Thursday, October 15, 2009

Optional Tours

In today's post, we'll continue to explore the remaining 2 optional tours...

During day 8 of our tour in Budapest, Hungary, there is an option to cruise the gorgeous Danube River at Euro 20 dollars per pax (SGD 42).

The Danube River is 2,850km long and is the second-longest river in the Europe after the Volga. It originates in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany where the Brigach and Breg rivers join and runs through 10 countries namely, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine before entering the Black Sea. Much older than the Rhine, its basin is thought to have been the site of some of the earliest human cultures, and it remains one of Europe’s most important and historic waterways and a popular river cruise destination.

The Széchényi lánchíd or Chain Bridge over the Danube river in Budapest

Oddly enough, the waterway is not called “Danube” in any of the countries through which it runs. In German, it is the Donau; in Czech, the Dunaj; in Hungarian, the Duna and so forth. Worshipping a god of the same name, the ancient Romans called the waterway Danubius. All these names derive from the Celtic word danu, which means “to flow” or “to run.

The Hungarian Parliament Building on the bank of the Danube

One-third of the Danube’s total length is in Hungary. Budapest, is often called “the Queen of the Danube.” From the water on a cruise, the city is particularly spectacular at night, with lights illuminating Budapest’s Chain Bridge, Parliament Building and other famous structures.

Spectacular nightview of the Danube River in Budapest

During the last day of our tour in Vienna, Austria, we are given an option to attend a Mozart music concert at Euro 50 dollars per pax (SGD 104).

Probably the most famous composer of all time, Mozart began his musical career as a child prodigy. He performed on violin at the age of four, wrote his first symphony and four sonatas for piano and violin when he was eight, and held the position of a concertmaster at thirteen. Before his premature passing, Mozart composed more than 600 works, among which there are masterpieces in numerous musical forms – concertos, symphonies, ensembles, sonatas, string quartets, ballets and music for church ceremonies. He gained immense fame for his compositions that include 'Piano Sonata No. 11' (1783 or 1778), 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' (1787), the unfinished 'Requiem' (1791), the operas 'The Marriage of Figaro' (1786), 'Don Giovanni' (1787) and 'The Magic Flute' (1791) as well as the 'Jupiter Symphony' (1788), which was his last.

We do not have much information on the concert at this moment. Will definitely try to get more details at the pre-departure briefing. Normally concert venues are old Imperial style Palaces from the Hapsburg era., which provide the chance for audience to experience the style of music in the home of classical music and in the city where these great works were composed.

Overall, the 3 optional tours look appealing. Will probably join the 2 scenic tours and leave out the Mozart concert as we don't understand classical music :)

No comments:

Post a Comment