Vienna, Austria
June 17 - 19

The Danube cannot be separated from Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and many other cities in Europe. It runs from western Germany to the Black Sea and has been a backbone of commerce since civilization resumed in the Middle Ages.

By the time Strauss wrote the Blue Danube Waltz, there was nothing blue, or romantic about the Danube. It was, and still is, a busy shipping channel - but, at least past Vienna it's all barge traffic since there are many bridges still existing that are hundreds of years old and don't provide the headroom of, say, the Ohio River.

We caught up with the Danube north of Salzburg and followed it to Vienna. In fact, we will follow it past Budapest in the next week or so.

Terry took a sight-seeing cruise downriver while Bob gave chase.
The current in this section of the river is quite strong.

An auto ferry which we resisted taking.

Finally, the Danube in Vienna.

Actually, this is one of the canals built in the 1700s that "tamed" the Danube in the area. The river became very wide and rambled through marshland north or Vienna before a massive project dug one major straight run and arcing canals north and south of that to create two major islands north of the city.

Here's some views of Vienna. We walked the old city from 10am to 9pm one day so look at them with respect for our feet. Thanks.

The Dom. Smaller inside than it looks.

Most platzs (what is the plural of platz?) are filled with restaurant umbrellas.
Just like every European town.

This is the entrance to the Imperial Apartments where Habsburgs lived
for over 600 years, progressively enhancing and expanding until it was
19 buildings, 27 courtyards, and miles and miles of curtains, wallpaper,
and gilt-edged mirrors. No cameras allowed, sorry.

Statues are everywhere.
In squares, in doorways, on walls and rooftops, hidden away in corners.

This is the only section of exposed Roman ruins we saw.
(The brick to the left is a 19th century drainage system).

A mini-Parthenon in the Volkspark.
We stopped for a while to listen to a poetry reading in English.
Actually, just for a short while.

The Opera House.

Schloss Schonbrunn. Leopold I built this as a hunting lodge in the 17th century.
Empress Maria Theresa expanded it a bit.
Undoubtedly the busiest tourist attraction in town.