Bratislava, Slovakia & Scenic Sailing on Danube Bend & Sail into Budapest, Hungary

July 24

Today was a 2-hour walking tour of the Old Town of Bratislava.

The Slovakian capital of Bratislava is filled with baroque city palaces and quaint squares. The Little Carpathians rise steeply in the north and the enormous hrad (castle) perches 300 feet above the Danube.  Below the castle lies the Old Town. Eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens were crowned in St. Martin’s Cathedral which today is a concert hall.

from the ship

walkway from ship to shore

Our tour took us along the Amber Road, tracing the ancient trade route that once linked Northern and Southern Europe. We saw the Gothic-style Universitas Istropolitana, the first university to have been founded in present-day Slovakia. 

In the main square, we saw the Roland Fountain, built in 1572 to provide water to the public. Around the square we saw the Grassalkovich Palace, residence of the president, and the rose-hued Archbishop’s Palace, home to today’s mayor. 

tried to get a photo of the detail of the back of the statue

St Martin's Cathedral

Posmievačik - creepy man with a large penis peering out of an alcove (many theories of the origin)

on a tabletop of a restaurant

We had some free time before making our way back to the ship on our own. 

of course, free time means find a magnet and get gelato!

After lunch we spent a lot of time on the balcony and on the top deck as we had some pretty scenic sailing on the Danube Bend which is a 40-mile stretch through northern Hungary. Being summer, many were out enjoying the lovely weather in the river and along its' banks. (and many nude) 

Bratislava Castle from the ship

start of the scenic sailing

Gabcikovo Lock is the only lock on the Danube River between Vienna and Budapest. The difference in elevation is 59 feet.

tight fit

Greg on the balcony

sunbathing nudes

fishing nudes

fishing and wearing clothes for some reason - lol

The highlight of the night was the sail into Budapest. Hana said we would be like ping pong balls as she called out which side of the ship a building was on for photos. So, we ran back and forth taking it all in.

Pictures can't do it justice....

For larger photos: Bratislava, Slovakia & Sail into Budapest, Hungary https://photos.app.goo.gl/9ikk3uVp12qNphMs9

Tomorrow, we have 2 tours in Budapest.