For centuries, Vienna was the crown jewel of the rich and powerful Habsburg Empire. The capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it played an essential role as a leading European music centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. A century after the empire's fall, the Viennese appreciate their imperial legacy as a cultural wellspring, from the city's extraordinary wealth of elegant gardens, sumptuous art and fine music. Today’s cityscape is characterized by the abundance of baroque buildings created mostly under the rule of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Joseph, who are largely responsible for the monumental architecture around Vienna's famed Ringstrasse, lined with grand buildings, monuments, parks and fabulous museums, including the beautiful Belvedere Palace with works by Egon Schiele and the world's largest collection of Klimt's paintings.
The monument of Maria Theresa dominates the main square of Maria-Theresien-Platz in Vienna; she was the only female ruler of the Habsburg Empire
The Museum of Natural History
Zues with Leda and the Swan Fountain outside Vienna's Kunsthistoriches Museum
Sculpture of Prince Eugene of Savoy in front of Austrian National Library,
housed in a commanding Baroque building from 1726
Emperor Franz I in the guise of Julius Caesar, in the Hapsburg Palace courtyard
of the Imperial Apartments
The Hapsburg Imperial Apartments
Montage of two forms of time keeping on the roof of the Imperial Apartments
The massive Hapsburg crest crowns the roof of the Palace
Statue of Hercules and Antaeus created by Matthielli beside to the gate of the Michaelertrakt,
on the Franzensplatz side of the Hapsburg Palace
The famous red-black Swiss Gate displays the many titles of Emperor Ferdinand I and escutcheon from the Order of the Golden Fleece, and leads to the Chapel of the Vienna Boys Choir who perform at each Sunday morning service
The beautifully painted ceiling of the Swiss Gate
Established by a Habsburg emperor in the year of 1498,
the Vienna Boys' Choir is one of the oldest choirs in the world
Monument of Emperor Joseph II, dressed in a toga and a laurel wreath, reflects the Habsburg belief that they were descendants of the ancient Roman emperors
Rooftop sculpture of Gaia with the terrestrial globe flanked by allegories of Geometry and Geography
Dome of St. Michael's Wing of Hapsburg Palace in Michaelerplatz
A horse-drawn carriage ride with an original Viennese 'Fiakers'
The entrance to the Hapsburg Imperial Palace gates from Michaelerplatz
View of the Palace from Kohlmarkt, originally known as Coal Market is one of the oldest streets in Vienna
French horn player on the street being filmed by the Vienna Philharmonic
Vienna unites culture and modernity with state of the art metro stations throughout the city
One of Vienna's enormously popular Würstelstands which sell sausages such as käsekrainer,
pork sausage dotted with melting cheese
Demel is a famous pastry shop and chocolaterie established in 1786 in Vienna, and which my dear friend Dorothea suggested we visit while in the Imperial city
Demel's homemade confections, pastries and cream cakes
The original 19th-century interior of Demel designed in the Rococo style
Demel's menu of savoury and sweet temptations
Goulash Soup
Clear Beef Soup with Dumpling
Lovely warm and fresh breads from Demel's kitchen
Tartare of Avocado and Irish Smoked Salmon with Coriander Creme Fraiche
Quiche Lorraine with small leaf salad
Poached Salmon with Russian Salad and Clear Aspic
From the early hours of the day to the late afternoon, apple strudels are drawn and laid out, Sachertorten are decorated and wonderful adornments are produced in Demel's on site bakery
Cakes cooling on the baking racks before being iced and decorated
The Demel shop, which is set in the historic salon on the ground floor, has a selection of delectable products that have been poured, filled and formed by hand for over 200 years
Empress Sisi liked to indulge in the sweets that were made at Demler, but needless to say, the young empress did not buy anything herself, rather she got Mr Demel himself to personally deliver the candied violets that she so loved, to the royal court at the Hapsburgs
The ornate iron gates of the Belvedere Palace
The ornate Rococo exterior of the Belvedere Palace
The lower palace of the Österreichisches Barockmuseum - The Austrian Museum of Baroque Art - which displays 18th-century Austrian Art
The modern upper landing of the Belvedere Palace
Gustav Klimt: Frieda Riedler , 1906 - Oil on canvas
Claude Monet, The Cook, 1882
Gustav Klimt: Judith and Holofernes, 1901 - Oil on canvas
Gustav Klimt: Portrait of Johanna Staude, 1918 - Oil on canvas
Gustav Klimt: The Kiss, 1907 - Oil on canvas
Gustav Klimt: Water Serpents I, 1904-07 - Oil and gold on canvas
Located in the heart of Vienna opposite the imperial Hofburg Palace and Spanish Riding School, the Palais Pallavicini is an architectural jewel combining baroque splendour and elegant classicism. One of Vienna's most beautiful historic event locations, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert were both frequent guests at the Palais and played in the Grand Ballroom where we would be enjoying and evening of fine wine, traditional Austrian cuisine, serenaded by special performances of opera, ballet and classical music. Organized by Tauck as part of our Danube River Cruise, the evening began with a Champagne Reception in the palace's elegant Marble Hall.
Palais Pallavicini in Vienna
The beautiful entrance into the Palais Pallavicini
The staircase, with its beautiful classical latticework leads to the magnificent state rooms
on the second floor
Champagne Reception in the Marble Hall of Vienna's Baroque Palais Pallavicini
Serenaded by a string quartet, guests sip champagne in the Palace's opulent setting
After cocktails we were invited into the spectacular Great Ballroom, framed by gilded stucco and baroque mirrors, to enjoy an evening of dining, opera, ballet and classical music
An embroidered Palais Pallavicini napkin ring marked every guest's table setting
Set with Viennese crystal and candlelight, the tables were set with both a wine and dinner menu
Kaiser Semmel Imperial Roll and Viennese Pretzel
The wine list featured our favourite white wine of our trip, an Austrian Gruner Veltliner
White glove wine service!
The Gruner Veltliner was from the Hannes Rennhofer Vineyard of Hobenbach
The dinner menu for the evening
Dressed in smart black suits, tie and white gloves, the servers arrived with our first course,
a fresh garden salad with radish and raspberry vinaigrette
A simple said with light vinaigrette was a pleasant interlude from the many rich meals
we had been enjoying during our time away
Pumpkin Cream Soup garnished with croutons
Before our entrées were served, two ballet dancers performed scenes from Coppélia,
a comic ballet about a lonely and disillusioned toy maker who wishes he could bring his dolls to life
Dr. Coppélius creates Coppélia, a stunning, life-sized dancing doll
After the ballet performance, dinner was served
Spinach Strudel with Herb Sauce and Boiled Potatoes with Seasonal Vegetables
Hollandaise sauce for the trout
Roasted Filet of Salmon with parsley boiled potatoes, seasonal vegetables and roast tomato
An interlude of operatic performances preceded dessert
Although we didn't have time to get to the Vienna Staatsoper,
we were treated to an evening of glorious opera by both singers
'Schmankerlparfait Pallavicini' was the unlikely name for the dessert served, which was served with both raspberry coulis and chocolate sauce
A silver 'gravy' boat of chocolate sauce for the parfait
'Schmankerlparfait Pallavicini' - iced cream with caramelized nuts topped with raspberry coulis
and chocolate sauce
A cup of Viennese coffee
After a wonderful evening, we descended the marble staircase
and were whisked back for a night of slumber on MS Savor
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