Wien

After all the beauty in Prague it was a surprise to find Vienna laid-back and not really caring too much. I suspect this was because most of the city was on holiday, while those that remained were in holiday mode, but it was interesting neither city matched their reputation – Prague the backpackers paradise was full of tourists and the negative responses that tourism can bring whereas Vienna the snobby capital of the Empire was friendly and relaxed. Regardless of the why it worked for us as we spent most of our time relaxing in beer garden, coffee house and Heurigen (winery restaurant) and watching the Viennese do the same. You can click through the tourist photos yourself as the other Vienna is in this post - the one that spends its day sitting on a red velvet lounge drinking good coffee and reading the international papers. Maybe one day I can retire and do the same:
Or perhaps I will spend my Sundays lingering over a couple of glasses of red in a winery in Grinzig like this lady - she wins the prize for the person we most admired this trip.
Well maybe second-most admired after this dog, who took "Dogs welcome" to a new level when he walked in and sat, waiting to be served.
The personal side - my grandmother grew up in this house (well, part of it!).
Perhaps the only thing that has got cheaper in Vienna is sitting in the gardens - years ago you had to pay the "chair lady" once you sat on a chair under the trees or in front of the roses. Now it's free.