Schloss Schönbrunn

The Austrians knew how to build both stylishly and enormously.

This amazing palace was built in the 1700's by the Habsburg family and was their main summer residence.

We didn't go inside as the queues were long, but we spent all of our time in the gardens.

One amazing fact about the palace is that it has 1,441 rooms. 

Tucked away near the edge of the gardens is a beautiful Japanese garden. This was originally laid out in around 1915, but was gradually forgotten and became completely overgrown with weeds and ivy. 

However, in 1997 a visiting Japanese tourist saw it and recognised a distinctive turtle rock outline amongst the weeds.

It has now been restored and is beautiful, but strangely, we found it by accident and read this information on a small plaque, as it is not mentioned at all on the official leaflet.

This stone folly/building is high up on the hill opposite the palace and does get a mention though.

It's called the Gloriette Viewing Terrace and this is the view of it

and this is the view from it.

The lake behind me is there to power a waterfall and fountains that line up exactly with the palace.

Walking closer to the palace are formal gardens with swirls of colourful begonias making beautiful synchronised patterns.

It's all a bit too big to properly appreciate, and I think a bit too showy offy. (Apart from the Japanese garden.)

In the evening we went to a show in another lovely building. The show was similar to one of the Andre Riu concerts that are often on the telly, but on a smaller scale.

All of the music was either lively or well known, and a very glamorous opera singer sang a couple of arias.

There was also a ballet section with more beautiful outfits.

Finally, for the second time this week for us, a clap along with the music finale.