SPRINGTIME IN VIENNA???

VIENNA and BRATISLAVA

Wednesday, April 3 we arose to a snow covered landscape that exceeded all of our prior views of dusted landscapes and fleeting snow flurries. A quick look outside suggested that we might have entered an ice age. Nevertheless, brave hearted passengers treked out to the nearby waiting buses for a bus tour of the city around Vienna's Ringstrasse, which replaced the city walls in the mid-19th century. The tour included a busman's view of Vienna's world-famous Opera House, St. Stephan's Cathedral and Hofburg Palace. Some of our brave souls braved the elements and did the usual walking tour accompanied by our esteemed program director and Concierge who have worked tirelessly to assure our enjoyment of our Aegir experience

After lunch, there was an optional tour of Schonbrunn Palace and those who did not "opt" for the tour to the Palace were free to enjoy the time on shore exploring museums, Vienna's cafes and shopping. After dinner, Ken and I joined many of our shipmates for the optional classical concert and enjoyed an evening of outstanding performances by that group of extraordinary professionals. And that was Vienna, a beautiful city that needs at least a week to fully appreciate its beauty, culture and history. Alas, life is too short!

Thursday, April 4 Bratislava. After our early morning arrival and breakfast aboard, combination bus and walking tours were offered for a scenic view of this capital of Slovakia. A warmer day was promised and indeed, the sun shined bright and the snow had all but disappeared at the port. However, as we climbed into a higher elevation for a view of the city, snow clung to the trees and surrounding grounds as a reminder that spring has not yet sprung in this area. Formerly part of Czechoslovakia and under communist rule, Slovakia became an independent state in 1993. Our tour took us by the parliament buildings, medieval castle and St. Michael's Cathedral and through the old city. As we enjoyed our luncheon aboard ship, the crew cast off from the dock and, we are en route to Budapest, our last port of call for this tour aboard the Viking Aegir.

Tuesday on the Danube

Tuesday, April 2, we arrived in Melk and enjoyed a visit to Melk Abbey in spite of the low temperatures and the accompanying wind chill factor. Melk has been an important spiritual and cultural center in Austria for over 1,ooo years. Once the residence of the Babenberg family, the Abbey became a Benedictine monastery in 1089 founded by. Leopold II. For more than 900 years monks have lived and worked in Stift Melk, following the rules laid down by St. Benedict. The abbey is still alive and well as a working monastery as well as impressive in its Baroche architecture. Melk Abbey is claimed as one of Europe's great cultural heritages sites and it's library contains many volumes of priceless books from the ages. The church at the monastery was one of the most beautiful that we have seen, and we have seen a LOT.

After lunch, our ship continued its passage down the Danube through the Wachau Valley dotted with ruined castles and medieval towns lined with vineyards. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, the Wachau is described as an "outstanding example of a riverine landscape". Our weather did not allow us a proper portrayal of what, on a clear day, must be a beautiful scenic sail.

Mid-afternoon, We arrived in Krems, another Unesco World Heritage Site , surrounded by terraced vineyards. The "art mile of Krems" extends from the historic town center to the medieval village center of Stein, highlighting museum, concert venues and restaurants along the way.

The weather has not improved as the day passed and thus, we have skipped the personal view. Nevertheless, as we look upon the beautiful town and hear the comments of those who braved the elements, we are impressed.