In ancient times the Danube bordered the Roman Empire, later the river was the lifeline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the Iron Curtain separated countries and ended the economic and cultural connection of the countries till 1989. The changeful history of the countries at the Danube cycle route between Vienna and Bratislava cannot only be seen in cities like Bratislava, Györ or Esztergom, but also right next to the route at the roman excavations at Petronell-Carnuntum. The cycling tourist can look forward to excellent cycling paths on the dykes that line the Danube which leads him through its floodplains. Not less scenic is the Danube's Bend near Visegrád where the river turns south and is headed to Hungarian capital city, Budapest.