A Four-Country Day

July 15:  After a first class breakfast in our $50 Penzion Solnice in Znojmo (including eggs and ham cooked to order) we departed at 10 for the ride south and east.  The day was overcast but the rain held off until we were ready for lunch, when a convenient bus stop provided shelter and a bench.  Today's ride took us from the Czech Republic into Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary to the town of Esztergom on the Danube, across the river from Slovakia and in the area known as the Danube Bend.  

This town has a long history as both a political and religious center.  Hungary's first king, Stephan I, was crowned in the Basilica in 1000.  It was the royal seat for 300 years and has been the center of Roman Catholicism for over 1000 years.

Thanks again to LP for suggesting our hotel near the river.  It is showing its age, but with this excellent location and a tab of 55E, we are happy with our choice.  We took our usual evening walk--partway across the bridge to view and photograph the castle and Basilica on the hill--and then through town.  Another dead town--really no activity in the square or bars.  We stopped to enjoy a beer before returning to the hotel. Tomorrow we attack the hill, and then explore more of the towns along the Danube Bend.

(can't seem to insert the Picasa photos into the blog--so check out Picasa if you are interested.)