Vienna - Day 3 AM

We planned to devote the whole day (until about 15:30 when we had to head back to the airport) to the Schonbrunn.  This magnificent 1,440 roomed palace was originally built as Leopold I’s summer residence and used as a hunting lodge by Maria Therese's father but as soon as she came to the throne so moved into it and had her favourite architect redesign aspects to suit her taste.  (Internet image)

Unfortunately at the end of November it looked less than glorious and once again the front was ruined by a Christmas market.

And looking from the rear (another internet image)

Our view of the magnificent Glorietta.

Looking back towards the palace (always have something red in your photo "they" say) which illustrates just how huge the place is.

The Neptune Fountain

Roman Ruin Folly

The Round Pool

One of the few bits of colour left.

The Orangery

Clearly I picked the wrong time of year to visit.  We didn't walk up to the Glorietta as it was closed, as was the orangery and the gardens had been stripped for the winter.  Given the size of the greenhouses we saw, thousands and thousands of plants are grown and planted each year - we must come back.

I did enjoy these lads photographing their reflections though.

Off now to a strudel making demonstration and firstly a cuppa and a rather large sample.

The baker was very entertaining and spoke beautiful English

Stretching the dough.

It needs to be so thin you can read through it.

A huge amount of filling goes into each one.

Roll it with a cloth.

The finished, baked, article - delicious.

There were far less "touristy" things than in Prague, but the odd Mozart could always be found, hanging around at traffic lights.

Well we got round the Schonbrunn in record time (nothing to linger over) so we headed back into town trying to decide how to use the remaining couple of hours.  Entry to the Imperial Crypt was included in our VP so we thought that would be something different.  Founded in 1631, it lies beneath a Capuchin Church and houses the bones of 145 Hapsberg royals including 12 emperors and 18 empresses.  The most recent entombment was that of former crown prince and EU politician Otto Hapsberg in 2011.

We spent an interesting half hour wandering around.  Some of the decorations were very gruesome.

A few of the 107 metal sarcophagi on view.

Maria Therese's resting place, very ornate.

I had to wait an age to get this shot as one couple stood in front of it for ages.  They apologised and explained that the bright bit on the right side was a relief picture of Bratislava where they came from, - but I can't recall why it was on her casket!

Caskets of Franz Joseph I and Empress Elizabeth (Sisi).

We still had an hour or so left and as we'd both really enjoyed the Hofburg Museum's Sisi Tour and Imperial Rooms we decided to revisit (we'd paid cash on Day 1 and so still had our VP to use).  It was even better the second time round as we knew something of the story and could enjoy the rooms.

Then it was back to the hotel to collect our case and the reverse trip to the airport.  Considering how simple getting to the train was from arrivals, we couldn't believe the hassle involved finding the correct departure place.  There were building works going on and direction arrows simply pointed at walls so we (and quite a few others) walked up and down lost for quite a time.  Eventually we discovered we had to go out of the terminal, up a walkway and back in further along.  The lounge when we finally got there wasn't much but they did produce hot food which was welcome.

Vienna is a beautiful city and we'd happily revisit in summer months, but I think we both agreed this was one trip too much.  Next year, instead of early morning flights I'll try and book later ones and spend another night abroad (instead of at Heathrow) then maybe we won't be quite so tired all the time.  Another thing I've learned is BA lounges are superb when compared to most others we've been in.