Slovakia and Vienna

Last night we were treated to a bus ride into Vienna for a Mozart and Strauss concert at the famous  Palais Lichtenstein. This was a very special experience, and our ships group were the only guests present.  The concert included some of the best known pieces by both composers, a male and female opera singers, and a ballet dance by two experts to the Blue Danube Waltz.

This morning we had an early start for two buses to take us to Bratislava which is the capital of Slovakia and only about 70 kms from Vienna which is the  capital of Austria.  Bratislava is a very interesting city, which is characterised by medieval towers and grandiose 20th century buildings.  There are very many extremely wealthy people in Bratislava, who live in expensive apartments or palaces.  Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia before its Declaration of Independence in 1939, and then later the Soviet Union forced a takeover and persecution during the 1950's.

This afternoon was spent touring Vienna by bus and on foot, admiring the architecture which represents many centuries of construction, destruction, and wars dating back to the Middle Ages. The intellectual, artistic and musical talents of Vienna are well known and date back a very long time.  Mozart, Strauss, Handel, Beethoven, and Liszt all either began their music here or visited the city which attracted and held their wonderful talents.

 And of course a bit more shopping!!

Castle in Bratislava, rebuilt since 1950

Memorial for those executed in the holocaust 

Some fine structures in Bratislava

The girls shopping in Bratislava

This looked good but did not come out so well.

Curved streets early morning in Bratislava.

A sewage workman checking out the girls legs!!!  A famous piece of artwork.

The cathedral in Vienna.

Tourists in the Main Street of Vienna.

The Carlton Hotel in Bratislava.