Loch Ness, The Highlands of Scotland

Look carefully. Do you see the monster of Loch Ness? How about a very pretty lake? That is what I have seen a number of times. Monster or not, A lovely place. 

This photo taken from a small research cruiser. 

 

Monet's Garden

Along the Seine at Giveny is Monet's Garden.

You will feel like you have already been there if you have seen much of his impressionism. We took our granddaughter from Paris to Normandy with a stop at Monet's home. She was 12 but had done her homework. She taught us a good deal.

Monet's work is in at many places and in the Musee de Orangerie in the round.

Rodin and Picasso have their own Museums. You should see as many a you can.

My favorite is the Musee d'Orsay.

Inchcolm Abbey, Firth of Forth, Scotland

            If you have the time in Edinburgh it is worth a boat trip out in the middle of the Firth of Forth. Not only do you get to glide under both the new and the old bridges, you visit Inchcolm Abbey tucked in a small island at the center. The boat trip will take you through many seals resting on buoys. The Abbey is the best preserved group of medieval ruins in Scotland. You can see how distant it is from the bustle of the city. On your way to or back you my see a dolphin (we didn't).  

Local Food - an opinion

The pork knuckle in Munich

While traveling it is fun to try the local food. Like Belgium Pancakes are not hard to appreciate. There are a few foods that I have tried on which I can pass next time. Snails in France are not as bad as they sound. They are a must have in order to tell folks at home that you ate some. (Mostly garlic and tomato taste.) But you can skip the Donkey Meat Rago in  Verona. I likely do not have to explain why.

You will want to get gelato in Italy. When you are in Germany you should try schnitzel. You can get it in veal or chicken mostly. But, you can stay away from the pig's knuckles. The pork is fine -- if you can find it -- it is very hard to eat.

In Norway have the halibut but I'd would skip the fish soup.

The best meal we have had is boiled beef in Austria - no kidding.

Granddaughter pretends to dislike snails - maybe not.

 

Got to focus on this one.

While in the Dolomite mountains in Italy we saw many people

jump off the mountain and parasail into a valley.

It looked like fun. Sort of like... well, give me the earth.

 

The Golden Baptistry Doors in Florence, Italy (The Gates of Paradice)

The Baptistry is a wonderful round building across from the main church.

It is the first stop (baptism) on the way to being a Christian.

You can actually go into the dome and see the art close-up.

There is a small door which once was the way up for women as they were not supposed to be on the floor with the fount.

Outside you approached through the Golden Doors

SECRETS: 1. you can get up close in the dome like I said.

2. The Golden Doors on the outside of the building are not the real Golden Doors.

3. The real Golden Doors are located in a small museum behind the Duomo. 

4. Go to the museum rather than fight the crowd at the reproductions.

(Museo dell Opera del Duomo)

To the left rear of the church.

 

Ceiling of the Baptistry 

As seen from the level of the women.

 

Trim Castle and Mel Gibson

Trim Castle is a Norman castle in the town of Trim Northwest of Dublin.

It was the backdrop for "Braveheart".

The film is about Robert the Bruce and is very violent.

But that is not the story.

We were on a road trip around the Irish Republic lasting around two weeks. It was an adventure as we did not have reservations anywhere. We rarely do that. We had planned on staying in Galway but it was too crowded so we stayed just outside. As it turn out this gave us an extra day and looking a the map, we chose Trim as our last night on the road. It is a pretty town and we stayed at Trim Hotel across from the castle. Hint: be careful what you say about "Braveheart" and Mel Gibson. Many folks tell of the big disruption of the film company and more the arrogance of the star. We heard a load of anger. We kept a low profile.