Winter at the Summer Palace

It always seems to take the snow forever to chase the foggy days away. Every year, before Christmas, Vienna is shrouded in mist. Escaping the busy city has never been more appealing. A quick trip to Schloss Schönbrunn will definitely brighten your day. Even if it is only for a moment, the brisk yellow façade will give you the sensation of summer sun. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for the entire estate. This time of year the gardens are but a shadow of their usual splendor. During the reign of Archduchess Maria Theresa it was decided that Schönbrunn would be a summer palace. So when I imagine Empress Elisabeth standing there, looking at the garden, she has a better view. In all of Austria there will never be more famous hair than the long and beautiful braided hair of Sissi. Whereas she decorated her hair with diamond stars, I went with a hair bow, still elegant and almost as chique ;-).