Melk - October 14, 2015

This morning, our ship sailed through the Wachau Valley, the heart of Austria's wine country!This area is filled with cultural and historic importance, and is of unsurpassed beauty, that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Every scene we traveled by could have been a postcard!

We docked in Melk shortly after lunch for an excursion to the dramatic 900-year-old baroque Melk Abbey, perched on sheer cliffs high above the Danube.  Its amazing library is home to a huge variety of texts, including medieval manuscripts, as well as books written in 14 different languages.

Back on the ship, we sailed through seven different locks during the remainder of the day which is a very fascinating process.

After dinner, we competed in a musical trivia game.  Our team, appropriately named "The Toddler's Team" tied for first place!  We enjoyed our trophy, a bottle of champagne - thanks, Viking River Cruise!

Vienna, Austria - October 13, 2015

This stunning city continued to provide magical moments.  We began our day with a tour on the remarkable Ringstrasse, lined with imposing palaces and grand residences, encircling the medieval Innere Stadt (Inner City), including the Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School, and St. Stephan's Cathedral.  While at the Spanish Riding School, we were fortunate enough to be standing exactly where the horses were being brought in for a performance.  Truly, had I thought that I would not be sent to jail, I could have touched the horses!

The day just continued to be amazing!  We enjoyed a delicious coffee in one of Austria's equivalent to Starbucks, Aida and then strolled along the lovely streets.

After lunch, we had the awesome opportunity to take an optional trip with the ship's chef, Jakub, to the local farmers' market, Nachsmarket.  We rode the subway to Karlsplatz, then strolled through an incredible market filled with sights and smells beyond description.  It was simply awesome to watch the chef purchase bread, cheese, etc. for upcoming meals.  We also stopped into one of his "friend's" local shop where we were treated to wine, cheese, cold cuts, and bread.

Just when I thought this day couldn't get any better, another "once in a lifetime" opportunity presented itself when we arrived for our Mozart/Strauss Concert in the one of the Hafburg Palace's performance halls only to discover that we had front row seats! Wow!!!  The concert was positively enchanting.  The conductor was engaging, the performers talented, and it is a night I'll always treasure. Vienna,you will remain one of my favorite European cities!  Farewell....

P.S.  I'm updating this blog sitting next to lovely large floor to ceiling window as we cruise through the Wachau Valley.  We've traveled by castles, abbeys, vineyards,and scenery that is truly postcard worthy.  Life is good!

  

Bratislava, Slovakia - October 12, 2015

Another day, another country! Today we toured Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, set at the foot of the Little Carpathian Mountains.  We drove by the US Ambassador's home, perched high on a hill with a fabulous view of the city, while traveling to the castle.

 Later, we walked through Old Town, St. Martin's Cathedral, Michael's Gate, many aristocratic palaces, the baroque Jesuit Church, Rolland Fountain representing Knight Rolland, and the National Theater.  We passed many statues, but this one seemed to be everyone's favorite:

If you rubbed the little button on the top of his hat, you would receive good luck!

Budapest - October 10 - 11, 2015

Farewell, beautiful Prague!!  Bright and early we boarded our very comfortable Viking bus, destination, Budapest, Hungary.  Along the seven hour drive, we stopped for an absolutely delicious lunch at a drum roll......gas station.  But wait, this European gas station isn't your typical Quick Trip.It is a "Marche" station complete with an incredible assortment of fresh, delicious food.  We enjoyed a great sandwich, along with Hungarian goulash!  After a little nap, we arrived at our Viking River Cruise Ship, the Alsvin, docked alongside the Danube in Budapest.

We settled ourselves in Suite 231, and then joined the orientation in the lounge.  We met a lovely couple, David and Karen, from New England and we all enjoyed a fabulous dinner.  Afterwards, we relaxed with Teri and Alan for after dinner drinks in the lounge.

Sunday, October 12, 2015

Luck would have it, that a marathon would be running right in front of our ship, so the tour buses couldn't get to the ship until the afternoon.  This was not a huge problem, as Teri and I went off to explore on our own while the guys rested.  We enjoyed looking around in the little shops, cheering on the runners, and visiting the "Shoe Memorial" along the Danube.  This memorial was quite moving and somber. Numerous bronze shoes were cast along the river to give tribute to the hundreds of Jews executed here during WWII.

After lunch we boarded our bus to tour Hungary's lovely capital.  The Danube cuts through the heart of the cityy, separating the Buda Hills and the Old City from the elegant bouelvards of modern, "Pest."  We saw the National Opera House, Heroes' Square, Parliament, Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church.  We crossed both the Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge during our journey.  Tonight, we enjoyed the company of Dwayne and Janie, also from New England.  Tonight, we sailed away around 9:00 PM, and the lights were simply breath-taking.  Bon voyage!

Another Beautiful Day in Prague - October 9, 2015

Happy 85th Birthday, Meme!  We began our day with a tour of how garnets are mined in the CR at the Lapis/Diamond Factory.  Little did I know, that my rings would have to be cut off my finger, then resized.  While wating for this procedure, we did a little shopping at this lovely place before heading back to the Old Town Square. After strolling around most of the morning, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at 7 Angels.  I do need to mention that we tried another restaurant but were told, "We're full" as the host motioned us to move on.  Well, what a lucky break for us, because we enjoyed a lovely, quiet lunch at 7 Angels located in a building from 1392.  Afterwards, Rob decided to head back to the hotel for a rest, while Teri, Alan, and I continued to explore the Old Town.

The sights were interesting, as well as unique!

After a brief rest, we took a taxi back to Old Town to enjoy a fabulous dinner at Cassaro!  Every one decided that we must return to Prague for a longer stay!  Tomorrow, we have a early breakfast, as we head off to Budapest!

Prague, CR - October 8, 2015

Today would have been Rob's dad's birthday, and I am sure the he would have approved the way we celebrated his day enjoying a gorgeous city, lovely people, and great food!
After a terrific breakfast at the Hilton Hotel, we boarded a Viking River Cruise bus for our Prague City Tour. First stop, the Prague Castle complex which included St. Vitus Cathedral.  While there, a super-cute group of little elementary school kids, obviously on a field trip, caught my attention! Next, we crossed over the Charles Bridge to visit the Old Town Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Hall. We sat at a lovely cafe, sipping coffee with the Stewarts, when our "can't not see a bride on every trip" strolled by!  Afterwards, we walked over to the Jewish Quarter where we saw the world's oldest continuous synagogue,  as well as Prague's "New Old Synagogue" and the Jewish above ground cementary.

After our tour, we enjoyed a light lunch at the Gate, and then returned to the hotel.  Rob napped while the Stewarts and I worked out at the Hilton's fabulous gym.  We had dinner reservations, recommended by many, at The Bellevue.  Truly, it was one of the most amazing dining experiences we've ever enjoyed.  The food was positively delicious, and the service was superb!
Back at the Hilton, we enjoyed after dinner drinks with the Stewarts to recount our incredible day in Prague!

Viking River Cruise

October 6 - 7, 2015

Viking River Cruise - celebrating our 40th Anniversary!

Thanks, Ari, for taking us to the airport to begin our journey!  We met Teri and Alan for Starbucks to toast our upcoming trip.  We departed on Air France around 1745 hours for a smooth flight to Paris. After a short layover, we boarded Czech Airlines for Prague.  We safely arrived, but one small suitcase was AWOL.  Viking Cruise Lines whisked us away to our lovely Hilton Hotel centrally located in downtown Prague.  After a short briefing, the Viking Rep, David, suggested an awesome restaurant for lunch, Kvul.  The exchange rate is $1.00 = 24 K.  Food is extremely delicious and very reasonably priced.  After lunch, we stopped for a much needed coffee break, as our jet lag was setting in, at Costa's - the European equivalent to Starbucks.  Since my workout clothing was in the AWOL luggage, a nap took the place of exercise.  Rob decided to stay in the hotel for dinner since he was still full from lunch, so Alan, Teri, and I headed off to a Fodor's/Viking recommended restaurant, Lokal. The restaurant was excellent and the prices were WAY below stateside meals.  We enjoyed watching all the locals at the Lokal while enjoying a delicious dinner.  We've just been notified that our Viking ship, the Ingvi is being replaced by the Angsvan due to the low waters on the Danube. The new ship is "state of the art" so we're not complaining.  Meanwhile, we anxiously awaiting tomorrow's tour of Prague.