The Danube- learn some interesting facts

Where is the source of the river Danube?

The Danube begins as a small mountain stream deep in the Black Forest near Donaueschingen, Germany. That small stream soon becomes the second largest river in Europe (the Volga is the largest one).

The Upper Danube is home for how many capital cities?

four: Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary), and Belgrade (Serbia)—more than any other river in the world. 

Through how many countries does the Danube flow?

Ten: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine 

The length of the Danube:

1,777 miles

Where does it end?

In the Black Sea.

Did You Know?

• The Danube Delta was first declared a nature reserve in 1938 by the Council of Ministers and recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1992. The area is home to 12 habit types, 300 bird species and 45 freshwater fish species.
• The Danube is mentioned in the title of a famous waltz by Austrian composer Johann Strauss, "An der schönen blauen Donau" (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), composed as Strauss was traveling down the Danube River. This piece is well known across the world and is also used widely as a lullaby. Listen to Herbert von Karajan conducting "An der schönen blauen Donau" with the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTqlLKBKFhg
• Another famous waltz about the Danube is "The Waves of the Danube" by the Romanian composer Ion Ivanovici (1845–1902), and the work took the audience by storm when performed at the 1889 Paris Exposition.
• The German tradition of landscape painting, the Danube school, was developed in the Danube valley in the 16th century.
• The Parliament House in Bucharest is the world's largest parliament building at a whopping 3.55 million square feet.
• The Blue Danube was the name of the first nuclear weapon of the British army.

Thank you for a great meeting, more info on the cruise to come soon

Dearest faculty, students, family and friends of St. Bonaventure College, it was with great joy that we got to see you all again during our recent visit to beautiful St. John's and we cannot thank you enough for your hospitality and warm welcome. Please pardon that this thank you note comes with a delay and so are new entries on the 2013 Performance Cruise as little Thea got sick before we left and has pretty much taken down all of us at home and in the office with her. We wish you a great summer break and will be adding a lot of information in the weeks to come. Please do check back latest on July 1 when Sandra will be on the actual ship that you are going to be on in April for a week for some day to day coverage (as long as the internet access will allow it). Dankeschoen und auf Wiedersehen!

A European tradition: Easter markets

When traveling around countries such as Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary around Easter time, you will be sure to run into one of many wonderful Easter traditions: the Easter markets. Similar to the famous Christmas markets, the Easter markets offer a wide variety of local foods, crafts and products from the region.


Typically, there are many Easter-themed items to buy, but also local products, food items and gifts that make great souvenirs to bring back home. 
Weimar celebrates the beginning of spring by hosting its Ostermarkt on the market square around Easter every year. It is a perfect possibility to shop for Easter presentss or souvenirs such as jewelry or decorative arts. All manner of handicrafts and design items are offered in the town center, inviting everyone to get in the mood for Easter.