The Olympics Is Are Cortina, Italy

If you have ever gone to an Olympics or even to a site where they have been, there is a certain awe about them. Some are in disrepair but it does not rob you of the vision of great athletes doing amazing things. We have been to many. Yet, one real standout for us was Cortina in the Dolomites of northern Italy which as been the site of two Winter Olympics. This photo shows flower festooned hotel with the wonderous mountains in the background. 

 

Street Lights

    I have dozens of photographs from all over Europe of street lights. Each country or even city has their take on what one should look like.  Some are actually gas light convert to electric. Others are more modern made to look like old ones. The one above is in front of a church in Paris.
 

Train Travel In Europe

We have taken a bullet rain from Rome to Florence and then again to Venice. Quiet and fast. We have taken the slow train from Venice to Verona. Seeing the sights. We have taken the train  from Paris to Brussels and back along with one from Paris and to Amsterdam. We caught a narrow rail across the width of England's Hadrian's wall. There was also the flyer from Carlyle to London. Munich to Dachau was serious, Spain from Barcelona for Madrid nearly flying. The trains are on time and welcoming. Don't judge European like those in the U.S.A.

(Here we are waiting for the train from Tuscany to Paris.)

Traveling to Southern Africa

    Southern Africa is a 25 hour flight by way of Paris. We didn't want that so we broke it up with four days in Belgium on the way and three days in Amsterdam on the way back.

    Our trip south include South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

   We went to experience it not to just look at it. Many misconceptions were dashed. Yes, any of the black Africans speak tribal languages, but in the south many speak English because they were British Colonies and it is taught in school. There are not a bunch of naked people running around or wearing beige. The men like colorful short-sleeved shirts and long pants. It is hot. Women tend to wear dresses with full skirts in the heat. But, don't think everyone dresses like this either.

    There are not animals everywhere. You have to look for them or, in our case with a pack of elephants, they find you.

    The joy is going without predetermined ideas and remember the countries have modern cities. Johannesburg has a great mall, but shopping is not why you go to Africa. (Photo is on a reserve in Botswana.)

The Sea of Tarifa, Spain

    You likely have seen a view from the Sea of Tarifa. From a ship there you can get a great photo of the Rock of Gibraltar. In the background is Spain. I took this photo from the balcony of the Rock Hotel. This is where The Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.

LA Alhambra, Granada SPain

Read before you go is a motto worth keeping.

I have mentioned Dan Brown's books on Paris and Prague.

One of my favorites is "The City of Falling Angels" about Venice

and the fire at the La Fenice Opera House.

There are plenty of guides about these places but they come clear in these novels.

The Alhambra in Granada Spain is like that.

Washington Irving wrote "Rip Ban Winkle" and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

but he also wrote "The Tales of the Alhambra" and there is a plaque 

in the room where he stayed.

 

Holyrood House

The Royal Family owns some prime real estate in Great Briton.  Most famous are Buckingham, Balmoral, and Windsor. The official residence in Edinburgh sits below Arthur's Seat at the end of the Royal Mile. Like all places owned by the crown you have to pay admission. Public places like the British Museum are free. We encourage you to tour Holyrood to see the historical objects and to talk with the docents. Of note, as well, it is right across the street from the new parliament building. Which is a statement unto itself.