Kärntner Straße is one of the ancient and significant streets of the old city. Its name originates from the medieval 'Strata Carintianorum - Udina', or the road that led south-southeast to Carinthia - modern-day Croatia. The street stretched from Stock am Eisen Platz (now merged with Stephansplatz) to the Carinthian Gate. It is a street revered by both shoppers and sellers, often said to be the heart of shopping in Vienna. Here, shopping is not just about making savvy purchases, but about being part of the grand shopping spectacle.
From Stephansplatz, we meandered through the time-worn cobbles of Karntrashtrasse, arriving at the venerable Albertina Gallery. There, a unique Monet exhibition unfolded before our eyes, uniting his masterpieces from global museums. This collection showcased the same locales captured at varying seasons and times, revealing Monet's genius in a new light. Our stroll culminated at the old market square, where we were delighted by a humorous tale reminiscent of Mark Twain's wit.