For our second, and final, day in Vienna, the weather gods provided us with some rain. Something I am familiar with after living in London for six months. Did this stop us from filling our day with sightseeing and everything Austrian? I think not.
We drove into the city in search of the famous Austrian chocolate cake for breakfast. Yes, you heard correctly. In this country, chocolate cake is totally acceptable for breakfast.
I may never leave.
Actually, most cake is acceptable for breakfast. We added some apple strudel to our tab that morning for this reason. As one can imagine, none of this was gluten free. But when in Austria… you eat gluten. And lots of it.
Bread is basically a staple to every meal. Or it’s the main meal, in forms of dumplings. Or you can coat your main meal in bread. You get the idea.
Of course, there are plenty of options for a gluten free gal like myself. But I did over indulge on some items just to taste them! I can imagine the damage that would have been done had I had access to all of the deliciousness offered in Austria.
We continued our afternoon with a visit to the Schönbrunn Palace. Empress Elizabeth of Austria, also known as Empress Sissi, inhabited this palace and made quite an impression on Austrian history. She was a rule breaker. As they say, well behaved women rarely make history.
Maybe she made up the rule about chocolate cake for breakfast…
We took the grand audio tour through the palace and learned many interesting facts about the Empress and her family. I even stood in the room Mozart preformed his first piece of music at six years old. I was riding the Peter Pan ride at Disneyland at six years old.
It was a lovely afternoon that ended with dinner at an Austrian buffet. Sara’s parents took us out to share some beloved, traditional dishes. To say I was full to the point of popping by the end of the night, would be an understatement. But it was incredible food and a pleasure to experience something so local.
I could not fathom the idea that Bree and I would already be leaving Vienna the next morning. We had only just arrived! But when the world is this big, and there is so much to experience, you have to forgive yourself. And remind yourself to come back!
Which is what I am doing now.
My official reminder {as if I needed one}: return to the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria.
I should probably go book my future plane ticket right now.
Next up, the first of the Croatia Chronicles!