Bratislava,Slovakia

We were up early to catch the high-speed boat which took us to Bratislava, on the Danube River.  We took our passports but didn't have to officially show them.  On our way we passed by Donau-Auen National Park and went through the border of Slovakia.  The ride was about 75 minutes long.

A very relaxing ride with good company!

Sights along the way...

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is located on the Danube River and bordering Austria and Hungary.  It's surrounded by the Little Carpathian Mountains and many vineyards.

A maple leaf floating around...I'm thinking it was to welcome the Canadians.

Bratislava Castle is the main castle of Bratislava.  The large rectangular building has four corner towers and stands on a rocky hill overlooking the Danube River and the city.

Looking up to the Bratislava Castle on the rocky hill.

Main entrance to the castle.

A great view of the Danube River and the City.  Our guide told us we could see 3 different countries from this lookout (that is if you knew what you were looking for).  To our far right was Austria, straight ahead was Slovakia and to the left was Hungary.

Here I'm looking straight ahead to Slovakia.

I'm looking to my left so that would be Hungary...next on our travels!

Old Town Bratislava is the historic center which is known for its many churches, a riverbank promenade and cultural buildings.  On our walk through Old Bratislava we entered at Michael's Gate and saw  Grassalkovich Palace, Primate's Palace, Bratislava Town Hall and several squares.

Michael's Gate

The oldest building in Bratislava...in need of reconstruction.

Stone Square 

The Vienna Ferris Wheel & The Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening

At The Mozart Cafe in Vienna enjoying our Sacher Torte.

After the cake...it was go time for shopping.

The Wiener Riesenard, the Vienna Ferris Wheel, is 64.75 meters tall, and is at the entrance to the Prater Amusement Park.  The wheel was constructed in 1897 and was the world's tallest Ferris wheel from 1920 - 1985.  

We took a ride on the ferris wheel and at the top we had great views of Vienna.

After the ride we continued on to the picturesque village of Grinzing, where our Traditional Viennese Heurigen Evening was held.  

At Maly's, a local restaurant, our festive evening began.

Here we are enjoying the wine and the food is being served also.

Sorry thought of this once I was almost finished.  It was a great meal of ham, roast pork, chicken, sauerkraut, cold salads, dessert and wine from their own vineyard.  The food and wine were plentiful and very tasty.

The music while we ate.

And then the 'Beer Barrel Polka' began and we Canadians couldn't let that one pass us by!

It was a very festive evening of music, dancing, food and many laughs once again!  Fun times!

Vienna

Vienna is Austria's capital.  It is located in the eastern part of the country on the Danube River.  Vienna is known as the City of Music because of residents such as Mizart and Beethoven and the City of Dreams because of Sigmond Freud.  Vienna is a very wealth city, with trade, scientific and technological services, real estate, housing activities as well as manufacturing goods contributing to its wealth.

Danube Canal

Some very interesting art work on the buildings in the old town.

Schloss Schonbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the former Habsburgs' summer palace.  The 1441 room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in the country.  The grounds are lavish and very expansive, consisting of an enchanting park, the Palm House, the Gloriette and a zoo.

A very impressive estate for the Habsburgs!