Austria: Vienna – Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace was the summer imperial residence of the Austrian monarchs for over 400 hundred years. The immense Baroque palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vienna (separate from the old town) and is a major tourist attraction. It is swamped by hordes of tourists all trying to get to the 40 or so rooms that can be visited in the actual palace. While they are lux and decorated, they don’t come close to the excess of St. Petersburg or France. The gardens are much more interesting, offering panoramic views of the palace from a hill above.