The Graben Hotel, just off Graben Platz on Dorotheergasse St. was a wonderful pick after some hours of research at home. About 15 steps from the hotel you enter the Platz and Wien's landmark, St. Stephen's Cathedral, is but a few yards to your right. The Platz is for pedestrians only, is full of cafes, flowers, some statues, shops and just plain easy on the eyes. St. Stephen's Cathedral is probably the most photographed place in Vienna, inside and out, during daylight and after dark. To see it up close, you have no problem understanding the attraction and we have tape/photos to prove that we're no different.

Old Vienna can only be seen well by walking, as every corner you turn reveals sights with details that can only be absorbed through thorough examination. It is by far the most photogenic city that we have visited, although many others are terrific. We found it to be clean, well maintained and very cordial. Yes, it is very romantic as well! We saw Meese Palas, Kunsthistorisches and Naturhistorisches Museums, Mozart's Statue, Michaelerplatz, Burggarten, Neue Hofburg, and much, much more.

Although we've enjoyed many fine dinners, our most recalled was in a wonderful Hungarian Restaurant in old Vienna, with strolling violinist, romantic atmosphere, and great food. It was not without some humor! A lot of businesses in other countries buy tapes of background music that they think tourist from all countries will enjoy and you'll find that nearly all of it is from the U.S.. After the Hungarian Musicians stopped to take a break from classical Hungarian, the restaurant immediately started their tape, which began with Mary Robbins' "El Paso". This transition made an Englishman hysterical, a Romanian woman puzzeled, and the waiter without a clue. We tried to explain the situation to the waiter, as he seemed to have his feelings hurt, but I don't think he felt any better, until the tip.

Since the airport was some distance, we were faced with a very expensive taxi ride, or a very bad combination taxi/bus ride, with the later being a pain in the neck with baggage. The hotel informed us that a private car would be cheaper than a taxi and they arranged one for us. The next morning, our driver is waiting when we came down to check out and to our surprise, the biggest Mercedes Stretch Limo was our "private car"! The driver drove us through the pedestrian only Graben Platz during the early morning hours, let us reflect on what we've seen, what we've missed, and what we must see again! Wien.