Union Square San Francisco

            We live within the Great California Valley, but we are close to Yosemite and San Francisco. SF is known as "The City" around here and we go in several times a year. We volunteered in China Town, ran the Bay to Breakers, gone shopping, walked the Goldengate Bridge, visited many world-class museums and so much more there. Due to the high cost of housing, it is great to visit taking rapid transit and living in the valley.
 

Choosing an Airline

Air France at SFO

            We are frequent flyers on Air France and Alaska Airlines. We have flown many others. One outstanding airline that we only flew once was South African.

            The flight may not be the deciding factor for you, but a good flight helps make it a good trip. We have flown long haul from San Francisco on several  carriers and Air France stands out for us.  Some of the others were fine, one or two made a 12 hour flight seem  like a 12 day flight. Because of where you are going, sometimes you do not get a choice. We are fortunate in that we often choose carrier over price.  One surprise was flying Jet Blue across the U.S. It was both lower cost and an excellent flight. Ask your friends.  Look at reviews. Study their website. Choose your carrier.   For example, I did not expect much from Virgin to London and was pleasantly surprised. I also have been disappointed in Delta. Maybe one flight is not enough to judge, but it is for me.

 

Let's say that you wish to "Pop-in" for a wee bit of Scotch

You will have the choice of thousands of bottles in Edinburgh.

            You just don't walk to  the Scotch Museum. You must prepare:

1) Are you sure that is where you want to go? 2) Have you researched it on the Web? 3) Have you found your passport with more than six-months until it expires? 4) Having decided on a date buy plane tickets. 5) Call your credit card and tell them that you are going. 6) Call your cell-phone provider and asked about your phone. You my need a different sim card. 7 How are you getting to the airport and back? 7) Plan on how much cash to get at the airport ATM in Pounds. 8) If there is any chance at all, Get travel insurance (Your credit card may do this for expenses charged on it. 9) You do not need a VISA or shots to get into Scotland. 10) Print your itinerary and give it to neighbors and relatives. 11) You will not need a car, but if you want to go someplace else you need to rent it. 12) Carry Wet Ones to clean your seat hands and seat belt. See you when you get home

Lighthouse on the Oregon USA coast

You may not make them out, but there are people in the light

getting a view of the Pacific Ocean.

 

CABS

        We often take cabs in Europe. It is an easy way for us. For example it costs 15 Euros per person to take a cab from CDG into Paris and the driver handles the luggage. The photo above is a gussied up Black Cab in London. We would probably not take it as it it not traditional.

        Let's look at two of the many cab rides I have had. In Rome we were late for a meeting at the Vatican. The trip alone would give you religion. It was like an uncontrolled Disneyland ride. Obviously we made it.  In Vienna I had hurt my back and my leg hurt too bad to walk so I left the group and took a cab. The driver was to take me back to the wharf but there are many one way streets. I knew he was lost as I saw most of Vienna. He slowed and alas there was the wharf. I should have more faith. In Paris we were on northside and needed to get toward the river. I asked the cabby if he could go over Montmartre to get a view of the city. He did not charge us for it and enjoyed the view and much as we did.

    I am sure some folks like Uber of Lyft. We will take cabs.

Vienna: Art and Music

        When you live in the Artic you may not feel the cold as much. When you are in Mississippi you may think everyone talks that way.

        In Vienna a visitor is struck by the art and music which the locals likely hardly notice any more. Certainly they must take pride in it.  This photo is of a street corner outside a public building. It is just an example of the art everywhere. We went to a concert and on the same night there were others to choose from. Art and music seem to be everywhere.

        Vienna is a beautiful city with warm people.

 

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

The Pope came and declared the cathedral finished.

When we were there, it was awe inspiring.

But it will likely never be "done".

My photo here is looking through the nave to the chancel.

The gold round in the lower middle is Christ on the Cross over the altar.