Dave - We headed next to Vienna for Ab's Birthday present which included a couple of nights of luxury in a posh hotel. After a brief stopover at a campsite on the outskirts to finalise arrangements we headed to the Rennaissance Hotel just outside central Vienna. I have to say the King size bed was very welcome after spending the previous two months sleeping together in a space about 2-3ft wide!

Again yet another stunningly beautiful city though very different to Prague; probably on a grander scale, though a little less colourful. Spent the first afternoon wandering around the grounds of the Schoenbron Palace which is set in acres of sculptured park land, then returned to hotel to relax in the pool, sauna and steam room. We were slightly suprised to find swimming costumes were not allowed in the sauna and steam room for 'hygiene' reasons, and even more so to walk in and find everyone butt naked and having disregarded the towells issued at reception - both sexes! Naturally I had no choice but to adopt the local custom!

In Vienna we visited a couple of art gallerys (Abi finally got to see some of the work of one of her favourite artists, Gustav Klimpt), we took a cruise on the river, but again spent most of the time exploring and taking in the city and stunning architecture; the huge Hoffberg Palace has to rival anything we have seen so far.

It was also fantastic to meet up with yet more old friends (Ingo and Sandra) from my time in India who are now living in Vienna. Had a great evening catching up over a few drinks, pizza and a fantastic Austrian dessert made by Ingo out of a kind of noodle! They were also kind enough to put us up in their flat for our final night before heading off to Slovenia with some recommendations and another raving report of the country.

Abi - I would like to add that i did not indulge in the naked Sauna; this is not because I am a British prude but because on the way in a man looked at me and said 'yeeessss, yeeeessss go in it is very nice you will like it!' with a very strange glint in his eye! He was about 16 stone and very hairy. It put me right off!

I'd also like to add that Sandra and Ingo totally spoilt us and they really should start a bed and breakfast!