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 Austria- Europe’s home to Strauss, the waltz and world famous Vienna Boy’s Choir-

Vienna is one of Europe’s easiest cities to explore, with a compact city center that is surrounded by the Ringstrasse (ring road), and like Paris it has boroughs or districts that circle out from there.

In the city center proper you’ll find such treasures as St. Stephens Cathedral, it’s one of the city’s landmarks and one of Europe’s supreme examples of Gothic building from the 14th century. Entering through the Giant’s Doorway you could spend hours inside seeing the tombs and sarcophagus’ of kings and emperors as well as towers, monuments, chapels and altars all dating from different times and added as each leader or king deemed important. I’ve found that one of the best views of the interior is from beneath the organ loft and if you can visit on a sunny day the stained glass is phenomenal.

Vienna is known for its music and no visit to Vienna would be complete without a visit to the Opera House. Opened in the 1860’s then almost destroyed in 1945 from a direct hit during a bombing raid, it was rebuilt and re-opened in 1955. The main entrance opens onto the Ringstrasse and is decorated with beautiful frescos of life at the opera.

Moving along with the musical theme, we’ve all heard of the Vienna Boy’s Choir or the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, not to mention Strauss and Mozart, Vienna’s favorite composers. Those are just a couple examples of Vienna’s love of music and don’t forget that those who don’t play can still be a part of the music by dancing the Viennese Waltz.

Vienna is also known for the Spanish Riding School, it takes place in Hofburg Palace from March to June and again September to December. Throughout Europe and the world, admirers of classical riding will go to great lengths for the sought after tickets which must be reserved in advance. During the off times, tickets are available to watch morning the training sessions.

Vienna is home to many coffee houses and cafés that could put Starbucks to shame. A great place to try some Viennese coffee is at the Sacher Hotel where you can try the renowned Sachertorte invented in 1832 and still made and served the same today as well as shipped worldwide.

Just outside Vienna you’ll find Schönbrunn Palace and its beautiful park. Schönbrunn was intended to outshine Versailles and it comes close so you’ll want to spend at least a half day there exploring the palace and grounds.

This is just a taste of what is offered in and around Vienna, you can see it on your own or maybe as part of an escorted tour. Either way you decide to travel, if you’re thinking of exploring Austria and Vienna contact Jennefer, the Europe Specialist at Totem Travel - jennefer@totemtravel.com.

I just completed Princess Cruise Lines’ travel agent training program and I am now certified as a Commodore, the highest rank!  The training took several months and covered the entire fleet of Princess cruise ships, all their destinations, cruise tour itineraries and special features and services.

Although I’ve been a travel agent for 13 years and have cruised many times, I still learned a lot.  For example, did you know that you can cruise to Antarctica or up the Amazon River on a Princess Cruise? 

I have sailed with many other cruise lines but Princess is still a favorite.  Their entertainment is simply outstanding and the “Personal Choice” dining option is wonderful.  You can choose where, when and with whom you dine each evening and there are always great restaurant choices like a steak house, Asian cuisine and an Italian restaurant with 16 course dinner… amazing!

In my opinion, Princess Cruises is also the best choice for an Alaska cruise tour with wonderful lodges and a glass dome train to Denali National park where you’ll (hopefully) see the tallest mountain in the U.S., Mt McKinley.  There are also special extras on the cruise like naturalist lectures and guest appearances by well know Alaska adventurers, such as Libby Riddle, the first women to win the Iditarod. 

Another cool feature offered by Princess is the opportunity to be married at sea.  Most cruise lines will arrange a wedding ceremony prior to sailing, but on select Princess ships you can actually be married by the ship’s captain during your cruise! 

Onboard wedding coordinators help with everything from tuxedos to flowers to legal documents and family and friends can even observe your “Love Boat” ceremony live via Wedding Cam.  Pictures are beamed directly from the ship’s wedding chapel to a website where your guests can access them on a private link.  I told you this was cool!

Call or email if you need more information on weddings at sea, Alaska Cruise Tours or any other Princess Cruise destination.  In the interim I’m off to the Caribbean for a future report on Carnival Cruise LInes. 

TTFN!  Sandi  - Princess Cruises Commodore