Our time in Vienna was brief, but it was one of the most memorable parts of the tour because of our fun night with Bernhard and David, who I met at a summer school program in London ten years ago. Two of the smartest and nicest guys I know!
We arrived in the late afternoon, in time for lunch and a brief tour of the city.
St. Stephen's Cathedral. Definitely a 'Wow' moment when it popped out of nowhere as we approached it from a side street.
A view inside.
The Altar
We stumbled upon a little mom-and-pop where locals were eating lunch... Fresh, simply-prepared vegetable soup and salads. So good.
Prinzen Eugene. (i.e. Princess Eugenia, i.e. Eugeeeeeeeeene.)
After the tour, we checked in to our hotel, and were surprised to find out that our tour director Orsi upgraded us to a honeymoon suite! She was such a nice, thoughtful and knowledgeable tour director... [Thanks again Orsi! You're awesome!]
Bernhard suggested Palmenhaus for a drink, then venturing out for some food. We had an early morning the next day ("bags at 7!"), so we thought we'd catch up a bit and be in bed by our customary 10:30 bedtime...
On the way to Palmenhaus, we took a picture in front of the Mozart statue:
Mozart... solid name.
After a nice happy hour at Palmenhaus, the guys decided to venture north to give us more of a locals' experience. For dinner we agreed on a beautifully lit courtyard with overhanging grapevines at a winery called Mayer. Our night got amped up from there... Absolutely amazing food. Roasted pork loin with crackled skin, perfectly fried chicken, delicious cheeses and bread dips (including a decadent lard -- yeah, straight up lard). Bottles of newly released white wines, a couple herby digestifs, some unfiltered premium-jungle-juice-esque wine, and of course, an old accordion player who stole some wine out of my glass and made me look away so he could blow kisses to Alexandra.
After dinner, I'll never forget the moment when David knocked on the door at the bottom of the staircase then turned around and asked us, "you guys ready?" We had no idea where we were. It turned out to be a secret basement dorm bar with foosball and pool (David used to play in tournaments, but we tied!). Afterwards, a dance club with neon lights and more "digestifs." It was a night to remember... [Thanks again guys!]
