Hank Schrader

February 1, 2024

Danube River Cruise Ports

The Majestic Capitals of the Danube on AmaWaterways

Hank Schrader

February 1, 2024

Danube River Cruise Ports

The Majestic Capitals of the Danube on AmaWaterways

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

If you are looking for a shorter cruise of 5 nights on AmaWaterways, there are a few sailing dates in December 2024 on The Majestic Capitals of the Danube, that just might be the right choice for you..

As most of you know, most river cruises are 7 nights or more and there is a trend for longer cruises in 2024, but with 2 land extensions, this becomes a good alternative to see the best capitals on the Danube on a luxurious river cruise.

So, let’s learn about a short-term cruise offering with a big bang and a little about the optional land extensions.

4 AmaWaterways Ships Sail this Route

3 135-meter ships (the AmaRenina, AmaSonata and AmaLea) and the AmaMagna (double wide, best ship on the Danube) sail this route in December. The cruise sometimes starts in Budapest (4 departures) or the reserve in Vienna (3 departures). This route only sails in December and there are 7 possible dates to sail on these 4 ships.

Cruise Overview

• Delight in the Old-World grandeur of Europe’s most spectacular capital cities along the Danube River during this special 5-night cruise.

• From Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria, follow the paths of kings and queens (Habsburg royalty among them) on up to 5 included excursions each day.

• Enjoy a guided hike to the hilltop castle of Bratislava’s gleaming fortress, and bike tours to beautiful sites like Kosterneuburg Abbey.

• Enjoy tastings of local delights, such as the cake that started a national holiday in Austria Sacher torte.

• Enjoy the local nightlife as each capital and its architecture wonders illuminate after sunset.

• Whether you are sailing the Danube River for the first time or returning to venture deeper into the cities that inspired you the most, we invite you to celebrate this spectacular journey with us as we treat you like the royalty you are.

The 3 Ports of the Cruise

Budapest

Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition.

In Budapest, you will have 3 choices of tours.

Option 1 Your city tour begins with a visit to the Great Market Hall before going to both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the river.

You’ll see Heroes’ Square and Castle Hill, home to the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mattias Church.

The wonderful tile work on the roof of the church

Option 2 Venture off the beaten path or if are returning to the city for a repeat visit, join our “Hidden Budapest” tour to discover some fascinating sites lesser-known to the average traveler.

Option 3 As an alternative, you can hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city below.

Buda Castle Complex—it is a good hike up to top

In the afternoon, spend free time at your leisure to explore the city.

Bratislava

Take in the breathtaking scenery as we glide along the Danube River into Bratislava. In Bratislava, you will have 4 choices of tours.

Option 1 Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour

Primate’s Palace was originally built for an Archbishop and later became the mayor’s office

Michael’s Gate—the only remaining gate from the old city walls.

St Martin’s Cathedral Bratislava—this is the coronation site of Hungarian rulers between 1563 and 1830

Bratislava has a whimsical side—these statues are a testament to their humor,

Man at Work—Cumil—which roughly translates to watcher

The Greeter tells the real life story of Ignac Lamar, who lost his fiancée who was deported to a Nazi concentration camp and every day, he would dress up and greet folks who came to the old town square.

Option 2 join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour.

Option 3 For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.

Bratislava Castle—it is a good hike up to the Castle

Option 4 enjoy a guided biking tour in the evening

Vienna

In Vienna, you will have 2 choices of tours and free time to explore.

Option 1 Visit Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Built in the 18th century as an imperial summer residence, this magnificent 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural. Cultural and historical monuments in Austria.

Parade Ground Fountain Schönbrunn Palace

At the rear of the palace, the massive garden area includes the Neptune fountain in the foreground and the Glorjette Hill. The structure is a variation of the triumphal arch, to remind visitors of the military victories and power of the imperial Habsburg dynasty

Option 2 Pedal along the scenic Danube River and through charming neighborhoods to the nearby town of Klosterneuberg and its majestic 12thcentury Augustinian monastery overlooking the Danube River.

During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city.

**The 2 Eagle side of the roof. These are the Coat of Arms for Austria and the coat of arms of Vienna. There are 230,000 tiles on the roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral**

Land Extension Prague

In Prague, you will either transfer to the ship or to the airport depending on the cruise direction. In the 3 nights in Prague, you will visit on a morning tour called “Golden City of a Hundred Spires”

or take a hike up to the Castle.

Prague Castle—it is a good hike up from the old town area

St. Vitus Cathedral Prague. It is the coronation site of Czech kings and queens. It is inside the Prague Castle complex.

While in Prague on one AmaWaterways cruises, we got the chance to take the “Golden City of a hundred Spires Tour” and it was excellent! Here are some pictures of what you will probably see:

Astronomicial Clock on the side of the old town hall

Old Town Square with the Tyne Cathedral in the background

On the next day, there is a Czech beer tasting.

Then off to the ship or to the airport on the final day.

Land Extension Krakow

In Krakow, Poland, your first day is a check into the hotel. On day 2, you will have a tour called “Historical Highlights and Wawel Royal Castle” with a free afternoon. The next day is the gloomy tour called “Preserving the Holocaust History tour with Auschwitz visit.” You will then transfer to the ship or to the airport.

Our Final Thoughts

This compact tour has a lot going for it. While it is true it is limited to only December, the chance to see so much of the major cities of the Danube and get the opportunity to visit 2 other very important cities in Central Europe, make it a good choice for folks with limited time who want maximum visits to the most important cities on the Danube.

With the emphasis on nightlife, it also should appeal to younger cruisers.

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 52 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

September 21, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

3 Great Land Extensions for an Upper Danube Cruise

Hank Schrader

September 21, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

3 Great Land Extensions for an Upper Danube Cruise

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

The Upper Danube is the most popular route in European River Cruises for North Americans—about 31% sail on this route each year. The next most popular route is the Rhine River with about 29% who sail on this route.

With airfare expense part of the cost to go on these awesome vacations, I thought I’d provide a little advice about 3 capital cities you should consider to extend your trip to help maximize your investment.

So, let’s explore Budapest, Prague, and Vienna as good places to visit and enhance your river cruise experience.

Budapest

Perhaps the most stunning city on any river cruise, Budapest is actually 2 cities rolled into one. By far the most impressive city on the Danube, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a town we love to visit.

Hungary is a landlocked country with no access to an ocean or sea, so the Danube River is a vital part of the country, and many important cities grew up along this key waterway.

It is really two towns—the high town of Buda that overlooks the banks of the Danube and Pest on the flat land. They are united by several bridges, but the Chain Bridge is the most important and is a symbol of the city. Both sides have some awesome structures—among them Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion (Buda side) and the Parliament building (Pest side).

Once you visit, you will want to come back. We have led tours here, but the most important sights are around the Danube River area—anything that requires a longer distance than the river area is difficult to see on your own without transportation.

Some History of Budapest and Hungary

Perhaps the best place to start is with the Magyars who started settling the area around Budapest in 896. The Magyars were nomadic tribes constantly on the move around the Caucasus and Káma River areas. In 1000 the first king of Hungary, Stephen I began consolidating power. Then came a series of conquests of this area—first the Mongols in 1241 who sacked and almost completely destroyed the city.

The next invaders were the Ottomans who took Pest in 1526 and 15 years later conquered Buda. The Ottomans were driven out by the Hapsburgs around 1780. Hungary and Budapest then became part of the Austria-Hungary Empire who rule the country until 1918. After a short attempt at democracy, in 1919 Hungary had a revolution which brought a communist regime to power and the country became known as Hungarian Soviet Republic.

WW II first resulted in German control of the city, then the Soviets after WW II until 1989.

What are Some of the Key Sights to See in Budapest?

I have tried to organize the sights into the way river cruise companies typically visit them on their tours in Budapest. There are two common tours—a bus ride up to the Castle District and then a walking tour and a panoramic bus tour of the sights on Andrassy Avenue. There are often onsite visits to St, Stephen’s Cathedral, perhaps the opera house, or the Central Market.

The Castle District

Buda Castle Hill--Elevated 168 meters (551 feet) above sea level, this striking area of Buda--the historic area of Buda--offers visitors the medieval Buda Castle, the Vienna Gate, the Magdalen Tower, and visits to two good museums.

The two best museums in the Buda Castle complex are the Hungarian National Gallery Museum and the Castle Museum.

If you are not on a river cruise tour, the easiest and most scenic way to the Buda Castle is to ride the Buda hill funicular to the top.

Fisherman’s Bastion--the cobblestone streets of the Fisherman's Bastion (the name of the bastion comes from Guild of Fishermen, who were responsible for defending that stretch of the city walls during the Middle Ages) on the Buda side, lead to-a series of seven neo-Gothic towers. The seven towers of the Bastion represent the seven Magyar tribes that helped to settle the Magyar people in the Carpathian Basin. The structure provides an awesome panorama of the) Danube River, the Parliament building and the Pest side of Budapest. Take bus 16 or 16A to Castle Hill if you are not on a river cruise tour.

Matthias Church—was founded in the 13th century. It is an impressive structure and was rebuilt several times during the tumultuous history of battles for control of this area. Perhaps the most distinctive feature is the roof that is covered with the famous Zsolnay ceramic tiles, manufactured in the Hungarian town of Pecs.

Gellert Hill and the Citadel--For the best panorama of Budapest, Gellért Hill definitely is worth a visit. The old fortress and the statue of Liberty can be seen from a great distance. They are an important part of the cityscape. It is on the Buda side. Take bus #27 to get to this location.

Typical Driving Tour Sights Offered by River Cruise Companies

Most river cruise companies like to drive on Andrassy Avenue to get a good overview of sights not near the Danube River. Andrassy Avenue is a broad promenade of breathtaking neo-Renaissance architecture and home to many of Budapest’s must-see sites. Most pass by Heroes’ Square, the Franz Liszt Memorial House, the House of Terror, the Szechenyi Baths, and the City Park.

Heroes Square--The monumental square at the end of Andrássy Avenue sums up the history of Hungary by displaying statues that honor Hungary’s heroes. This iconic monument features depictions of the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars, who are believed to have led the Hungarian people from central Asia to the Carpathian basin. The millennium memorial commemorates the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin.

The Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Fine Arts are also located on this square. It is the entrance to the City Park. It is on the Pest side. To get there take Metro to Hosok tere (yellow line)

City Park--The largest green area of Budapest conceals the Castle of Vajdahunyad (a castle with 21 types of architecture, it was created for an exhibition), the Széchenyi thermal bath (one of the largest and most famous thermal baths in the world), and the Zoo and the Amusement Park. It is a beloved corner of the city for walking and relaxing. It is on the Pest side. Metro Széchenyi furdo (yellow line)

House of Terror—you need a strong stomach to visit this museum. This is the former headquarters of the ÁVH secret police. This building is witness to some of the darkest days of 20th-century Hungary. Exhibits have English signs. Metro stop Okyogon (Yellow line).

Dohány Synagogue Built in 1859, this is the second-largest working synagogue in the world (the largest is in New York City), and the second-oldest large building of those still standing. The synagogue has a rich, but tragic history; it was one of many detention areas for Jews during the Holocaust. A Jewish Museum next door traces the origins of Hungarian Judaism and features exhibits of ceremonial Judaica throughout the centuries. The museum periodically puts on excellent temporary exhibitions. The Holocaust Memorial and Heroes' Temple in the courtyard are well worth visiting.

Walking Tours and Sight Visits in Pest

St. Stephen’s Basilica--The largest Catholic Church in Budapest, where the most important relic of the Hungarian Catholicism, the Holy Right Hand of King St. Steven is kept. The panorama terrace offers a great view of the city if you are willing to climb the 142 steps to the top. It is on the Pest side.

The interior of the cathedral is a masterpiece of dramatic arches, marble, and liberally applied gilding. Inside is one of Hungary’s most sacred artifacts, the Szent Jobb—meaning “Holy Right Hand”—is the mummified right hand of St. Stephen.

Central Market Hall--the Central Market Hall is like a large treasure trove of fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, and culinary delicacies. The spacious market at the Pest end of Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) however is famous for its architecture too. Built at the turn of the 19-20. Centuries, it was one of the most modern indoor markets not only in Budapest but in the whole world. It is on the Pest side.

Hungarian Parliament--the monumental building of the Parliament is one of the biggest attractions of Budapest. The parliament building is the largest building in Budapest and the third largest parliament building in the world. Here are some facts about the size of this building—it has 691 rooms, 10 courtyards, and 12.5miles worth of stairs.

It hosts the diet and the crown jewels. Guided tours are organized 4 times a day. It is on the Pest side.

Vaci Street and Danube Promenade--The bustling walking areas of the downtown offer famous cafés, terraces, elegant shops, boutiques, and theatres. There are great views of the Castle from the Danube Promenade. It is on the Pest side.

Chain Bridge--This was the first permanent bridge built across the Danube in Budapest. It was built between 1840 to 1849. It is 375m long and 16m wide. This bridge connected the towns of Buda and Pest and was a major reason the two towns became Budapest. In 1989, it was a site of protest for freedom and independence from communist rule. Today, the bridge is a symbol of Hungarian liberty.

Chain Bridge with Buda Castle in the Background

Opera House--the Opera House has a fantastically ornate interior featuring frescoes by two of the best-known Hungarian artists of the day, Bertalan Székely and Károly Lotz. Outside of the building, you can see statues to Ferenc Erkel (composer of the Hungarian National Anthem) and Ferenc Liszt (Hungarian composer).

Guided tours are given daily at 3pm and 4pm (these can be arranged in English) are the only way to see the interiors unless you buy a ticket to a performance. Metro stop Opera (Yellow line).

Have a dessert in Gerbeaud Cafe—famous for their handmade deserts. It opened in 1858 and has been a favorite of Budapest ever since then.

Try Strudel at the First Strudel House of Budapest—located in an old building, this establishment is part theater and great strudel. The chefs make the strudel behind a display kitchen area. The strudel is excellent—we try to stop by each time we visit Budapest.

Eat in Karpatia restaurant—the motto here is “the only king here is you”—great Hungarian food. A city landmark since 1877, you will experience traditional and contemporary Hungarian food, with a spirited gypsy band playing amidst historic walls.

Shopping--Just off exclusive Váci Utca Boulevard there are courtyards studded with boutiques and shops selling handmade leather gloves, intricate Halas lace and Herend porcelain. Pricey antique shops and galleries cluster along Falk Miksa Utica near the neo-Gothic Parliament and just steps from Katti Zoób, Hungary's leading design diva. Taste Hungary's finest wines at laid-back Bortarsaság near the Castle District.

Prague

City Overview

A former member of the Warsaw Pact countries of the Iron Curtain, this vibrant city thrived after the Velvet Revolution of 1989. It has historic roots that are really interesting to learn about, but it is also just a fun place to explore its mixture of historic sights, great shops and hearty food.

The town center has most of the interesting sites and the good news is it is relatively compact, and easily walkable except for the steep walk up to the Castle Quarter (not to worry we have done it several times!).

The key sights are divided into zones. They are the Castle Quarter and the Little Quarter on the west side of the Vltava River. On the east side of the river is the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, and the New Town.

They are linked by several bridges, but one the most important and interesting bridges in Prague and all of Europe, the Charles Bridge, is bustling with activity and serves as a monument to 30 Saint Statues on this pedestrian only crossway.

For centuries, this bridge was the only link between Lesser Town on the left bank of the Vltava River and Old Town on the opposite side.

The Castle Quarter

Situated on the high ground above the west bank of the Vltava River, the Castle complex dominates all of Prague.

Here are the key sites:

St. Vitus Cathedral--The largest and most important church in the Czech Republic, the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral stands within the confines of the Prague Castle and is one of Eastern Europe's finest examples of Gothic architecture.

Prague Castle--In spite of many wars and fires, the Prague Castle has grown into a unique architectural complex. It contains the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, a convent, several towers and many palace wings. It includes the only privately owned building, Lobkowicz Palace, with its highly acclaimed museum (art works, porcelain, firearms and musical instruments). There is an admission charge to visit some of the sights.

Golden Lane--a small, picturesque street with colorful wooden houses. The legend is that alchemists attempted to turn metal into gold here, but in fact the alchemists lived elsewhere at the castle. It was actually goldsmiths living here in the 17th century who gave the street its captivating name. There is also an admission fee here to visit this small lane.

The Little Quarter

This area below the castle complex is where merchants and the wealthy lived. This neighborhood has a wonderful High Baroque church—the Church of St. Nicolas.

The other really interesting site is the Nerudova Street—the step, cobblestoned roadway, lined with interesting doorway signs, shops, and foreign embassies.

The Old Town

The commerce center of Prague in times past is now one of the most visited sites in Europe.

Here are some of the most important sights in the old town:

Old Town Square--Famous for its historical monuments, Old Town Square is a Prague must-visit. Climb to the top of the 660-year-old Old Town Hall Tower for spectacular views of the Baroque-style St. Nicholas Church (north corner of the square, it has a fine interior), Gothic-style Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (twin towers) and the Old Town itself.

Church of St. Nicholas--There are plenty of impressive Baroque churches in Prague, but the St. Nicholas church at the Old Town Square is one of the most beautiful thanks to the colorful frescoes, intricate ironwork and stucco that decorate the interior.

Old Town Hall--Prague's old Town Hall was built in 1364. The astronomical clock in the town hall's tower is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. Originally the building served only as the city hall of the old town, but later became the city hall for all of Prague. It is now only used for ceremonial functions.

The Astronomical Clock (Orloj)--on the side of the Town Hall--consists of an astronomical dial embellished with zodiac symbols, a calendar dial and colorful, moving sculptures. As the clock chimes, biblical figurines come out, and spectators may watch the "Walk of the Apostles." An hourly bell toll features a figurine representing death. The clock comes to life from 0900 to 2100.

In the center of the square is the Jan Hus Monument, the first to rebel against the total authority of the Catholic Church.

From Old Town Square, a walk along the posh Parizska Street with it’s over the top shops will lead to a somber sight—the Jewish Quarter.

In part of the Old Town is the Jewish Quarter—the Jews were pushed into a small marshy area near the bend of the Vltava River—it is one of the best-preserved areas of Jewish life in all of Europe.

Josefov, also known as the Jewish Quarter or the Prague Jewish Ghetto, dates back to the 13th century and presents visitors with the opportunity to see a little of what life was like for Jews of that era. This small 3 block area was once walled in by order of the pope who declared that Christians and Jews should not live together with 6 exit gates.

But things changed in 1897 with the destruction of the walls and new buildings—now this area is primarily Art Nouveau buildings.

With its much more pleasant look of today, it still is somber to remember the 120,000 or so Jews living in Prague in 1939 in the start of WW II were reduced to only 10,000 by the 1945 liberation of the city.

The New Town

This area surrounds the old town area and follows the outer walls that protected the city but have been destroyed.

The most important sight here is Wenceslas Square--Wenceslas Square was originally conceived in the 14th century as a horse market. The large square, measuring 750 by 60m (2500x200 ft), evolved into Prague's central boulevard.

Vienna

Vienna’s is a true treasure—the importance of this city cannot be overstated—it once was the capital city of the Hapsburg Empire of Austria-Hungary. Palaces, great museums, a vibrant music culture, great shopping and good food make this an easy choice for an extension.

Here are some of the best sights:

St. Stephens Cathedral—the Gothic towers and tiled roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral still dominates the skyline of old Vienna. Visitors can climb to the top of the south tower for a splendid view of the city. The north tower has a 22-ton bell nicknamed the Boomer (Die Pummerin)

Hofburg Palace—the imperial palace and former residence of Franz Joseph and other members of the Habsburg dynasty is a complex of buildings that house a number of Vienna’s most impressive sights. You can tour some rooms.

National Library--The Austrian National Library is the largest library in Austria with 7.4 million items in its various collections. The library is located in the Hofburg Palace complex in Vienna.

The Spanish Riding School—completed in 1735, the elaborate riding hall of the Spanish Riding School is a part of the Hofburg. Here the art of classical dressage is practiced by white Lipizzaner horses. Training sessions are open to the public daily except November to March.

Museum of National History—great collection of minerals, precious stones, meteorites, fossils, skeletons of animals, displays of various insects and mammals and even some taxidermy of extinct species.

Anne outside the Museum of Natural History

Naschmark--The Naschmarkt is held on the Wienzeile Street and stretches for around 1.5km, full of stalls selling anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to herbs, cheese, and seafood.

Graben—famous shopping street

Karntnerstrasse—pedestrian zone with great shops. It leads from the Opera house to St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Opera House in Vienna on Karntnerstrasse

Museum of Fine Arts—this is one of the most impressive collections in Europe, including works by Brueghel, Rubens, Titian, Rembrandt, and Vermeer.

Ringstrasse—a broad tree-lined boulevard was built on the ramparts of the medieval city.

Belvedere Palace—in a suburb of Vienna, the Belvedere is the former summer residence of the Prince of Savoy. Two palaces grace the grounds, one that houses the Museum of Medieval Art and the Museum of Austrian Baroque; the second that houses the Austrian Gallery.

Schönbrunn Palace—this palace of almost 1,200 rooms was the summer residence of the Habsburgs. Several of the rooms and their furnishings are open to the public. There are also lavish gardens.

Our Final Thoughts

It is pretty easy to see why you should extend your trip with the help of the river cruise lines or perhaps on your own for the more adventurous. Please reach out to us for help—we love helping folks get the best value for their vacations dollars.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

August 31, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

The Best 2 Excursions Worth the Long Coach Ride on the Upper Danube

Hank Schrader

August 31, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

The Best 2 Excursions Worth the Coach Ride on the Upper Danube Route

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

One of the true joys of river cruising is sailing on the ship and then taking a very short coach (bus) rides to see some amazing sights, or just to be able to walk off the ship to see your destination stop. However, some destinations require a longer coach ride, and we are often asked is it worth the extra time to spend on the bus to see these sights.

There are 2 towns, in my opinion, that are well worth a longer bus ride since they are gems that will delight you.

So, let’s explore together the 2 best long coach rides of sights near the Danube-- Český Krumlov and Salzburg on an Upper Danube Cruise.

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Český Krumlov, roughly translated means “Czech Bend in the River”.

From Passau, or Linz, you will journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful World Heritage-listed town is brimming with charm.

Located on the banks of the Vltava River which form a loop around the town, Cesky Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

The dominant feature of the town is the castle. The 16th century moated castle is huge—it has over 40 buildings. The large castle complex requires a tour to see the interior, which usually is not available on the river cruise company’s tours. It features the living and dining spaces of the royals who resided in the palace. You can visit the bear pits and outside courtyards for free and these are often included in the guided tours offered by the river cruise companies.

Perhaps the most unique tour is the Baroque Theater tour—only 2 remain that can be seen in Europe that are in reasonably good shape (most of the others burned down from the extensive use of candles and fireworks for special effects).

There is a strict limit of 25 per tour and it is often sold out in advance and of limited value if you can’t get one of the tours in English but still it is a rare chance to see a historical entertainment venue and learn about their use of their use of special effects during the plays.

The best thing to do here is wander—the castle, the old town area, and cobblestone streets are just fun to view. It really looks like the town is in a time warp.

It also has a pretty good puppet museum that allows children to try and pull the attached strings on puppets.

Here are some pictures of my visit of the rest of this town:

The narrow, cobblestone streets of the town

Here on the town hall are the coat of arms of the Eggenberg and Schwarzenberg royals who lived in the castle

A festive shop during the Christmas Markets season

Salzburg, Austria

To reach Salzburg, guests will disembark from either Passau, Germany or Linz, Austria depending on which river cruise line visits this city. Salzburg is 100 km (62 miles). south of Linz

Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music movie.

The Baroque architecture lends itself to comparisons of Venice or Florence. It has narrow streets that open up to large squares, and the buildings are often 4 or 5 stories high in the old town area.

This storybook city has a thriving art scene, music and concert halls filled with classical music. It is quite common to find recitals and concerts during a visit.

Perhaps in the Baroque old town, the most famous building is Mozart’s birthplace. Looming over the whole old town area is Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city.

Here are some pictures from our visits:

The Altstadt (Old City) is a compact area between the jutting outcrop of the Mönchsberg and the Salzach River. The cathedral and interconnecting squares surrounding it form what used to be the religious center, around which the major churches and the old archbishops' residence are arranged (note that entrance into all Salzburg churches is free).

Let’s start with Alter Markt or the Old Marketplace. In the center of the square is St. Florian Fountain. Here are some photos:

St Florian Fountain in the Old Marketplace Square

The St. Florian Fountain has the Salzburg Coat of Arms proudly displayed on the intricate wrought iron grill surrounding the fountain

The Mozartplaz and Mozart Monument that was erected in 1841 to honor its most famous citizen

This is the new Residenz Palace and Glockenspiel in Mozart Square

Residenzplatz Square and the Residence Fountain

Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, considerably enlarged by Archbishop Leonhard von Keutschach (1495-1519), is the largest, fully-preserved fortress in central Europe. The medieval princes' apartments and the Fortress Museum are of particular interest. The fortress can easily be reached by funicular railway departing from the Festungsgasse. You probably won’t get to see the fortress on a river cruise tour unless you try during your free time.

The Mozart family lived on the third floor of the "Hagenauer House" at Getreidegasse 9 for twenty-six years, from 1747 to 1773. The celebrated composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was born here on January 27, 1756.

It is now a museum devoted to Mozart. Visitors can see the original Mozart rooms at Mozart's Birthplace containing historic instruments, documents, memorabilia and most of the portraits painted during his lifetime, including the unfinished oil painting "Mozart at the Piano" painted by Mozart's brother-in-law, Joseph Lange, in 1789.

The famous exhibits include Mozart's child violin, his concert violin, his clavichord, the harpsichord, portraits and letters from the Mozart family.

One of the most interesting streets to visit is Getreidegasse, which has great shops and traditional inns. The doors of the buildings often have the names and dates of the former owners displayed on plaques. The homes were often “through houses” were the front and back led to different streets.

An example of the former owner plaques displayed on a building

The best part of this street for me are the elaborate and ornamental guild signs. Here are some good pictures:

A lion guards the building and wards off evil spirits.

Even the weather station clock is ornate.

A place we missed was the Mirabell Palace and its gardens and these are included on almost every river cruise tour of Salzburg.

There are at least 4 entrances to the Mirabell Gardens—from the Makartplatz (framed by the statues of Roman gods), the Schwarzstrasse, Mirabell Square and Rainerstrasse.

Most guides will have you to enter from the Rainerstrasse and head for the Rosenhügel (Rosebush Hill) so you can see where Julie Andrews and the 7 children sang during The Sound of Music film. The hill allows you to admire the formal gardens and is one of the best views of Salzburg, as it shows how harmoniously architects of the Baroque period laid out the city.

The center of the garden is dominated by four large groups of statues representing the elements water, fire, air, and earth. A bronze version of the horse Pegasus stands in front of the south facade of the palace in the center of a circular water basin.

The most famous part of the Mirabell Gardens is the Zwerglgarten (Dwarfs' Garden), which can be found opposite the Pegasus fountain. Here you'll find 12 statues of "Danubian" dwarves sculpted in marble.

We will be sure to get some pictures on our next visit.

River Cruise Companies that visit these 2 Gems

As always, this list may not be complete but is accurate to my knowledge at present.

AmaWaterways has the most routes that include the option to see these 2 great places. You can have the option to see both on these 5 cruises: Grand Danube Cruise, Celebration of Classical Music: the Danube, The Melodies of the Danube, Romantic Danube, Magna on the Danube and Salzburg only on the Blue Danube Discovery.

Emerald offers the chance for an extra expense to choose one of these visits on its 15 Day Splendors of Europe route.

Scenic has these 2 included in their Jewels of Europe and Gems of the Danube routes

Tauck offers this option on its Blue Danube route for both and Salzburg only on its 15 day Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat and Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube routes. It also offers only Cesky Krumlov on its Heart of the Danube route

Viking has this option on its European Sojourn and Grand Europe Tour for Salzburg only at an extra cost.

Our Final Thoughts

Wow—what a report! Both are worth the long ride but also may warrant a visit after your cruise or during a different visit to Europe, as you can’t see it all on a river cruise tour.

We hope you enjoyed this report and perhaps it will help you chose which town to visit on your river cruise..

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com or hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

April 27, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Regensburg, Germany

Hank Schrader

April 27, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Regensburg, Germany

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

One of Bavaria’s excellent cities is Regensburg. It has nearly 1000 historic buildings in the old town area and did not suffer much damage during WW II.

So, let’s explore together and learn about Regensburg.

First Came the Romans

In 179 AD, the Romans established a settlement on the Regen river, a small river that runs into the Danube River. They stationed a legion (about 6000 soldiers) in the new town to help secure the northern border of their empire to protect from the hostile Germans.

They called the settlement “Castra Regina”—when translated into German, the town later became to be called Regensburg. The Romans remained for about 300 years and abandoned the settlement, leaving behind their stone fortress intact. This enormous stone walls attracted the Germans who settled here after the Romans left. You can still see parts of the old walls in parts of the old town.

Regensburg Becomes the First Capitol of Bavaria

Charlemagne added Regensburg into his Frankish Empire in 788. It was now an important town and benefited from favorable treatment in the empire. Regensburg grew, trade flourished, and the upper-class wealthy built large town houses and the first stone bridge in Germany.

The economy collapsed with the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Turks, as eastern goods that came up the Danube River were no longer available. Going from wealthy to poor very quickly is one reason so many of the medieval structures remain in the present-day city.

The Imperial Diet Era

Regensburg regained a little of its luster by becoming the permanent meeting place of the Imperial Diet. This organization is a little hard to understand since they were not a legislature but acted like a central forum to advise and negotiate policies as part of the Holy Roman Empire. Regardless, they were very important figures in society and there was no authority above them except the Holy Roman Emperor. They were led by Emperor’s envoy, the Prince von Thurn und Taxis.

The Imperial Diet ended during the Napoleonic era and Regensburg became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria.

The Modern Era

As Germany expanded and became unified in 1870, the history of Regensburg is very similar to all of Germany—rail lines and major roadways were established, the town suffered from the two world wars.

The town has rebounded by the establishment of the Siemens plant and a BMW plant. It became a UNESCO world cultural heritage site in 2006. It is also a favorite port stop for many river cruise ships.

The Stone Bridge

Built between 1135 and 1146, the stone bridge is an impressive site. It is about 310 meters long, has 15 arches and is the oldest medieval stone bridge in Germany.

The Brucktor (Bridge Gate) guards the southern bank of the Danube and the entrance to the old town.

The knights and soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd crusades used the stone bridge to cross the Danube on their way to the Holy Land.

Historische Wurstkitche (Historic Sausage Kitchen)

It is said this kitchen fed the laborers who built the stone bridge, but no one really knows for sure. Legend says it is oldest continuous restaurant in Germany. We sampled the grilled sausages, and sauerkraut (Anne’s favorite, I never liked it) several times.

Goliathhaus

One building that is not really that impressive a structure is Goliathhaus built in the 13th century. The building was the home of a wealthy merchant. It is the outside painting place on the structure somewhere around 1570-1580 that piques interest of visitors today.

Not the best picture, but you can see the painting in the background

St, Peter’s Cathedral

At 90 meters long, nearly 35 meters wide and 30 meters tall, the cathedral is the most impressive structure in Regensburg. Its spires are 105 meters high and is considered the purest example of a Gothic style in all of Bavaria. Construction began on the cathedral in 1273 and took over 250 years to almost complete, as the funds ran out to finish the structure.

It has a quite intricate façade and is quite interesting to study without going into the church. However, do go inside to see the sculpted Angel of Regensburg created in 1200s. The Dom has its own museum.

Porta Praetoria

The remains of this gate of a side tower of the once huge fort date back to 197 AD. The only comparable building in Germany is the Porta Negra in Trier.

Patrician Towers and Towers

There were once as many as 60 towers in Regensburg but today about 20 remain. These were built by the big merchants and businessmen—the idea was to show how important you were—the higher the tower, the more important you were. The towers were used as a residence, to store goods and for defense purposes.

The highest tower in Regensburg—the Golden Tower in Wablenstrasse

The Old Town Hall

This is the Gothic-era old town complex. The town hall can be toured—on the inside is the Reichssaal (the Imperial Hall) that was used for 4 centuries (started in the 1400s) to hold meetings of the Parliament of the Holy Roman Empire (the Diet).

The Palace of the Princes of Thurn and Taxis

Located on the outskirts of town, this castle has a great Christmas market. The castle can also be toured during the day.

Der Hutmacher Am Dom HutKoeing

The World-Famous Hat King Store—Anne owns several hats from here.

Some Good German Food

Our Final Thoughts

Regensburg is a fun city. It is historic, has great Christmas Markets, winding alleys, and Anne’s favorite hat shop. Combined with good German food, what more does a person need to enjoy life?

We hope you enjoyed this report.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 51+ years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

April 20, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Octoberfest in Vilshofen

Hank Schrader

April 20, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Octoberfest in Vilshofen

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

When you are traveling on AmaWaterways cruises that start in Vilshofen, Germany, your cruise will begin or end with an Octoberfest celebration. This Bavarian town helps you celebrate one Germany’s best parties—Octoberfest.

So, let’s explore together and learn about Octoberfest on the Danube as an exclusive feature of an AmaWaterways Cruise.

What is Octoberfest?

Octoberfest originated as a celebration of the royal marriage of a Bavarian Prince in 1810 in Munich. It was a 5-day celebration. In subsequent years, the party was continued in Munich and slowly turned into a festival where the beer breweries erect temporary structures that feature long tables with plentiful beer served and traditional German food specialties.

It has evolved into one of the world’s best parties--there is plenty of food and especially beer served to all (one source I read says over 2 million gallons of beer is consumed in the 2-week period). In Munich, there are parades, beer wagons and many dressed in the tradition folk clothes of the past and present day Germany. Recent numbers say over 6 million attend these celebrations and a large number are tourists.

One reason, in my mind this festival is so popular is that it represents the feeling of Bavarian sense of gemütlichkeit—cordiality. We want to share with a warm welcome to Germany and AmaWaterways on the the Danube and we’ll celebrate together in Vilshofen.

Octoberfest is celebrated in all parts of Germany—Anne took these photos in 1989 in Garmish. We were very welcome to that celebration and I think you can see how fun these events are for all.

The beer wagon loaded for the Octoberfest in Garmish

This mother allowed Anne to take the picture of her son—he was quite shy but ready to celebrate.

Octoberfest in Vilshofen

Instead of just limiting the celebration to Munich, the local populace of Vilshofen decided to greet guests who want to start their cruise in their small town with an Octoberfest celebration.

There are several benefits of starting a cruise in Vilshofen—the primary benefit is that it avoids a low water point on the Danube in Regensburg, so many cruises will not be disrupted by the lack of rain.

So, here is our experience in pictures from March of 2023 in pictures.

Anne, Cesario (our cruise manager) and Hank celebrate Octoberfest in in Vilshofen.

After a brief rain shower, this amazing rainbow covered the Danube over the AmaViola in port in Vilshofen,

Just what you would expect in an Octoberfest—beer steins and pretzels .

Anne with the Beer Queen at the festival

on the way to our Octoberfest celebration, this intense rainbow fascinated us.

Vilshofen sculture—in the background you can see the city watchtower

Our Final Thoughts

Wow—Octoberfest in March. This is a win-win for all—an AmaWaterways exclusive that involves the locals, is sustainable, and captures the spirit year-round of the famous Munich celebration.

We hope you enjoyed this report—it was fun to write, and share—Prost!.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

February 8, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Budapest, Hungary

Hank Schrader

February 8, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Budapest, Hungary

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

This is a port guide about Budapest.

So, let’s explore together and learn about this wonderful city.

Overview

Hungary is a landlocked country with no access to an ocean or sea, so the Danube River is a vital part of the country, and many important cities grew up along this key waterway along with Budapest.

It is really two towns that were separate but later became united—the high town of Buda that overlooks the banks of the Danube and Pest on the flat land. They are united by several bridges, but the Chain Bridge is the most important and is a symbol of the city. Both sides have some awesome structures—among them Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion (Buda side) and the Parliament building (Pest side).

Some History of Budapest and Hungary

The next invaders were the Ottomans who took Pest in 1526 and 15 years later conquered Buda. The Ottomans were driven out by the Hapsburgs around 1780. Hungary and Budapest then became part of the Austria-Hungary Empire who ruled the country until 1918. After a short attempt at democracy, in 1919 Hungary had a revolution which brought a communist regime to power and the country became known as Hungarian Soviet Republic.

WW II first resulted in German control of the city, then the Soviets after WW II until 1989.

What are Some of the Key Sights to See in Budapest?

The Castle District

The two best museums in the Buda Castle complex are the Hungarian National Gallery Museum and the Castle Museum.

If you are not on a river cruise tour, the easiest and most scenic way to the Buda Castle is to ride the Buda hill funicular to the top.

Fisherman’s Bastion--the cobblestone streets of the Fisherman's Bastion (the name of the bastion comes from Guild of Fishermen, who were responsible for defending that stretch of the city walls during the Middle Ages) on the Buda side, lead to a series of seven neo-Gothic towers. The seven towers of the Bastion represent the seven Magyar tribes that helped to settle the Magyar people in the Carpathian Basin. The structure provides an awesome panorama of the Danube River, the Parliament building and the Pest side of Budapest. Take bus 16 or 16A to Castle Hill if you are not on a river cruise tour.

Matthias Church—was founded in the 13th century. It is an impressive structure and was rebuilt several times during the tumultuous history of battles for control of this area.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature is the roof that is covered with the famous Zsolnay ceramic tiles, manufactured in the Hungarian town of Pecs.

Typical Driving Tour Sights Offered by River Cruise Companies

The Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Fine Arts are also located on this square. It is the entrance to the City Park. It is on the Pest side. To get there take Metro to Hosok tere (yellow line)

City Park--The largest green area of Budapest conceals the Castle of Vajdahunyad (www.mmgu.hu) (a castle with 21 types of architecture, it was created for an exhibition), the Széchenyi thermal bath (one of the largest and most famous thermal baths in the world), and the Zoo and the Amusement park. It is a beloved corner of the city for walking and relaxing. It is on the Pest side. Metro Széchenyi furdo (yellow line)

Walking Tours and Sight Visits in Pest

The interior of the cathedral is a masterpiece of dramatic arches, marble and liberally applied gilding. Inside is one of Hungary’s most sacred artifacts, the Szent Jobb—meaning “Holy Right Hand—is the mummified right hand of St. Stephen.

It hosts the diet and the crown jewels. Guided tours are organized 4 times a day. It is on the Pest side. Here are 3 pictures Anne took inside the parliament building on a tour:

Guided tours are given daily at 3pm and 4pm (these can be arranged in English) are the only way to see the interiors unless you buy a ticket to a performance. Metro stop Opera (Yellow line). (www.opera.hu)

Have a dessert in Gerbeaud Cafe—famous for their handmade deserts. It opened in 1858 and has been a favorite of Budapest ever since then. (www.gerbeaud.hu/en)

Our Final Thoughts

Wow—what a great port stop. We have been to Budapest several times and it is always interesting, vibrant, and fun. We hope you get a chance to visit—it is our guess you will want to come back just like we do!

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 50 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

February 2, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Bratislava, Slovakia

Hank Schrader

February 2, 2023

Danube River Cruise Ports

Bratislava, Slovakia

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Of the 4 countries on an upper Danube route, probably the least known country is Slovakia. It was once a part of the Hapsburg Empire, then part of Czechoslovakia, and finally became independent in 1989.

Bratislava’s city limits actually share the borders of Austria and Hungary..

So, let’s explore together and learn about Bratislava and its key sights.

Bratislava Castle-- The massive Bratislava Castle is located on a hill that has been populated as early as in the Stone Age. The Celts built a fortified stronghold here in the 1st century BC. The Romans, the Germans, the Slavs, the Hungarians and the Austrians have ruled the area in the later centuries. Bratislava Castle became the residence of the Hungarian Kings and was repeatedly rebuilt in various styles.

The most famous residence of the castle was Maria Theresa, who used the castle as her official seat to rule the Kingdom of Hungary.

Bratislava Castle. Please look closely at this photo Anne took. At first glance it looks like there are turrets at the corners, but the closest turret is attached to the roof and the far turret is a real turret.

From the exterior, it looks like a square with 4 turrets at the corners, but inside it has irregular shapes, gardens, and other buildings other than the castle. Again, even the turrets are deceiving. 3 are attached to the roof, while only the turret on the southwest corner is an actual turret. The actual turret is 47 meter tall (over 141 feet).

This famous landmark almost did not survive after it burned down in 1811. It lay in ruins until 1953, when reconstruction began.

Today it houses the exhibition of the Slovak National Museum and serves as a state function venue. The museum entrance fee is currently 10 Euros. Many river cruise companies offer hikes up to the castle as part of their active wellness offerings.

St. Martin's Cathedral is the most important church in Bratislava. This 3-nave church, with its Gothic Dome, was build in the place of an Older Romanesque church. It was consecrated in 1452.

Inside the Cathedral, on the altar, there the 18th century statue of St. Martin and the Beggar equestrian statue sculpted by famous baroque sculptor Raphael Donner. St Martin is wearing the traditional Hungarian Hussar clothing.

St Martin’s Church. Please look carefully at the cupola—it is a replica of the crown of Hungary.

As Bratislava became the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom in the 16th century, the Cathedral was the coronation place for Hungarian Emperors. There were 11 Hungarian Kings and 8 queens crowned here between 1563 and 1830.

On the top of the church tower, some 85 meters (280 feet) above ground, there is a 1 m high copy of the Hungarian royal crown that weighs 300 kilograms.

Michael's Gate is the only surviving gate of the former walled city of Bratislava. Medieval Bratislava was entered through four gates, and Michael’s Gate is the northern entrance.

The 3 other gates were Vydrica (the western gate), the Laurinc (the eastern gate) and the fisherman’s gate, which was added to the original gate system.

Not only was it an entrance to the city, but it also served as the watchtower of the original city fortifications. Over 50 meters high, the tower was built in the early 14th century, and was rebuilt many times since its original construction.

As it is no longer needed as a watchtower, it now serves as a museum and has a collection of medieval arms and town fortification on display. The tower also offers a stunning view of the city for just a few euros.

The following 2 pictures are about the Laurinc Gate that was built in the 14th century. The gate was demolished by the order of Maria Theresa, as the walls of the city were limiting growth of the town. It did not have a tower on top of the gate.

The Old Town Hall with the clock tower, and the romantic courtyard with renaissance arcades, makes it one of the most appealing historical buildings of Bratislava.

It is a complex of several construction styles.

Today, the Old Town Hall houses the City Museum with a large collection documenting Bratislava’s history. The Old Town Hall is located on the main square, which is used during the Christmas season as some lively markets.

The old town hall clock tower is 45 meters tall (over 135 feet).

This unique tiled roof is part of the old town hall

The Primate's Palace The 18th century Palace in the spirit of French Classicism is one of the most beautiful attractions of Bratislava. This Archbishop’s residence also welcomed the Hungarian Kings when the Castle was burnt down in 1811.

The palace also has an important role in European history. In 1805 Napoleon and Emperor Franz I of Austria signed the Treaty of Pressburg in the Mirror Hall Room. The treaty was a result of the Battle of Austerlitz, in which Napoleon crushed the Russian and Austrian forces. The treaty resulted in significant loss of territory by the Austrian Empire and reparations of 40 million francs paid to France.

Detail of the roof on the Primate’s Palace

In 1903, the palace was bought by the city and today it serves as the residence of Bratislava’s mayor. The historical interior conceals the exhibition of the European paintings as well as the set of 6 English tapestries from the 17th century.

There is also a beautiful Baroque fountain in the courtyard.

The fountain of St. George, showing the knight slaying the dragon.

St John of Nepomuk with angles outside of the Primate Palace

Slovak National Theatre is situated in the lovely restored Hviezdoslavovo square. The historical building of the Slovak National Theatre is the gem of the Neo-Renaissance architecture built by the Viennese architects F. Fellner and H. Helmer between 1884 and 1886.

There is a lovely Ganymede’s fountain in front of the building. The beautiful interiors of the theatre house are an acclaimed venue for Opera and Ballet performances.

A good photo of the fountain outside the Slovak National Theater

Grassalkovich Palace is still in use today. --This impressive Rococo palace was built as the summer residence of Count Grassalkovich in the 18th century (it was finished in 1760). Quickly It became the center of the Hungarian aristocracy social life and was also visited by the Empress Maria Theresa. The palace was used for parties and balls by the Habsburg royal court.

Maria Theresa Statue on the promenade alongside the Danube River

During the communist era, after first being used by the Council of Commissioner (a quasi-government of Slovakia), the palace was used as an activity center for Bratislava schoolchildren, known as the “House of Pioneers and Youth”.

After its reconstruction in 1996, the Grassalkovich Palace became the residence of the Slovak Republic's president. Its excellent garden is now a public park.

Chatam Sofer Memorial--The Jewish community has always played an important role in the life of the city. Although the historical Jewish quarter under Bratislava Castle was destroyed, the most significant Jewish funerary shrine and place of religious worship still can be found in the Castle Hil.

There is a preserved part of original Jewish Cemetery with graves of rabbis including the famous Bratislava rabbi Chatam Sofer, the most important figure in the history of Jews in Bratislava.

The Blue Church (its proper name is Church of St. Elizabeth) is very different from the old town portion of Bratislava. It is an Art Noveau style that was built in 1913.

According to the Bratislava tourist office website, the blue church is a popular place for wedding and baptisms.

Curious Statues of Bratislava--Three life size bronze statues hidden in the streets of the Old Town have lately become the biggest attraction for visitors of Bratislava. They are:

Cumil-The Peeper (on the corner of Panska and Rybarska brana streets),

French Napoleon Soldier (on a bench on the Hlavne namestie - Main Square),

Schoener Naci - Beautiful Ignaz (on Rybarska brana street).

There is actually a sad story behind the inspiration for the greeter statue, but no one knows for certain the truth of this story. While there are various versions of the story, the greeter went mad at the loss of a woman he loved. The story becomes clouded here—did she not respond, was his lady deported by the Nazis in WW II to a concentration camp? The greeter, berefted with grief, is said to have dressed each day in tails and offer flowers to all the ladies he encountered wandering the old town square area.

The UFO Bridge, as it is popularly known, has an observation deck that looks like it came from outer space. The bridge is 95 meters tall (285 feet tall).

The UFO Bridge with our rivership, the AmaCerto in the foreground

Even with all the fun of visiting this capital city, along the promenade, I was reminded in this former iron-curtain country, how they feel about there freedom. Here is a ponient reminder of the cost of war and freedom. It is a picture of several Ukrainian women who lost their husbands in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A political message about the cost of the Ukraine War during our 2022 visit. The six ladies all lost husbands during this conflict.

Our Final Thoughts

It is a wonderful thing to visit the former iron curtain countries and learn more about them. Bratislava is a blending of the old and new and until recently been ruled by kings and queens and later under communist domination. This is an upbeat, thriving country eager to put its past domination as only a history lesson and they look to a bright future.

We hope you enjoyed this report and learned something about this country.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent

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