A Trip to Remember: Part 5

Well, here I am in Vienna.  After being picked up at the station and being driven through the city streets, I was struck at just how much some of the streets and buildings looked so much like those in Budapest.  On the way to my hotel, I was given some interesting information about the city by my driver as well as him pointing out a couple interesting sights along the way.

Seeing as I got in rather early in the day, I strolled around looking for a place to find a bite for lunch and then on to something else.  As I turned a corner, I came across this.

Of course I went in and ate there, but all the while Lisa's voice was ringing in my head saying "We didn't come halfway across the world to eat at "America Town".  After lunch, I wandered across the road to a place called the Hofburg, which was the winter residence of the Hapsburg family, who ruled Austria and the surrounding empire for over 600 years.  It now houses several museums.  The one I went into that day was the silver museum and the Sissi apartments.

The silver museum had items from the imperial kitchens, displaying things like dinning settings, cutlery, porcelain and glassware.  Some of these things were exquisite, with intricate details.

I think I'm going to let my mother know that I want all my meals served on solid gold tableware...lol.  During the tour, there was something very fascinating:

This napkin fold was only ever allowed to be used for the Emperor when he was dining.  The fold itself is a closely guarded secret and today this napkin fold is only ever allowed to be used at dinner with foreign heads of states, kings, queens, presidents etc and the ability to make this napkin fold is known by only 2 people in the whole of the country and will only be passed down via word of mouth to the next person to take over.

Today saw the grand city tour with an extended tour of the beautiful Schonbrunn palace, the summer residence of the Hapsburg family.  The city tour took us around the street called the Ringstrasse which used to be the old city walls.  They were torn down the street was put in.  Along the street the aristocracy built their houses along here.  Then we arrived at the palace.

The tour throughout it was great, but unfortunately we were unable to take photos inside.  Once the tour ended, I headed off for a look at the imperial treasury.  The things kept here range from the imperial crown, orb and scepter:

Right through to the coronation mantle:

And yes, that has been embroidered with real gold.