Vienna


One of the enjoyable things to do in Vienna is to visit a heurigen in the hills above the town.  Shown here are (from left) Eva and Helmut Heinrich, Friedl Kuchar (whose wife, Ilsa, is taking the picture), Juergen Smoliner and his wife, Siegfried Selberherr with his wife, and yours truly.  The obvious occasion is to see old friends and consume some wine and food.


In the summer time, there is nothing like an enjoyable excursion to an outdoor cafe.  This one is just behing the famous Vienna Opera House.


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Vienna is a former imperial city, and as a consequence, it is full of interesting palaces and metalwork gates.  This one is in the inner city, with shops just on the other side.


Another of the Austrian treasures is the Riding School, in the old imperial palace.  Famed for the Lippizaner stallions, which perform a magical show in the arena pictured above.  The story is told that Patton diverted his 3rd army to save the farm and horses from falling into the hands of the Soviets during world war II.


The world famous Schoenbrunn Palace, the summer home of the Hapsburgs, rulers of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.


Stadt Park, located just outside the inner city; one of a number of parks throughout the city that add a relaxing environment during the warmer months.


Stephansdom, the major cathedral in the heart of the old city, which is now a thriving and bustling center of shopping and industry, and of course restaurants.  The origins of the cathedral date to 1137.


A few blocks north of Stephansdome, but still in the inner city is Ofenloch, a really nice (Austrian) eatery, but especially in the summer when one can eat outside.  Try the Austrian reds, Blaufrankisch, Zweigelt, and Blauer Zweigelt.  But don’t forget the whites; the Gruener Veltliner is one of the preferred wines grown almost exclusively in Austria.


The great entry hall and staircase in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, just outside the inner city, across from the Hofburg.


Once more preparing to enter a heurigen (you might get to think that I like these places…I do).  From the left, Freidel Kuchar, my wife, Eva and Helmut Heinrich, my sister Jackie, and Guenther Bauer.


The World Famous Vienna Opera, which is beautiful in the daytime, but doubly so at night.  In my mind, it is one of the 2 or 3 best places in which to see an operatic performance.

david@dferry.net   © David Ferry 2018