Vienna: Spanish Riding School & Hofburg

Today I went to the Spanish Riding School to see their morning exercise and take the guided tour. The morning exercise was a little disappointing, which basically consisted of horses walking, trotting and cantering around the ring... (Well, they did do a little of pirouette, piaffe and the half pass, but you can see that in dressage as well...) I guess if they showed everything they've got, then nobody would pay to see them perform (which costs more than €40 for the cheapest ticket!) but I was hoping they'd at least show a little bit of the airs above ground maneuvers.


Mollard-Clary Palace



Inside the Spanish Riding School ring with the beautiful Lipizzaner horses doing their stuff



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After the morning practice was over, I went around the Hofburg quarter to the places I haven't been to.


Demel Konditorei



so many mouth-watering pastries in the Konditorei!



Loos Haus



Michaelerkirche



Bundeskanzleramt



Minoritenkirche at Minoritenplatz



golden Art Nouveau decoration on a bridge



Maria am Gestade



Bohemian Court Chancery at Judenplatz



Peterskirche



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Neuer Markt



Kapuzinerkirche und Kaisergruft. This is where the Habsburgs are laid to rest.



Lobkowitz Palace


In the afternoon I went back to the Riding School for a guided tour. It was a lot more interesting and informative than the exercise, and we got to go into the stable to see the horses and the tackroom. Unfortunately we aren't allowed to take pictures.


Graben with the Pestsaeule

At the end of the day, I went window shopping on Kohlmarkt, Naglergasse, Graben and Kaertner Strasse. There are lots of nice shops and the streets were beautiful with the Christmas lights.

After today, I think I have covered most of the best sights in Vienna. I am glad I had seen so much of the city, and I am content that there won't be any regrets when I leave :)