Schönbrunn Palace

3 sleeps at Hotel Urania, first day exploring Europe’s glam capital.

7:30 Start, shoes laced.  Run day w Sis’ Fleet-Feet posse.  Zip-zag tour of early-morning city.  4 easy shake-out miles.  Riesenrad, giant Ferris Wheel on the Danube.  Gotta/hafta/must.  Bratwurst/cheese/boiled egg breakfast – it’s VIENNA day!

State Opera House, City Centre statues, Albertinaplatz.  Landed at the Hofburg (former Palace, now doubles as Austria’s Presidential residence).  Half-of-us watched the Spanish Riding School (Lipizzaner horses).  Other-half toured Habsburg Castle.

Downton Abbey-snooze of cupboards & silverware.  Winter-residence walk-thru of everything Sisi, one of the Empire’s last Duchess greats.  Headset facts in stereo, self-guided block-n-tackle tour.  So many tourists, so much to see.  French en masse, sea of Chinese, slow-moving Germans.  push, PUSH, push.  Gift shop exit.  SUCCESS!

City Centre eats & my second St. Stephen’s Dome this week.  No climb-to-the-top today, just a brief architectural stroll (while Sis, Swarovski-shopped).  Metro transfer, afternoon @ Schönbrunn Palace.  More Kaisers, ‘nother tour &… STRUDEL 😊

Train travel west, wiedersehen Vienna.  Vineyards & pre-race pasta await.

Krems an-der-Donau.  Saturday EXPO, fancy hotel digs.  Getting my YODEL on — AUSTRIA!

Vienna, Austria