DOCSLIB.ORG

Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague ITINERARY OVERVIEW OLLI at CSU San Bernardino presents ... APRIL 7, 2021 Cruise in a group of 38-45 aboard our privately owned 140- to 162-passenger ships Day 1 • Depart U.S. Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague Day 2-4 • Budapest, Hungary Hungary: Budapest | Slovakia: Bratislava | Austria: Vienna, Krems, Linz | Czech Embark ship Republic: Cesky Krumlov, Prague Port Budapest Included Tour Budapest Optional Tour Hospital in the Rock $ 15 days from $ 14 days from 3795 with international airfare5065 River Cruise Tour only Day 5-6 • Bratislava, Slovakia from Los Angeles, CA Port Bratislava Included Tour Bratislava Arrival/ OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Prague Departure Optional Extension Cruise Route Motor Route Berlin Warsaw Day 7-8 • Vienna Total Cruising 309 miles GERMANY Distance (498 km) POLAND Port Vienna CZECHH Dresden Krakow Included Tour Vienna REPUBLICLIC Optional Tours Musical Vienna • Cesky Schoenbrunn Palace Krumlov D SLOVAKIA Krems anube Day 9-10 • Krems Vienna WACHAU Bratislava Port Krems Linz VALLEY DANUBE BEND Included Tour Krems Budapest Optional Tour Marillen Farm AUSTRIA (Also Optional Extension) HUNGARY Day 11-12 • Linz PLEASE NOTE: THE ITINERARY PRESENTED STARTS IN BUDAPEST AND ENDS IN PRAGUE. Disembark ship YOUR DEPARTURE WILL START IN PRAGUE AND END IN BUDAPEST. Port Linz Included Tours Linz • Mauthausen • Cesky IT’S INCLUDED Krumlov International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges, unless you choose to make your own air arrangements Day 13-14 • Prague Accommodations for 10 nights aboard a private river ship with wireless Internet access in Included Tour Prague all common areas and cabins, and 3 nights in the Grandior Hotel Prague or similar Optional Tour Jewish Prague 34 meals: 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 12 dinners—including 3 meals in local restaurants— plus all onboard house beer, wine, and soft drinks Day 15 • Prague • Return to U.S. 11 included tours with personal headsets and 2 Exclusive Discovery Series Events— Home-Hosted Visit • School visit MAXIMIZE YOUR Local Program Directors, a Grand Circle Cruise Line exclusive: Our dedicated experts DISCOVERIES & VALUE are with you and your group of 38-45 travelers from beginning to end to provide an insider’s knowledge and perspective OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS all with FREE Single Supplements Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers Budapest, Hungary All port charges 3 nights pre-trip from $745 Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips Dresden & Berlin, Germany 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip 5 nights post-trip from $995 Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & Krakow 5 nights post-trip from $1095 PLEASE MENTION THIS Reservations & Information 1-800-221-2610 CODE WHEN BOOKING www.gct.com/edr2021G1-27044 WHAT TO EXPECT Group Size Physical Requirements • We reserve the right for Program • This trip has a group size of 38-45 • Included features on your trip may Directors to restrict participation, travelers with our local Program consist of 3-4 hours of physical activity or in some circumstances send Director exclusive to Grand Circle each day. Travelers should be able travelers home, if their limitations to walk 1-3 miles unassisted within impact the group’s experience Pacing a time frame of 1-2 hours, and walk Terrain & Transportation • 14 days, with 10 nights on uneven surfaces, including steep aboard our privately and unpaved paths, hills, riverbanks, • Diverse terrain and uneven walking owned 162-Passenger M/S River 25-50 stairs without handrails, surfaces, including steep paths, hills, Aria or M/S River Adagio, and and cobblestones, which can be riverbanks, 25-50 stairs without 1 three-night hotel stay slick in wet or colder conditions handrails, and cobblestones • Return flights often require • Optional activities and elective • Travel by 140- to 162-passenger departing in early morning hours walks may be offered in addition river ship and 49-seat coach to the activity levels above • Air travel time will be 9-18 hours and • Changes in water-level depths may will have at least one connection • Not accessible for travelers using require adjustments to your itinerary wheelchairs or scooters Climate • Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel • Daytime temperatures range from with a companion who can assist 58-82°F during cruising season them throughout the trip • June-August are the warmest months • March and November weather can be unpredictable and change quickly YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 • Depart U.S. explore Pest, where you’ll see Heroes’ DAY 5 • Explore Bratislava, Slovakia • Square. Home-Hosted Visit DAY 2 • Arrive in Budapest, Hungary • This afternoon, Budapest is alive with After a morning of leisure, you’ll arrive Embark ship activity, from its market halls and antique in Bratislava. Set off on a city tour of You’ll be met at the Budapest airport and galleries to its museums and cafes. You Slovakia’s capital known for its pictur- assisted to your private river ship. Relax might enjoy a visit to a thermal spa or take esque setting at the foot of the Little and settle in before mingling with your in architectural gems like the Parliament Carpathian Mountains. Program Directors and fellow travelers. Building. Tonight, gather with your fellow This evening, you’ll join a local family for If you began your explorations early with travelers for the Captain’s Welcome Dinner a Home-Hosted Dinner tonight. Learn our optional Budapest pre-trip extension, before an evening of scenic sailing. about everyday life and sample the city’s you will join the main group today. Dinner B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship cuisine during this Exclusive Discovery tonight is onboard. Series event. D— Private Grand Circle River Ship DAY 4 • Budapest • Optional Hospital B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship in the Rock tour DAY 3 • Explore Budapest • Captain’s Continue exploring Budapest on your own DAY 6 • Bratislava • School visit • Welcome Dinner this morning. Then return to the ship for Vienna, Austria After breakfast this morning, set off to lunch onboard. The rest of the afternoon is Disembark your river ship after breakfast, tour Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube.” at your leisure, or you may choose to join and start your day with an Exclusive In Buda—the city’s western right bank— an optional tour to the fascinating Hospital Discovery Series visit to a local view the castle atop Castle Hill, a UNESCO in the Rock. school supported by Grand Circle World Heritage Site, and the palace, lov- Enjoy scenic daylight sailing as your ship Foundation. ingly restored since its destruction during cruises towards Bratislava. World War II. Then cross the Danube and Please note: The school visit is not possible on B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship weekends or during the summer and national Reservations & Information 1-800-221-2610 www.gct.com/edr2021 holidays when school is not in session. Return to the ship for lunch, the afternoon DAY 13 • Explore Prague Travelers on these departures will instead is yours to relax onboard or continue dis- This morning, you’ll enjoy a tour of Prague enjoy an arranged local experience and/or covering the town’s delights on your own. featuring the Gothic majesty of the city’s local food tasting. B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship Old Town, including the Jewish District, Return to the ship for lunch, and take in the historic town square, Charles Bridge, an afternoon of scenic cruising towards DAY 10 • Krems • Wachau Valley • Melk and the famed Astronomical Clock. After Vienna. Arrive in the Austrian capital this Abbey lunch on your own, you’ll have free time evening before dinner onboard. This morning, cruise along one of the to explore the lovely Czech capital. This B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship most beautiful parts of the Danube—the evening, dinner is on your own. Wachau Valley—taking in the stunning B— Grandior Hotel Prague or similar DAY 7 • Explore Vienna • Optional landscape of sculpted hills and medieval Musical Vienna tour towns built along the river that comprise DAY 14 • Prague • Optional Jewish this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After Arrive in Vienna this morning, and set out Prague tour • Farewell Dinner lunch onboard, set off for the town of on an included tour. Your explorations The day is yours in Prague. Experience one Melk, where you’ll have a guided tour of begin on the Ringstrasse, the elegant bou- of the city’s many museums or cathedrals, the historic Melk Abbey. levard that surrounds the city’s historic further discover its notable Jewish quarter, center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship or visit the mighty Prague Castle. Or you Then walk past the historic Imperial Palace may choose to join an optional Jewish and the renowned Spanish Riding School. DAY 11 • Explore Linz • Mauthausen • Prague tour. Captain’s Farewell Dinner Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers then set your own agenda. This evening, Wake up this morning in Linz, the capital for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. perhaps you’ll experience our Musical of Upper Austria (one of the country’s B,D— Grandior Hotel Prague or similar Vienna optional tour—a special opportu- nine states) set across both banks of the nity to hear classical music. Danube. Disembark after breakfast to dis- DAY 15 • Prague • Return to U.S. B,L,D— Private Grand Circle River Ship cover the city during an included walking tour, followed by a bit of free time to After breakfast, you will be assisted to the airport for your flight home. Or begin your DAY 8 • Vienna • Optional further explore on your own.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Danube River Cruise Flyer-KCTS9-MAURO V2.Indd
    AlkiAlki ToursTours DanubeDanube RiverRiver CruiseCruise Join and Mauro & SAVE $800 Connie Golmarvi from Assaggio per couple Ristorante on an Exclusive Cruise aboard the Amadeus Queen October 15-26, 2018 3 Nights Prague & 7 Nights River Cruise from Passau to Budapest • Vienna • Linz • Melk • and More! PRAGUE CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA GERMANY Cruise Route Emmersdorf Passau Bratislava Motorcoach Route Linz Vienna Budapest Extension MUNICH Melk AUSTRIA HUNGARY 206.935.6848 • www.alkitours.com 6417-A Fauntleroy Way SW • Seattle, WA 98136 TOUR DATES: October *15-26, 2018 12 Days LAND ONLY PRICE: As low as $4249 per person/do if you book early! Sail right into the pages of a storybook along the legendary Danube, *Tour dates include a travel day to Prague. Call for special, through pages gilded with history, and past the turrets and towers of castles optional Oct 15th airfare pricing. steeped in legend. You’ll meander along the fabled “Blue Danube” to grand cities like Vienna and Budapest where kings and queens once waltzed, and to gingerbread towns that evoke tales of Hansel and Gretel and the Brothers Grimm. If you listen closely, you might hear the haunting melody of the Lorelei siren herself as you cruise past her infamous river cliff post! PEAK SEASON, Five-Star Escorted During this 12-day journey, encounter the grand cities and quaint villages along European Cruise & Tour the celebrated Danube River. Explore both sides of Hungary’s capital–traditional Vacation Includes: “Buda” and the more cosmopolitan “Pest”–and from Fishermen’s Bastion, see how the river divides this fascinating city. Experience Vienna’s imperial architec- • Welcome dinner ture and gracious culture, and tour riverside towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • Belgrade - Budapest - Ljubljana - Zagreb Sample Prospect
    NOVI SAD BEOGRAD Železnička 23a Kraljice Natalije 78 PRODAJA: PRODAJA: 021/422-324, 021/422-325 (fax) 011/3616-046 [email protected] [email protected] KOMERCIJALA: KOMERCIJALA 021/661-07-07 011/3616-047 [email protected] [email protected] FINANSIJE: [email protected] LICENCA: OTP 293/2010 od 17.02.2010. www.grandtours.rs BELGRADE - BUDAPEST - LJUBLJANA - ZAGREB SAMPLE PROSPECT 1st day – BELGRADE The group is landing in Serbia after which they get on the bus and head to the downtown Belgrade. Sightseeing of the Belgrade: National Theatre, House of National Assembly, Patriarchy of Serbian Orthodox Church etc. Upon request of the group, Tour of The Saint Sava Temple could be organized. The tour of Kalemegdan fortress, one of the biggest fortress that sits on the confluence of Danube and Sava rivers. Upon request of the group, Avala Tower visit could be organized, which offers a view of mountainous Serbia on one side and plain Serbia on the other. Departure for the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay. 2nd day - BELGRADE - NOVI SAD – BELGRADE Breakfast. After the breakfast the group would travel to Novi Sad, consider by many as one of the most beautiful cities in Serbia. Touring the downtown's main streets (Zmaj Jovina & Danube street), Danube park, Petrovaradin Fortress. The trip would continue towards Sremski Karlovci, a beautiful historic place close to the city of Novi Sad. Great lunch/dinner option in Sremski Karlovci right next to the Danube river. After the dinner, the group would head back to the hotel in Belgrade.
    [Show full text]
  • Jewels of Eastern Europe Prague & Budapest
    SENIOR SOFTBALL TOUR 2022 Jewels of Eastern Europe Prague & Budapest May 5 - 17, 2022 Join us on an adventure of a lifetime to two of the most beautiful and magical cities in Europe: Prague and Budapest. Cruise on the River Danube in Budapest, feast on a Gypsy dinner, play ball in the famous wine village of Szentendre and get a personal tour from our host ballplayers of their picturesque town, and in Prague you’ll have a chance to explore this magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava River for more than ten centuries. DAY 1 Prague Thursday Arrive into Prague’s International Airport after an overnight flight from May 5 America. Clear Immigration and Customs and meet your Tour representative in the arrival’s hall. After getting settled in our hotel, meet fellow players and their families and friends at the Welcome Dinner in the Hotel. Team managers will get together with players to over strategy for the International Games! n Hotel Occidental Prague 5 Czech Republic (6 Nights) DAY 2 Prague Friday After breakfast in the Hotel, you’ll have the morning free to explore and get a May 6 flavor of the beautiful city of Prague. This afternoon, players will have a chance to practice and get to know each other on the field. This evening, the group will enjoy a dinner at the Hotel and share their adventures of the day. DAY 3 Prague Full-Day: Jewel of Eastern Europe Classic Saturday After breakfast in the Hotel, the group will board the motorcoach for a short May 7 trip to the Jewel of Eastern Europe Classic tournament against Prague teams.
    [Show full text]
  • M1928 1945–1950
    M1928 RECORDS OF THE GERMAN EXTERNAL ASSETS BRANCH OF THE U.S. ALLIED COMMISSION FOR AUSTRIA (USACA) SECTION, 1945–1950 Matthew Olsen prepared the Introduction and arranged these records for microfilming. National Archives and Records Administration Washington, DC 2003 INTRODUCTION On the 132 rolls of this microfilm publication, M1928, are reproduced reports on businesses with German affiliations and information on the organization and operations of the German External Assets Branch of the United States Element, Allied Commission for Austria (USACA) Section, 1945–1950. These records are part of the Records of United States Occupation Headquarters, World War II, Record Group (RG) 260. Background The U.S. Allied Commission for Austria (USACA) Section was responsible for civil affairs and military government administration in the American section (U.S. Zone) of occupied Austria, including the U.S. sector of Vienna. USACA Section constituted the U.S. Element of the Allied Commission for Austria. The four-power occupation administration was established by a U.S., British, French, and Soviet agreement signed July 4, 1945. It was organized concurrently with the establishment of Headquarters, United States Forces Austria (HQ USFA) on July 5, 1945, as a component of the U.S. Forces, European Theater (USFET). The single position of USFA Commanding General and U.S. High Commissioner for Austria was held by Gen. Mark Clark from July 5, 1945, to May 16, 1947, and by Lt. Gen. Geoffrey Keyes from May 17, 1947, to September 19, 1950. USACA Section was abolished following transfer of the U.S. occupation government from military to civilian authority.
    [Show full text]
  • Emily Jacir: Europa 30 Sep 2015 – 3 Jan 2016 Large Print Labels and Interpretation Galleries 1, 8 & 9
    Emily Jacir: Europa 30 Sep 2015 – 3 Jan 2016 Large print labels and interpretation Galleries 1, 8 & 9 1 Gallery 1 Emily Jacir: Europa For nearly two decades Emily Jacir has built a captivating and complex artistic practice through installation, photography, sculpture, drawing and moving image. As poetic as it is political, her work investigates movement, exchange, transformation, resistance and silenced historical narratives. This exhibition focuses on Jacir’s work in Europe: Italy and the Mediterranean in particular. Jacir often unearths historic material through performative gestures and in-depth research. The projects in Europa also explore acts of translation, figuration and abstraction. (continues on next page) 2 At the heart of the exhibition is Material for a film (2004– ongoing), an installation centred around the story of Wael Zuaiter, a Palestinian intellectual who was assassinated outside his home in Rome by Israeli Mossad agents in 1972. Taking an unrealised proposal by Italian filmmakers Elio Petri and Ugo Pirro to create a fi lm about Zuaiter’s life as her starting point, the resulting installation contains documents, photographs, and sound elements, including Mahler’s 9th Symphony as one of the soundtracks to the work. linz diary (2003), is a performance by Jacir captured by one of the city’s live webcams that photographed the artist as she posed by a fountain in a public square in Linz, Austria, at 6pm everyday, over 26 days. During the performance Jacir would send the captured webcam photo of herself to her email list along with a small diary entry. In the series from Paris to Riyadh (drawings for my mother) (1998–2001), a collection of white vellum papers dotted with black ink are delicately placed side by side.
    [Show full text]
  • Mittelalter“ »Rad-Kulturreise an Der Donau „Mittelalter“« 2 / 59
    Rad-Kulturreise an der Donau „Mittelalter“ »Rad-Kulturreise an der Donau „Mittelalter“« 2 / 59 Rad-Kulturreise an der Donau „Mittelalter“ „Faszination Donau - mittelalterlich erleben“ Die Donau ist mit 2.888 km Länge der zweitgrößte Strom Europas. Auf der Reise von ihrem Ursprung im bayerischen Schwarzwald zu ihrer Mündung im Schwarzen Meer durchquert sie zehn Staaten. Kein Wunder also, dass dieser Fluss seit jeher Kulturen verbindet. Ob als Naturraum, Grenzfluss, Handelsweg, Reiseroute, Heerstraße, … Die einst überragende Bedeutung des Donaustromes ist heute etwas in Vergessenheit geraten, ihr Mythos übt jedoch ungebrochen eine starke Faszination aus. Die Donau - die Lebensader Europas! Auf dieser Rad-Kulturreise entlang der österreichischen Donau begeben wir uns auf die Spur der mittelalterlichen Faszination der Donau. Burgen, Kreuzritter, Machtkämpfe, … das ist der Stoff, aus dem spannende Mittelaltergeschichten sind. Der Donauraum bietet jedoch viel mehr: Die Lebensader des mittelalterlichen Europas lässt förmlich in diese Epoche eintauchen und erlaubt auch abseits der Klischees interessante Einblicke in die Welt des Mittelalters. Viel Spaß beim Entdecken! Ausgangsort: Passau Endort: Hainburg Gesamtlänge: ~ 360 km Dauer: 9 Tage Tipp: In Hinblick auf die Öffnungszeiten der Museen empfiehlt es sich, diese Reise an einem Samstag zu beginnen. Die Reiseplanung ist als Vorschlag zu verstehen, den Sie gerne nach Ihren persönlichen Vorlieben adaptieren können. Sehenswürdigkeiten, die als zusätzliche Insidertipps oder Varianten angeführt sind,
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of the Shear Bond Strength of 3D Printed Temporary Bridges Materials, on Different Types of Resin Cements and Surface Treatment
    J Clin Exp Dent. 2019;11(5):e367-72 Journal section: Operative Dentistry and Endodontics doi:10.4317/jced.55617 Publication Types: Research http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/jced.55617 Comparison of the shear bond strength of 3D printed temporary bridges materials, on different types of resin cements and surface treatment Holmer Lorenz 1, Ahmed Othman 2, Anne-Katrin Lührs 3, Constantin von See 4 1 Dr. med. dent student, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria 2 Dr., M.Sc., Digital Orthodontic Researcher, Digital technology in dentistry and CAD/CAM department, Danube Private Univer- sity, Krems an der Donau, Austria 3 DDS, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 3 Prof. Dr., Director of the Center for Digital Technologies in Dentistry and CAD/CAM, Danube Private University, Krems an der Donau, Austria Correspondence: Steiner Landstrasse 124 3500 Krems an der Donau- Austria Lorenz H, Lührs AK, von See C. Comparison of the shear bond strength of [email protected] 3D printed temporary bridges on different types of resin cements and surface treatment. J Clin Exp Dent. 2019;11(5):e367-72. http://www.medicinaoral.com/odo/volumenes/v11i4/jcedv11i4p367.pdf Received: 04/02/2019 Accepted: 18/02/2018 Article Number: 55617 http://www.medicinaoral.com/odo/indice.htm © Medicina Oral S. L. C.I.F. B 96689336 - eISSN: 1989-5488 eMail: [email protected] Indexed in: Pubmed Pubmed Central® (PMC) Scopus DOI® System Abstract Background: Thus, purpose of this study was to compare the shear bond strength of the resin cement and the resin modified glass ionomer cement on 3D printed temporary material for crowns and bridges in combination with di- fferent surface treatment modalities.
    [Show full text]
  • Toponymic Guidelines for Map and Other Editors, For
    TOPONYMIC GUIDELINES FOR MAP AND OTHER EDITORS, FOR INTERNATIONAL USE AUSTRIA Revised edition 2006 / 2007 Hubert Bergmann and Isolde Hausner Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Kartographische Ortsnamenkunde (AKO), Vienna TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Languages 3 1.1 General remarks 3 1.2 National language 3 1.2.1 General remarks 3 1.2.2 The German alphabet 3 1.2.3 Spelling rules for German geographical names 3 1.2.4 Pronunciation of German geographical names 5 1.2.5 Linguistic substrata recognizable in German place names of Austria 7 1.2.6 German dialects 7 1.3 Minority languages 8 1.3.1 Slovenian 8 1.3.1.1 General remarks 8 1.3.1.2 The Slovenian alphabet 8 1.3.1.3 Pronunciation 9 1.3.1.4 Geographical names 9 1.3.2 Burgenland Croatian 9 1.3.2.1 General remarks 9 1.3.2.2 The Burgenland Croatian alphabet 9 1.3.2.3 Pronunciation 10 1.3.2.4 Geographical names 10 1.3.3 Hungarian 11 1.3.3.1 General remarks 11 1.3.3.2 The Hungarian alphabet 11 1.3.3.3 Pronunciation 11 1.3.3.4 Geographical names 11 2 Names authorities and names standardization 11 3 Source material 13 4 Glossary of words frequently occurring in geographical names as generic and/or specific elements and of descriptive terms, useful for the understanding of maps 14 4.1 German 14 4.2 Slovenian 17 4.3 Burgenland Croatian 18 4.4 Hungarian 18 5 Abbreviations used in the official Map of Austria 1:50 000 19 Annex: A.
    [Show full text]
  • Young People in Bratislava and Prague: National and Supra-National Identities1
    Young People in Bratislava and Prague: National and Supra-National Identities1 Ladislav Macháček2 Institute for Sociology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava Centre for European and Regional Youth Studies Faculty of Arts UCM in Trnava Young People in Bratislava and Prague: National and Supra-National Identities The split of Czechoslovakia is a challenge for politicians and sociologists even after a decade. An answer is sought to the question of whether the actions of the political elite were justified in the light of the commencement of European integration and the complicated split of the big federations (Yugoslavia and Soviet Union) with the consequences for peace and European stability. An answer is sought to the question of whether the Slovak or Czech public would support or refuse their decision if they had been given a referendum on the matter. In 2003, Slovakia, along with the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia and Malta, successfully concluded pre- accession negotiations for EU membership (guarantee of implementing the standards of democratic governance), which officially begins on May 1st 2004. Being more enthusiastic for the newly independent Slovak Republic does not necessarily translate itself into lesser enthusiasm about Europe and European Union. However, young people from the Bratislava consider being future EU citizens as more important than young people from the Prague The young citizens of Bratislava have much greater expectations in Slovakia’s EU membership at the level of “being” in Europe than “having” something from Europe. Slovakia will gain by EU membership a certificate of democratic country and “the Slovak chair at the European table” Sociológia 2004 Vol 36 (No.
    [Show full text]
  • City Profile
    City Profile Budapest City Profile Budapest Introduction Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and is located in the middle of the Carpathian Basin in the north–central region of Hungary. The river Danube divides the city, which covers an area of 525 km2 with a population of 1.7 million. As the largest city in Hungary, it is the country's political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. The city’s population peaked in 1989 with 2.1 million. During the last two decades, this number has constantly decreased due to the urban sprawl effect. The greater commuter belt is home to around three million inhabitants (80 townships). According to the Municipal Act, Budapest has had a two-level municipal governing system since 1990, meaning there are 23 districts plus the municipality of Budapest. BKK is the transport organising authority of Budapest, whose responsibilities cover transportation along with its environmental and energy consumption aspects. Budapest signed the Covenant of Mayors in 2008 and submitted its Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in 2011. Thus, Budapest has committed itself to cutting CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020 as compared to the data from 2005. Energy-Efficient Buildings and Districts Service buildings (non-municipal) In the decade leading up to 2020, the target is to achieve a reduction in the specific energy consumption of service buildings (e.g. office and commercial buildings) in line with those of municipal buildings, meaning a total decrease of 25%. In the next ten years, a 3-4 % increase of the combined areas of commercial, service and office buildings is expected – which currently have an estimated area of 1,500 hectares.
    [Show full text]
  • Focus on European Cities 12 Focus on European Cities
    Focus on European cities 12 Focus on European cities Part of the Europe 2020 strategy focuses on sustainable and There were 36 cities with a population of between half a socially inclusive growth within the cities and urban areas million and 1 million inhabitants, including the following of the European Union (EU). These are often major centres capital cities: Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Riga (Latvia), for economic activity and employment, as well as transport Vilnius (Lithuania) and København (Denmark). A further network hubs. Apart from their importance for production, 85 cities were in the next tier, with populations ranging be- cities are also focal points for the consumption of energy and tween a quarter of a million and half a million, including other materials, and are responsible for a high share of total Bratislava, Tallinn and Ljubljana, the capital cities of Slova- greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, cities and urban re- kia, Estonia and Slovenia. Only two capital cities figured in gions often face a range of social difficulties, such as crime, the tier of 128 cities with 150 000 to 250 000 people, namely poverty, social exclusion and homelessness. The Urban Audit Lefkosia (Cyprus) and Valletta (Malta). The Urban Audit also assesses socioeconomic conditions across cities in the EU, provides results from a further 331 smaller cities in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey, providing valuable with fewer than 150 000 inhabitants, including the smallest information in relation to Europe’s cities and urban areas. capital
    [Show full text]
  • Arthur Phillips, Prague (Scribe, 2010, C2002) the First Thing to Say About Prague Is That It Begins in Budapest. in the Opening
    Arthur Phillips, Prague (Scribe, 2010, c2002) The first thing to say about Prague is that it begins in Budapest. In the opening pages of the novel, five young American expatriates sit at a table in the Café Gerbeaud, playing a truth-telling game called Sincerity. Their rehearsed lies reveal more about them than their truthful statements. One character despises his brother; another is shallow and greedy; a third has fallen in love with one of the other players in the game. Arthur Phillips’ debut novel, published in 2002, is warm, witty and engaging. It is not the work of genius that some reviewers claimed it to be – it certainly did not bring ‘such giants as Proust and Joyce’ to my mind – but it is an insightful and entertaining novel. The reader follows the fortunes of the five players of Sincerity as they negotiate the social landscape of Budapest in the early 1990s, ‘immediately following the … hissing, flapping deflation of Communism’ (4). Charles Gabor, Mark Payton, Emily Oliver and Scott and John Price all work, study, fall in love and spend endless hours partying in the clubs and bars of Budapest. Their experience of the expatriate community is the theme and setting of the novel. It is the Americans whom we come to know rather than ‘their history-battered Hungarian acquaintances’ (8), because only one of the five protagonists speaks Hungarian. The others are ‘essentially illiterate’ (51) in the language of the country that they are living in, making no attempt to master anything beyond a few phrases. This ignorance is perfectly exemplified in the scene where Scott, an enthusiastic jogger, runs along the narrow, crowded footpaths of the city, innocently receiving the curses and complaints that accompany his progress with his sole Hungarian phrase, ‘kezet csokolom’ (‘I kiss your hand.’) The young Americans rely on the English vocabulary of their Budapest acquaintances, and Phillips overcomes the problem of their shallow knowledge of Hungarian society in the second section of Prague.
    [Show full text]