At the Burgtheater for the Klimt frescoes

At the Burgtheater, the world's largest drama theatre, first housed in the ballroom next to the present-day entrance and then erected on the Ringstrasse between 1874 and 1888 according to plans by Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer, one can enter into intimacy with Klimt from a unique and extraordinary perspective. Gustav, together with his brother Ernst and Franz Matsch, created the impressive frescoes on the dizzying ceiling of both stairwells. During the restoration work planned until June, small groups are allowed to climb up the scaffolding and thus be only a few centimetres away from such celebrated works as The Theatre in Taormina, Altar of Apollo, Ancient Improviser. In the painting The Globe Theatre by Shakespeare, the three artists portray themselves in the audience: it is the only existing 'selfie' by Klimt. Still enraptured by such a close artistic encounter, we walk down the Kaiserstiege, the imperial staircase, on the right-hand side of this theatre, which is celebrating its first 250 years and is always sold out. Then walk from there to Alles Wurscht, a favourite address for street food, to say goodbye to Vienna (its Tourist Information Office dispenses a rich carnet of itineraries, information and advice) while enjoying its traditional standing sausage stuffed vertically into a loaf of bread and drinking apple juice.