Today is our last day in Vienna. I think we saved the best for last without even knowing it. We headed east this time for a 3+ kilometer walk to the Schoenbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence.

This place was huge and amazing and kept getting more amazing the farther into the grounds we walked. We first took a 40 minute tour of 44 out of the 1,441 rooms which lasted at least an hour and a half and was most interesting. (No photography allowed.)

Here’s a picture of the back of the palace (or maybe the front).

And from the back of the palace looking out, this is what you see.

The structure in the background high on the hill is called the Gloriette. (Wikipedia defines Gloriette as a building in a garden erected on a site that is elevated with respect to the surroundings.) We took a circuitous route to the top of the hill and came upon more treasures like this Roman Ruin fountain.

Constructed in 1778 it sympolises both the decline of once great powers and the preservation of remains of a heroic past.

Then there was the Obelisk fountain as a symbol of stability and permanence.

From the Gloriette the view of the palace and gardens was amazing.

This outing took up most of the day with a very long walk

back to our Pension. Here’s a picture of our cozy little room. Barely space for our suitcases but it’s just fine since we don’t spend much time here and it’s in a great location.

Here’s the staircase up to our floor.

And here you can see our window from the walking street side. We’re on the second from the top floor just left of the tree with the window open.

Another siting from our wanderings – the UPS “truck” passed by. Pretty cool, eh?

Our last night in Vienna before we head for home. Dinner .3km from our pension for a wonderful Austrian dinner of schnitzel and Gruner Veltliner.

It’s been an incredible, beautiful trip with so many wonderful memories. And to top it off, we get to see Justin and Lauren in a week up in Seattle. Can’t wait!