Vienna- Christmas Markets

One of my favorite parts of Vienna are the Christmas Markets
So many beautiful things as well as good food

There were a few of these at the Christmas Market by our house- quirky

Christmas Market at the palace- this one was so fun

Everyone would gather around for Punsch (fruit juice and alcohol) don't worry, we had the Kinderpunsch- basically cider

Found some ornaments for us and one for the baby

T loved the pretzels- they were so good

Christmas Market at this beautiful government building- Rathaus

The Rathaus had tons of lights  and people

All the hand painted ornaments were my favorite

Vienna- Cathedrals

Here we are again at the cathedrals

 oh these were beautiful

Another great altar piece- loved that this one had the Christmas Trees

We took an elevator to the top to look closer to the

You get a whole different perspective from up close

These were 15ish feet tall- never would have thought from the ground.

We were a little shaky being up so high.

Votiv Kirche- so beautiful. There were some protest going on here- so we got out fast.

This was my favorite- Stefansdom. We passed through multiple times also went through the catacombs- creepy to say the least. Bones from 11,000 bodies, a few coffins and embalmed intestines.

Inside the cathedral- this colors are projected onto the ceiling but still amazing when you walk in.

view from the back

Vienna- Opera/ Ballet

Oh vienna- how I love you 

We saw the Marriage of Figaro and the Nutcracker Ballet 

I enjoyed the Ballet more (since the opera was in German) 

Maybe I even cried a little

 amazing talent and experience- you have to go see a performance if you visit

We were so close to the stage- I love the live orchestra

I loved sitting on the sides

This was the "opera for the people" yet had an amazing chandelier

Main Vienna Opera House (different from Above)

Saw the Nutcracker here- not my picture. We forgot our camera and had a crazy time getting there

Vienna- Scenes from out and about

Architecture was just as amazing as Paris

Loved the streets that were decorated for Christmas- this was along the huge shopping area

The Palaces- I decided I need one. T said it was ok

All lit up- amazing

Yup- a bathroom with music in it

It snowed on our last day- this is in front of a summer palace

Finally Cheap food!!!

Even though the meat may have been sketchy

Pizza saved us many nights

But the Schnitzel (spelling?) and the Brats were amazing!

Soup was needed on cold days

Paris- Cathedrals

Now looking back- we visiting a lot of cathedrals 

They were so fascinating to me

 I loved the way they looked 

I loved that they had benches, a place to sit

 All were so different 

That and I have always liked observing other religions

The first cathedrals we walked into

Notre Dame- pretty proud of this picture. Not the MOST beautiful, but huge. We also went to a Gregorian Chant performance here.

Inside Notre Dame

The altar of a church by the modern art museum- all were so different and intricate.

San Chapelle- you HAVE to visit this one

San Chapelle is COVERED in stained glass windows. Each panel telling a different Bible book story

They were amazing- really took your breath away.

One more- loved the colors

Favorite spot in the city- Sacred Heart. Great View, Great Christmas Market and just amazing place. North part of the city by MontMarta (Moulin Rouge area- just skip that street- trust me)

The view- we were lucky to hit it on a clear day. You can see forever and get a good feel for the city. go the first or second day there- it helped me figure out the city a little better.

Paris- Museums

Let me preface this post-

 I am not that tourist who goes to museums to take pictures 

I go to museums to LOOK at art

 it bugged me when the tourists would hide behind their cameras the whole time 

you get the same vision from a camera as you do on a computer/textbook s

o when you go to museums- LOOK at the art 

Also- we spent lots of time at these two museums 

 my hubby is getting his master's in Art History= awesome explanations of many of the paintings 

and watching him be SO HAPPY! 

Also- thank heavens for free bathrooms and benches 

Louvre 

It was pouring rain- right after this our umbrella flew into the street

this sculpture really was amazing at the top of the stairs- T can tell you the name, period and artist

I loved looking at the art- but sometimes looking up you got an amazing view as well

There it is- proof I was there. Not my fav painting though

My view most of the time

Musee de Orsay

T was so excited about this one- can I can now understand why. AMAZING

It is an old railroad station- the ceiling was so fun!

Loved the clock on the upper floor looked out over all of Paris

This clock was my fav