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Christmas Markets of Europe
So I wanted to go somewhere in December and there weren't a lot of choices when trying to book a trip during the last two weeks of November. I had previously researched the Christmas markets of Europe and decided against them for one reason or another, but I thought I'd check it out this time just in case there were openings. When I found one that went to Switzerland, I realized this would be the year I finally returned to Europe. So I was able to get the last seat in a tour of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Vienna, Austria
Schonbrunn Palace is awesome!!! It looks boring here, but inside it is amazing. It's the summer residence of the Hapsburg monarchs still decorated as it was back when Empress Maria Theresa lived there. She had a fascination with China, so she imported a lot of Chinese art and vases because back then it was also a status symbol to have such exotic products in Europe. The meshing of European and Asian was just beautiful. I wish my mom could have seen it.
The ballroom. Simply stunning. Unfortunately photos weren't allowed inside, otherwise I would have taken a picture of every single room.
This is in the crypts and vaults of the Imperial family. It's weird because the crypt is in the city center down a flight of stairs.
This is a double crypt with husband and wife. Maria Theresa and her husband.
Vienna's City Hall. Funny that it's influenced by Greece.
Parliament buildings.
Maria Theresa Platz
Our first Christmas market at Spittelberg, across the street from Schloss Belvedere, which is a palace now holding museums.
Beautiful market at Rathausplat.
The pastries were enormous.
That mug I'm holding is really cool. At every Christmas market there are vendors selling gluhwein (mulled wine) and punsch (alcoholic punch). You pay for the drink, around a buck or two, and you pay two or three bucks as a deposit on the mug. But you can keep the mug and they're great for souvenirs because each market produces their own mugs. So by the end of the trip I ended up with ten mugs imprinted with the different markets! The gluhwein was a little strong for me at some markets, so I preferred the punsch. Kirsch punsch was my favorite (with cherry liquor) although I tried orange and amaretto. The best part was that the drinks were always served very warm, almost hot, so it was a great way to warm up.
Angel lights in the trees.
Then we went to the Stephansplatz.
I took a picture of this because this store was featured in an episode of Samantha Brown's travel show on the Travel Channel (my mom's favorite).
St. Stephen's Cathedral.
That night we attended a classical music concert which featured ballet dancers and two opera singers. It was held in the Vienna Opera House. It was a great performance because besides playing Mozart and Strass, the orchestra was made up of young players and their conductor/teacher/first violinist was really playful. So these guys would be winking at each other and grinning and swaying their bodies back and forth. It was the most animated classical performance I've ever seen. They were having such a fun time. I really enjoyed *their* enjoyment. |
