DANUBE & RHINE CRUISE
In September 2022 after a couple of years of Covid restrictions we decided to try a river cruise. Well, we both ended up with Covid! The cruise was nice and although the cities were completely different, all of the small towns tended to merge into one. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos!
BUDAPEST
Budapest is a beautiful city along the River Danube with large public buildings (A heritage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) some wide streets and a large public park. The indoor market is something special too...
Budapest is a beautiful city along the River Danube with large public buildings (A heritage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) some wide streets and a large public park. The indoor market is something special too...
BRATISLAVA
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and a very pleasant city to stroll around - except that I was attacked by a mad woman with a heavy rucksack near the duck fountain. Fortunately both myself and my camera emerged unscathed. The city is full of quirky like sculptures, the most famous of which is Cumil, a little man clambering out of a manhole!
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and a very pleasant city to stroll around - except that I was attacked by a mad woman with a heavy rucksack near the duck fountain. Fortunately both myself and my camera emerged unscathed. The city is full of quirky like sculptures, the most famous of which is Cumil, a little man clambering out of a manhole!
VIENNA CITY
Vienna, as former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is beautiful. We had a morning tour of the city centre around the cathedral and then on to the Hofburg Palace complex including the famous Riding School and Lipizzaner horses.
Vienna, as former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is beautiful. We had a morning tour of the city centre around the cathedral and then on to the Hofburg Palace complex including the famous Riding School and Lipizzaner horses.
VIENNA - OCTOBERFEST in PRATER PARK
Prater Park is an a fairground park, famous for the big wheel scene in "The Third Man". The Ferris Wheel is still there. Octoberfest was in full swing when we arrived - lots of beer and Oompa Music and women showing off their assets!
Prater Park is an a fairground park, famous for the big wheel scene in "The Third Man". The Ferris Wheel is still there. Octoberfest was in full swing when we arrived - lots of beer and Oompa Music and women showing off their assets!
MELK (AUSTRIA)
Melk is a large village dominated by a Benedictine Abbey which sits on a rocky outcrop above the Danube. The abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty. The abbey was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks from Lambach Abbey. No photography is permitted within the abbey, so we just strolled around the town.
Melk is a large village dominated by a Benedictine Abbey which sits on a rocky outcrop above the Danube. The abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty. The abbey was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks from Lambach Abbey. No photography is permitted within the abbey, so we just strolled around the town.
PASSAU (GERMANY)
Passau is one of the jewels on the Danube. Unfortunately, due to low river levels upstream, we had to skip Passau on our itinerary, so we only had a fleeting glimpse from the boat. Enjoy what little there is - what a disappointment!
Passau is one of the jewels on the Danube. Unfortunately, due to low river levels upstream, we had to skip Passau on our itinerary, so we only had a fleeting glimpse from the boat. Enjoy what little there is - what a disappointment!
VILSHOFEN (GERMANY)
This is where we ended up instead of beautiful Passau. A pleasant village, but one hour of exploration was more than enough!
This is where we ended up instead of beautiful Passau. A pleasant village, but one hour of exploration was more than enough!
REGENSBURG (GERMANY)
Regensburg, a Bavarian city on the Danube River in southeast Germany, is known for its well-preserved medieval core and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 12th-century Stone Bridge, a 310m-long icon with 16 arches, crosses the river to the old town. The 13th-century Regensburg Cathedral, a twin-spired Gothic landmark, is home to the Regensburger Domspatzen choir. The hatter there makes hats for the rich and famous and made the Mad Hatter's hat for Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland.
Regensburg, a Bavarian city on the Danube River in southeast Germany, is known for its well-preserved medieval core and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 12th-century Stone Bridge, a 310m-long icon with 16 arches, crosses the river to the old town. The 13th-century Regensburg Cathedral, a twin-spired Gothic landmark, is home to the Regensburger Domspatzen choir. The hatter there makes hats for the rich and famous and made the Mad Hatter's hat for Johnny Depp in Alice in Wonderland.
NUREMBERG (GERMANY)
Nuremberg is of course famous for the Nazi War Trials and the Nazi rallies held there during the 1930's. It was destroyed during the war and has been rebuilt in the old style.
Nuremberg is of course famous for the Nazi War Trials and the Nazi rallies held there during the 1930's. It was destroyed during the war and has been rebuilt in the old style.
BAMBERG (GERMANY)
BAMBERG is a charming little town with a town hall covered in murals in the middle of a river bridge and a Romanesque cathedral on the hill. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
BAMBERG is a charming little town with a town hall covered in murals in the middle of a river bridge and a Romanesque cathedral on the hill. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
RIVER MAIN & CANAL (GERMANY)
The River Main and the Main Canal are not particularly attractive and the weather was rainy, so only a few photos taken in the morning mist.
The River Main and the Main Canal are not particularly attractive and the weather was rainy, so only a few photos taken in the morning mist.
WURZBURG (GERMANY)
Würzburg is a city in Germany's Bavaria region. It's known for lavish baroque and rococo architecture, particularly the 18th-century Residenz palace, with ornate rooms, a huge fresco by Venetian artist Tiepolo and an elaborate staircase. Home to numerous wine bars, cellars and wineries, Würzburg is the center of the Franconian wine country, with its distinctive bocksbeutel (bottles with flattened round shapes)
Würzburg is a city in Germany's Bavaria region. It's known for lavish baroque and rococo architecture, particularly the 18th-century Residenz palace, with ornate rooms, a huge fresco by Venetian artist Tiepolo and an elaborate staircase. Home to numerous wine bars, cellars and wineries, Würzburg is the center of the Franconian wine country, with its distinctive bocksbeutel (bottles with flattened round shapes)
RUDESHEIM (GERMANY)
Rüdesheim am Rhein is a town in the Rhine Valley, Germany. It’s known for winemaking, especially of Riesling wines. In the center, Drosselgasse is a lane lined with shops, taverns and restaurants. Nearby, Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet is a museum of automated musical instruments. Medieval Brömserburg Castle is home to the Rheingau Wine Museum, exhibiting wine paraphernalia from ancient times to the present.
Rüdesheim am Rhein is a town in the Rhine Valley, Germany. It’s known for winemaking, especially of Riesling wines. In the center, Drosselgasse is a lane lined with shops, taverns and restaurants. Nearby, Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet is a museum of automated musical instruments. Medieval Brömserburg Castle is home to the Rheingau Wine Museum, exhibiting wine paraphernalia from ancient times to the present.
KOBLENZ (GERMANY)
The German city of Koblenz lies at the junction of two rivers – Rhine and Moselle. Its rich history dating back to Roman times, famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), old castles and surrounding scenery make Koblenz a destination worth visiting. Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. As early as 1000 BC there were fortifications on the Festung Ehrenbreitstein hill. Romans established a military post there back in 9 BC and named it “Castellum apud Confluentes”. This is where the modern name of the city originates from. Roman ‘Confluentes’ means confluence – as Koblenz stands on the confluence of two rivers – Rhine and Moselle (or ‘Mosel’ in German). The name was spelled ‘Coblenz’ (under French influence) up until 1926 and then it became Koblenz (more in line with German spelling).
The German city of Koblenz lies at the junction of two rivers – Rhine and Moselle. Its rich history dating back to Roman times, famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), old castles and surrounding scenery make Koblenz a destination worth visiting. Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. As early as 1000 BC there were fortifications on the Festung Ehrenbreitstein hill. Romans established a military post there back in 9 BC and named it “Castellum apud Confluentes”. This is where the modern name of the city originates from. Roman ‘Confluentes’ means confluence – as Koblenz stands on the confluence of two rivers – Rhine and Moselle (or ‘Mosel’ in German). The name was spelled ‘Coblenz’ (under French influence) up until 1926 and then it became Koblenz (more in line with German spelling).
RHINE & LORELI SCENIC SAIL PAST
This section of the Rhine is beautiful with vine covered hills surrounding the river dotted with ruined castles.
This section of the Rhine is beautiful with vine covered hills surrounding the river dotted with ruined castles.
COLOGNE WATERFRONT & CATHEDRAL (From River Rhine)
Out end point was Cologne where we arrived at sunset. Just enough time to take a few shots before a very early departure for the airport the next day.
Out end point was Cologne where we arrived at sunset. Just enough time to take a few shots before a very early departure for the airport the next day.