17-18 Aug - After leaving Komarom we cruised the Danube arriving in Vienna, Austria in the early evening. After a luxurious dinner on the Viking Skirnir we got on a bus and traveled to the Palais Auersperg which was built between 1706 and 1710. Here we were treated to a Mozart & Strauss concert. On the 18^th we toured a number of historical sights including St. Stephens Cathedral, Vienna’s most recognizable landmark; it’s South Tower projects 449’ above Vienna’s City Centre. We also toured the exterior of the Imperial Court Palace (AKA: Hofburg Palace), a truly magnificent work of architecture built between 1711 and 1740. Together with its many squares and gardens, the palace (Hofburg) occupies an area of some 59 acres and is, in many ways, a "city-within-a-city" comprising 18 groups of buildings, 19 courtyards and a staggering 2,600 rooms. I would love to spend a couple weeks visiting this amazing city.

Viking_17Aug_0603Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0606Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0635Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0650Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0652Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0665Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0670Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0672Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0673Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0676Mozart & Strauss Concert in Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0677Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0684Vienna, Austria - St. Francis of Assisi Church AKA: the Emperor's Church built between 1898 & 1910 in Romanesque style. Viking_18Aug_0688Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0691Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0697Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0699Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0703Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0718Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0723Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0732Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0733Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0745Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0751Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0756Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0757Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0758Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0759Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0763Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0779Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0782Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0784Vienna, Austria - This gate forms the entrance to the Swiss Court. Viking_18Aug_0785Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0788Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0790Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0791Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0792Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0796Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0806Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0807Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0808Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0809Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0811Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0812Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0813Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0818Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0820Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0822Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0836Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0837Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0864Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0869Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0873Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0875Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0882Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0896Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0899Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0900Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0910Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0935Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0939Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0955Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0962Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0964Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0971Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0985Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0992Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0993Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0996Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0997Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_1011Vienna, Austria