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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Cruising (and Hoteling) the Danube from Budapest to Nurnberg on Viking, April 2008 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Cruising (and Hoteling) the Danube from Budapest to Nurnberg on Viking, April 2008

We flew to Budapest and took a Viking River Cruise on the Danube, visiting Budapest, Hungary, Bratslavia, Slovakia (unplanned - lock problems!), Austria's Vienna, Melk, Linz, & Wachau/Strudengau Vallies, and Germany's Passau, Deggendorf (unplanned - more lock problems!), Regensburg, Kelheim and Nurnberg. We then rented a car and drove 3 hours to Schwangau, Germany, home of Schloss Neuschwanstein. A slightly chilly, and often wet trip, but a wonderful one, affording many sights and insights into Central Europe. I have always wanted to go back to Germany since living there as a child, and going back did not disappoint! We took tons of photos, and even Howard got in the act, taking a number of wonderful ones with his new, tiny, dyn-o-mite camera! Email us if you want the narrative that will go in my travel book....
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We're off! We used FF miles to go business class on Austrian. Howard enjoyed the 1st course; I drooled/slept (hate jetlag).
We're off! We used FF miles to go business class on Austrian. Howard enjoyed the 1st course; I drooled/slept (hate jetlag).		 Welcome to Budapest, Hungary! I can see I'm going to have trouble with the language!
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary! I can see I'm going to have trouble with the language!		 We were supposed to be on a ship, but surprise! Hotel time! Lock trouble! Here's Parliament on Pest side of Donau river.
We were supposed to be on a ship, but surprise! Hotel time! Lock trouble! Here's Parliament on Pest side of Donau river.		 Shoes were placed along the riverwalk where 200 Jews were pushed into the water
Shoes were placed along the riverwalk where 200 Jews were pushed into the water
Heroes Square, built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians in the area
Heroes Square, built in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians in the area		 Howard played blackjack in the Vegas casino. I photographed the Chain Bridge with Academy in background.
Howard played blackjack in the "Vegas" casino. I photographed the Chain Bridge with Academy in background.		 Fisherman's Bastion, on the hilly Buda side
Fisherman's Bastion, on the hilly Buda side		 Parliament from the Fisherman's Bastion
Parliament from the Fisherman's Bastion
Budapest had lots of wonderful public transportation, including trams and a subway. Ruth rode the subway but no trams.
Budapest had lots of wonderful public transportation, including trams and a subway. Ruth rode the subway but no trams.		 View from our hotel room, early AM
View from our hotel room, early AM		 We were bussed to Bratislava (capital of Slovakia) to get on our stranded ship. Here we cross into Slovakia from Hungary.
We were bussed to Bratislava (capital of Slovakia) to get on our stranded ship. Here we cross into Slovakia from Hungary.		 We arrived in Bratislava & had a little time to explore. This is Bratislava's rooftop castle, which houses their Parliament.
We arrived in Bratislava & had a little time to explore. This is Bratislava's rooftop castle, which houses their Parliament.
Graffiti seen on my walk up to the castle. I have no clue what it means.
Graffiti seen on my walk up to the castle. I have no clue what it means.		 Monument in Bratislava. I need to find out what the significance of this spikey sunburst thing is - very striking.
Monument in Bratislava. I need to find out what the significance of this spikey sunburst thing is - very striking.		 Next stop - Wein (Vienna). We docked not too far from this huge and beautiful church (St. Francis of Assisi)
Next stop - Wein (Vienna). We docked not too far from this huge and beautiful church (St. Francis of Assisi)		 The huge Riesenrad in Prater Park has been operating for ages. We wanted to ride it but no time.
The huge "Riesenrad" in Prater Park has been operating for ages. We wanted to ride it but no time.
Vienna's famous Schonbrunn Palace. This shot shows you the enormity of the place. I'm walking to next part..see next shot.
Vienna's famous Schonbrunn Palace. This shot shows you the enormity of the place. I'm walking to next part..see next shot.		 Gloriette, Schonbrunn (used for breakfts & dinners). I didn't have time to tour - just took metro there and walked around.
Gloriette, Schonbrunn (used for breakfts & dinners). I didn't have time to tour - just took metro there and walked around.		 Grounds of the baroque Belevedere Palace, Vienna. Built by Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Grounds of the baroque Belevedere Palace, Vienna. Built by Prince Eugene of Savoy.		 I got up too late (6AM!) to see much of Austria's beautiful Wachau valley, but DID see a bit (typical town and castle)
I got up too late (6AM!) to see much of Austria's beautiful Wachau valley, but DID see a bit (typical town and castle)
On the Danube, we passed Austria's Schonbuhel castle, which can be toured from land.
On the Danube, we passed Austria's Schonbuhel castle, which can be toured from land.		 The Viking Neptune passing through a lock on the Danube around midnight.
The Viking Neptune passing through a lock on the Danube around midnight.		 I love river cruising because you see wonderful views like this, right out your window!
I love river cruising because you see wonderful views like this, right out your window!		 Cigarette machines were everywhere in Germany & Austria, including occasionally in restrooms!
Cigarette machines were everywhere in Germany & Austria, including occasionally in restrooms!
Our sister ship, Viking Europe, squishing in next to us in a lock in Austria
Our sister ship, Viking Europe, squishing in next to us in a lock in Austria		 One of the many Austrian villages we passed in the Strudengau area of the Danube.
One of the many Austrian villages we passed in the Strudengau area of the Danube.		 Ruth & Howard chowing down on the Neptune with Leslie & Glenn from the LA area.
Ruth & Howard chowing down on the Neptune with Leslie & Glenn from the LA area.		 The Captain (6 ft. 7) and the hotel manager
The Captain (6 ft. 7) and the hotel manager
Melk Abbey - a beautiful, humongous abbey set high on a hill
Melk Abbey - a beautiful, humongous abbey set high on a hill		 Inside the abbey (part of Marble Hall)
Inside the abbey (part of Marble Hall)		 Hard to explain this display, but it was visually stimulating!
Hard to explain this display, but it was visually stimulating!		 The spiral staircase in Melk Abbey (had mirrors beneath and above)
The spiral staircase in Melk Abbey (had mirrors beneath and above)
Linz, Austria: view from our ship - a brightly lit museum, and the bridge from the old part of town to the new
Linz, Austria: view from our ship - a brightly lit museum, and the bridge from the old part of town to the new		 Another of those sunburst monuments - this one in the main square of the old part of Linz
Another of those sunburst monuments - this one in the main square of the old part of Linz		 Maintenance chief, Marek, Katarina, Peter, Annika and other Viking employees
Maintenance chief, Marek, Katarina, Peter, Annika and other Viking employees		 The Viking Europe was never far from us!
The Viking Europe was never far from us!
On the way to Passau, Germany, early morning from the ship.
On the way to Passau, Germany, early morning from the ship.		 Houses on the shore near where the ship docked in Passau.
Houses on the shore near where the ship docked in Passau.		 Howard's take on the confluence of 3 rivers in Passau (from the Oberhaus - castle)
Howard's take on the confluence of 3 rivers in Passau (from the Oberhaus - castle)		 More colored houses in Passau - here on the banks of another of its 3 rivers!
More colored houses in Passau - here on the banks of another of its 3 rivers!
Passau graffiti
Passau graffiti		 On the waterfront in Passau, with part of the Oberhaus in the background.
On the waterfront in Passau, with part of the Oberhaus in the background.		 To the Blue Danube we go!
To the Blue Danube we go!		 The Oberhaus (fortress), which now houses museums, set high on a bluff
The Oberhaus (fortress), which now houses museums, set high on a bluff
View from the middle of the Inn River bridge (Passau is at the confluence of Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers)
View from the middle of the Inn River bridge (Passau is at the confluence of Inn, Ilz, and Danube rivers)		 Inside Passau's cathedral. The organ is immense, but no concerts are given in April, so we could not hear it.
Inside Passau's cathedral. The organ is immense, but no concerts are given in April, so we could not hear it.		 We drove to Deggendorf to board the ship. I found a pretty cemetery there.
We drove to Deggendorf to board the ship. I found a pretty cemetery there.		 On to Regensburg: Beware of strange priests! This one connived ducks into being his friend and then trapped them!
On to Regensburg: Beware of strange priests! This one connived ducks into being his friend and then trapped them!
A Regensburg beast
A Regensburg beast		 Regensburg's very old Stone Bridge
Regensburg's very old Stone Bridge		 Howard in front of Porta Praetoria, a still-standing part of the roman wall
Howard in front of Porta Praetoria, a still-standing part of the roman wall		 I believe this means No Junk Mail - wish we had that option in the U.S.!!
I believe this means "No Junk Mail" - wish we had that option in the U.S.!!
Roman art on the walls (Regensburg)
Roman art on the walls (Regensburg)		 Liberation Monument, Kelheim. We took a boat ride in Kelheim through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey.
Liberation Monument, Kelheim. We took a boat ride in Kelheim through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey.		 Through the Danube Gorge we went, to visit the Weltenburg Abbey, where beer has been brewed for centuries.
Through the Danube Gorge we went, to visit the Weltenburg Abbey, where beer has been brewed for centuries.		 Ceiling at Weltenburg Abbey
Ceiling at Weltenburg Abbey
Behind the abbey
Behind the abbey		 On the way to Kelheim, we passed a huge car lot.
On the way to Kelheim, we passed a huge car lot.		 On to Nurnberg, a fascinating place. We drove past Zeppelin Field
On to Nurnberg, a fascinating place. We drove past Zeppelin Field		 That night, we decided to eat something different & went for duck at a Chinese restaurant near the hotel in Nurnberg!
That night, we decided to eat something different & went for duck at a Chinese restaurant near the hotel in Nurnberg!
Where the Nuremberg trials were held.
Where the Nuremberg trials were held.		 Oldest building in the city: Heilig Geist Spital (Holy Ghost Hosp.) We had lunch there.
Oldest building in the city: Heilig Geist Spital (Holy Ghost Hosp.) We had lunch there.		 A typical view in the Alstadt (old city) area of Nurnberg.
A typical view in the Alstadt (old city) area of Nurnberg.		 Part of Nurnberg's castle
Part of Nurnberg's castle
Nurnberg is a walled city. On our last night in Germany, we stayed near one of the gates at a Motel One, which was great!
Nurnberg is a walled city. On our last night in Germany, we stayed near one of the gates at a "Motel One," which was great!		 After the cruise, we rented a Seat. It got high marks from Howard. Here he is driving it on the Alpenstrasse (alpine highway).
After the cruise, we rented a Seat. It got high marks from Howard. Here he is driving it on the Alpenstrasse (alpine highway).		 Our first view of the Alps, as we drove down to Schwangau.
Our first view of the Alps, as we drove down to Schwangau.		 Schloss Neuschwanstein from the town. This is the real deal, not the Disney copy!!! Mad King Ludwig had it built.
Schloss Neuschwanstein from the town. This is the real deal, not the Disney copy!!! Mad King Ludwig had it built.
There are 3 ways to get to the castle: walk (40 min. uphill), take a carriage, or take the bus & still walk.
There are 3 ways to get to the castle: walk (40 min. uphill), take a carriage, or take the bus & still walk.		 Howenschwangau, another castle built by mad King Ludwig. It's also in the town of Schwangau.
Howenschwangau, another castle built by mad King Ludwig. It's also in the town of Schwangau.		 Howenschwangau early morning from the town
Howenschwangau early morning from the town		 Our room at the Schlossneuschwanstein, at the foot of the castle. Had to drive up the walking/horse road!
Our room at the Schlossneuschwanstein, at the foot of the castle. Had to drive up the walking/horse road!
Schloss Neuschwanstein from Marienbrucke - everyone takes the same shot, but why not? It's a killer!
Schloss Neuschwanstein from Marienbrucke - everyone takes the same shot, but why not? It's a killer!		 St. Coloman church in Schwangau
St. Coloman church in Schwangau		 The town of Fussen, with its castle, is close to Schwangau and Neuschwanstein
The town of Fussen, with its castle, is close to Schwangau and Neuschwanstein		 The Ettal Monastery, where liquor and beer have been manufactured for a long, long time! We ate lunch across from it.
The Ettal Monastery, where liquor and beer have been manufactured for a long, long time! We ate lunch across from it.
We had strudel everywhere we went - but the best was the handmade strudel in a little place in Ettal, served up by its maker!
We had strudel everywhere we went - but the best was the handmade strudel in a little place in Ettal, served up by its maker!
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