Saturday, November 16, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
En route to Budapest - Friday, 11/15
Mostly driving today, but we happened upon a cute hilltop village for lunch and were lucky to find that the hotel I booked for its convenient location on the way to Budapest is also in a very cute village. We're staying in Austria's wine country, north of Vienna. I tried out the local wine at dinner - not bad! Due to a misleading translation, I think Mom had blood sausage for dinner. <shudder> Being a trooper, I tried it and it didn't taste bad, but the consistency was yucky. Oh well. Rounded out the day in the room watching CNN International (way better than US CNN and a very welcome surprise when found on a hotel TV in Europe) and crocheting a camera cosy for Mom cuz she lost the camera's cover. Rager!!
More pics from Prague because I haven't yet downloaded the ones from our lunch stop.
More pics from Prague because I haven't yet downloaded the ones from our lunch stop.
Beautiful Prague - Weds & Thurs, 11/13-14
What can I say about Prague that hasn't been said? Nothing, I suppose, other than that I found it as beautiful as everyone else ever has. The architecture is just stunning and it's all dramatically lit to make it even more stunning at night than it is during the day. Mom and I stayed in the Old Town, between the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge. Absolutely phenomenal location. Of course, there's no parking at the hotel so I left Mother and the bags at the Clementin Hotel and ventured out into the night for Prague parking. I never did find the garage I was directed too, but I found a spot (for which I would have paid any rate at that point) not too far from the hotel. My car had this view for its two days in Prague...
The first night, we walked over the bridge and a little way into Hradcany before crossing back over the Vltava for dinner. We both ordered the chicken skewers with bacon and basil, with mashed potatoes and, of course, a Pilsner Urquell. I cannot believe how delicious the restaurant managed to make chicken and taters. At this point, it was by far my favorite meal in Europe. Pics from our walk:
The next morning, after an excellent free breakfast buffet, we took a bus tour with headsets that provided the commentary in English. Although it was frickin freezing when we got to Prague Castle, we were thrilled that we arrived just in time for the noon changing of the guard. Very cool.
After a bit of lunch, Mom took a break and I went a'wandering. I ended up walking back up to the Castle because the tour didn't give us time to look around. Got some great views from atop the hill, even though it was a cloudy day. Finished up the day with an organ concert at the church near the foot of the bridge and dinner in Old Town Square with a view of the Astronomical Clock. What a great city!
The first night, we walked over the bridge and a little way into Hradcany before crossing back over the Vltava for dinner. We both ordered the chicken skewers with bacon and basil, with mashed potatoes and, of course, a Pilsner Urquell. I cannot believe how delicious the restaurant managed to make chicken and taters. At this point, it was by far my favorite meal in Europe. Pics from our walk:
The next morning, after an excellent free breakfast buffet, we took a bus tour with headsets that provided the commentary in English. Although it was frickin freezing when we got to Prague Castle, we were thrilled that we arrived just in time for the noon changing of the guard. Very cool.
After a bit of lunch, Mom took a break and I went a'wandering. I ended up walking back up to the Castle because the tour didn't give us time to look around. Got some great views from atop the hill, even though it was a cloudy day. Finished up the day with an organ concert at the church near the foot of the bridge and dinner in Old Town Square with a view of the Astronomical Clock. What a great city!
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
The Mother Arrives - Tuesday, 11/12
The darn plane got in early so I had to skip breakfast, leave my hair wet, and rush off to the airport. And darn it, the old gal was through customs and waiting for me when I got there. Damn. Oh well, she seemed fine. We got some breakfast and headed off to Regensburg for the night. Not the most picturesque town, but cute and a convenient stop on the way to Prague. The first day can be rough after the overnight flight, but Mother has been a little trooper. Here's the view from our room.
We missed the last little tour bus of the day, but covered the basics on foot. The old Stone Bridge is undergoing massive construction efforts so it has lost a lot of its charm. But the view from the bridge back toward old town is still wonderful. Of course, the organ at St. Peter's Cathedral caught Mom's eye - it's huge. As is the Cathedral. The sun was shining through the stained glass above the entrance in a most impressive way. I'd like to see the glass when the sun is hitting a full side of the building. So much stained glass!!
After a long day, Mom hit the hay early. I wonder what could I do to kill time till I'm sleepy...
I think we're heading to Prague tomorrow, but we haven't really discussed it. Ya never know what we might do!
We missed the last little tour bus of the day, but covered the basics on foot. The old Stone Bridge is undergoing massive construction efforts so it has lost a lot of its charm. But the view from the bridge back toward old town is still wonderful. Of course, the organ at St. Peter's Cathedral caught Mom's eye - it's huge. As is the Cathedral. The sun was shining through the stained glass above the entrance in a most impressive way. I'd like to see the glass when the sun is hitting a full side of the building. So much stained glass!!
After a long day, Mom hit the hay early. I wonder what could I do to kill time till I'm sleepy...
I think we're heading to Prague tomorrow, but we haven't really discussed it. Ya never know what we might do!
Castle Found - Monday, 11/11
This little bugger hid in the deep fog last year, but on Monday I was lucky enough to catch him out in the snow! I love snow. This is the castle that, allegedly, was the inspiration for the Disney castle. It looks more like Disney from the other side, but that route was closed for construction or something. I rode up to the castle in a horse-drawn carriage. Nice!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Triumphant Arrival - Sunday, 11/10
Things were looking dark yesterday as I was settling in to share part of my seat on the plane with the very large gentleman in 9F and watch Grownups 2, the only entertainment available, but then God remembered how awesome I am and moved Mr. 9F+ to 7E+. Mr. 8E seemed very displeased when my former neighbor reclined his seat, but I was thrilled!! An 8-hour flight with a window and an empty seat next to me. Ahhh, bliss. Sure, I was still faced with Grownups 2 (which was every bit as unamusing as I expected), but I had space and was quite pleased with the next two films: Home Alone 2, which is always delightful (though certainly not as good as the first) and The Way Way Back, which was cute. The Zurich airport did not disappoint as it took me less than 20 minutes to go from 9G to the other side of customs. Yay! Car rental went smoothly as well and the iPhone GPS app I gambled on for 40 bucks when it looked like renting a GPS unit was going to cost more than $200 is great!
As it was raining, I didn't bother heading south to the Swiss Alps (I can do that later). I headed north en route to pick up Mom in Munich on Tuesday. I stopped at Rheinfall, Europe's biggest waterfall, and was underwhelmed. But, in defense of the falls, the weather was crappy and I didn't bother getting a ticket to go to the spot with the best view. Didn't seem worth it. Next stop Schaffhausen. Cute, but not the cutest little, formerly-walled town. My right knee found the climb to the fortress especially distasteful, but the view was very nice from the top and I got to see a family of deer in what I assume used to be the moat. So suck it up knee! You can rest in December. Alas, due to the weather, I used my crappy digital camera rather than the good camera, iPhone, or iPad, so I can't share the pics till I get home. It was dreary out so they're nothing to write home about anyway.
Final stop for the day: Lindau - an adorable old town on an island in Bodensee (Lake Constance). I'm writing now thanks to the free wifi in the breakfast room of the Hotel Seerose. For $60, I got free breakfast, free wifi, free parking, and a cute room with a view of the lake. I love November travel! Again, however, pics are on the crappy camera. And the rain soon turned to a drenching downpour so I retired to my room after finding some food to catch up on some sleep. Schlaft ist gut!
As it was raining, I didn't bother heading south to the Swiss Alps (I can do that later). I headed north en route to pick up Mom in Munich on Tuesday. I stopped at Rheinfall, Europe's biggest waterfall, and was underwhelmed. But, in defense of the falls, the weather was crappy and I didn't bother getting a ticket to go to the spot with the best view. Didn't seem worth it. Next stop Schaffhausen. Cute, but not the cutest little, formerly-walled town. My right knee found the climb to the fortress especially distasteful, but the view was very nice from the top and I got to see a family of deer in what I assume used to be the moat. So suck it up knee! You can rest in December. Alas, due to the weather, I used my crappy digital camera rather than the good camera, iPhone, or iPad, so I can't share the pics till I get home. It was dreary out so they're nothing to write home about anyway.
Final stop for the day: Lindau - an adorable old town on an island in Bodensee (Lake Constance). I'm writing now thanks to the free wifi in the breakfast room of the Hotel Seerose. For $60, I got free breakfast, free wifi, free parking, and a cute room with a view of the lake. I love November travel! Again, however, pics are on the crappy camera. And the rain soon turned to a drenching downpour so I retired to my room after finding some food to catch up on some sleep. Schlaft ist gut!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Day 1 - Travel
Almost an hour delay out of DCA, but still had plenty of time to get my money's worth out of my day pass for the USAir lounge in Philly. I shall be relaxed and rosey-faced for the flight to Zurich. I shall also not go hungry because I put some of the free snacks in my bag. Shhhh...
Here's hoping for a smooth flight, good movies, and maybe even a little sleep (dare to dream)!
Here's hoping for a smooth flight, good movies, and maybe even a little sleep (dare to dream)!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
European Adventure III
Who doesn't love a trilogy?? My third trip to Europe kicks off in 39 hours! This season will feature an exciting new co-star...my mom! Stay tuned for more travel adventures....
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