In some posts we tried to identify some cultural traits common to the people whose ancestors were long ago subjects of the Roman Empire. One of the themes of this blog is in fact the possible remnants of the Ancient Roman world still alive today.

The borderline or Limes of the Roman empire meant also the separation between what was Roman and what was non Roman. Particularly interesting is the central European Limes along the Rhine and the Danube, a sort of natural frontier of the empire since A.D. 7.

Ok, Roman and non Roman. Where are hence the traces of this disjunction in today's societies?

Well, a lot of traces are there, since for example when Christianity breaks in two during the XVI century A.D " is it by chance - argues French historian Braudel - that the separation of the fields occurs exactly along the axis of the Rhine and the Danube, the double frontier of the Roman Empire?" Really a good point, not many doubts about it.

Protestants and Catholics Split along the Limes

In 1517 the Protestant Reformation began with Luther nailing his 95 theses that will split West Christianity into Protestants and Catholics. "From 1545 (Wikipedia) the Counter-Reformation began in Germany ....Central and north-eastern Germany were by this time almost wholly Protestant, whereas western and southern Germany remained predominantly Catholic".

This corresponds more or less to the Roman Empire border, namely the romanized Germans mostly stayed with the Roman Catholics, which is amazing, while the non romanized ones plus other northern folks left. From this fracture sprouted Lutherans, Dutch Reformed, German Reformed, Presbyterian, Calvinists, Puritans etc.

Above you can see Luther in 1529 portrayed by German painter Lucas Cranach.

The Ultimate Roman Border.
Attachment to a Heritage

Some land reconnaissance now. First a nice map of the Roman Empire and its provinces. Then Wikipedia infos on the German Limes (Wikipedia is always a good initial info source, but nothing more). Also this map of the Roman provinces of Raetia and Germania is not bad. And finally a good German web site on the Roman Limes, ultimate protection against the external Germanic tribes (Limes is Latin for Limit, border). The web site seems to be kept by those German federal states that actually were/are inside the Roman Empire. In it we read:

"The Upper German-Raetian Limes ("Obergermanisch – Raetischer Limes" = ORL = Limes of the Roman provinces of Raetia and Germania Superior: see a map) marked the ultimate Roman border line in the north of the Roman Empire. It was erected against the Germanic people who were a constant threat to the antique world. Over a length of 550 km from the river Rhine in the northwest to the river Danube in the southeast the Limes extends across the four German federal states Rheinland-Palatinate, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria."

These people are greatly attached to this heritage and have succeeded to get a certain number of UNESCO-world heritage recognitions, like Regensburg (Ratisbona), and even the Projekt Weltkulturerbe Limes (project for the world heritage recognition of the German Limes) seems to have been accepted.

As we read in the web site of the Deutsche Limes-Strasse Verein (the German Alliance For the Limes Roads) "the outer Upper Germanic-Rhaetian boundary wall ("Limes") is one of the most outstanding archaeological monuments in Central Europe and has recently been put on the world cultural heritage list of the UNESCO. Many of the installations associated with the wall were unearthed as the result of excavations recently carried out by the different Regional Offices for the Protection of Ancient Monuments and have been conserved because of their excellent state of preservation. They include forts, baths and towers together with parts of the fortifications themselves such as ramparts, ditches, walls and palisades. Also taken into consideration are museum-like facilities such as protective structures covering Roman ruins which are explained by plans, photographs and finds as well as archaeological parks located in the neighbourhood of boundary wall structures with reconstructed or restored exhibitions. Many of these areas are called "archaeological reserves" ....

"The German Limes Road runs close to the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes from the Rhine to the Danube. Most of the forts were founded at the beginning or middle of the 2nd century and existed until the end of the Roman occupation 260/270 A.D.. The "Limes" runs from Rhein-brohl to Regensburg ......We hope that you will get ...a better understanding of the Roman past of this country and have a relaxing holiday ...on the former borders of the Roman Empire."

The Initial Battle of the Gladiator

For Roman-movies fiends (I am one of them) Roman fortress Castra Regina (thence Regensburg) was founded in 179 A. D. for the Third Italic Legion during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (we are in the Ancient-Roman province of Raetia). Marcus Aurelius fought battles along the Limes against German (and non German) tribes. Sounds like The Gladiator initial astounding battle scene, doesn't it? Well, that scene probably referred to Germans invading Pannonia, east of Raetia, or invading Germania Superior, in the north west, so it's unlikely Raetia to be the place (see Marcus Aurelius' life). It doesn’t matter though since the area well corresponds to that film battle and its marvellously recreated atmosphere (see Regensburg in this map of Raetia and Germania Superior).

Pilgrimage

We are mentioning Raetia because we were there last August in a sort of pilgrimage along the Limes, and found out that Castra Regina is more or less the core of Regensburg's Old City or Altstadt. This charming city is located in north-eastern Bavaria, Oberpfalz. Pfalz is German for Latin Palatium, which refers to the Palatine Hill in Rome (Latin Mons Palatinus). It is the hill where Rome started (first huts, then the town, on this and other hills) and where the Roman Emperors much later lived (the English palace, indicating an important building, comes from there). From Palatinus derives Palatinate (Latin: Palatinatus), the area of the later German Holy Roman Empire, a sort of Middle Ages continuation of the Roman Empire. So it all fits together, as one can see.

The Last Italian City

In Regensburg - right at the extreme (German) line of all this, the Limes going well beyond Germany - the population will later become Protestant, even though it has inherited this sort of Italian merry character, with people sitting in open-air cafés etc., like us in Rome. "We are the last Italian city", they say, which sort of angered some Munich friends of ours who said they were the real last Italians, not only because of the Catholic faith but also because of their even merrier fiestas with people dancing on tables in Oktober Fest. They certainly said this to please us, but there is some truth, I believe: their elegance, their incredible love for Opera (more than us) and good wine (like us) etc.
More on Regensburg arriving, which is a good observation point, and more of course on Bavaria and all, so to say, romanized Germany.

PS
We cannot leave this topic without mentioning an incredible person: Dr. Marcus Junkelmann from Munchen (*), world-famous pioneer of experimental archaeology, living in a castle and speaking fluently Latin, we heard. Historian of Roman Legions and Army, he has reconstructed Roman weapons, infantry & cavalry techniques. We see his picture below, this is his University web site, we think, and Dr. Wilfried Stroh is one of his colleagues and probably friend. People like them are getting numerous also in parts of the UK, who is also becoming very pro-Roman (and this other web site shows how Roman mania can be both weird and fascinating).

References. The Braudel quote is from La Mediterranée, Fernard Braudel, Flammarion 1985. Translation by Man of Roma. Fernard Braudel is one of the greatest French intellectuals. Here a few links, just to give an idea of his work:
A nice synthesis on Braudel in English, plus the Fernand Braudel Center, at Binghamton University, State University of New York ("founded in September 1976 to engage in the analysis of large-scale social change over long periods of historical time").

Ψ

For other aspects regarding the Roman-German Limes:
Music, Politics and History
From the two Sides of the Roman Limes

My intended route follows the Might Danube River as it course West to East across from Central Europe to the Black Sea. I plan to join the river in Passau, Austria after first travelling 650 kilometers across the Alps from Zurich, Switzerland. Once I arrive in Hungary I will also need to decide on whether I will visit Belgrage and detour into Serbia or simply head directly towards Romania. My eventual arrival in Bulgaria will then see me leave the Danube as I head South towards the Bosphorus/Bosporus straight and into Istanbul, the final destination in this chapter of travel.

Although I know my eventual route will differ, at this stage, for planning purposes, I intend passing through the following cities and towns. Some of these are separated by more than 300 kilometers so I certainly expect to stay at a number of other places in between

Zurich, Switzerland
Karlihof, Switzerland
Landeck, Austria
Innsbruck, Austria
Wörgl, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Linz, Austria
Grein, Austria
Rohrendorf, Austria
Wien, Austria
Bratislava, Slovakia
Gyor, Hungary
Esztergom, Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Kecskemet, Hungary
Szeged, Hungary
Timisoara, Romania
Resita, Romania
Baile Herculane, Romania
Targu Jiu, Romania
Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
Dragoduna, Romania
Bucharest, Romania
Ruse, Bulgaria
Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria
Sumen, Bulgaria
Varna, Bulgaria
Pomorie, Bulgaria
Malko Turnovo, Bulgaria
Kirklareli, Bulgaria
Saray, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey

2008, Wien

Het gaat van kwaad naar erger in Boedapest. De MGE 2008-verkiezing moet 'undercover' plaatsvinden. De politie kan de veiligheid in zaal Copacabana Beach aan de Donau niet garanderen. Het programma is bovendien van de site gehaald. Copacabana.hu is ook offline.

Mr. Gay Europe is forced to move venues to secret locations due to anticipated clashes between the Hungarian police, right-wing extremists and gays celebrating Budapest Pride this Saturday.

The Grande Finale of Mr. Gay Europe was scheduled to take place at the Copacabana Beach on Margit Island in the river Danube. The local producer feels it necessary to relocate to a safe arena in order to secure the Delegate's security and well-being. This decision was made after advice from local authorities and reliable sources within the police force.

"It is sad this has to happen in Budapest, this beautiful pearl of the Danube, which used to be a safe haven to all neighboring countries. This city has always been regarded as the Paris of Eastern Europe, a place where you could feel free and be yourself," says the founders of Mr. Gay Europe, Mr. Morten Ruda and Mr. Tore Aasheim.

"We are a bit puzzled that Hungary with its tested past are willing to let a small group of ignorant individuals harm her good reputation throughout Europe. We understand the police's challenges, and appreciate their support in trying to protect us. I saw their efficiency last year and was mighty impressed," says Mr. Aasheim

Due to security reasons the official program has been removed from MGE's homepage. Press and audience will be asked to gather in a safe place, and taken to the new venue where thorough security check will be performed. Press also need to sign up with the accreditation form online to gain access.

However, the proud and brave men of MGE do not give in; they continued as scheduled with the preliminary interviews where they were challenged to the max as they went through. Since Mr. Gay Europe is not a typical beauty pageant, the young men had to prove to the judges that they could put words behind their quest for the title.

Friday night the guys competed with showing off their talents. The Delegate from Northen Ireland surprised the other Delegates and the audience with a "secret weapon", and took home the price "No. 1 Talent in Mr Gay Europe 2008". With the help of an angle grinder and a metal plate he made himself into a human firework! Malta and Spain came second and third.

Eerder liet de Noorse ambassadrice, Siri Ellen Sletne, al weten dat ze MGE zal opvolgen. MGE is een Noors initiatief.

Lionel moet het in die nevencompetitie opnemen tegen Spanje, Malta en Noorwegen. Vananavond is de Grand Finale van MGE 2008 in Boedapest, waar er momenteel een onrustig klimaat heerst.

I return from time in a Soviet prisoner camp a changed man. I recall Silverstein and his candy shop; he even gave to the Nazi children. Mrs. Silverstein’s breasts sagged below the bakery counter sometimes touching the whipped cream. Mr. Hodes the butcher never snuck in horse meat like the Turks do nowadays.

My parents said that Hitler would not allow for lawlessness, it was Goering and that freak Goebbels. Hitler was wrong. We would have been much better off keeping the Jews.

The Orgone Accumulator

The orgone box is a device that collects time’s energy, restoring sexual function, defeating cancer and the common cold. The world feared its success. “If only Willy was a little more likeable”, wrote Karen Horney, Reich's colleague in Weimar Berlin’s cabaret world of psychoanalysis. Freud's followers unleashed a torrent of slander condemning heretics to a psychoanalytical wasteland.

Reich's father was a butcher known for the quality of his meat. “Reich’s Roast” was a great success and his business flourished.

“While dad was in the slaughter house, I came home early from school one day with a bad cough and found mom in bed with my tutor. I told father of her affair. Mother grabbed a pistol and shot herself in the trout pond. Dad was devastated and died two years later. Moving to Vienna I sought the company of whores in the Wienerstrasse section along the Danube. In 1911 Kaiser Wilhelm sued my father’s estate claiming Reich Roast an infringement on his trademark.”

Harry wants to join a submarine fleet, but there is no navy.

“The Germans will have their sex but the English must have their fleets”, Queen Victoria advises her young grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm.

The Germans are a learned and greedy people. While accusing others of conflicting pecuniary interests they perfected the economic blitzkrieg. Attacking areas of Poland and Russia, the Teutonic Knights spread German economic power through the Jesuits, agents of the Pope, who aroused anti-Semitism in the pagan lands of the north. Lithuania was progressive in attitude toward its Jews since the days of the Vasa Dynasty. Pressure from the surrounding states led to its downfall and an end to Litvak independence.

As Rabbi Ben-Jacobi of Vilna tells it, 'False Messiahs were a dime a dozen.'

Business is hopeful. We smuggled in a dozen workers through El Paso and found a factory in Thailand that can make yarn from steel and cotton. With this discovery we will bring the accumulator into the 21st century.

“I ran across the Lucky Thread Factory located in the Bangkok State Penitentiary. We met with their development team and explained our idea of blending cotton with stainless steel. The first prototypes were a bit heavy and scratchy. Absorbing energy like a flower the human becomes hermaphroditic. In a state of heightened orgasmic ecstasy we will create a new society defying Freud and his coke sniffing cabal.”

Freud transferred his own oedipal crises onto his male disciples. Unable to castrate himself, Freud sought out a cabal of younger assistants whom he groomed for the field of psychoanalytic fee harvesting.

Freud guaranteed the survival of the patriarchy during the turbulent decline of the German empire after World War I. The aftermath of The Great War was for him a professional triumph yet a personal disaster. Kaiser Wilhelm was an oedipal maniac who began quarrelling with his Uncle Eddie, the King of England. He was angry that Onkel would not let him grab more islands near the sexual resorts of the south western Pacific Galapagos. Count Eulenberg, the Kaisers foreign minister, was in constant correspondence with the analysts of Austria.

Scotty was seeking a cure for trench mania. German troops were dancing at the front. Convinced of their imminent death these troops were in rebellion against their Prussian officers.

Hoover wanted to know if Brecht was a true Red or merely an opportunist. Agent Gumshoes reports,

“Brecht was available to the highest bidder. Controlling his women, he exploits their literary labor while canoodling with the boys, many of them homosexual Nazis.”

Bert was often in the company of Johnny-Johnny, the future US president, and an intimate of John Wayne before his “Stagecoach” days.

Brecht's “Mack the Knife” is a work of genius. Mackie is the modern man. Through research the working class is exploited. The only weapon the masses have is the orgone accumulator. Women need to be saved from the eternal lie of the fatherland.

The Lithuanians were sexually confused by the fragile nature of their independence. One decade they are Russian, the next German. It was hard for the Litvak to know whether the man should be on top as in the German world, or the woman on top as in the Soviet zone.

The torment of their sexual confusion was taken out on the Jew. In New York Reich found work as a tailor through connections with the Jewish Aid Society.

His wife Lilli contributed to the family paycheck working as a Kootchie dancer at the Copa.

The Viennese suffered from an acute form of coitus stasis. Reich calls this ‘post-coital stress syndrome’. Fin de Siecle Vienna was a hot spot on the German sexual junket. Hundreds of psychosexual clinics and institutes proliferated. The mass of Germans merely sought sexual release but it was the Freudians who led Germany into the arms of an oedipal maniac.

Freud becomes the bottom feeder of the id ignoring his own oedipal urges and thereby projecting his psychosis onto the masses.

The Viennese man was a cold and hardened warrior. Sex was his oyster.

Women, opposed to the ideas of the enlightenment, sought equality in the bedroom. Many of these women became clients of Wilhelm Reich and their history is a story of sexual madness leading toward genocide.

Fireworks

Woensdag kreeg homosauna Magnum molotovcocktails te verwerken. De week voordien werden homobars aangevallen en de gay pride van dit weekend is afgelast. MGE gaat vooralsnog wél door.

Al voor deze editie was er sprake om de verkiezing volgend jaar te verhuizen naar een andere stad.

It's a nice city by the Danube river. Here you can find a park by the river, named Faleza Dunarii (Danube's cliff).

Navigation Palace

Restaurant boat

Danube cliff park

Hoe komt MGE aan 24 mannen? Door het Wild Card Program. Hiermee konden kandidaat-misters uit landen zonder preselecties zich toch inschrijven. Dat was onder meer het geval voor Tsjechië, Italië, het Verenigd Koninkrijk, Servië, Spanje, Portugal.

Alle kandidaten kan je hier bekijken. Stemmen kan hier.

MGE heeft een sterke Scandinavische connectie. Voorzitter Morten Rudå, en ook kroonontwerper Dag von der Lippe woont in Noorwegen. Een Noors liedje is dan ook geen verrassing.

Time is about up. You only have a few days left to save $1000 or receive complimentary airfare (think about gas prices) on the European River cruise you've always dreamed of. Aboard the River Cloud, you'll sail Lindblad Expeditions "Autumn On The Danube," between Prague and Budapest. These itineraries offer a journey of jigsaw puzzle scenery, fairytales, castles and concert halls, waterfront walks and riverside bike rides in kaleidoscopic autumn colors, wine and vineyards. All this from what is considered as the most magnificent ship on the Danube, with panoramic views of the passing riverscape.

This special savings offer ends June 30, 2008. So act now to secure your journey on the Danube.

Itineraries:

• Autumn on the Danube: Budapest to Prague
• Autumn on the Danube: Prague to Budapest

I have another bloody week of work left...126 reports to write....a small mountain of paperwork to prepare for the incoming staff and a set to finish building for a school play...then I'm off to Basel to run a 5 day workshop for MYP Teachers....not that I'm complaining (much) tho. Just counting the days. We have both got inspections on our apartments, bureaucratic hoops to jump through to leave Europe and Japanese hoops to negotiate to get in. Wish us luck with our red tape tangle!

I cant wait for our little cycle tour. "Black Forest to the Black Sea" (not that we will get even close to doing it all, but it sounds better) Taking my bike into the 'best bike mechanic in Switzerland' to get it serviced tomorrow morning. Kinda nervous. I'm told he is a complete "tool" and a jerk by my friend that recommended him. He should be a good judge....(Former Australian Olympic cyclist) and is seriously into his cycling. The mechanic is supposed to be completely anal about cycles...just the guy you want to work on your bike before a long tour. Can not speak a word of English...and my bike has been a bit neglected (not out of the cave for 18 months)...should be fun. Then its a relaxing ride down the Danube. Won't even need to peddle...just roll...its all down hill. Right? I need this holiday...

:)

ps: Amazing win by Turkey tonight...WOW!

Astept aprecieri (pozitive si negative) cu privire la fotografii.

Siin on soe. Niimoodi teistmoodi soe, pehmelt ja silitavalt. Ilma tuule ja lämbuseta, aga kergelt niiske. Justkui oleks päeva rannas veetnud. Kutsub õues istuma, lihtsalt olema.

Kaaskondsed magavad juba, homme algab Programm. Õnneks on ennelõunasse jäetud ka sightseeing aeg, mille ma tõenäoliselt omal käel linnas patseerides kavatsen veeta. Ostan Tuutule kingi ja otsin neid va rahvuslikke pluuse (muide, ma ei näinud ühtegi kohta, kus neid müügil võiks olla!!! Ja hoolimata sellest, et kesklinna ja tagasi u 10km ring sai tehtud!).

Kuskil mu peakohal seksib keegi. Viisakalt ja siivsalt.
Kuskil mu all on kellelgi köha ja ta istub juba tund aega wc’s. Ja köhib, kopse välja.
Kuskil peab keegi pidu.

Aga linna kohta veel, et kella poole kümne tuuris olid tänavad ikka suhteliselt inimtühjad – kuskil 11 kandis ilmus rahvas välja, ei tea kust ja massides. Tänavakohvikud on vahelduva eduga lahti, viimses kui ühes suur ekraan väljas ja jalka peal.

Meie valitud kafeinikus toetati türklasi. Ja ma sõin salatit, hinnaga 2450 kohalikku raha, ning jõin 650 rahva maksvat kohvi. No on elu, ah? :D Eesti rahas tuleb see kokku siis u 200 eeku.

Muuuuseas, tip on siin hinnale juba otsa pandud – 10% nagu komme ette näeb. On kohe arvel külges ja kogu lugu. Seetõttu jätsime jootraha ka lisamata, muidu on “double tip’ing” ja see käib mulle ka närvidele – sest ehkki nuriseda pole vaja, ei saa väita, et siinne teeninduskultuur just maailma parim oleks. Inglise keelega igal pool hakkama ei saa ja kiirus näib ka lõunamaiselt siestalik olevat...

Ja liiklus! Oh jeerum, aga ma poleks eales uskunud, et ma mõnes kohas ütlen “ega siin Eesti pole” ja mõtlen seda justkui laitust! Esimese 10 minutiga üritasime kolm korda kollektiivset enesetappu, ületades ettenähtud kohas teed. Pidurid ei ole igatahes see funktsionaalsus autost, mida sohver jalakäijat nähes tarbida plaanib. Nüüd ma juba tean ja ülekäigurada ei otsigi – mis mõttega, kui nagunii tuleb paarishüpetega kalpsata.

Igal juhul tore on. Ja nüüd lähen magama, 6 tundi on veel ööd ja siis on viimane aeg püsti karata ja elusaks hakata.

ps. Teie seal kontoris – ärge luuslanki lööge. Hommikul jagan portsu asju laiali, mitte omal initsiatiivil, nii et... noh, pange vaim valmis või miskit. :)

Teel Prahasse istus mu kõrval üks kõdunev vanainimene (ilmselt mees, arvastades tema ninast ja kõrvadest kasvavat hekki). Alguses meenutas ta odoor mulle lapsepõlve - seda, kuidas pärast kartulivõttu end lehehunnikutesse matsime. Pärast tekitas lihtsalt himu hapniku järele.

Nüüd siis olen Budapestis ja näinud (taksos teel lennujaamast kesklinna, hind 4500 kohalikku raha) imelikke pügatuid puid, vähemalt viitkümment postamenti, ühte potisinist oranzhide aknaraamidega nõiamaja, ühte oranzhi siniste aknaraamidega nõiamaja, mägesid, ühte lillat oranzhi katusega nunnut maja, ühte autojuhti otse roolis (ja nii umbkaudu 70km/h kiiruse juures) õlut joomas, natuke mägesid, vanu vene autosid kõrvuti väga uute punaste autodega (siuksed ilusad ja läikivad, mark tuvastamatu – aga näevad välja nagu pulgakommid, noh) ja veel natuke toredaid maju, igasugu sepistatud aknavõredega (loe: ilusaks tehtud vargatrellid).

Fotokas oli pagassis, sestap ei pildistanud.
Prahat nägin ka – natuke ülevalt ja natuke diagonaalis küljepealt.

Varsti lähen linnapeale.
*
Mul on suitsetajate tuba. Ma ei küsinud seda, nad lambist andsid.
See on väga mõnna.

*
Minibaar on ka mõnna, revideerisin.

*
Wifi on tasuline

*
Suitsetajate toas ei käi aknad lahti.

*
Leidsin üles kaabli-interneti.

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Leidsin üles mini-baari hinnakirja. See ei olnud väga lahe.

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Ikkagi on mõnna.

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Eesti - lennukist vaadates:

Praha - lennukist vaadates:

Hotellituba (väga viis, isegi tualett ja vannituba on eraldi):

Central Europe. Ahhhh, how I have missed thee. How I have missed your sexy accents, magnificent palaces, and blurry absinthe filled nights.

If you're traveling through Europe and you're so over paris/london/barcelona/florence, head on east for some diversity and craziness. Most travelers that decide to make the quick trek to central europe will find that there are 3 cities worth visiting in the span of 7-8 days. All 3 cities are close enough to each other and a popular enough route that you can take the eurorail for 4-5 hours between each city and arrive without any travel agitation. Due to their location, you should visit the following cities in order or reverse order.

1. Budapest - Budapest was a fantastic city. I really enjoyed taking the walking tour through the city and learning about Austrian-Hungarian history. Budapest is also home to several famous thermal bath houses, which cannot be missed. A couple famous ones worth checking out are Gellert and Szechenyi. They have indoor, outdoor, single sex, co-ed and different temperature pools/baths. All of the baths are filled with thermal water which is good for your bones and joints so you'll see many old fogies lounging in there all day long. One last thing to do in Budapest is to take an evening boat ride on the Danube. All of the major buildings along the river will light up at night, which makes for a beautiful, romantic cruise sipping on champagne and listening to mozart.

pictures: 1. Gellert outside pool 2. outside another bath house 3. the Danube 4. the famous Chain Bridge

2. Vienna - Vienna is the most gorgeous and most grand city of the three. Vienna is also home to the most magnificent cathedrals, palaces, opera house and chocolate cakes (visit Demel). Your visit to the different palaces will make you bitter at your mom for having no royalty roots. Be sure to visit the Schönbrunn Palace to learn about the Habsburg monarchary as well as their beautiful garden with a fun maze to walk through. Finally, be sure to visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria's most eminent gothic edifice.

pictures: 1. opera house 2. st stephen's cathedral 3. gardens of Schönbrunn Palace 4. maze in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace

3. Prague - The most fun and craziest city of the three. Prague is really famous for 3 things - the Charles Bridge, the Prague Orloj (Astronomical clock) and debaucherous nights (after heavy Absinthe consummation). The city is a great place to walk around in, but be sure to have footwear that is forgiving to cobblestoned streets. I also discovered one of my favorite hotels in the world in Prague. If you're looking for a great deal on a boutique luxury hotel in an awesome location, stay at the Hotel Savic (http://www.hotelsprague.cz/). I shall say no more. Just be sure pick me up another bottle of Absinthe before you leave :)

pictures: 1. view from the Charles Bridge 2. Orloj - be there at the top of every hour and watch it go!

For more pictures, see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wearie/sets/72157601932866430/

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