Bratislava - the old city

We took a walking tour thru the city, first a short one with our tour guide in the afternoon, then with the same guide for a longer late afternoon tour.

There is no love lost for Napoleon here - there are a bunch of these subtly snarky guys around old town.

Tuesday - Devin and Bratislava

The tour we set up was wonderful! Our guide Dagmar provided a wealth of information about Slovakia and life during communism,. We took the road from Bratislava to Haimburg, Austria during which she explained how difficult it was to leave their country during communist rule, that it often took six months and many, many signatures to get permission and then up to the last minute they could decide to stop you.

A view of the castle in Devin from the road to Austria. The castle was destoyed by Napoleon and his forces.

This is another castle on the Austrian side

The Danube from the Austrian side. The international bike route runs along here

This is the presidential palace. The greek flag is flying because the greek president is visiting to talk about getting help for his country due to their financial crisis.

Thursday - Esztergom - The Cathedral

Another beautiful church today

To give you a sense of scale, the letters above the painting are 2 meters high - that's taller than my brother Don and he's 6'3" at least

I'd love to make a quilt out of this pattern, but it might drive me crazy

Here's a view of Slovakia from the hill above the church

Thursday - Family pictures

Lauren seemed to draw all the stray cats as we walked through villages.  I love this picture

Jackie and Lauren.  The wind was really blowing here

Jackie, Lauren, Don and Fran

Lauren and I

Saturday - Rossatz to Melk - via our guided tour

Today we have a private tour....um, maybe not. We woke up this morning to learn that the engine on our boat seized up around 6 am this morning which caused it to run into a private yacht. Yikes. We were supposed to meet up with our tour guide at 8:30 for a tour of Durnstein. Unfortunately, when he arrived he told us that the ferry wasn't working and he wouldn't be able to do it. There was also a lot of uncertainty about when the boat could be fixed and when it would be able to leave. Our group of intreped travelers decided to head off on our own. The plan was that we would go to Crema if we couldn't go to Durstein, then take a bus to the next stop the boat was making, Melk. Once we got on the road though we saw that the ferry to Durstein was working and so we (Don and Fran, Jackie and Lauren and Cathy and Mandy) called the ferry over and make our way to this wonderful village.

This is the view of Durstein from the ship

This was the bell we rang to get the ferry to come pick us up

This is our view from the boat

and this is the map of the village

Saturday - Durnstein

Such a lovely village, cobble-stoned paths, a monastery church and views down every lane.

Standing at the railing surrounding the tower of the church

Saturday - More Durnstein

View from the tower of the church. we have had our share of rain - so we had rainbows a plenth

Saturday - Durnstein - the streets

There were some lovely views down streets and alleys

Durnstein - the bakery

We stopped around 10:30 for our morning coffee break. We shared a piece of black forest cake, a cream horn, a pastry filled with creme and an apple strudel. Several of our crew of 7 got latte's. They were beautiful to look at and everything was delicious.

St Albans - Quilt Inspiration

 

Arches

Other images

What I'm thinking

Europe 2022 Day - 4 - Lake Lugano, St Gotthard Tunnel, Lucerne Switzerland

Tour Info:
Travel this morning to Lugano in southern Switzerland's Italian-speaking Ticino region on the northern shore of glacial Lake Lugano. Its Swiss-Mediterranean mix of cultures is similar to Italy's northern Lombardy region and reflected in its architecture. The palm trees give way to Alpine peaks and glaciers as you continue heading north traversing through the St. Gotthard Tunnel built under the Swiss Alps. On your journey to Lucerne, pass magnificent Alpine scenery, roaring waterfalls and running rivers. In the stunning lakeside Swiss city of Lucerne, get acquainted with the city on your walking tour to the sentimental Lion Monument, the 14th century Chapel Bridge and the cobbled streets of the well-preserved medieval Altstadt (Old Town). Tonight, enjoy dinner together in Lucerne 

Astoria Hotel 23 May 22 - 25 May 22 

Pilatusstrasse 29 Lucerne SWITZERLAND, 6002 Phone: +(41)-41-226-8888 

Overnight: Lucerne 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

My take:

Travels continue. Travel day from Lake Como to Lucerne with a stop in Lugano where we wandered the old town squares and visited a 16th century church and a 14th century church and had a snack at a lovely outside cafe.

The at Lucerne we did a one hour walking tour of the old town and walked the two old wooden bridges that were built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Beautiful day till about 4 then the heavens opened and I got drenched. Glad we are here two nights so my clothes dry out.