Vienna

I could live in Vienna. Hands down,  no question.  Clean,  easy to get around, full of history and culture- what isn't there to love? I learned so much about the Hapsburg Empire and their influence from the Middle Ages through World War I.  I soaked in the music, the art, and the coffee culture.  I'd go back in a heartbeat.

The Kunsthistories museum quickly became one of my favorite in the world.  The collection was vast and well annotated.  I had been looking forward to their Bruegel works, but there was so much more.  There was a room of Titan- a whole room!! I just sank into the plush benches in the middle of the room in wonder. Portraits, goddesses, Venetian masterpieces- it was so much! And add in Raphael, Surer, Tintoretto, and Bruegel- my Renaissance junkie was in heaven.  I spent hours there.  Oh, and Cellini's salt cellar! The gold statue I've read about for over a decade. 

But even beyond my Renaissance addiction, there was the impressive ancient collection.   The Egypt rooms were so well done with painted ceilings.  The main staircase had original works by Klimt on the walls.  The building itself was art.  I stayed for hours- it honestly could have been days.

And that was just one.  The Albertina was a bit of a disappointment because they have an amazing drawing collection- Durer's Young Hare and Tuft of Grass included,  but none were on display, only copies.  

The Imperial Apartments were lavish and, well, another palace. The CiCi museum,  focusing on the wife of one of the last emperors, was an interesting look at one of the last big Hapsburg personalities.  I like the "case study" approach, but she seemed an extreme case.  I much more enjoyed the parts about Maria Theresa.   There was a lot about her at the Schronbrun Palace just outside of the city.  

Further north was Melk Abbey, with its gorgeous library and fancy Baroque church.   That and the state library in the city were giving me seriously Beauty and the Beast feeloings... and life goals for my own house once I get home.  

My favorite thing about Vienna,  though was the Opera.  For only a few Euro you could get standing room tickets for the Opera,  which opened the week I was there.   I saw Marriage of Figaro and Barber of Seville and they were just phenomenal.  The music,  the setting, the performers... it was just perfect.   The city's commitment to affordable music is so commendable.  I toured the Opera house one day as well to learn more of the history and behind the scenes happenings. 

Overall Vienna was just fantastic.   It's rare I feel so at home in a foreign place and I really home to return someday.