After a slow, relaxing start to the day we stop by the restaurant we know that serves bacon and eggs. This time we are fortunate to get a table inside. After a couple of coffee's and some good food we are ready to tackle the Hofburg. The original building of the palace dates to the 13th century. It's baroque architecture is complimented by many interesting statues. Today it is the official residence and workplace of the president of Austria. It also houses a number of museums, including the Albertina which we visited on Saturday.
I have an interest in seeing a palace of earlier times and so we buy tickets to the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments. Viewing the silver collection (essentially the tableware used within the palace over the years) is included. I enjoy the museums, but William informs me that he considers them slightly less torturous than touring the interior of Versailles. He should have just had a coffee in the courtyard café.
With coffee on the mind we go across the street to the Klimt Café. We order coffee and a slice of the ubiquitous Sacher tort to share, then walk back to the apartment to do some online activities.
For dinner we find a Hungarian restaurant named Ilona in the pedestrian area of the Old Town. The restaurant was founded in November, 1957 and is still family-run. Continuing my fowl trend, I choose the goose special which is only offered two weeks during the year. William selects a meat plate which is topped with a thick piece of pork belly. We both smile widely.
With coffee on the mind we go across the street to the Klimt Café. We order coffee and a slice of the ubiquitous Sacher tort to share, then walk back to the apartment to do some online activities.
For dinner we find a Hungarian restaurant named Ilona in the pedestrian area of the Old Town. The restaurant was founded in November, 1957 and is still family-run. Continuing my fowl trend, I choose the goose special which is only offered two weeks during the year. William selects a meat plate which is topped with a thick piece of pork belly. We both smile widely.
After dinner we return to St. Stephens Cathedral. The church has been rebuilt a number of times since the first structure was completed 1160. The last reconstruction was completed in 1952 after a major fire which occurred as Soviet troops entered the city in 1945. A Mass is underway, but the church is massive and it has been partitioned off so that visitors do not disturb the service.
It's 9:00 pm as we return to the apartment to do our pre-packing and relax in front of the TV before bed. There is a taxi stand four blocks from the apartment and our plan is to walk there to catch a ride to the airport. But I am worried - will there be taxi's sitting there at 6:30 am? So, I stop to talk to the last cabbie in the line. He says that there will be taxis, but offers to pick us up at the apartment. Sounds good to me - if he doesn't show up, we can still walk to the taxi stand.
It's 9:00 pm as we return to the apartment to do our pre-packing and relax in front of the TV before bed. There is a taxi stand four blocks from the apartment and our plan is to walk there to catch a ride to the airport. But I am worried - will there be taxi's sitting there at 6:30 am? So, I stop to talk to the last cabbie in the line. He says that there will be taxis, but offers to pick us up at the apartment. Sounds good to me - if he doesn't show up, we can still walk to the taxi stand.
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