Post # 23: Schonbrunn

What we have heard from all of the locals in Vienna thus far is that a trip here is not complete without seeing the Schonbrunn Palace. Schonbrunn is to Vienna what Versailles is to Paris: a huge palace on the outskirts of the city whose ornate decorations are only rivaled by its expansive gardens. In addition, though, we are told that eating at a cafe on the grounds is a must, as the view during your meal is unparalleled. With this in mind, we pack our bags and set out for the subway.

History tells us that Vienna's beloved empress is Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette. Not only was she a wise ruler, but she practically made the Schonbrunn palace what it is today, with all of its grandeur and spectacle. In this sense, she was the parallel to King Louis XIV, the Sun King, in both influence and period (both were on the throne in their respective countries at about the same time). Thus, as we sit at our first cafe in the courtyard and have some breakfast, we note that Schonbrunn is reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles.

After breakfast we immerse ourselves in more of the history of the castle with a tour. The Hapsburg dynasty is quite interesting in that they only just recently lost the throne in 1918, when Carl II lost WWI. Until that time, the power of this dynasty had been extended quite far, with their influence being felt in nearly every country through either marriage or war. However, unlike the prototypical aristocrats, these Hapsburgs were workaholics. One, Franz Josef, would rise at 5 every day and take breakfast and lunch at his desk. This is perhaps why their empire lasted so long compared to the French, whose monarchy ended with Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI.

With the gardens, the palace tour, the labyrinth, and lunch, we wind up spending all day on the grounds of Schonbrunn, and we had a blast. The views from the gloriette, the gardens that you cab get lost in, and the Neptune pool that you can soak your weary feet in make this day quite full. We leave a little before our train departs, and have dinner at the 1516 brewery, which is a favorite among locals. After striking up some conversation, we head back to the station just in time to catch our train and our first private sleeper. Tomorrow, Rome awaits.

Drew and Nicole