Klimt and a Ferris Wheel

I slept in this morning; it was great! After a surprisingly great breakfast at my hotel I headed off to see the Karlskirche and got off at the Karlsplatz station. The station is two Otto Wagner designed pavilions. On the tour yesterday we drove by several of Otto Wagner At Nouveau buildings, very beautiful. I can't imagine getting off at an Wagner designed "stop" everyday!

I then headed to the Karlskirche which is baroque church which was commissioned after Vienna has been hit by the plague twice in 20 years. I was disappointed to see that after I paid my entry fee, that the dome was under major restoration. But I soon learned that although there was serious scaffolding up, they had also installed a elevator and were allowing visitors to take the elevator up and see the frescos up close! I went all the all the way up into the top of the doom where I was able to see some truly breath taking views of the city.

After the church, I walked to the Belvedere. I skipped on the Lower Belvedere and headed right to the Belvedere Gardens. Just like the gardens yesterday, the gardens were stunning but the Belvedere gardens have several intricate fountains which made for a great walk. In the Upper Belvedere there is an entire section devoted to Gustav Klimt. While The Kiss was breathtaking, I think my favourite was Judith I. The rest of the three-story museum that has some great pieces and was well worth the visit.

I was going to continue to another museum (seriously, they are endless here!) but I hit the museum wall. So forget it all, and I headed for Wiener Prater which is the world's oldest amusement park. It was really quiet, well it was 2:30 on a Tuesday! I didn't go on any of the rides but it was fun to look around. Well, that's not entirely true as I went on the Riesenrad which is Vienna's ferris wheel. It was slow moving but has some great views of the city and the rest of the amusement park.

I then headed to Stephansdom, the iconic Viennese cathedral but I arrived a bit too early (or late) as they were about to serve mass. Looks like I will have to go back tomorrow.

I think did some shopping but sadly, no shoes. I'm not sure what's with this place but Vienna must be know for its sensible shoes because I can't seem to find any awesome shoes... But tomorrow is a new day ;)

Dinner was great, I went to a place close to my hotel called Oswald and Kalb. I had wiener schnitzel with the traditional warm potato and butter lettuce salad and a glass of grüner veltliner wine. Very tasty!

 

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