The Beautiful Blue Danube

The beauty of the Danube River enchanted Northwestern alumni on the NAA’s Romance of the Blue Danube trip this past September. Travelers enjoyed leisurely days cruising the river and taking in the scenery and historic monuments of five countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. The group began its journey in Budapest, exploring broad tree-lined boulevards, before journeying to art, music and cuisine hubs. After travelers embarked on the MS Amadeus Diamond, the ship set sail for Bratislava in Slovakia, Vienna and the German city of Passau, making day stops in small towns along the river. Apart from Vienna, these destinations were “places you wouldn’t usually go to,” trip host Lacy Schneider Henry (GC09), assistant director of alumni education, said of the mix of small villages with larger cities. In Vienna, participants experienced the imperial ambience of the Schönbrunn Palace.  The third leg of the trip was a visit to the Czech Republic, where alumni spent three days in Prague, staying in a well-situated hotel with easy access to the city. Travelers visited the castle district, were awed by the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall and walked across the Charles Bridge. Henry and a few guests attended a “Folklore Night,” comprising a hearty family-style dinner — with an assortment of “quintessential Czech food,” such as fried meats, good pastries and beer.