Europe 2010: Grein, Austria - Budapest, Hungary
Europe 2010: Grein, Austria - Budapest, Hungary
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Day 16 - August 18: Grein & Melk, Austria (Wednesday)
From Avalon: At the foot of a bluff in the shadow of its castle, Grein’s turreted houses on the main square offer excellent photo opportunities. Situated in the picturesque Wachau Valley, Melk is home to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, which dominates the town and is one of Europe’s largest monasteries. The view from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking!
Weather: Much warmer, sun and clouds, about 74F
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: After breakfast we had a debarkation talk for the cruisers who will be leaving the ship in Vienna. When I booked the cruise I wasn't aware of the fact that we had really booked two cruises back-to-back, although I caught on before we left. Of the 107 passengers, only 20 are going on past Vienna. We will also be joined by about 50 new cruisers.
Our first stop today was Grein, a small Austrian town which has only recently been added to the itinerary at the request of cruisers who wanted to visit a typical small town. And small it was. The tour included a visit to an old theater (1793) which is still being used to day and a visit to the local church.
After the stop the Cruise Director gave a talk about the Danube and Austria and she was able to use the Sun Deck which had been closed most of the time while we were on the Main and Main-Danube Canal because of low bridges.
Our next stop was Melk, which is famous for its Benedictine Abbey. We took buses since the abbey is on a hill, but some people walked and more walked down after the visit. It's a very impressive building, more than 500 rooms. Only 50 monks live there now but it is also a school.
We made another stop after dinner, Dϋrnstein, but it was dark out and I doubt that many people went off the ship. I think this was mainly a technical stop. We were close to Vienna and we didn't need all night to get there.
Tonight was the "Captain's Farewell Gala Dinner" - not for us, but for the cruisers who were getting off in Vienna.
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Grein
Coat of ArmsMelk
Coat of Arms- - - - - - - - - - - Grein - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Grein - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Grein - - - - - - - - Ship in Grein - - Turning Around Resting Along the Danube - - - - - - - Another Lock - - - - - - - Daily Schedule - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Melk Abbey - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Melk Abbey - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Town of Melk - - - - - Cruise Director & Captain - - - - Farewell Dinner - - Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 17 - August 19: Vienna (Thursday)
From Avalon: Vienna, Austria’s capital, is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, the city has much to offer: the lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay.
Weather: Sunny, about 77F - great day
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship (Buffet) Comments: This morning, at 8:15 am, we took a city tour of Vienna. It was the only real early tour we have had so far. After about an hour we got off the bus and walked to St. Stephan's Cathedral, which we toured. After that we had about an hour of free time before the bus took us back to the ship.
I decided to have a authentic Viennese coffee, only to find it tasted like the coffee which is on the ship for free. So much for that!
This afternoon there was an optional tour to Schoenbrunn Palace which we decided not to do, we took naps instead, which we needed.
Tonight there was another optional tour to a Royal Waltz Concert. Due the touring schedule dinner tonight was a buffet. We didn't do that either. Instead we took a walk along the pier - there were about 10 other cruise ships in town.
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Vienna
Coat of Arms- - - - - - - - - Vienna - - - - - - - - - - - - - St. Stephan's Cathedral - - - - - - Mary & Amy - - Daily Schedule - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ships in Vienna - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 18 - August 20: Vienna. Excursion to the Vienna Woods (Friday)
From Avalon: Today, join us for an excursion to the Vienna Woods, the hill chain that surrounds the Austrian capital and that inspired artists throughout the ages. Visit one of Austria’s oldest monasteries, “Heiligenkreuz”, then follow Johann Strauss’ Tales from the Vienna Woods as we pass castles and hear stories of times gone by. Learn about the tragic legend of Archduke Rudolph and his mistress before continuing through the Helenen Valley that inspired Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. The small city of Baden is ideal for lunch and some time at leisure before returning to Vienna through the vineyards of Lower Austria.
Weather: Sunny, about 81F - another great day
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: at a Hotel Dinner: On the Ship Comments: Today is debarkation day for the cruisers who have booked only the Amsterdam - Vienna segment of the cruise - which included our dining companions Marie, Leslie, Amy and Mary. About 70 cruisers left us.
For those of us staying on the ship there was an excursion to the Vienna Woods. The ship was closed during the day so you either had to go on the tour or spend the day in Vienna. I think everybody took the tour and the bus that picked us up had some passengers who were joining the cruise this afternoon.
We went past a castle ("Another Bloody Castle") and made a stop at a monastery. Then we had lunch at a hotel in Baden, a small town which is known for it's mineral springs. On the tour of the city we visited a house where Beethoven had spent some summers.
We got back to the ship at 4:20 pm, just as scheduled and at 6 pm we sailed for Budapest, where we will also stay for two nights.
Our cabin attendant, Zita, will also leave the ship in Budapest. We are going to miss her - she was very pleasant and always had a smile for us.
Click to see a larger Picture
- - - - Getting Ready to Leave the Ship - - - - More Food Vienna Ferry Our Bus "ABC" - - - - - - “Heiligenkreuz” Monastery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “Heiligenkreuz” Monastery - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “Heiligenkreuz” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lunch Stop - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Beethoven's Summer Place - - - - - - - - - - - - - Baden - - - - - - Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 19 - August 21: Budapest, Hungary (Saturday)
From Avalon: Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with Fisherman Bastion and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you.
Weather: Sunny, about 81F - it will be sunny every day until we get to Bucharest.
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: About 10 am we arrived in Budapest. We take the opportunity to go to the Great Market Hall, since we are docked within walking distance and it won't be open tomorrow (Sunday). The ground floor is mainly food, upstairs are arts and crafts, which is of interest to us (well, to Jeanne) and we did get some good buys.
Although Hungary has it's own currency, we are out of "Euro" countries for the rest of the cruise, the merchants will accept just about any currency - they are very good at using the calculator!
After lunch we take a tour of Budapest, first on the "Pest" side, where the ship is docked, where it is flat and then across the river to the "Buda" side which is very hilly. We get out of the bus at "Heroes' Square" and the on the Buda side we visit the castle at the top of the hill. There is a craft fair and there are many shops in this area, not to mention the Matthias Church - I think the one church we do not go into. We've been told that you can't go into the churches with shorts, which I'm wearing, but we soon find out that this is not enforced at all.
At dinner we are entertained by Gypsy Music. They stop at each table and then they are gone.
Click to see a larger Picture (except Coat of Arms)
Budapest
Coat of Arms- - - - - - - - - Morning Arrival in Budapest - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Morning Arrival in Budapest - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Great Market Hall - - - - - - - - - - - - A Viking Ship - - - - - - "Heroes' Square" - - - - - - Circus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - At the Castle - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - At the Castle - - Back to the Ship - - - - Gypsy Music - - - - Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
Day 20 - August 22: Budapest (Sunday)
From Avalon: A free day to explore Budapest at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do.
Weather: Sunny, about 81F
Breakfast: On the Ship Lunch: On the Ship Dinner: On the Ship Comments: Today is a free day - no tours scheduled, so we decide to take one of the optional tours. We had signed up for an all day tour "Budapest Puszta", a Hungarian farm on the plain with a horse show, but not enough people signed up for it. Eventually they did do this with a small van, but since it was a fairly long ride we didn't want to sit in a crowded van.
So instead we took a tour in the afternoon to "Szentendre" (St. Andrews) - a small village about a half hour from Budapest. It's considered to be an artist colony, but it's mainly a shopping opportunity - as many of the towns are - nothing wrong with that!
Coffee and cake in a restaurant is included with the tour - always a treat since the cakes, etc. are delicious. Right next door we discover a Marzipan Museum. It's amazing what they do with marzipan, including many Disney characters and Michael Jackson - life size!
After dinner we are entertained by the "Pressberger Duo" from the Slovak Republic.
Click to see a larger Picture
- - - - "Szentendre" - - - - - - - - - - - - Coffee Break - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Marzipan Museum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Marzipan Museum - - - - - - "Szentendre" - - - - - - - - "Szentendre" - - - - - - - Budapest at Night - - - Daily Schedule Top | Back to Index | Next Stage
