FURTHER DOWN THE DANUBE

21st Jun 2025

St.Stephan's Cathedral in Stephan's Platz, Vienna.

The next morning we awoke to find ourselves moored in the Nussdorf District of Vienna (just north of the main city). At 9.00am we assembled, as became the custom, in the lounge for another briefing on the day's activities. Divided into colour carded groups (I chose yellow again) we were dispatched to the quayside to join our relevant waiting bus. The bus contained our 'guide', an Austrian/Egyptian lady called Sammya, who gave the non-stop commentary with a rather strange and sometimes difficult to understand accent as we were driven around many of the important and elegant buildings in Vienna (Opera House, Parliament, Presidential Palace etc. etc.). Photography was impossible. 

At this stage I must point out that I have done a 'tour' of Vienna previously and with a much fuller itinerary and photos. You can read about that in a previous 'blog' (#430 from March 2024) if you are interested, so only a shortened list of many other sights here.

Also, the guide's commentary gave detailed information of the history of this part of the world. It is very complicated; involving the Huns, Holy Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, the Habsburgs, Emperor Franz Joseph and his (assassinated) wife, Elizabeth (Sisi), the Austro-Hungarian Empire and all before and after. I will not attempt to describe any of it here!

The bus eventually dropped us off at the Volksgarten (left), at the west side of the centre. It was opened in 1823 and  is famous for its display of roses (my photo doesn't do it justice). There are over 3,000 rose bushes and more than 200 varieties of rose. They were in full bloom when we visited. To pay for the place, these were all 'sponsored' by individual members of the public (indeed over-sponsored so they offered sponsorship of the trees as well!).

Right: Out of the park to the east is the frontage of the Hofburg Palace (13th century) and previously the winter residence of the Habsburg rulers. Adolph Hitler gave his rousing speech from the balcony here in 1938 to announce the 'Anschluss' to his adoring 'fans'! Nobody is allowed to give speeches from here now. 

Left: To the left side is the residence of the current President. I noticed that it is displaying a 'Gay Pride' banner!

Right: We were then taken through the alley past what were the private quarters of Emperor Franz-Joseph's darling, and much admired (on the lines of the late Princess Diana) wife Elizabeth (nicknamed Sisi). Another 'Gay Pride' banner is to the left of the entrance! The Austrians must take this 'celebration' seriously.

Left: Then through an impressively domed atrium through which travelled many 'horses and carts' carrying tourists, probably at vast expense. We passed the famous Spanish Riding School arena which was about to put on a display (no time for that). Indeed I covered that in the March 2024 blog. We did have a look in at their stables nearby.

Right: ...and out of the Grand eastern entrance to the large Palace compound.

Left: Another 'horse and cart'. There were many of these around the area. Indeed the city centre was packed with tourists (being a sunny summer week-end) and many 'groups' such as ours flying their identifying 'flags'. As always my photos don't show this; probably because I wait patiently to get a clear view clear of human obstructions.

Right: The 'Plague Column' (or Trinity Column) on Graben, near St. Stephan's Cathedral. It is a monument, erected in 1679, to those who died (estimated 76,000) during the great Plague of Vienna.

There were many other sights described to us in great detail. However, if I continued with those I would never finish this blog!

We ended the 'city' tour at St Stephan's Cathedral (see photo top) which itself has an interesting history. Finally completed in 1578 over an older church, the main spire is 448ft high. Franz-Joseph did not allow any other cathedral to have a taller one. It nearly burnt down after a major fire in 1945 and at one point the heavy bells in the main spire collapsed. Enough!

So, back to the  boat, sorry ship, for a light lunch. In the afternoon there were buses laid on again. One to take those who wished to the 'Summer Palace' of Schönbrun, and anothers to take those wishing back to the city centre. I had, on my previous visit (blog of March 2024 refers), already seen both the Schönbrun and Belvedere Palaces (most impressive), so chose to wander freely around the city instead.

Left: A pic of the Schönbrun Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs. Amongst other things it is famous for its enormous and colourful gardens. They didn't 'alf build grand buildings in those days!

Back to the ship for another debauched dinner (missed tea). The tables in both the restaurant and lounge seated between 4 and 8 people. Being a solo traveller I managed to sit down at an empty 4 place table and wait to see who had the misfortune to join me. As it happened, after day 2, I was joined by a couple and another solo traveller and we got on very well. We therefore kept to this arrangement for meals and other entertainment.

Right: At some risk, I show, and describe, a photo of the other three namely (lt to rt) husband and wife Alan and Anne and solo traveller David. They were very amusing company (I dread to think what they made of me!). Alan admitted to being 92 years old, but was amazingly fit and witty and looked half his age. He had been in the RAF (must have lied about his age). Anne, his wife, is an ex-teacher, published author and magistrate. David, a jolly Yorkshireman. (I have told them I may feature them and gave them the option to expunge this!).

Left: Life, or something resembling it, up on the sun deck. The daytime weather so far has been sunny and very warm (30º more or less).

After dinner there was a 'trivial' quiz in the lounge which we attended and failed to trouble the judges. Then more music by the duo and the 'late night snack' before bedtime.

We sail onwards at some point.......