December 2013-January 2014. LB and I celebrated an anniversary of sorts (40 years together as a couple) in Vienna. Flew into Munich where we spent two days just kind of wandering around, checking out the sights, sampling the beer and food, and people watching. Then we travelled by train to Vienna and spent 6 days doing all of the things we had missed on our last visit in the fall of 2009 (the 2009 trip will be uploaded under another page when I get a chance). This was my first trip to Europe in the winter and we got very lucky. Weather was relatively mild with temps in the 40’s (F) during the day and mid 30’s in the evening. So it was actually very pleasant. Was expecting it to be much worse.
Munich
Arrived in Munich in the early evening of the 29th of December. Being after Christmas, we had missed all of the Christmas markets. I’m going to have to go back for that sometime. Seems so festive, you can’t help but get caught up in it. I was amazed at how many people were out shopping and just doing the same things as we were. At times it seemed shoulder-shoulder crowds, but it was still fun. Spent the day picking up some baby shower gifts for friends, walking along the river, and wandering the old town of Munich. Headed over to the Bavarian National Museum (closed, damn-it), but did stumble upon a group of surfers riding a wave in one of the canals, which was a surprise. Considering it was probably in the low 40’s, they might qualify as fanatics.
Vienna
Caught the RailEurope train to Vienna on New Years Eve. Something like 4.5 hours and it was great. Very few folks on the train, probably due to the holiday, train was clean, fast, and the service was excellent.
After checking into the Hotel Imperial we made a quick stroll around the neighborhood, got settled into the room and began celebrating the NY with a bottle of Champagne. In the evening we went down to a 5 course dinner, complete with bands, dancing, and a Johann Strauss doppelgänger. LB had a good time and we retired just in time, as I almost ended up having to carry her to our room. Fortunately neither of us suffered any ill effects the next day.
New Years day was spent wandering around, and enjoying the beautiful weather. In the evening, dinner was at Le Loft at the top of the Sofitel. There was a couple next to us, and the dude proposed to his date. She accepted. Totally cute. Took a couple of pics of them for them.
Day 2, more wandering around and the Ballet (The Nutcracker). We’ve seen this over a dozen times in San Francisco, but this version was much darker. Still it was very nice, and I really enjoyed the differences between the two we’ve seen.
Day 3, Walked up to the Belvedere Palace and Museum where we strolled the gardens, had a nice lunch and then walked some of the off the beaten path neighborhoods. Having been here in the late summer 2009 and now winter it was very different. Everything dormant and all of the fountains empty. In the evening it was the opera “Die Fledermaus”.
Next day we were out early to catch the Lipizzaners at the Spanish Riding School. This was probably the biggest disappointment of the whole trip. Not sure if it was because it was winter or what, but it was basically a short show of dressage techniques. Talented yes, but I wanted to see the mounted aerial stuff and they didn’t do any of that. We then went over to the Armory Museum. That was totally cool and the musical instruments they had were impressive. Then over to the Natural History Museum to see the rocks, minerals and dino’s. Apparently they also have the largest collection of meteorites.
The following day was spent at Schonbrunn Palace, for the Royal Carriage Museum and the Tiergarten Schonbrunn Zoo (oldest zoo in the world founded in 1752 as the Imperial Menagerie). I figured being a motorsport enthusiast it might be cool to see the carriages and I was right. Who knew they even had miniature ones for the kids to use around the palace grounds?
Wellbredred and Littlebeast 
Wonderful story, great pics and congrats again 2 U both!