Page 37 - Explore Magazine Autumn 2017

35

Benedictine monastery founded in the 7th century and
situated on the Danube Gorge where the river flows
between high cliffs.

Weltenburg Abbey was
breathtaking, especially

its Baroque-style church
decorated with ceiling

frescoes, paintings in

gilded frames, statues
and other works of art

This beautiful riverside location is truly worth a visit
and if you are so inclined there is also an on-site
brewery which dates from 1050 AD and is said to be
the world’s oldest monastery brewery. It produces
award-winning beers.
Our journey continued with two nights in Vienna
that included optional excursions to opulent
Schönbrunn Palace – a former summer residence
of the Habsburg dynasty – and a Mozart concert,
both of these being recompenses from Travelmarvel
for the change to our itinerary, not that anyone can
control the weather or the river levels although
our Captain certainly tried his best. In Vienna we
stayed at the beautiful boutique Hotel Sans Souci
and at the InterContinental, and in Budapest at the
brilliant Ritz-Carlton which is located close to famous
shopping streets and cultural attractions and just a
few minutes’ walk from the Danube.
After a night in Budapest we toured the city which
included a visit to the impressive grounds of Buda
Castle and then departed by coach for Prague,
stopping for lunch at Vila Jarmila, an historic 15th-
century wine cellar in the town of Velké Bilovice in passionate about the history of his city Kiwis we took it on the chin and got on
the Czech Republic. This was followed by three nights and the impact of the war on the region with our European sightseeing. As a
in the beautiful city of Prague, one of the few cities of Bohemia. travel agent, seeing how professionally
in Eastern Europe largely untouched by bombing in Travelmarvel managed the situation,
World War II. Our hotel was within walking distance of And then, after nearly a month together I found it an invaluable experience. I
the famed Old Town and we had an (inclusive) guided it was time for our group to part ways, now have complete confidence in how
tour of the impressive 9th-century Prague Castle say goodbye to Travelmarvel, and Travelmarvel would look after its guests
followed by a walk down the hill to the Charles Bridge. treasure the memories we had from our should anything untoward arise.
wonderful journey. Overall it was an
While in Prague I took an optional excursion to Terezin amazing journey along the waterways
(Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp about 60 of Europe, and I can’t wait to go back
kilometres to the northwest. The tour of this grim and and see it again! Although the change
heart-rending place was given by a local who was very in plan was an unforeseen glitch, being

HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : AUTUMN EDITION