Monday Oct. 19, 2015
Yesteray was the magical captiol of Austria – Vienna. In the AM we went on a city tour which included a drive along Ringstrasse, followed by a walk past the Opera house, St. Stephans Cathedral, and the stables where the world famous Lipizzian horses are boarded. We went back to the boat for lunch. After lunch we took an optional tour to Shonbrunn Palace which is referred to as the Austrian version of a smaller Versailles. This AM started with a peek of the sun but then the cold and rainy weather came and stayed for the rest of the day. We cruised this AM through the scenic Wachau valley to Melk. In Melk we toured the Melk Abbey. We had a delayed stay in Melk due to concerns over water level. They decided to move the boat further up the river. We spent the extra time a really unique building that looked like something out of the West Indies and had a coffee shop. We were bussed about a half hour to meet the boat again. Back on board for cocktail hour then dinner while cruising overnight to Passau. Scheduled to arrive tomorrow at 8:00 AM then off at 8:30 AM for a walking tour of Paasau and organ concert.
Yesteray was the magical captiol of Austria – Vienna. In the AM we went on a city tour which included a drive along Ringstrasse, followed by a walk past the Opera house, St. Stephans Cathedral, and the stables where the world famous Lipizzian horses are boarded. We went back to the boat for lunch. After lunch we took an optional tour to Shonbrunn Palace which is referred to as the Austrian version of a smaller Versailles. This AM started with a peek of the sun but then the cold and rainy weather came and stayed for the rest of the day. We cruised this AM through the scenic Wachau valley to Melk. In Melk we toured the Melk Abbey. We had a delayed stay in Melk due to concerns over water level. They decided to move the boat further up the river. We spent the extra time a really unique building that looked like something out of the West Indies and had a coffee shop. We were bussed about a half hour to meet the boat again. Back on board for cocktail hour then dinner while cruising overnight to Passau. Scheduled to arrive tomorrow at 8:00 AM then off at 8:30 AM for a walking tour of Paasau and organ concert.
Early sunrise cruising
Wachau Valley
The vineyards on this hill had a riot of color
En route to Melk
The dock at Melk
Line handler at Melk
View of town from Melk Abbey
Front of Abbey
Courtyard of Melk Abbey
This hanging angel cast a neat shadow next to the angels painted on the ceiling
A painting masterpiece on the ceiling
Looking back down over the town of Melk
Outside of the Abbey
Spotted a Viking river cruise passing by
The gold inside was beyond belief
The pipes to the organ were adorned with gold angels
This was a little house behind the Abbey that looked like a cottage in the West Indies
This monkey sculpture was hanging down in an archway
The painted walls and murals were spectacular
This table Jon is sitting at was a plain glass top that reflected the paintings on the ceiling
Tues. Oct. 20, 2015
Arrived and we were docked by 7:30 AM. We are now in Germany where we will spend the next two weeks. We had a walking tour around the small historic district of Paasau, then free time to wander and shop. We reconvened with our group at noon for an amazing organ concert at St. Stephans Cathedral. After the concert we were bussed to Vilshofen to meet our boat. When you are on board in the afternoon they offer various lectures you can either attend, or watch on TV from in your room. The room is our favorite option because we can comfortably watch the world pass us by while we cruise listening to the lectures. They also offer a large selection of movies and different venues of streaming music. Cocktails start at 5:30 PM, then a briefing for the next day's activities are at 6:45 PM, and dinner at 7:00 PM. All meals are open seating, tables of mostly 6 tops. The six of us eat dinner together, and breakfast and lunch are not planned. At breakfast and lunch we have the option of eating in the lounge area in a glassed in area called the Aquavit Terrace that we have been choosing for lunch. There is a coffee/tea bar avaialbe 24/7 that also has hot chocolate, cappuccinos, mochacinnos etc….. Unlimited beer and wine with lunch and dinner, the lounge bar is always open. The food has been good. Menu service is available at all meals. Dinner is three courses, multiple choices for each course. Jon's pedometer incidated we are getting lots of steps each day, however I do think our waist lines are agreeing.
Arrived and we were docked by 7:30 AM. We are now in Germany where we will spend the next two weeks. We had a walking tour around the small historic district of Paasau, then free time to wander and shop. We reconvened with our group at noon for an amazing organ concert at St. Stephans Cathedral. After the concert we were bussed to Vilshofen to meet our boat. When you are on board in the afternoon they offer various lectures you can either attend, or watch on TV from in your room. The room is our favorite option because we can comfortably watch the world pass us by while we cruise listening to the lectures. They also offer a large selection of movies and different venues of streaming music. Cocktails start at 5:30 PM, then a briefing for the next day's activities are at 6:45 PM, and dinner at 7:00 PM. All meals are open seating, tables of mostly 6 tops. The six of us eat dinner together, and breakfast and lunch are not planned. At breakfast and lunch we have the option of eating in the lounge area in a glassed in area called the Aquavit Terrace that we have been choosing for lunch. There is a coffee/tea bar avaialbe 24/7 that also has hot chocolate, cappuccinos, mochacinnos etc….. Unlimited beer and wine with lunch and dinner, the lounge bar is always open. The food has been good. Menu service is available at all meals. Dinner is three courses, multiple choices for each course. Jon's pedometer incidated we are getting lots of steps each day, however I do think our waist lines are agreeing.
Passau waterfront
Painting on building
Umbrella alley
Passau
Every town has a Ratskeller
A modern day Michael Angelo at work restoring the painting on the ceiling of the Cathedral
Looking from the ground up to where the painters are
Street in Passau
I love angels
St. Stephen's Cathedral
This was painted on the ceiling, then on the they sculpted a leg to stick out to make it appear three dimensional
The Cathedral was packed for the concert
Wed. Oct. 21, 2015
Does not seem possible but we have already been in Europe for two weeks and in two days the cruise will be ending. This morning we took a two hour walking tour in the historic section of Regensburg. We visited another church that was a beautiful gothic architecture, also named St Stephan's Cathedral. We bought some fun hand crafted German souvenirs and had them shipped home. Another fun evening – cocktails, dinner off to Nuremberg tomorrow.
Does not seem possible but we have already been in Europe for two weeks and in two days the cruise will be ending. This morning we took a two hour walking tour in the historic section of Regensburg. We visited another church that was a beautiful gothic architecture, also named St Stephan's Cathedral. We bought some fun hand crafted German souvenirs and had them shipped home. Another fun evening – cocktails, dinner off to Nuremberg tomorrow.
Cruising to Regensburg
Regensburg
Abbey Road
Entering the cathedral in Regensburg - by this point we were getting a bad case of ADC -(another damn Church, castle, city etc...)
Cathedral at Regensburg
This was the repair shop of all of the adornments of the cathedral
Regensburg
Typical Regensburg cafe
Regensburg Ratskeller
Gals working in the Brat shop
Regensburg waterfront
View out our window
Mary and Dick - German night on board
Pat and Mary
Entertainment
Dorothy, Mary and me helping the band out
A tuckered out Jon