Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A more leisurely day today. Headed back to the Kunsthistoriches art museum in the morning for Part 2. Saw quite a bit on Sunday but needed to get a look at their Renaissance collection. It is an excellent collection thanks to the Hapsburgs who were very discerning art collectors. Some shots of the interior of the Kunsthistoriches - just stunning.













(My favourite Brueghel - Hunters in the Snow)




(A gory shot courtesy of Caravaggio)

We then headed out for lunch and what a lunch! We spent 3 hours at
Steirereck having a very leisurely 4 course lunch. Steirereck, located in the middle of the city park, does very inventive and modern takes on classic Austrian cuisine. Considered one of the best restaurants in the world with 2 Michelin stars, it was an amazing meal one of the best we have ever had. After that we had to walk so we made our way back to the hotel stopping to buy our train tickets for Thursday's trip to Budapest. Tonight we went to the Staatsoper (state opera house) for a production of La Traviata. Beautiful opera house in the classic European style. It was a sold out show and the first show of the season so everyone was in a high state of anticipation. The female lead was excellent and was subjected to many curtain calls. Opera is a much more social event here than in Canada. Everyone leaves their seats at intermission (which is much longer here )and head for the lobbies where they drink champagne and eat beautiful looking canapés. We are really enoying our stay here. Vienna is a lovely city....lots of parks...beautiful buildings and everyone we've encountered has been so friendly.

Did you know that Frank Stronach of Magna is running for President here? His face is everywhere on posters. His platform appears to be all about saving workers' pensions. It will be interesting to see how he does in the election.
Tomorrow is our last day in Vienna :-(

Fiona & Carl

Location:Vienna, Austria