vienna
Today dawned sunny and cool...we took the 10 AM shuttle into the city center from the boat dock on the Danube and spent a few hours wandering the beautiful streets and side streets of Vienna.  Lots of traffic - cars, trucks, taxis, horse-drawn carriages, bikes (all of whom ignored the pedestrians).  You really take your life in your own hands trying to cross a street even at a crosswalk.  Took lots of pictures which will SOMEDAY be uploaded for the 'reading public' to view.  I promise to make an announcement when that happens.

We were on a quest to find the Demel Kafe Cafe. Demel and Sacher Hotel have a running feud over who has the best Sacher Torte.  We found Demel and had lunch first then it was time for coffee and dessert.  The choices here are amazing.  We were able to view the chefs preparing a variety of pastries, cakes and strudels through glass viewing windows - prior to ordering.  Our group had a variety of things.  Art had Apple Strudel and I had Rhubarb Strudel.  Both were quite good but not the best we've ever had. We found out when we returned to the boat that we are having Apple Strudel tonight so we'll have some measure of comparison.  Then lots more walking in hopes of burning off a few of the calories that we've been inhaling since we got to Europe.

We wanted to walk to the Parliament but realized it was too far to walk and still make our return shuttle.  So we went into the Albertina Museum's Gift Shop to look over their unique offerings, took some pictures of the Roman Ruins and the Monument to those who died in a building directly across from the museum that was bombed during the war, saw the Lipizzan horses of the Spanish Riding School, and took pictures of the Palace where we had dinner last  night.  Lots of walking and enjoying this very beautiful city led us back to the pickup spot to take the shuttle back to the boat.  Nap and Blog time seems to work for us in late afternoons.

Pictures - 2nd day in Vienna

We are off to our next stop tonight thinking that it is good that Tauck is making so many decisions for us....since we'd rather spend time socializing and relaxing and thinking about our next adventure.  Tonight is the show put on by the boat's crew...they are a funny, friendly bunch and it should be a hoot!