The Schönbrunn Palace, home to the Hapsburg dynasty since Maximilian II, until the palace passed to the ownership of the Republic of Austria at the end of the monarchy in 1918. It was magnificent and historic inside, but we like their grounds the best. The gardens and maze were beautiful.
The Gloriette was originally a banquet hall built for Fanz Josef I and is currently a cafe where we had a lovely lunch on the terrace. It was built in 1775, was destroyed in the second world war, and restored in 1947, and again in 1995. 
It sits atop the hill at the far end of the gardens and makes for a spectacular focal point as well as destination.
The view of the palace from Gloriette.
Well, the grounds were almost our favorite. We attended a strudel making class and because Sterling correctly answered the chef's question, he was appointed assistant.
The question was," how to transfer the strudel from the cloth to the pan?" Two women had a go but got it wrong and Sterling then correctly answered that it would be best to use the cloth it was already on. Chef was impressed and a bit surprised that Sterling got it right! He credits his insight from years of playing Legos and having to clean them up! 
Got to coat the pastry with butter and received a certificate. Who enjoyed it more, Sterling or parents?
Elliott enjoyed spending Easter morning at mass with the Vienna Boys' Choir! The choir was on the balcony above us and the voices were truly angelic.
Easter eggs in Austria are beautifully decorated real, empty eggshells. The are expensive and abundant, and come with spangles, hand paintings of every kind, animals, music, pottery designs, flowers, and maps, carved and with ribbons. 
We spent Easter afternoon in Stadtpark, relaxing.
More beautiful gardens, music and wine in the sunshine. 
Posts
