Friday, September 6, 2019

Bratislava, Slovakia, September 6, 2019

That's our guide in the blue shirt
Bratislava City Tour
This morning, we enjoyed the tranquil scenery as the Monarch Empress sailed along the scenic Danube. At noon, we arrived in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, a mix of modern and Baroque architecture. This capital city is among the youngest in Europe, yet retains a rich history dating back more than 2000 years. We walked along the cobblestone lanes of the historic town center; viewed St. Martin's Cathedral, coronation site of the Kings of Hungary, the 13th century Old Town Hall and the Franciscan church. We had time to explore this colorful city on our own before returning to the ship for dinner and our own "Talent Show."  The ship sailed for stunning Budapest through the night.
The "UFO" Bridge viewed from our ship





Bratislava Scene

Bratislava Scene

Bratislava Scene

Bratislava Scene

Bratislava Scene

Bratislava Sewer Cover

St. Michael's Gate













































































































































Bratislava Street Musician
Bratislava walkway

Bratislava Cathedral















































Bratislava Cathedral

Bratislava Cathedral

Bratislava Cathedral

Bratislava Cathedral

Bratislava Cathedral

Bratislava Cathedral






































































Bratislava Plaza















Jewish Memorial












Our table was full of fun folks from Oz, Chicago and Tampa


Monarch Empress Specifications - we cruised through the  night towards Budapest


























While the Monarch Empress sailed through the evening towards Budapest our Cruise Director led the passengers in a "Talent Show."


Karen starred as a Cabaret Girl

The Men Performed their Irish Dance

Everyone participated in the YMCA Dance, led by the "Village People"

The evening concluded with everyone dancing, here doing the Macarena

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Vienna, Austria, September 5, 2019

Museum of Natural History, Vienna
Vienna City Tour
This sparkling city on the Danube has captivated travelers for years with its elegant shops, world-class museums, and beautiful gardens. Our bus drove along the famed Ringstrasse, Vienna's main boulevard lined with magnificent Baroque palaces, parks and monuments. On our walking tour we viewed the lavish Hofburg Palace, and the impressive Vienna Opera House. The tour continued to majestic St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Parliament building.  After spending an hour at a practice of the Spanish Riding School and the Lipizzaner Horses, Karen and I enjoyed the afternoon on our own gnoshing at a sidewalk café, then strolling through the magnificent Kunsthistorisches Museum, an imposing, 19th century museum with lavish interiors housing Habsburgs art collections and antiquities.
The Habsburg Palaces

The Habsburg Palaces

The Habsburg Palaces

The Habsburg Palaces

The Habsburg Palaces

The Habsburg Palaces
The Habsburg Palaces

















Movie collage of Vienna

The Vienna streets

The Vienna streets

The Vienna streets

The Vienna streets

St. Stephen's Cathedral

The Vienna streets

Australian pub in Vienna























3d Printed Jewelry!

For Aunt Margaret - Steiff! (sign on the right)
For Aunt Margaret - Steiff!

















Spanish Riding School, The Lipizzaner Horses




Spanish Riding School, The Lipizzaner Horses

Spanish Riding School, The Lipizzaner Horses
















Horsehead accordion players!
Kunsthistorisches Museum












Kunsthistorisches Museum
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Kunsthistorisches Museum

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Hilltop castle seen from our boat