December 18: Day 4
Today was a FULL DAY of activity! We were up early and on the bus by 8:30am for our first four hour excursion into Vienna. We were warned ahead of time that it would take 45 minutes or more to reach the city center because of morning traffic, and it did. We walked through the Christmas decorated streets of Vienna for about half a mile before reaching St. Stephen's Cathedral. Then we had free time for 45 minutes to explore the interior and the surrounding area. Our guide picked us up and we walked through Vienna admiring the Christmas decorations, and thru the exclusive shopping area - oh how I missed having my wife with me for a free day of shopping! We reached the Imperial Palace and saw the Roman ruins from 4000 years ago then strolled through the palace to the Christmas Market which was in the square with the statute of one of the most powerful rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, Maria Theresa. Back on the bus and to the ship in time for lunch at 12:30.......
Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
We finished lunch and hustled back to the room to get ready for our second four hour excursion to Schoenbrunn Palace. Khloe and I decided after three days of bundling up and being over dressed that we would risk being cold and "down size" our wardrobe. So I wore just a sweatshirt and she a shawl as the temps were in the mid-50's all afternoon. It was over 45 minutes to the palace with a lot of traffice. We arrived and were given about 45 minutes to wander the market. We enjoyed the afternoon even more today because we've connected with two ladies and one of them (Nancy) was coming without the other (Amy) and we were tasked with making sure she didn't get lost :) The three of us enjoyed hanging out all afternoon. The Christmas Market was at least 50% smaller than what I remembered (and have in photos) from our last visit here. But it was still fun. Then we got an hour long tour of the interior of the opulent palace. I was happily surprised when we were told that last spring the regulations had changed and now you were allowed to take photos inside! After the tour we enough time to stroll leisurely through the market and make our way back to the bus stop for the nearly 50 minute ride to the ship. Dinner was later, which we enjoyed with four new friends, and then the day was a wrap. Tomorrow is one of my favorite days as the second half of the day we sail through the scenic Wachau Valley which has vineyards and castles. If only we could get some snow.......
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