Schonbrunn Palace

So, I decided to head to Vienna for a few days on my way home for Christmas.  I flew in on Thursday night, so I could get a good night's sleep for sightseeing the next day.  I wanted to get to my hotel as fast as I could, so I decided to just take a taxi.    

Aaaand...my taxi driver got pulled over by the cops...so much for getting to my hotel quickly.

View of St. Shephen's from my hotel window.

The weather was a balmy 55 degrees today, so I decided to head to Schonbrunn Palace.

According to Vienna's tourist website: Schönbrunn Palace with its surrounding buildings (1441 rooms!) and the huge park is one of the most significant cultural monuments in Austria. The castle was build to rival French Versailles in Baroque beauty and importance but House Habsburg lacked funds to outdo its rivalling nation France. 
In earlier times it served as summer residence to various Habsburg rulers.

Emperor Franz Joseph (ruled 1848-1916), who was born here in 1830, spent the last years of his life entirely in Schönbrunn. In 1918, the palace became the property of the new republic. Due to this historical importance, its beautiful location and its gardens this palace is one of the very top sights in Vienna. Furthermore the entire complex was added to the UNESCO's world cultural heritage list.

Austrian military at the Christmas market.

Different kinds of pretzels. 

Taking a walk behind the palace.

I don't understand this sign. No stretching? No measuring? No twirling ala Sound of Music?

There is also a zoo on the grounds of the palace.

Huge fruit bats in the rainforest.

Aaaaahhh...bats!

The elephants coming in for feeding time.

Wow.  I had pretty much spent the whole day here.  Time for a nice sunset.

Christmas Market at the palace.