Brussels - Notes from a pligrim

This is a fountain and water feature in the middle of the street in Brussels.

It was very close to our hotel and a good place to stop in a day of sightseeing.

Brussels is the home of the European Union and a busy city.

Often people don't think of it as a destination - I suggest you include it in a trip to France.

It is very close by train and it has waffles.

 

Monasteries In Europe

    This photo is of the old gate to a monastery near the Seine in France. We were encouraged to visit and to hear the monks sing Georgian chants. We have visited a number of monasteries like this. One especially stands out and it one atop the hill overlooking Florence Italy.  We attended it with a local who claimed to be a Catholic and said it was his first time in a church in a long while. During a mass before the service we sat together, He explained what was said in Italian and I explained the religious symbols. We have also been to others.

  

 

Arriving and Leaving Venice

Looking at the mainland from Venice.

There are several ways to get to Venice (and back again). One way is a water taxi.

Water taxis are fast cruisers often like a Chris Craft.

Cruise ships have hurt the island.

The way we chose was the train. These fast trains come all the way in to the northern part of Venice.

Coming from Florence the trains are fast and comfortable.

Ours topped out at 127 miles per hour.

When leaving Venice we took a slower train to see the sights from the island to Verona.

 

Driving in other countries other than USA

Mercedes Benz Model B in the rain

    The Mercedes above is one of the cars we have rented in Europe. We rented it in Verona, Italy for an extensive road trip. We ordinarily rent threw Auto Europe and they have been very good.

    I have driven in 10 countries in Europe and add to that Canada and Mexico.

    You see more and can stop on a whim in a car. 

    Some people shy away from driving in places like the Irish  Republic, England, and Scotland as they drive on the left. It only takes a few miles to get the hang of it. It is also helpful if you have a copilot to remind you which side of the road when you come out from a car park.

    On the motorways or Autobahn it is easy to just get in a slower lane and go. People in Europe are good drivers and do not continually change lanes. 

 

Looking out of window in tunnel: Rock of Gibraltar

That is the airfield of Gibraltar. You have to drive over it to get into the country.

The Rock of Gibraltar in honeycombed with tunnels and areas for gun emplacements.

It is a good visit. They speak Spainlish.

 

Prague: a great city.

We are smitten with Prague. It is welcoming and pretty. It is also a place of history. The capital of the Czech Republic it spans the Viltava River. Both sides united by the Charles Bridge. It is an easily walkable city, but they also have a great transit system. There is the central plaza in old town with its sculpture and clock. There is the palace overlooking the river. While we stayed within blocks of the old town we took the transit (a modern trolly) to the National Museum and the Jewish Cemetery. Spending four or five days in Prague is well worth it.  It is also a good spot from which to go by bus or train to the Danube, Munich, France and Italy. Germany and Austria are close. We flew into Frankfort and took a short-hop to Prague.

View from the palace.

 

The Alhambra, Granada Spain

The Alhambra is a wonderful place to visit.

Each building has its own character but are united with the same motif.

Moorish influence is everywhere.

It is atop a hill and you are well served by the shuttle.

Reservations or booking a tour ahead of time are advised.

 

The light in Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Spain

Sagrada Familia decades in building.

The outside is famous, the inside is magical.

 

Monet's Garden: Two Views Giverny, France

Wide shot of Monet's Garden

Closeup of Monet's Garden

 

Rhinos

There are armed guards hidden in the hills around the group of rhinos.

They are not there to protect the folks on safari.

They are there to protect the rhinos.

 

Guides are always helpful

While we encourage getting a car and driver, that not possible on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh,

This photo is of one our guides who was with us for ten days as we toured Scotland.

He is a college professor on break.

 

The Vineyards of Tuscany

Coming from a wine producing area in California we are often on the lookout for vineyards.

We have some big ones, but just look at these rows of Italian grapes.

 

Banff, Alberta, Canada

In Banff Canada a beautiful hotel over looks the rushing river.

From that hotel one can see this tumbling water.
When I first saw it, I mistook it for snow. Lots of that too.

 

Roman Aqueduct in Segovia Spain

This small city is worth a visit. We were circling Spain in a rented car  and 

were surprised at what we found.

 

St. Patrick, Dublin and the Ha'penny Bridge

We spent a good long visit to Ireland. The is a photo of the Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin.

Temple Bar is to the left.

As we traveled we focused on pub food and local folks. 

We had a hoot of a time with a couple from Limerick who we met on the Dingle Peninsula.

We did a self tour with a rented car. Yes, they drive of the left. Easy.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. 

 

Sky over Northern California

We do not get the clouds like Mid-America very often.

When we get clouds and a full moon we run out and take a photo.

 

Verona, Italy: Crypt

In Verona, one of my favorite Italian cities, there are a series of crypts.

Wealthy folks are entombed there.

I liked the locks and wondered why they need two of them. 

One to keep people out and the other to keep the noble in?

 

Driving the Dolomites

Zipping along the hairpins in the Dolomites (Northern Italy) in a rented Mercedes 

I looked back and saw this approaching. 

My wife took a photo. I have no idea what this is all about.

 

Mel Gibson and the town of Trim.

    A number of years ago we rented a car and drove the circle around the Republic of Ireland. It was a great trip and our planning paid off. On the last leg returning to Dublin we stayed in Trim. It is a charming town north and west of the capitol. There is in the center Trim Castle. It is a little worn by age, but aren't we all.

    As Americans trying not to be pilgrims instead of tourists we always seek out the places where locals eat, drink and shop. We heard an earful.

    It seems that Mel Gibson could not find a site in Scotland for his movie "Braveheart" which is Scottish history and has nothing to do with Ireland. He chose to use Trim Castle for several scenes.

    The locals thought Gibson was insufferable and egotistical. They did not like him and concluded that they never should have taken him up on his offer. The majority of folks just were not pleased.

    I was sorry to hear it. Americans are supposed to be good visitors.

 

Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands

Balmoral is a country retreat for the Monarch's family in Britain.

We had it as a destination knowing that none of the royal family would be there.

When some are there it is closed to tourists.

We stayed in the village of Ballater, a lovely place. 

Early in the morning we travelled to the castle stopping on the way at the church where the royal family worships when there. A verger took us on a tour.

The castle has large stables and a room dedicated to the art of Prince Phillip among other things.

 

Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park, London

This is a photo of me giving an address at Speakers' Corner in London.

I gave my email address.

 

The Close in Scotland, Ireland and England

Edinburgh, Scotland

In the United States we might call it a passageway or an alley, 

but in several countries they are called a "close".

I suppose that it is because they are narrow.

Most of life in the ancient cities was done in the close leaving the wide streets for commerce.

You will note that on the end of the close is the "real" country.

Lismore, Ireland

Window Boxes in Durstein Austria

Durstein is a wonderful community with a castle and more importantly a wine tasting center.

It is warm, friendly and loaded with flowers.

 

Rail Station Near Dachau

This is where many of the Jews arrived for their internment at Dachau.

It is as "welcoming" s the camp.

 

The holes in the Rock of Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is honeycombed with tunnels, caves and gun placements. These tunnels and placements date back to the Revolutionary War when England felt that the rebels might attack from  that direction. Others were added during World War One and again in World War Two. There is also a large cave that is set up to host concerts. If in the south of Spain, drop in to this small country.  Remember that they use pounds not Euros.

 

Don't Kiss An Elephant

AT first blush it seems like fun. You get to kiss and elephant at a safari site in Botswana.

I suggest you pass. You put an apple in your mouth and a friendly elephant takes it out with his trunk.

In the photo above we see a woman react to the messy "kiss". I sat this one out.

 

Always Sunny In Paris

We have been to Paris several times. It is always a stop on the way to other locations in Europe.

We have not driven in Paris. We take cabs or hire a car and driver. These are not expensive.

Paris is just a wonderful city and we have not met a grumpy Parisian yet.

We respect their country and try to speak their language. 

No matter what the weather, it is always great to visit. 

 

Mary Magdalene by Donatello

A question on the Internet asked what piece of art made a huge impact on your life?

We have been to many of the great galleries and museums in Europe and been overwhelmed by much.

However, in a smaller museum behind duomo in Florence which has the original golden doors of the Baptistry there is  a wood carving of Mary Magdalene by Donatello from the 1400's.

I find Donatello's bronze "David" a true masterpiece, but I was not prepared for this.

It holds all of the pathos of a lost love.

See close ups on Goggle Images.

 

Brussels Belgium is a very nice destination

The European Union has chosen Brussels as their home office and good reason.

It is a lively city with plenty to see including the World's Fair grounds.

They speak French and most speak English.

One thing of note: if you go with a twelve-year-old-boy, you will hit lots of pancake houses.  

 

Scottish and English Guards

One  of the interesting things about culture is the use of uniforms.

The Swiss Guard at the Vatican are brightly decked out.

Above top is a Scottish Guard at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle.

The lower photo is of a Beefeater telling of the history of the Tower of London.

Other guards, such as at Buckingham, wear the large bear skin hat.

Don't be fooled. The real guards can be in plain clothes or military garb.