Grand European River Cruise

Passau, Germany

Posted on 2015-06-06 by andy

We arrived in Passau on the afternoon of June 5th- Inn River on left and Danube on the right, and took a tour of the village. Apparently, the village has a theme every week. This week, it has to do with umbrellas and they are hanging in the small ally ways.

: Approaching Passau

: Old Town Hall

: Umbrellas

: Horse Butcher Shop

: Old Town Hall

: Old Toen Hall

: Water Marks of Floods

: Picutues on Twon Hall Wall

: Door-Replica of Holy Card

: St Mary Statue

: Entry for Horse Drawn Carriages

We visited St Stephen’s Cathedral, which boasts the largest cathedral pipe organ in the world.

: St Stephans’ Cathedral

: Inside St Stephan’s

: The Pipe Organ

Later six of us hiked to the top of a nearby hill across the Danube in Austria, where the Bishop’s fortress stands.

: Looking toward the Bishops’s Fortress

: Passau from the Brodge

: Veste Oberhaus -Bishop’s Fortress

: Tunnel below the Veste Oberhaus

: Sign For Veste Oberhaus

: Passau from Veste Oberhaus

: Inn River flows into Danube

: Enjoying an Apple Spitzer at the top

In the evening we watched an old Buster Keaton silent film called “3 Ages”. So its off tomorrow for Regensburg, Germany.

Posted in Day 15, Germany | Leave a comment

Austria – Vienna – Wachau Valley

Posted on 2015-06-04 by andy

Let’s see -In Vienna – dinner at the Palais Pallavicini.

: Left Statue at Entry to the Place

: Right Statue at Entry to the Palace

: Vienese Music

: From the window of our dining room

: The salad

: Opera Singer

The palace is in the Hopburg Palace complex We had the dinner on the night of the 2nd. We took a trip to the Schonbrunn palace on the morning of the 3rd,

: Schonbrunn Palace

: Horse drawn carriages

: Fountain Statue on the left side of the palace

: ME with the Gloriette in the background

: View of the Place from the Gloriette

then a full afternoon walking around the old center of Vienna, where I visted St Stephan’s Cathedral, had lunch at the Figlmuller Cafe for Vienna Wiener Schnitzel. Stopped atop the Sky Bar to view rooftops of the city and had a Sachertorte, a dark chocolate cake. Later, I intended to stop at the Cafe Mozart, but sat down at an outside table in from of the Australian Pub, so another local beer was in order.

: Mozart wanabe

: Figlmuller Cafe

: St Stephan’s Cathederal

: Fresco in notch outside the church

: Inside the catherderal

: St Stephan’s atop the Sky Bar

: Vienna’s Ferris Wheel from the Sky Bar

: Famous Sachertorte

: Albertina Plaza

Then that evening, a walk in the old town – after walking all day, enough to ware one out!

Then today June 4th, we have been cruising through the Wachua Valley visiting the village of Durnstein this morning

: From the Danube departing Durnstein

: Benedictine Appy Entrance

: Abby Gardens

: Inside the Abby Church

: Melk Street

: Our Ship in Melk

: Spitz Castle

Trio Musicians

and the village of Melk this afternoon. Just got back on board the ship after walking from a tour the 900 year old Benediction Abby. Tonight there is to be a musical performance on board by a classical trio as we sail toward Germany.

Posted in Austria, Day 13, Day 14 | Leave a comment

Bratislava, Slovakia

Posted on 2015-06-02 by andy

This morning we pulled in at Bratislava. We took a short morning tour of the center of town.We saw the tapestries at the Primatial Palace. Then we had a coffee and a pastry before heading back to the ship for a noon departure.

: “UFO” Restaurant and Observation Deck

: Balkan War Memorial

: Coat of Arms

: Building with Braslava Coat of Arms

: Carlton Hotel

: Poet Hurezdosslav

: The Watcher

: With caution sign

: Handsome Ignatuis

: Town Hall

: Roland’s Fountain

: Canon ball from Napoleon’s War

: Primatial Palace

: Inside Primatial Palace

: Inside Primatial Palace

: St George slaying the Dragon

: Castle

: St Martin Church

: Crown on top of Steeple

: Devin Castle on Austro-Slovakian border

This evening we will be in Vienna, Austra at the Palais Pallavicini for an Imperial dinner.

Posted in Day 12, Slovakia | Leave a comment

Budapest – Exploring Pest

Posted on 2015-06-01 by andy

This morning we set out to see Budapest most significant landmarks on the Pest side of the Danube. We visited St. Stephan’s Basilica,where the relic St Stephan’s right hand is kept,

: St Stephen’s Basilica

: St Stephan’s Basilica

: Inside the church

: The altar

: Relic of St Stephan’s right hand

: Hugarian State Opera House

passed the Hungarian State Opera House, and stopped at Hero’s Square, where there are carved statues of Hungary’s past leaders, a tomb dedicated to the victims of the 1956 revolt, and various statues depicting the Magyar tribes that were the early settlers of the area.

: Old building with original art on the side of the walls

: Hero’s Square

: St Stephan

: 7 horsemen depict the 7 tribes of Hungary

: The Museum of Fine Arts in Hero’s Square

We passed by the Jewish Synagogue, the largest in Europe. We saw the Ferris wheel, which is on display in Pest about 6 months a year.

: Jewish Synagogue

: Ferris Wheel

: New Fad – Love Locks

We then visited the town market where I had the Hungaria Street Grub and beer.

: Main Floor of the Market

: 2nd Floor eating area

: Interesting food place

: A bread cone with sausages and a beer

A stroll near the Danube and departure.

: I had a Dreher beer at the Pub

: English Pub

: Frank Sinatra Piano Bar on the Danube

: Lady Liberty or “the bottle opener”

: Citadel

: Passing by the Parliament leaving Budapest

: Apartments on the outskirts of Budapest

Posted in Day 11, Hungary | Leave a comment

Budapest – Exploring mostly Buda

Posted on 2015-06-01 by andy

We arrived in Budapest last night and this morning visited the Parliament on the Pest side of the Danube.

: Parliament as seen from the bus

: Gold leaf on the ceilings

: Climbing the stairs to the dome area and the Crown Jewels

: Hallway in the pariament

: Cigar holder outside the chambers

: Cigar holders

: The Crown jewels from afar

: Waiting area outside the chambers

: Chamber room

: Replica of the Paliament building

: Parliament

: Bullet riddled wall

: Statue of US president Reagan

: US Embassy

: Iron Shoes memorial for killed Jews

: Tunnel to Chain Bridge

: Chain Bridge

Then we took the bus to the Buda side, spending the day in Castle Hill District and Fisherman’s Bastion. We had lunch at Fortuna Restaurant and then visited St Matthais Church.

: Memorial to WW I Unknown Soldier

: St Matthias Church

: Holy Trinity Statue

: Main Door to St Matthais

: Gypsy Performer outside the church

: Me at the Fisherman’s Bastion

: Looking towords Pest

: Parliament Building

: On the way to Fortuna Restaurant

: Entrance to Fortuna

: Our Table

: Our group

: Eleonore and Don

The is a tradition/initiation for the graduates of Budapest University that they have to perform a certain act to the Statue of General Hadik Andras. Mind you they say the horse is smiling.

: Statue of General Hadik Andras

: What is she doing?

: The horse – –

: And his …..

We later drove to a high scenic view of the Danube and Budapest before returning to the riverboat.

We bid goodbye to 64 passengers and picked up 66 more for the cruise to Amsterdam. Tomorrow we explore the Pest side of Budapest.

Posted in Day 10, Hungary | Leave a comment

Pecs, Hungary

Posted on 2015-06-01 by andy

This morning our riverboat cleared customs at Mohacs, Hungary.

: Customs House

: Ferry Boat loading near our boat.

After breakfast we departed by bus for Pecs. to see an eleventh century cathedral and early Christian catacombs, a Synagogue and a Mosque converted to a Catholic church.

: Barbakan tower

: Entering the catacombs

: Burial site

: What it looked like

: Another burial crypt

: Cathederal of St Peter and Paul

: St Peter and Paul Entry

: Inside the church

: Inside the Church

: Grape Door

: Door Similar to Florence

: Love locks

: More Love locks

: Mosque of Pasha Oasin

: Bells of Oasim Church

: Inside Oasim Church

Then we were off to the village of Villany in the wine country to have a wine tasting and lunch at the Polgar Winery. It is one of the first private wine ventures established in Hungary.

: Vinyards

: Horse drawn wagon

: Vinery

: Wine Cellar

: Dinner in the Cellar

: Sitting down to the wine tasting

Then back to the riverboat and dinner while cruising to Budapest.

: Happy/Social Hour

: Plate Presentation

: Table Presentation

: Eleonore and Don

Posted in Day 9, Hungary | Leave a comment

Vukovar, Croatia

Posted on 2015-05-29 by andy

We arrived in Vukovar, and are awaiting the custom clearance. Our guest lecturer has not been allowed to come aboard so we are having the lecture via internet from his location at the custom’s office. More later – gotta catch the lecture!

The lecturer was finally allowed to board and gave a lecture was on the history of Croatia how Vukovar survived the aftermath of the Croatian War of Independence.

After lunch on the ship we took a short walk through the town Of Vukovar. The town was completely devastated by the Serbs in the Croatian War. The town had defended itself for 87 days before it was overrun. The Serbs had planned to take the village in 3 days. Since they could not, the leveled it as punishment. The town has almost completely rebuilt itself. We passed the War Memorial overlooking the Danube, passed by the Grand Hotel which has been refurbished but still not being used. We walked along the pedestrian street filled with various coffee shops. They are segregated between Serbian and Croatian. The difference can only be identified by the locals who know the subtle differences between them. I purchased cards and stamps, and stopped for a local beer. Later I visited the Church of St Philip and James and strolled through other parts of the village.

: Memorial just off the Danube

: Fishermen

: Memorial Cross for fallen of Vukovar

: Lunch on the river

: Unrebuilt hotel

: Ist president of the New Serbia

: Hotel renovated but not open

: Clock

: Local beer

: Walkway across river is named for him

: Pedestrain walkway

: Farmer’s Market

After lunch we took a bus to a small village near Osijek, where we visited a family that rebuilt after the war. They offered us cake and coffee, and a taste of their local cherry and plum brandies. They shared with us how they have rebuilt and become self sustaining with their gardens and animals.

: On the way to the village

: Typical houses

: Still not rebulit

: Church in the village

: Our Host

: Rebuilt home

: Enjoying cake and drinks

: Outside lounge

: Our host’s garden

: Chickens

: LocalFarmer

: Typical rebuilt homes

: Stork

: Cemetary

: Church entering Vukovar

Later that afternoon I spent some more time walking around the village of Vukovar.

: Destroyed building featured in National Geographic

: Vukovar Church

: Chruch of St Philip and James

: Stairs to get to the Church

: St Philip and James Church

: Inside the church

: Cross on the way into town

: Tower across form Museum

: Vukovar Museum

: Typical stree

: Local street

: Rebuilt Hotel -not yet open

: Toer with billet holes – reminder

Tomorrow Pecs, Hungary.

Posted in Croatia, Day 8 | Leave a comment

Belgrade, Serbia

Posted on 2015-05-28 by andy

We set out this morning to tour Belgrade. One of the buildings we passed was Saint Sava Cathedral, the largest Serbian Orthodox church. We drove by buildings that were destroyed during the 90’s Balkan War. most of these buildings have been rebuilt. I have depicted a few pictures of typical building in Belgrade. We later visited the Royal Palace which is home to Crown Price Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine. They were present at the palace and visited our tour to chat. This apparently is a rare occurrence. They spoke to us of their charity work and posed for photos. After the palace visit, we drive to Tito’s memorial center. Tito is buried at the Museum of Yugoslave Historyin the area called the “House of Flowers”.

We later visited the Kalanmegdan Fortress, which has stood guard over the city since ancient times. After the fortress tour, I strolled down the Pedestrian street taking in the sites then partook in a local beer and headed back to the ship to be entertained by a Serbian Folkloric performance. Then got changed and off for dinner at the Royal Palace – Tauck’s special arrangement for our tour group. Then it was back to the ship and a night cap.

Tomorrow it’s Vukovar, Croatia!

: Entrance to the Royal Palace

: Entrance to Royal Palace

: Royal Place Church

: Royal Place Terrace

: Inside the church

: Alter

: Theater Room

: Billiard/Wine Room

: Game Room

: Old Globe

: Designs on the sofa

: Palace Library

: This is a travelling trunk

: THe Crow Prince and Princess

: Group photo

: Site of Tito’s Memorial

: Tito

: Tito’s Tomb

: Batons

: Photo of Tito and Richard Burton

: St Sava Cathederal

: Entrance tokalemegdan Fortress

: Fortress grounds

: Map of Citadel

: Inner gate

: Metal door of inner gate

: Turkish Arch

: Guard house

: Turkish influence

: The Victor-Naked man

Posted in Day 7, Serbia | Tagged Day 7 | Leave a comment

The Iron Gates

Posted on 2015-05-28 by andy

The day was spent sailing up the Danube through the Iron Gates. We entered the Djerdap 1 Lock at around 8:30 AM. It was a two step process that raised us 100ft. After leaving the locks we navigated the 60 miles Djerdap Gorge or “Iron Gates”. We passed through the narrowest channels of the Danube including the Great Kazan Gorge less that 500 feet wide. At around 1 PM we stopped at Donij Milanovac, Serbia to clear customs. None of us had to get off.

Later that afternoon we passed the Roman Emperor Trajan’s table erected in 102 AD commemorating Romes victory over the Dacians. We then sailed by the towering face of Decebalus, King of the Dacians and Trajan’s opponent in the first century AD.The face was carved into the rock outcropping in the late 1990s.

In the evening had a Balkan dinner in The Bistro and then participated in the Trivia games in the lounge. Our team, “the Brilliant Ones” won first place! So now I have another ball cap to add to my collection!

: Approaching the locks

: Serbian village

: Trajan Tablet

: Trajan Tablet

: Tragen Tablet

: Entering the Kazan Gorge

: Church

: Face of Decebalus

: Decebalus

: Church

: Serbian Customs Stop

: Golubacs Castle

: Golubacs Castle

: Golubacs Castle

: Golubacs Castle

: The bridge to nowhere

: Eleonore and Don at the Bistro Dinner

: Don and I

: Condements

: Desert

Tomorrow – Belgrade!

Posted in Day Six, Serbia | Leave a comment

Vidin, Bulgaria and Baba Vida Fortress

Posted on 2015-05-26 by andy

The Roma Flag

As we sailed along the Danube this morning, we had a presentation of the Roma (gypsies) in Romania. An interesting takeaway was the Roma Flag.

In the afternoon we docked in the town of Vidin in the northwest of Bulgaria. We took a walking tour of the town and visited the Roman build fort Baba Vada. Over the centuries the fort and town has been inhabited by the Romans, Bulgars, Hungarians, and Turks.