Vienna Part 2

Figlmuller

While some of my party stayed back at the hotel, resting their feet and freshening up, my father and I took our map in search the restaurant that I had heard served the best weinerschnitzel in the world. We circled St. Stephen's square trying to find the tiny street on the map that I was convinced did not exist, but suddenly I remember passing through a small arched ally just off the main street earlier that day. I found the arch, enter down the narrow passage way and looked up at the tiny street name posted on the side of a wall and sure enough there was the restaurant. I walked inside and made a reservation with one of the very enthusiastic waiters After, we returned to the hotel, collected the rest of our group, and returned to the restaurant and sure enough there was a little table, perfect for four, right amidst a packed house of diners. We order austrian potato salad and pickled vegetables and finally the waiter carried out huge plate over flowing with schnitzel the size of vinyl records and as thin as fabric. My father still dreams about that meal.

The Churches

Once again, there are too many churches to see in one trip, but you can try. Each on is different from the last. Each one represents a different time period and a different type of architecture. If you are taking the Metro in from anywhere, most likely you will disembark at St. Stephen's Square. The first time I came to Vienna I exited the modern underground and looked sky high a one of the most glorious sights in all of Europe. Everything about St. Stephen's is magical, from its tiled roof to its massive interior and soot black stones, to the crazed faces lining the pulpit, it should not be missed. St. Peter's church is right across the street its yellow washed exterior and brightly painted frescos stand in bright contrast to St. Stephen's. Another notable church is St. Charles. It is beautiful Baroque church with famous dome and obelisks.

The Museums

My favorite museums are in Vienna (sorry Lourve, sorry MET). My favorite museum that I have visited so far in my life is the Art History Museum of Vienna. It stands opposite its mirrored likeness, the Natural History Museum. It is exactly what an art museum should be. The building itself is gigantic. It takes an entire day just to walk through and see everything at a normal pace, it will exhaust you, but you will feel all the better for it. It houses everything from Arcimboldo to Vermeer, Egyptian artifacts to Greek jewelry. It is extensive and it is impeccable. Another one of my favorite museums is the Albertina. It has one of the greatest collections of prints and drawings in the world. Druer and Schiele sit side by side on the the walls of the perfectly preserved and decorated rooms as if they were hanging in someone's private residence for their personal viewing pleasure. Other Museums that are worth a visit are the Museum of Modern Art, The Leopold Museum and the Film History Museum, all are located within minutes of each other in the welcoming museum quarter.

Other Places worth a visit:

All of the parks and outdoor places in the city are magical for simply people watching, writing postcards or just relaxing.

The Belvedere Palace and gardens are spectacular. They are closer to the city center than the Schonbrunn and almost as magical.

The Opera House. If you can afford to see a show then do it. If not just go inside the lobby or pay for a more extensive tour. Vienna is known for its music and for a good reason.

Essentials: Walking shoes, and an umbrella, it can be rainy.

Soundtrack: Ludovico Einaudi, sure he's Italian, but this beautiful composer will give you the classical music you crave in Vienna with a modern twist.

Book: Jane Eyre, or any other classic