The Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815. Should have stopped while you were ahead, Napoleon.

This being the 200th anniversary of The Congress of Vienna, several exhibits are both currently running and being planned for debut later this year. At Schloss Belvedere there is a comprehensive and most enjoyable exhibit, "Europe in Vienna," showcasing the history of the Congress through paintings and other artifacts, and on a rainy afternoon Tony and I made a date of it.  (Yes, we're just nerdy that way, but lunch afterward was romantic.)

As with much of pre-WWII history in these parts, a little studying up goes a long way to better appreciating an historical exhibit. In our research we learned that Prince Eugene of Savoy, for whom Schloss Belvedere was commissioned, had been rejected by Louis XIV for service in the French Army, so he packed up his loyalties and gave them to the Habsburgs, becoming a great military leader and leaving the Kingdom of France to sigh and say, Que sera, sera. It seems fitting, then, that the redistribution of Europe following Napoleon's defeat should have its exhibit in Eugene's digs.

And that is about where photos of the historical event end. Copyright and photo prohibitions be damned, I can only share a few of my favorite Belvedere elements with you. Though, I would be happy to tour the exhibit again should you visit. 

(If one asks politely in the exhibition space, photos of the ceilings are permitted.)

To end, the signed and sealed Viennese copy of The Treaty of Vienna, setting the stage for long term peace in Europe.

London. A Capital for Food Lovers.

If it is not obvious, food and dining feature prominently on our travel itineraries, and London did not disappoint. It being near to the Chinese New Year, and London being home to Europe's largest Chinatown, sitting for Peking Duck was a must. 

No words. Just silent wonder when we realized the last time we had enjoyed Peking Duck this good was right before we moved to Austria.

Walking through one of London's oldest markets was a treat.

'Tis a good thing we had hunger when we sat for fish and chips (and mushy peas, yum) at a 300 year old pub. 

Ever so grateful to Anna Grace's Bangladeshi nanny for inspiring her love of spices and curry, for to travel to London and not eat Indian cuisine is unimaginable to us. Pappadums lighter than air, and masalas and vindaloos so spicy delicious they would be banned in Vienna.

One final place of note, and a highlight of the epicurean shopping itinerary, was our visit to the East India Company store. Founded near its present location over 400 years ago, the East India Company was the link between the East and the West, and is now working from its library of ship logs and recipes to recreate some of the original tea blends. The store was rather decorous and we felt a bit uncomfortable stepping in wearing jeans, but once inside were treated to tea tastings; and with the assistance of the oh-so-polite staff, selected a few perfect teas to bring home. Also available for purchase were exquisite tea sets.

Hahaha. British humor. (The blend of Chinese Keemun and Yunnan teas is based on the original blend thrown overboard in 1773.)

London. Typically Touristy.

This was not our first visit to London, but some of our favorites are too irresistible to pass up.

The Chilhuly Chandelier and Glass Gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum

10 Downing Street. The first time we visited we were able to walk near to the door. Times have changed.

Riding the #9 Heritage Route on a double decker bus. 

The buses do get awfully close to one another. It must be love.

Needs no introduction. Big Ben only chimes on the hour, by the way.

The London Eye was a first. It is possible to rent a cabin for a party, which I think would be a pip!

So was our visit to the London Transport Museum, housed in the city's former flower market. More fun that you think it might be.

The Parliament Courtyard looked particularly lovely on our walk.

Westminster Abbey. We have toured the magnificent building previously and did not feel the need to deposit 75USD equivalent into the kitty to tour once again. Sorry, London.

Buckingham Palace. On the day of our visit the Royal Standard was flying. We can only wonder how Her Majesty endures all of the tourists posing about in her front garden.

London. Harry Potter, Naturally.

Here in Vienna one can't throw a Mozart kugel without hitting schlocky souvenirs of Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth. Or Gustav Klimt. Or Mozart. London souvenir shops, in contrast, are far more discreet in their tacky royal souvenir offerings, and even more so in their Harry Potter giftware selections. One tourist activity London does offer, though, is a "Harry Potter Tour," and the three of us spent a pleasant afternoon walking about the city in the footsteps of The Boy Who Lived. 

Our guide took us through several film locations, pointing out interesting historical facts about London along the way, as well. Our favorite destination on the tour was Cecil Court, just off Charing Cross Road, and the inspiration for Diagon Alley. 

At first it resembles little more than an ordinary shopping street.  But when one takes pause to read the old store names and examine the curious window front displays, it becomes more than obvious where J.K. Rowling found her inspiration for the wizard's shopping lane.

A signed, first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone sits in the window of this bookstore.

In this storefront of an alternative bookshop sits a Tarot Card Reader, who was busy with a client on the afternoon we passed.

Another favorite film location was this quiet little lane also near Charing Cross Road, Nocturn Alley.

A popular destination not on the tour is a certain platform at King's Cross Station and we would have been remiss not to visit.

The one and only Harry Potter store is conveniently located adjacent to Platform 9 3/4, and is chockablock with chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts Beans and an outpost of Olivander's Wand Shop.

Anna Grace had a large role in drafting our London itinerary, and our Harry Potter Tour was an excellent choice.