Our tour of Vienna kicked off in a pretty epic way - we started with a visit to the Imperial Winter Residence of the Austrian Emperors, the Hofburg palace. I mean, can you think of a more regal way to begin a trip?

Vienna. HofburgFrom the Maria Theresa Square side, we walked through the Imperial Gate with a guide to the Hofburg Courtyard, Heldenplatz. The architecture was just stunning, and I loved how the sunlight highlighted the intricate details of the buildings.

Vienna. HofburgThe New Castle, the latest addition to the Hofburg complex, looked absolutely breathtaking in the evening light. I was blown away by its grandeur and the way it seemed to glow in the fading light. Vienna. Hofburg
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Vienna. HofburgOn the Heldenplatz, there are two horse statues facing each other - one of Archduke Charles II of Austria, the son of Queen Anne of Bohemia from the Jagiellonian dynasty, and the other of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a military leader of the Holy Roman Empire who fought in some major wars.

Vienna. HofburgThe City Hall towers are visible in the background, which was a nice touch.

It's pretty cool to think about the historical context of these statues - at the time, Russia was ruled by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was governed by Augustus II, the Elector of Saxony.

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Vienna. HofburgThere are souvenir shops on the Hofburg grounds, which was a nice bonus - I picked up a few cool souvenirs to remember our trip by.

Vienna. Hofburg I've gotta say, the real showstopper here is the collection of items featuring Empress Sisi - they're super popular and really give you a sense of the palace's history.Vienna. Hofburg
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Vienna. HofburgNext up, we've got a series of transitions through the palace's inner courtyards, each with its own unique historical name: the Swiss Wing, Amalienburg, the Leopoldine Wing, the Imperial Chancellery, the Court Library, the Augustinian Wing, the Redout, and the Festival Hall.

One of the courtyards even has a monument to Emperor Francis I

Vienna. HofburgThe grand red Swiss Gates are a real treat:

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Vienna. HofburgOur guide points out the balcony door, where the silhouette of Marie Therese (Sisi) is lit up.

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Vienna. HofburgVienna. HofburgOne of the most ornately decorated wings is the St. Michael's Wing, and it's packed with sculptural compositions. I mean, just check out these photos: Vienna. Hofburg

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Vienna. HofburgThe dome is equally breathtaking: Vienna. Hofburg
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And then there's the statue of Heracles defeating the Lernaean Hydra at the entrance to the St. Michael's Wing from the Michaelsplatz side: Vienna. Hofburg

St. Michael's Square. Hofburg PalaceI was blown away by the Eastern wing of the Hofburg Palace, which is named after the stunning St. Michael's Church across the square - one of the oldest buildings in Vienna, dating back to the 13th century. I managed to snap a few photos of the church's interior, and it's truly breathtaking.

One of the frescoes I saw, dated back to the 14th century, is of St. Michael weighing souls between Mary and the Baby Jesus and Satan.This weird structure - either a cabinet or a balcony - is literally glued to the wall and ceiling joint, like a bird's nest:St. Michael's Square:

Vienna. Hofburg PalaceBe sure to check out my video of Vienna's Christmas markets, architecture, and landmarks, including the ice skating rink on City Hall Square - it's a must-see, trust me!