Autumn along the Danube River

The Danube Valley from Germany to Hungary is beautiful in the Fall of the year.

The air is crisp and the colors wonderful.

Better yet, it is not filled with tourists.

 

Central Gathering Place In Brussels Belgium

     When traveling in Europe I had rarely thought about Brussels as a destination. My grandson wanted to stop by there in our flight to South Africa. A stop over cut the 25 hour flight in half. We flew to CDG and took the brief train ride to Brussels. I was happy that he had done his homework as it was a great visit.  An interesting center of European government, it has much to offer. It has been at the center of two world wars and its history is fascinating. The photo above is the central square in the city. It is a favorite gathering place for many events. 

Notes On African Safaris

     These guys wanted to know who I was. When they found out away they went.

     There are two kinds of safaris that you can take in Africa. One is in a reserve which is a large fenced area with animals kept inside. They are, for the most part, wild. They do, however see vehicles regularly with happy tourists taking photos. You are guaranteed a sighting of the big five although some days the leopards are elusive. You usually stay in a comfortable resort going out mornings and evenings to see the animals.

     The second kind of safari is in tents. It sounds like camping, but it usually isn't roughing it. Some of the camp sites are even fenced in areas in the middle of a national park. The safaris themselves are almost all coordinated by radio so when someone sees an animal they can tell others where they are. This is hit and miss on the big five, but more authentic.

     Either way, this is a great experience. No killing, just photography.
 

Bike Rack In Amsterdam

 

This bike rack seems to go as far as one can see,

The lines are all over the city.

A car is somewhat of a liability.

Helicopter View Of Victoria Falls

This is a photo taken by my wife as she and my grandson took a helicopter tour of Victoria Fall and the canyon that separates Zambia and Zimbabwe Africa. This is on a portion of the falls. I walked the rim on both the Zambia side and the Zimbabwe side with them for a different view. Our guide along the paths passed out rain gear for us to wear and it was needed. Not for the rain but for the spray. It was on the Zimbabwe side that I encountered a baboon who wanted a companion's cookies. He won the dispute although I out-weighed him,  
 

Girl And European Display Figure

 

The rain in Paris

    It has been unseasonably hot in Paris and all over Europe. Yesterday there was a little help with rain, but it was still warm. Here the can driver was rounding the Arc to get a better view. Note the absence of lane markings.
 

Cheetah Research Center: South Africa

 The Cheetah were very interested in our safari vehicle. I suppose because they thought we brought food. We didn't. That is a bad idea. Cheetah are one animal not to mess with.

The Jewish Cemetery In Prague CZ

I like to visit cemeteries. They are part of my professional life, but I also see them as reminders of

loved ones who will always be in and through us. The famous Jewish Cemetery in 

Prague is very old and crowded. 

I was taken by the fact that people do not bring flowers for the graves.

The tradition is to bring rocks and place them.

Rocks are permanent while flowers fade. 

 

Paris: The Louvre and beyond

Foreground is another lovely treed area to provide shady walks. Center is the courtyard of the Louvre already busy.  Upper center is Notre Dame under construction after the fire. Paris is old, unchanging and new and ever changing. The temperature on this summer's day was almost 100 degrees. Even the climate in changing.
 

Bicycling on the "rampart" at Lucca, Italy

Granddaughter and daughter riding rental bikes on the city wall of Lucca, Italy.  This is another example of why I suggest to focus on one or two things during a visit so you have a memory and not a blur. 
 

Dome in Napoleon's Tomb

Napoleon's Tomb is an interesting visit. The tomb is part of an old military hospital which is now partly a museum, I have long wanted to visit, but on most trips it is not a priority due to so many places to see  in Paris. You can see everything from sellers of birds to great cathedrals and there are plenty of cafes in which sit and watch people. 

We coupled a visit to the tomb and also a visit to Rodin Museum which is just a short walk away. Both are memorable. 
 

The Florence Italy Pig

     This is a photo sent to me yesterday by my wife who is touring Tuscany with my daughter and granddaughter. They were in Florence at the market. I was there, with my wife, a few years ago and stopped by to pet the pig (actually a boar, I think). When I was there no one was around. It was late at night and we were on a walk to the river and stopped by the closed market. We enjoy evening walks. It is the best time to avoid other tourists like us. (Photo by Marietta McLellan)
 

Narrow Street in Barcelona Spain

     Many of the streets in old town Barcelona are narrow. They were built when people walked. Today you cannot get a car down them, so you can see the preferred form of transport is the motorcycle. These and bikes and scooters are very popular all over the cities in Europe. In the United States we often find them obnoxious, but tolerable. In Europe they are still -as far as I am concerned - obnoxious but necessary.  

 

This is how much the Tower of Pisa leans.

     My daughter and granddaughter climbed to the top yesterday. You can see how much it leans from a distance, but it is more evident when looking at it next to a nearby building. Lots of steps to climb and lots to come down. You cannot see the tower from the tower, however. You can see Pisa!

Photo by Marietta McLellan, July 2022.
 

Mike's Helpful Tips To European Travel

1. After you decide where you are going, read and Google everything you can. Make lists of places you want to see and things you want to do. Prioritize the list because you need wiggle room in your itinerary. If the train is cancelled in Italy or the cabs go on strike in Paris you will be fine.

2. Meet the locals. Ask a desk clerk where they eat. Talk to a cop on the corner about which is the best way to get somewhere. Be friendly and you will be surprised. Even if on a tour, greet the natives.

3. Stay in one place a while. Personally, I like to stay at least four or five days in one place and really get to know more about it. Seeing twelve countries in twelve days means you have not seen anything.

4. Take a class. Cooking? Art? History? There are classes everywhere and the instructors speak English if you cannot speak the local language. Another idea is to take a half day class in French while in Paris and the French will accept you better. They also will take pity on you.

5. Don't nickel and dime it. So, you don't have unlimited funds, just make room for nice dinners or a treat. You are not going back to Austria soon so get a good Stitzel. Also, making use of your time is more important than not taking a cab across town - they are not expensive anyway.

6. If you can, rent a car outside a big city and drive the countryside. I know that driving on the left is a challenge for the first day, but after that you will be fine. I have driven in twelve European countries and am here to tell about it. The cities are lovely, but driving the backroads through the Alps or the Highlands of Scotland is an experience to remember. The stops along the way make it interesting.

7. Before you go, make sure your phone works and your credit card will honor charges where you are going. If you are driving, get an International Driving Permit (AAA). 

8. Unless you are going on two weeks of safaris in the middle of Africa (I've done this) you don't have to pack everything you need. They have modern stores in Belgium. You can buy toothpaste in Seville. Pack light. The people you meet will not know that you have washed out your underwear four times. Just pack your meds. However, I have had chance to visit physicians and medical staff in Europe and they are experienced and not costly. 

9. Think before you buy souvenirs. Shopping in a Munich Christmas market is fun, but lugging a glass paperweight from Murano is a big worry. You don't need to shop anyway. I bring back paper beer coasters from pubs, bars and cafes, They don't break.

10. Even if you look silly in a hat, take one. You will be outside a good deal. You will not need it at the concert in Vienna, but you will need it on the top story of a double-decked London bus.

10 +1. Want more? Read my former posts there are only some 3,000 of them. But, also ask your friends for advice and don't just believe me because I own a laptop.

No wasted time: In Luxembourg Gardens

 

Some folks run from site to site, sight to sight, sigh... They are disappointed by

interruptions in their running. The interruptions can  be blessings.

Here we were on a sunny Sunday walking through the Luxembourg Gardens

in Paris. Beautiful fountain, lake and flowers. Suddenly we were hit by a

warm summer drenching rain. What a wonderful experience. We gathered under the trees

with new friends from around the world until the sun came back out.

 

Stuffed bull In Granada Spain

        Granada is a beautiful city that is easy to get around. Not far from our hotel was the market area and that is where I met this guy. He is a stuffed bull, but not a very large one.  In a souvenir shop, he took up room, but not nearly as much as he would if full grown. While I am not big on bull fighting, I have to admit that it takes courage to face one of these guys for real.
 

A Close in Lismore Ireland

      This is the original photo. I did some Photoshop on it before enlarging it and having it framed for the wall.  It was my first such photo. We were walking along a street in Lismore, Ireland when I happened to look through an alcove and spotted this scene. It is not spectacular. More importantly it is average. A secluded area where average people live and store their cars. It was a natural frame.

     You may not think it grand. The reason I do is that I was there and delighted at the surprise.
 

Rocky Oregon USA Coastline

    While there are many nice sandy beaches along the Oregon Coast in the United States, many areas are rocky and beautiful in their own right. Most of us do not go swimming in the Pacific Ocean along this coast - at least not without a wetsuit. It is enough to just watch the surf or see a whale. Some interesting rock formations lie off the coast some 300 to 500 yards. Relaxing.
 

Florence for three

     The top photo is taken from the steps of the church in the bottom photo. This church hosts Gregorian cants every evening and they are well worth taking a cab up the hill. Only problem is getting back down unless you prearrange Uber or cab. The view of Florence is magical.

    Yesterday I just sent my wife, daughter and granddaughter on a trip to Tuscany including a visit to Florence and then a week in a rented flat in Paris before returning home. I have trouble walking right now and had to send my daughter in my place. Daughter has been there twice already, but a great bonding experience for all.
 

The Spanish Steps, Rome Italy

     Because these steps lead into a plaza hear the Spanish Embassy, they are called the Spanish Steps. When we were there, folks sat on over them and talked and watched one another. No more. Sitting on the Spanish Steps is now not allowed.
 

Marmolada, Italy

Ten years ago we sent nearly a week in the Italian Alps, the Dolomites of South Tyrol. It is one of my favorite places in Europe. We are saddened to hear of the deaths caused by the collapse of the glacier in Marmolada. The mountains are beautiful, but not without risk. The driving, for me, was the biggest challenge. It is a wonderland and a great place to hike. Sorry to hear that those going for the grandeur have lost their lives or were injured.
 

Hof Brau Haus, Munich

    Hof Brau House in Munich is very large. Over several rooms, it is famous for its beer and music. We were there for lunch and while there was beer and music the place was relatively quiet. We had pretzels and I had beer in honor of being there. Lunch was good. The best part was looking at the painted ceilings. It seemed rude to spend too much time photographing them, so I did not get great pictures. This is a fun place and best, I imagine, on Friday or Saturday evenings.

 

Gibraltar: The Rock and more

    When must people think of Gibraltar they likely bring to mind an insurance company. I suppose it was my first exposure as a kid to this lovely place. Gibraltar is more than a rock. It is an historical and interesting place that is a destination for many tourists. It was a stronghold for many years, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It was also a fortress by being carved out or having its caves enlarged during various wars. The city, itself, is a bit of Britain.  The shops, pubs and cafes remind one of a small town in England. The language is English although many folks speak other tongues, especially Spanish as it is surrounded by Spain.

    When in Spain, it is worth a stop or a stay. We recommend "The Rock" Hotel and hiring a private driver for a four hour tour of the place including a trip up the rock. 

 

The rich got richer

     We think that income disparity is relatively new, but it certainly is not.  In fact it might be less today than before. I will admit that we are the lucky ones. We made a good living and had good pension plans. We have been able to travel. But, the photo above is of the stairway ceiling in the Doge's Palace in Venice Italy. Surely the peasants were impressed, but I would guess they might have liked some shared wealth. While this ceiling is beautiful, it is also unnecessary.