Austria’s Imperial Ball

Are you ready to party like royalty–literally? Every December 31st in the Hofburg Palace, formerly the imperial residence, there is a new years eve party like no other. In a celebration that could not take place anywhere else in the world, imperial guardsmen in full dress uniform protect the ‘imperial family’ as they usher in the new year with famous orchestras and bands.

Guests stay in the luxurious state apartments, ladies are presented memorial gifts by footmen in livery and a gala banquet is served by waiters in silk. Modern royalty does not often stand on such traditional pomp but in days of old it was assumed that all official functions were affairs of lavish luxury and that a guest was left wanting for nothing. Such is the case at the Imperial Ball.

This is not a party for tight purse strings, that is certain, but it is once a year and includes double occupancy for three days. The absolute grandeur of the celebration is worth the expense and, while it may seem tacky to take photographs, every time you look at a shot from this night you’d be transported back to an event worth well more than one thousand words. Just make sure not to use a flash, you don’t want to be blinded by the reflection from the diamonds.