Wenn Engel Reisen . . .

When Angels Travel . . . 

Travis’s mom and sister, Jeanette and Kelly, recently joined us in Vienna.  The Austrians have a saying that, when angels travel the weather behaves (Wenn Engel reisen wird das Wetter sich weisen).  This was the case with Jeanette and Kelly.  We had a wonderful time showing them “our Wien” and environs – on foot, bus, streetcar, subway, train, and boat – all with mild temperatures and only one little shower.  With Jeanette and Kelly we saw our familiar, favorite places with new eyes; we also enjoyed several new sites, sounds, and of course tastes, for the first time.  Here is a sample of our adventures.

We strolled up and down Wien’s cobblestone streets.  You can’t see charming little streets like this from no stinkin’ tour bus!  The bonus is that we are headed to eat in this and the first photo.

We ate tiny tasty sandwiches at Trzesniewski (they’re easier to eat than pronounce).

We toured all the famous sites such as Schönbrunn palace and gardens.

We shopped in Wien’s beautiful stores.  No, we didn’t purchase an Austrian crystal chandelier, but it was tempting.

We traveled through Prater park on the pink Manner Lilliput Bahn – Karla’s been waiting since September to do this.  You can see we all had a swell time.

We also traveled in a normal sized train to Semmering where we met Mutti Theisl for a Mother’s Day lunch with a view.

We visited glorious museums.  The museums (including their cafes) are often as beautiful as the art they hold.  Here you see the magnificent Art History museum, built to house Hapsburg treasures.

We appreciated churches inside and out.  Here we're standing in front of Karlskirche where a 7-year renovation is coming to an end.  In October the scaffolding and elevator inside the church will be removed.  So the next time we come to Wien we sadly won't be face to face with the frescoes. 

After taking the elevator you can continue to walk up up up and around the inside of the dome to get a closer look at the gorgeous frescoes which have now all been refurbished.

A visit to Wien would not be complete without admiring St. Stephan's.

We followed the terrific Viennese tradition of cafe sitting every single day!  Cafe Demel is certainly one of the prettiest cafes in Wien.

We floated down the Danube all the way to Melk.

The world famous Melk Abbey is breathtaking.  

And we visited our personal corner of Wien, Cafe Jensen.  Prost!