Danube River Cruise - 5/1/14

Up at 6:00 today. Deb awoke shortly thereafter.  Showered and out the door soon after 7:00 for breakfast in the hotel.  Scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and yogurt, plus coffee.

Six in our group headed for the tour of Terezin concentration camp. Deb, Ann Hosford, Judy Robison and I took the other offered optional tour to Lobowicz Castle back at the Prague Castle Hill.  An amazing castle with art works and history.  Prince Lobowicz was the nobleman who offered Beethoven an annuity so that he could compose whatever music he wished, rather than trying to appease a patron with on-demand works. This innovation was a first in the history of music and begat such things as the famous 5th Symphony.

At the end of the tour we stopped in the cafe for a beer, and then back to the music room for a one hour concert.  There were a violist and a pianist, members of the Prague Symphony, who provided a very memorable batch of chamber music.

Back at the hotel by 2:00 PM; we met the others at a nearby restaurant for a bowl of soup and glass of wine.  Then on to the Jewish Cemetery, the New-Old Synagogue and the Pinkas Synagogue, all in the Jewish quarter only 2 blocks away.  Also some shopping involved.

Back at the hotel by 6:00 and then down to the bar to discuss dinner. We decided on an Italian (non-pizza) place tonight.  However, when we trekked to the spot, the directions took us to the wrong place.  We back tracked and eventually found the correct place, but they were slammed, service was slow, although the food was good.  By the time we returned to the hotel, it was after 10:00. It is very hard to herd 10 frumpy old people around a strange city, especially with the language barrier.  Some tense moments this evening, but all survived.

Repacking all bags for all day transfer tomorrow to the river boat in Nuremburg.