We fueled up on coffee, snacks and a goulash omelet (very good, by the way) and headed for the Emperor's Hofburg palace (living quarters, tableware collection, and biographical info on his wife Sisi). No pics were allowed, so none will be included, but we found the historical backstory quite interesting. Would have liked some info on the living situation of the many people actually running the palace (a la Downton Abbey), but none was offered.
Since we were so accustomed to be surrounded by opulence, we just had to visit the famous, elegant Cafe Sacher, for an espresso and a slice of the famous Sacher torte (chocolate cake separated by apricot filling and covered with chocolate frosting), invented in 1832. Years later it's still pretty yummy.
Our final Viennese treat, is a trip to the Wiener Wald (Vienna Woods) and dinner at a Heuriger (wine garden restaurants, clustered around the outskirts of town, old-village atmosphere, serving homemade wine and small meals). First we took bus #38A to Leopoldberg, high above Vienna, having great views of the city, the Danube and surroundings.
Then, we rode back to Grinzing and chose a lovely Heuriger (Weingut Heuriger Dr Mueller-Schmidt) for dinner - WOW - our best meal while in Austria. Big slices of crispy pork. Look at that smile on Shirley's face!!
We found 3 kinds of roast pork, (one with a delicious, crispy rind), dumplings, cucumber salad, quiche, homemade white wine and Shirley's new favorite drink, 1/2 white grape juice, 1/2 mineral water. Here we are feasting in their lovely little garden.
On the train ride home tonight, we all fell asleep in a delicious roast pork coma.
Up early tomorrow for the 3 hour train ride to Budapest!
The food looks so good! Good thing you all are doing so much walking :)
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