Vienna clock and concert

We had a late start on Thursday and spent most of the morning organising tickets for the following days. Instead of buying concert tickets from the local touts that hang around various venues, we caught the underground train to the tourist info centre. Even though they probably also take a commission on tickets we decided that they would be slightly more reliable. They referred us directly to the Spanish Riding School for tickets to their performances and we tracked down the Hofburg Palace (Winter School). After a late lunch we went on one of the hourly tours through the Staatoper (State Opera House). The Opera House was very impressive and Sophie and Will were not bored, as we thought they might be. We have all had a slight cold and headaches, so went back to our room to relax.

On Friday, we had another late start, spending the morning in the area around St Stephens Cathedral and finding the venue for a concert that night. We also had a coffee at the Hoher Market clock and watched its midday performance. I tried a Viennese coffee and the others had a hot chocolate. We then split up for some shopping - with Sophie finding some desperately wanted hair treatment. With our early start we had the energy to go to the concert at the Kursalon theatre that night. Even though it was slightly touristy (as we suspected), with John slightly disappointed at the quality of the performance, it was very entertaining, with ballet, opera singing and a small orchestra - and the venue was fabulous.

Stables at the Spanish Winter School

Sophie finds another Starbucks - at Hofburg

Hofburg - Spanish Riding School

Sophie and Will outside the Hofburg

State Library - carriage tradition continues via tourists

Will outside the Hofburg

Sophie at the Staatoper

Room celebrating composers at the Staatoper

Main auditorium at the Staatoper - rebuit in the 1950s

Original part of the Staatoper

Behind the curtain on stage

St Stephens - started in the 1200s

St Stephens

Carriages outside St Stephens

Walking to the Kursalon

Kursalon - venue for the evening concert

Car rally passes the Hoher Market clock

Hoher Market clock

John buys some music books for Sophie and Will

Flower market beside St Stephens

Traditional Austrian dresses for sale

St Stephens at night on our return to the underground train