Hi, kids! It’s me, Flat Stanley Brayden, here with an incredible update about my day in Vienna, Austria! I got to see grand buildings, explore a palace, enjoy festive Christmas markets, and even join a Secret Santa gift exchange. It was an amazing day filled with history, holiday cheer, and so much fun. Let me tell you all about it!
Morning Excursion: Treasures of Vienna’s Ringstrasse
The day started with a bus ride along Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse. This huge road circles the city center and is full of amazing buildings that tell Vienna’s story.
Sights Along the Ringstrasse
Here are some of the cool things I saw:
- St. Francis of Assisi Church: A beautiful Catholic church with red roofs and tall towers.
- The Ferris Wheel: The oldest Ferris wheel still in use! It was even in the classic movie The Third Man.
- Maria Theresa Monument: A giant statue of Maria Theresa, Austria’s only female ruler, between two big museums.
- Strauss’ Music: We passed the building where Johann Strauss composed The Blue Danube Waltz, one of Austria’s most famous songs.
We also saw the Opera House, City Hall, and a canal that used to be part of the Danube River. And an opportunity for Christmas Markets. The guide explained how Vienna mixes its old history with modern life—it’s such a cool city!
Future Superstar Brayden with Lebron, and other greats 
The plants have their sweaters on too 
Walking Tour Highlights
After the bus ride, we explored Vienna’s old city on foot. Here are some of the highlights:
- Winter Palace: The balcony here is where Adolf Hitler gave a speech in 1938, telling Austria they were now part of Germany. It was a serious moment in history.
- St. Michael’s Church: This church is simple but very elegant.
- Holy Trinity Column: A tall monument built to thank God after a terrible plague ended.
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral: This huge Gothic church has a tall spire (444 feet!) and a colorful tiled roof. It’s one of Vienna’s most famous landmarks!
After the tour, I explored the Christmas market near St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where I found fun gifts and warmed up with hot cocoa in a collectible mug.
Afternoon Excursion: Schönbrunn Imperial Palace
After lunch, I visited the Schönbrunn Palace, the summer home of Austria’s royal family, the Habsburgs. It’s painted in a special yellow color called Schönbrunn Yellow, which makes it stand out beautifully.
Inside the Palace
Our guide took us through some of the palace’s most amazing rooms:
- Royal Apartments and State Rooms: These rooms were filled with shiny chandeliers, fancy furniture, and incredible paintings.
- Schönbrunn Yellow: Our guide explained that the palace’s yellow color is traditional and very special to Austria.
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn
Outside the palace, I explored the Christmas market set up in the front courtyard. It looked like a scene from a holiday movie, with twinkling lights, festive stalls, and the smell of delicious food. They even had an ice skating rink
Evening Aboard the Ship: Farewell Celebrations
Back on the ship, the fun continued! First, we had a Secret Santa gift exchange, where everyone shared thoughtful surprises. It was so fun to see the creative gifts people had chosen.
Next, we enjoyed farewell time, laughing and reminiscing about all the amazing places we’d visited together.
Finally, we had a Farewell Gala Dinner, a fancy meal with lots of delicious food. The dining room was full of excitement as we said goodbye to new friends and celebrated the end of this incredible adventure.
What I Learned Today
- What is the Ringstrasse?
The Ringstrasse is a big circular road built in the 19th century where Vienna’s old city walls used to be. It’s full of important buildings and is a great way to see the city! - What is Schönbrunn Palace?
Schönbrunn was the summer palace of Austria’s royal family, the Habsburgs. It’s one of the most famous places in Vienna and has over 1,400 rooms! - What’s a Christmas Market?
In Austria, Christmas markets are outdoor fairs where people sell handmade gifts, food, and holiday treats. Each market has its own special mug for hot drinks like cocoa or mulled wine!
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