Sunny Vienna

I'm enjoying being back in Vienna. The hotel is in District 1, the centre of the city, so everywhere is within easy walking distance. I went on a Red Bus Tour yesterday which was really interesting & I saw several places then that I checked out today. If you have seen my photos on fb, if you're able to view them, you will have seen the architecture in the style of Gaudi. That was a pleasant surprise, I had no idea. Amazing!
The walk I did in the arvo was a free addition to the bus tour. The tour guide was an elderly man & seemed v frail. But he had lots of historical knowledge in his head & became the first person I've ever tipped! I got the impression the tours were his retirement money. I was just afraid he might fall over on the cobbles. I'll put up photos later, including the only horses left at the Spanish Riding School. All the other horses are on holiday. Along with the opera, the orchestra, & the ballet! I know some of the ballet were performing in Paris. July/August, they all leave the city, lol..
Last night I attended an operetta movie at the Film Festival at the Rathaus, Town Hall, a really ornate Town Hall.
Today I went on a tour of the Vienna State Opera House which was fantastic. Not the biggest at seating 1,700 but capable of doubling in size by judicious use of side stage, back stage, covering the orchestra pit & other tricks of the trade. The decor is fabulous, lots of marble & gilt, about 13 floor to ceiling tapestries, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. (No, not you this time, Jan.) I then went to the Opera Museum for a look see, then on to lunch at the Opera House again. Afterwards was the Butterfly House which was a real treat. Everyone was walking around with smiles on their faces. The butterflies seemed to be v playful. One woman reckoned they were flirting with her when she was trying to get photos of them. I walked home via another park, of course, & the other half of the Ring Road. Another good day.
Tomorrow Christine is picking me up & I'll stay at her place near Melk  for the weekend, then back to the same hotel till 19th. After that is a whole other story!