timing questions...sights in vienna

Hi Nancy depending on your interest level you can do Schonbrunn in 1/2 day, or longer. If you just want to see the palace and have a cursory look at the gardens a 1/2 day would do it. We spent an entire day there. That included the palace tour, lingering in the gardens, having a walk through the attached zoo, the coach museum, and even going to the strudel demonstration. At the strudel demo they show you how they make strudel while you sit in an (air-conditioned) cafe, of course you pay for drinks and the strudel but it was a quite pleasant way to recharge ourselves.

Schonbrunn is an absolute must see and should take a half day to stroll the grounds and visit the Gloriette etc. The Zentralfriedhof ( cemetery ) is also easily done in half a day if only want to visit the central part with the chapel and the musicians', politicians etc. If you are there overnight, would strongly suggest you go for standing room at the Opera which involves lining up about 1 hour ahead and which will only cost 4 Euros. Even if you only go for half the performance, its worth it to stroll around the Opera house before or after.

Thanks to you both for this good guidance. Three days is all we have, and certainly lots to do. All good.

Nancy, I strongly second the opera standing room suggestion. We read about it in Rick's book but found the explanation rather confusing. If more than one is attending, you must all go to the ticket window. Each person can only purchase one ticket. The space saving is NOT in the ticket line; it is in the opera house itself. Get your tickets, go to the standing room place and get your position. Be sure to have a scarf, belt, or other article to tie around a railing. You can then leave and return at any time.