Bratislava, Slovakia

(Avalon River Cruise Port Stop)
Welcome to Bratislava, Slovakia!
We arrived and docked right in the center of town - amazing to step off and be right there!  There was a bus waiting to give us a city tour with guided narration.  We made our through narrow winding streets and upwards for a birdseye view of the city and the beautiful Danube River.  Along the way, there was a bit of slow pass by of the American Embassy - it was a mini White House, columns and all!  Further along, we stop at the palatial grounds for a lovely walk and photo ops of the beautiful scenery.
Once the bus brought us back to the ship, we had the option of walking on our own or continuing on with our guide.  Our guide was delightful, so we continued on and learned a little more about Bratislava.  As the walk ended, we strolled back to the ship.  Along the way, we smiled as locals were enjoying the beautiful afternoon sipping teas, enjoying refreshing beers or  cooling down with tempting ice creams.
Back on the ship, we indulged in a few cold drinks ourselves and agreed the day had been just perfect!  But it wasn't to end there - we were treated to an onboard performance by the all female group "Bratislava, Bratislava" - and what a knock out performance they gave!  What a fantastic welcome we received in Bratislava, Slovakia!

Here is a snapshot of Bratislava:

Happy Travels!
Camille
VirtualGlobalTravel.com
VirtualGlobalLiving.blogspot.com

Avalon Vista Ship - River Cruise

My Avalon river cruise aboard the Vista ship was an amazing journey; it could very well have been the best cruise experience I've ever had.  The ship, immaculately maintained, was "home" for two weeks from Budapest to Amsterdam cruising the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers.
Rather than write down in words, I took a few very short videos of some of the areas on the ship (stateroom, lounge forward, lounge rear and dining).  The last video is what really made our River cruise such a wonderful experience.
Now that I have access to my laptop, I can share photos of the ports of call and the many included shore excursions.  Avalon is a class act in all aspects, in all departments with an excellent staff...the experience exceeded my expectations!
As you'll see from the short videos, the ship never seemed crowded, yet felt intimate like a private yacht.  In the coming posts, I will write about the stops and share my pictures.  In the meantime, here are a few ship videos:

Lazily cruising along the river...ultimate relaxation!

The Panorama Suite

The Aft Lounge - Perfect for Morning Cappuccino or Late Night coffee

The Forward Lounge: Bar, Music, Dancing, Lectures, Afternoon Teas with Sweets

The Dining Room where the endless, delicious meals were served - with a view!

The Sky Deck - Sunning, Dining, Cruising and Nighttime Star Gazing

One last scenic clip!

Budapest, Hungary

Today is the start of a 15 day River cruise aboard Avalon's Vista.  I will write about the ship and include details and photos when I once again have access to my laptop.  For the next few posts I will attempt to write from my phone.  Let's begin the journey....

Budapest - I just say the name and images of an exotic, bohemian adventure comes to mind...well, it is and isn't!  It is an exotic eastern European city that is both very cosmopolitan with a strong bohemian presence.  Many international names are here, familiar in both the US and the UK side by side with antique dealers, folkloric shops full of handmade embroidered goods, and local brand shops.
The architecture is beautiful, the people handsome and friendly and the city alive with a pulse all its own.  In just a days time of walking, we think Budapest is a must see, a must do on anyone's list.  Not overrun with throngs of tourists but enough to remind you that this is a hidden gem of city.  And if I can suggest the Zenit Hotel it is excellent value: free wifi in your room, kids stay for free and some rooms are "family sized friendly "....and the rates are incredible!
As usual, we found the food market and thoroughly enjoyed our walk about this beautiful city!
I have plenty more photos but those will have to wait until they can be sorted into short videos upon return to my desk.