Flying into JFK late evening

    Usually I do everything I can to fly non-stop. I have had less than wonderful experiences in Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta. But sometimes you have to stop over. In the case above, we were flying to Prague and stopping by my sister's home in Connecticut for a long visit. We often fly over their house (from San Francisco) and wanted to see them. JFK had a nice lounge for us on the way out. The car rental was easy using the tram. I must say that our usual off-site hotel was shabby, but we were only there 10 hours. The airport itself is better than I expected. The light show from the plane around 10 pm was excellent.

 

Fortifications Along The Danube

Traveling the Danube by five capitols there are fortifications which speak of a time when things were rough and tumble. That is not to say that recent history is not also filled with violence along the river. (And, inland too.)

It was a beautiful Fall day as I stood at the bow of a longboat and took these photos. I wonderful sight on a wonderful trip.

 

Planning a trip

    Planning a trip may seem like a great deal of work, but it is also fun. Let's say you want to go to Europe but don't want to take a tour.

1. Choose what country or area you have always wanted to visit.

2. Look at your bank account. I do think you will wish to budget a minimum, but     you are not doing this every day so be generous. 

3. Look at the map, Lonely Planet, Rick Stevens and the internet. Make a list of must see places.

4. How much time do you have? You are better off spending quality time than      limiting important time. The Louvre? At very least five hours or you can spend a lifetime.

5. How are you getting there? To Europe it is a plane. It is a 10 to12 hour flight        directedly from San Francisco and less from Dallas or New York. If this our first trip, I suggest looking at Premium Economy. and little more money but better experience. 

6. We fly Business Classfor the lounges but you can get them for an extra fee. You have to justify the expense.

7. When you get there how are you going to get around? Contactig tour companties in the area you wish to see or hiring a driver for a day is a great way to go. Then go back if you need to see those of most.

8. We recommend a Hop-on, Hop-off Bus the first day. You are tired and it gives      you a chance to see an overview where you can go back for a longer visit. Side benefit is sunlight if not raining.

9. We rent cars through Auto Europe who handles all rental agencies.

10. You may not wish to do this, but we carry a guidebook and look up B&B's         when we decide to stop our drive. You may wish to make reservations. If you do you have to be limited to them.

11. In a hotel or B&B asked the desk or owner: "Where would you go to dinner?" They usually have good ideas. Also ask them for places to see outside the     guidbook.

12. Keep a journal or at least a list of places where you took pictures.

13. As for pictures, we use a camera and a phone. If you are using a cellphone       contact your carrier a month in advance of leaving and get a SIM card in the     country where you are going. That can save you hundreds of dollars.  If you  have Wifi where you are staying you can Facetime for free. Remember the time     difference.

14. If you are going to collect something, make it light. I collect the round paper     coasters under beer provided everywhere. Collecting rocks is not helpful.

15. Before you go, after you have done some planning, get together to some     people who have taken the same trip and get their input!

 

Dan Brown: "Secret of Secrets" - Prague

"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"

"The de Vinci Code"

"The City of Falling Angels"

 Read before you go and again when you get back. "The de Vinci Code" was about Paris and the Louvre. "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" was about Savannah. There is a whole series of detective stories about Southern Africa. Well worth your time. The books come alive when you are there. The photo is just a street scene of Prague, but it all makes more sense after reading Dan Brown's book. When he talks about the Palace or a lonely street it will be in front of you.

 

A walk in the Black Forest that isn't black.

    Fall is a great time to visit Central and Eastern Europe. Most of the tourists are gone home and school has started. Those of us in California don't see Fall for long
but Hungary's and Germany's last a good while longer.

Golden Gate Park: Closer to Home

You will note that we enjoy traveling in Europe. That is true.

Yet, we live in one of the finest areas of the world. We live in Central California which is the world's most productive valley. From our home we can be at the beach in an hour and to the East is the Sierras, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite in about two hours by car. The photo above is taken in Golden Gate Park in the heart of San Francisco. We think the City is one of the great ones as it is urbane and sometimes silly.

Some years ago we ran in the Bay to Breakers which is a colorful and fun race where almost anything goes. You won't see this in Kansas.

 

Brussels and The Europe Union

 

When we took the train from Paris to Brussels we were surprized in the closeness of the two cities.  We are used to the vast distances in the United States.

Brussels is a pretty city with lots to do, but we were taken by its worldview. Brussels is the home of the European Union and it is obvious that they see and feel their close relationship to other countries.

This is the central square - indeed it was a rainy day.

On a walk in Barcelona a South American Bird

    Since my childhood disease I have not found walking fun. I hurt. But, that does not keep me from trying. Often I will need to stop while my wife walks on ahead. But there are many reasons to walk. We were in Barcelona returning from a visit to Park Guell. (Worthwhile visit. Get tickets online and be on time or else...)

    As I ambled around a bend (I always amble) I saw a parrot on a road closed gate. I like the windows. That was brought my eye there in the first place.  I find that parrots are only present in Spain when have escaped their cages. They are from South America. Enough have found freedom to have some small families in town.

 

Sidetracking

We were zooming along the road from Innsbruck to Liechtenstein when I proposed we take a quick trip into Germany so we could say we were there. We headed over the border not far to Mittenwald.  I need not have done that because since then we have spent a good portion of time in Germany. Coming back to Austria, I saw this village between the trees and stopped to take this photo. I just liked the scene.

Photos you must take

Here I am in the guardhouse of the Spain's National Palace in Madrid.

You just must do it.

Like people posing pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower.

Timing a photo at the One O'clock gun at Edinburgh Castle.

My favorite is getting into famous pulpits,

Think of more?

 

Village School Botswana, Africa

When we were in Africa we took school supplies and books to a village school.

The students speak English as well as their native language because the country was once part of the British Empire.

Look closely at this photo and see how many students share computers.

There are between two and four at each place.

The computers are old models brought in from European Schools. It was fun to get to know some of the students, but made me wonder how these kids learn like that.

 

Neuschwanstein Castle - 5,845 miles way

    It was Fall in Bavaria and we took off for Neuschwanstein from Munich because almost everyone does. This is a different view than you usually get, but this is what it looks like from the road up. You will wish to take the shuttle to the top. Even at that, the ride is a tad wild. You can walk down like we did, but be warned that it is steep. The castle is fun, but the view of the valley is wonderful. In the Castle you will find treasures but the are lots of stairs just like all castles.

Warm day/Carousel rides

This man was out hustling  ice cream in a plaza in Granada Spain.

Behind him is a Carousel.

Two things struck me about this.

I am reminded about how much I enjoyed the common life in Granada. It has the Alhambra, but the city is walkable and friendly.

The second thing is the fact that there are still Carousels around Europe. While a few countries in the world have "Eyes" like London, the old school carousel is still going strong: Florence, Paris, and large and small towns.

Granddaughter aboard in a small town in Tuscany.

 

Tourist vs. Travelers

This is the front of a horse cart in Seville.

This is one of most beautiful plazas I have ever seen.

The time you spend on a carriage ride you can spend on a stroll in a park.

We were covering some area in in a park and descovered

The Plaza de Espana with it water features and beautiful tile.

Tourists see the former, Travelers see the latter.

 

Rubbing statues

Any number of cities have myths around rubbing statues. In Verona it is Juliet's breast. In Florence it is the nose of the pig (boar).  On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh it is the foot of a leader. And this one in Munich.

 

And back again

There are cetain familiar places that end up in many photos.

As I fly over Mount Hood Oregon U.S.A, some six times a year,

it is both a mountain and a symbol of an adventure.

    

 

Making a brief trip last four weeks and a life time.

View of Prague from the castle

      Say you have always wanted to visit Prague. Work spoils the desire because you only get one week vacation.

    First buy yourself a good guidebook. We like "Lonely Planet".

    Second, don't just look at the pretty pictures. Read it.

    Third, go to other sources like watching a Rick Steves series or check out                 National  Geographic.

    Four, read Dan Brown's "Secret of Secrets", it is about Prague. 

    Five, check your flights and night's stay. The Internet is a wonderful resourse.

    Remember your passport. No Visa needed for CZ.

    SECOND WEEK; put down general plans and revise and know that it all will         not  be perfect. Revise again

                         FLY TO PRAGURE --- -one day early to beat jet lag.

    Enjoy all the things you want and dream about. Take photos (better if you             keep a journal of photos.) I don't, it takes time to write them down and if you         have an iPhone it remembers for you.  Go to locally suggected places to eat.

     My system is to ask the person at the desk: "If you were going out to a nice            dinner where would it be?  

     Don't spend time in stores to buy trinkets. Do that when you wait for your             plane home and also get rid of local money.

                          FLY HOME

    ONE WEEK to unpack and decompress.

    Every day from then on you will have memories and photos and warm feellings.

                     

 

The Lost Five Days

    The last five days have been lost "down the rabbit hole" due to being in the hospital. Those days did not bother readers like they bothered me.

    It reminds me of my trips. When I was in Africa my cell did not work many places and I felt lost by it. Years ago, before laptops I wrote a newspaper column for ten years. We went off to Ireland. Several times I had to find a Computer-Cafe to send in something. [You have to be up in years ro remember a Compiter-Cafe,] When in London I borrowed the laptop of the manager's son  and received an education. I know people do not miss these posts. That is not the point. I miss these posts and remembering my travels.

(Rabbit: Southwest Community Center, Portland Oregon USA)

 

The Jewish Memorial at Dachau

 

Looking for a Drugstore -- Europe is not a group of Third World Countries

This is a display of non-medical drinks in Madrid

Slovakia has nice mails with automatic filling of prescriptions. I got Tylenol and Sudafed (by different names). I needed foot powder in Florence. Not a problem, which formulation? Another brand of Tylenol in Verona. Blister-packed. At the Boots (Walgreens in London) needed some cough med. Druggist had to take my blood pressure because it had dextromethorphan. Sinus infection sent me to "Urgent Care" in Munich Germany. Doctor spoke English. RX antibiotics and total charge $5 USD. I am not sick a lot I just like drugstores. Too long in medicine. Been to Paris several times; red wine kills germs.

 

   

DUBLIN IS MORE THAN TEMPLE BAR

Temple Bar is the name of  a pub - good music and not-so cheap beer.

It is so popular that the whole area is called Temple Bar.

Located between the vehicle bridge and the walking bridge

it is full of night life and buskers seeking to earn your money.

Beer or no beer it is a fun visit.

Try 4 pm.

 

Is Florence Italy Worth The Hype?

    If I were to ask my grandchildren where they would like to go they likely would say Disneyland and not Florence. When they turned twelve they visited Scotland, Normandy, Brussels, Amsterdam, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tuscany, (and three trips included Paris). I fear that Florence is more for adults or at least my wife and me. You have to hunger for art and history. The galleries are amazing. You see art that you have only seen in books.

    Now, to the question. Is it worth the hype? Absolutely yes. And, you need to stay more than one day.

 

Prague, Vienna, or Budspest: Which one for a week?

St. Vitus, Prague Castle

    If you ask which is the better city to visit for a week: London or Paris? I would say that having done both I cannot choose. Of the three lovely cities of Central Europe I have some opinions;

    Prague is easy to get around by foot or trolley. If you have read Dan Brown's book "Secret of Secrets" you will like finding the places mentioned. Prague is an easy choice for a week. (If you read: "City of Falling Angels" you must go to Venice.)

    Vienna is a sparkling city with much to see, but more to hear. You can find music everywhere and while it not always rock, it  is wonderful. They make it easy to attend and my favorites include concerts that serve wine at intermission.

    Budapest is half on a hill overlooking the Danube. It is amazing at night with its lights. There are also many places to see and if you go to the bathes you will see more of the Hungarian people.

    Everyplace has its own unique character. 

 

Traveling Within The Cities of Europe

The cities of Europe can be seen in many ways. Above you see walking and bike riding.

 One of our favorites to introduce ourselves is the HopOHopOff bus.

We take them to get an overview and to deliver us from site to site.

In Rome, Dublin, Vienna, Paris and London we have used cabs.

In Bussels, Paris, and Gibraltar we hired a car and driver.

Generally the Metro/Underground/Tram is easy.

The trolly in Prague is great.

Do your homework.

 

Zebras: Southern Africa

    We were in Southern Africa during the annual migration of zebras. Slowly thousands gathered on the savanna in South Africa and Botswana. It was an amazing sight. I learned several things I did not know. For example, a zebra can mate with a horse and made a whole new group. Also the native peoples there pronounce it "Zeb" (like eb) "rah".
 

You saw pictures of this on TV

This is a photo of the seating inside the coliseum in Verona where

the closing of the 2026 Winter Olympics was held.

This is the permenant stage.

Here are two American visitors.

 

Giant Panda: Edinburgh Zoo

A pair of Pandas on loan to the Edinburgh Zoo.

They thought tourists were interesting.

 

Street Sign? in Botswana

So, we were in a safari vehicle in the middle of a visit to a reserve in Botswana. The gravel road was giving out and the dirt begun.The savanna loomed ahead. Then, there was this directional sign. Kasane is the location of the airport. This is near where four counties merge: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Vienna

Some people feel that Vienna is over-rated.

I think it is a beautiful, historic city with wonderful music.

 

Balmoral Castle, Ballater, England

On a road trip through England and Scotland we were coming from Inverness on our way to St. Andrews. Our goal was to stay in the town of Ballater and early in the morning go and visit Balmoral. The King (in our case the Queen) owns the castle so you need to pay a fee.

It is impressive with its stables and gardens and one easily sees why it would be a retreat for the royal Family.

Ballater, itself, is a nice place and before going to the Castle  a great stop  (for me) is the village church where the family worships when in residence.

The Cats of The Alhambra

On a high hill over looking Granada Spain stands The Alhambra.

When I was younger I read "The Tales From The Alhambra"

by Wasington Irving. 

When we visited there we discover that there are also

tails of the Alhambra.

 

Barcelona from above

Park Guell is high above Barcelona.

Magical buildings like from a fairytale.

All of it looking out on the city.

(Take a cab up and walk back down)

 

Bed and Breakfast Homes in Sedona AZ

 

Sedona is known for the red rocks. It often looks hot and dry (because it is often hot and dry). But there are many area of running water. The photo was taken of a stream behind our bed and breakfast. When in Sedona I recommend a stop at the 

glass shop in the middle of town. As a glass artist I was very impressed.

The bridge at Ronda

Indeed, it does not look strong enough to support automobiles.

However, I drove over it twice to test it.

The bridge at Ronda holds the two sides of the city together

and is major landmark in Spain.

It is a little of of the way going from Granada to Seville, but worth it.

 

Good-by to the Winter Olympics 2026

All around this blog you will see photos of locations for the Winter Olympics. The photo below is of the location of the closing ceremony on Verona, The picture above is of the Dolomites that hosted so may events. I took this from atop a mountain pass near Cortina.

 

Reserves in Africa

If you are looking for a safari in Africa and put it off for some reason. And that reason is safety.The reason is not likely valid. When having a good guide and keeping to reserves, you see the best with confidence. This photo is of a road leading up to a lodge in Botswana.

The animals pictured are bronze sculpted by locals.

 

Amsterdam on two wheels

We took a tour of the canals in a small boat run by Them Dam Boat Guys.

It was much better than riding a tourist boat with canned comments.

We also went where larger boats could not go.

This photo is of a bridge over a canal and shows that almost

everyone in Amsterdam has at least one bike.

The total is estimated at 800,000 bikes; more than one for everyone.

 

Verona Italy: Colosseum

There are many posts on Facebook right now on Verona.

I have long said that with its walkability and interesting places, it should not be missed. This photo is one of the Colosseum. Which is still in use today for plays and opera. This theatre is in the middle of own.

 

Inchcolm Abbey in the Firth of Forth, Scotland

Ever surprised by places I knew nothing about. We took a powerboat trip in the Firth of Forth in Scotland near Edinburgh. Leaving from under the old railroad bridge we went passed the sailboats and the many harbor seals. In the middle of the firth is the ancient abbey. The boat can dock and you can take a walk around the tiny island. Beautiful.

 

Cortina, Italy - - Site of the Winter Olympics

In the summerr of 2012 we spent a long time in the Dolomites.

It was on my bucket list and was everything I had hope for.

Several years before Cortinia had been the Winter Olympics

and there were still signs that it had been there.

I took this photo of a hotel in the heart of the city,

but the star wass the mountain behind.

 

Folks in the Vatican are just like us.

A good thing about traveling is not just seeing how different people are from you.

It is good to realize that they are pretty much the same.

If you wish to romanticize the people in the Vatican

remember this photo of their garbage truck.

 

David

I know most everyone has seen Michealangelo’s David in photo or for real. but my favorite is Donotello's. (About six feet tall.) Both in Florence.

 

The Tower Bridge, London

People have heard of The London Bridge, and many confuse it with the Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge is at the Tower of London. It is obviously easier to spot. The old London Bridge is now in Arizona - go figur

Florence Italy Swordfight

This is the giant light fixture at a tourist center in Florence. After the meal an entertainer come out and chose two men to dress as knights and find the prize among the ladies present. One knight was a physicist from New Mexico and the other was me.

I did well, but he won. He and I, with our wives, 

visited various sites together after that.

Nothing like battle to bond you.