This morning we drove into the city and around the Ringstrasse, past the Aussie pub we went to 5 years ago, the Natural History and Art History museums, Marie-Therese Platz, Parliament, Town Hall, University, Votiv church, State Opera, Danube Canal and Urania (the Observatory). We then started our walking tour at Marie-Therese Platz, through the original city gates to the Hapsburg Winter Palace, saw the 3 clocks, the President's residence, the Sisi museum, Spanish Horses museum (horses on holiday again!) and out under the dome past St Michael's church and up the Kohlmark (the high-end shopping street). We walked past the Trinity statue and all the way up to St Stephen's Cathedral, then past Capuchin's Crypt (imperial burial vault), finishing at Albertinaplatz.
Time for a bit of shopping in Kartnerstrasse (Swarovski for Cathy and Pandora for me), lunch at Aida cafe but as the club sandwiches were so huge we were too full to try the 'Sachertorte' (saw a big line of people queuing for it at the original cafe though!)
After a little rest at the hotel, we drove out to Marchfelderhof (old country inn) where we were greeted by the red carpet, flag-waving and band music - into the most intensely decorated place I have ever seen (every inch of wall, floor and ceiling covered). Sat down to have test tube of vodka, beer & wine, salad, ribs, chocolate mousse & espresso. Went to the ladies more than once to view the eye candy on the walls! Of course, there was more singing and dancing on the bus on the way home (most notable Anna's dance to 'You can leave your hat on')!