Bah, Forget it.

Upon reflection, Scandinavia in spring is a bad plan. I’m reshelving that idea.

Back to Plan A: Prakow.

Of course nothing is set in stone, but I do keep gravitating back to this combination.

This time, I want to do some day trips from Prague, in 2008 we just stayed in the city. For sure: Kutná Hora, home of the Sedlec Ossuary (the “Bone Church”) and I also hear that Cesky Krumlov is supposed to be very nice, but it’s a little under 4 hours away by train and not convenient with public transportation. I’ll have to do a little more research on that one…

I don’t think we’ll do any trips from Krakow, we did so many in 2007 and that’s why we did not see enough of Krakow and now want to go back!

I did a little preliminary research on the travel time between cities, and flying from one to the other is about 4 hours with a layover in Warsaw…  I think perhaps a night train is the better way to go and save some money on a hotel room for 1 night. It’s about 8 hours and gets into Krakow around 6:30AM. Considerably better than the time we took the night train from Venice to Zagreb and arrived at 4:30AM!!!

So presuming our trip is Saturday to Saturday, that means:

• Saturday – Fly to Europe
• Sunday – Arrive in Prague
• Sunday to Wednesday – Prague & Day Trips
• Thursday – travel to Krakow: either an AM flight or an overnight train arriving Thursday AM.
• Thursday and Friday – Krakow
• Saturday – Fly home

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Plan B is Portugal.  We didn’t spend enough time in Lisbon during our 2004 trip to Portugal, Spain and Morocco, and I’ve wanted to go back for a long time. The teeny tiny zoom through Lisbon was enough to tempt me to go back and explore it in more detail.

I did see a bus tour with Globus that looks interesting, but it’s 11 days… too long since I only have a week. 

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My top dream would be to do the Viking Danube Cruise. I’ve been CRAVING it big time ever since our Rhine Cruise in 2010… but we’d have to book NOW to get a cheapy cabin with the early bird discount because they are almost all sold out for Spring 2014. I have less than a snowball’s chance in Hell of convincing my husband to book this far ahead; really this is a lost cause. Sigh… it was so great!

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How many times will this plan change before next Spring?

KABOOM!!!!

 

Oh My God!!! 

German police warn rail travellers of exploding ticket machines

Good to know I missed this by weeks!

I Can’t Help It!

It’s dangerous to fantasize about future vacations, no good can come of this!

I’m a good 5 months away from selecting 2014 vacations… I have a great 2-week vacation planned for this fall, and yet my mind is already wandering over into the possibilities for 2014.

We already know we’ll go back to Switzerland for our 2-weeker in the fall, that’s a done deal, but what to do with the two one-weekers in the spring? Well, my imagination has been working overtime on that ‘problem’!

Up until a few weeks ago, it was most probably going to be a re-do of Paris for one of the trips (since my husband missed it all last time) and for the other trip Prakow: that’s Prague & Krakow. Although I liked this plan, it also meant no new destinations at all for 2014… not so crazy about that part!

I would love to spend time in Paris again, but not for a whole week so soon on the heels of the last visit, so perhaps we’ll just stay for a few days and then head off to the Alsace region for the rest of the time.  We still feel like we didn’t have enough time to explore Strasbourg properly in 2010, so using it as a home base is ideal. From there, we can make day trips to places like Colmar, Baden Baden and Freiburg just to name a few.

 

For the second trip, those elusive Nordic Capitals are bubbling up into the forefront of my mind again.  We visited Copenhagen in 2008 and Stockholm in 2009, perhaps the time has come for Oslo and Helsinki.

I have not done much research on these destinations, if they are anything like Copenhagen it will be expensive so I am staying pretty reserved about this idea… but I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally like it!

I’ve had my eye on Bergen for a while, and I read that the train ride form Oslo is a vacation highlight through some of the most scenic landscapes of Norway, but it’s a seven hour journey!  Obviously too far for a day trip, so perhaps split the time between the 2 cities?  And then fly from Bergen to Helsinki?

From Helsinki, a day trip to Tallinn in Estonia is no-brainer. You can’t do one without the other; it’s so easily done by ferry.

So we are up to 4 cities now! 2 days in each place = 8 days; already over a week!! (and that doesn’t include the transatlantic flight to GET there). However, we don’t have to stay in Tallinn, it’s only a 2 hour ferry ride so it could just be done as a day trip. Plus, we could take a night train between Bergen and Oslo… 

I am already discouraged by how expensive I imagine this trip might be!

ARGH planning this far ahead is nothing but trouble!

Save Orvieto Bus A

A message from Rick Steves:

Orvieto is one of the most striking, memorable, and enjoyable hill towns in central Italy. And part of the charm is arriving by train or car (parking in the big, free lot just beyond the train station) and joining the locals to climb the town’s natural fortress hill on a slick funicular. As you step out of the funicular station up top, like clockwork, the hardworking little bus A meets you and zips you deep into town (covered by the same ticket), depositing you right in front of my favorite Gothic cathedral in Italy. From there, you are in a delightful, perfectly preserved, and virtually traffic-free world — within steps of great hotels, restaurants, and museums... not to mention a chapel slathered with dramatic Signorelli frescoes.
All day long, this bus shuttles loads of visitors enthusiastic about eating, sleeping, shopping, and sightseeing in Orvieto. There are lots of other great hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany, but none of them provides such a thoughtful welcome to the tourists who stoke the local economy.
But now, sadly, in a misguided attempt to cut costs, the town council of Orvieto is about to drop the handy shuttle bus from the funicular to Piazza del Duomo. By cancelling Bus A, they're condemning those arriving in Orvieto to either take a long walk through town with luggage, or take their chances with expensive taxis.
I’ve never done this before, but I’d like to ask anyone who has enjoyed Orvieto’s “Bus A Welcome” to email any or all of the city officials here and briefly explain why you appreciate Bus A, and why canceling it would be a sad move for Orvieto. Thanks.

Orvieto Mayor: sindaco@comune.orvieto.tr.it
Orvieto Councilor of Transportation: g.luciani@comune.orvieto.tr.it
Orvieto Councilor of Culture: m.marino@comune.orvieto.tr.it

Dumping Pompeii

I’ve dumped Pompeii from our agenda.

The more time goes on, the less I feel like seeing again.  Perhaps we’ll end up there anyway on a whim, but it’s no longer part of the ‘Official Plan’.

I have the pictures from my 2003-visit along with my choppy fuzzy memories … it’s good enough.

So, the latest version (don’t ask me how many revisions I’ve made so far – I lost track) looks like this:

Dove Andrai a Dormire?

DONE! all 4 hotels are booked for Italy! I am very happy…  and under budget!

If you’ve been playing close attention to my trip planning, you may have noticed that an extra destination has snuck in there.

Originally, the plan was a week in Rome, and a week in Sorrento – then back to Rome for the last night because we fly out the next morning and I did not want to train it back from Sorrento to Rome on the same day we are flying out! That would be way too risky in my opinion.

My agent found a good deal on a hotel in Sorrento for 7 days, but between the time he told me about it and the time we decided to pull the trigger, the deal was no longer available for the 7 nights, but rather only 5 nights.  The first two nights were now double the price!

We turned that bump in the road into a new adventure and decided to stay in Naples for the 2 nights instead.  It was on our agenda anyway – so what the heck!

I don’t know much about Naples aside from it’s reputation as a horrible and dangerous city… but really, how bad can it be? I think it’s a lot of hype.  It’s not Kandahar! We visited Naples for an afternoon in 2003 and I liked the little little little bit I saw.

What I did read over and over and over again was that the area near the train station is to be avoided, so I picked a hotel in The Spanish Quarter. Some say it’s lively, some say it’s poor…  whatever! I will decide for myself. I’m looking forward to it!!

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First seven days in Rome: Hotel Laura.

This is a repeat. We stayed here for a week in 2006 and enjoyed it very much. Aside from the flat-as-pancake pillows (the picture is an illusion), there is nothing to complain out. I didn’t necessary want to stay here again because I liked the idea of staying in a new neighbourhood – but the sale price and location can’t be beat!  It’s even cheaper than last time!!

And look at how close it is to the Metro! Honestly if you trip out the door you’ll fall down the Metro stairs.

 

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2 night in Naples: Hotel Principe Napolit'amo

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5 nights in Sorrento: Palazzo Abagnale in walking distance to the train and the boat…

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Back in Rome for the last night, I picked a place by the airport. Mach 2.

This way, we can have a last afternoon / evening in Rome and be close to airport so we won’t have to rush the next morning.

This all averages out to about 45€ per person per night! FANTASTIC!

Same Old Debate

Lucca. To go or not to go? I hear it’s a a beautiful city.

We decided a long time ago that 2 hours each way from our home base is our maximum travel time. If we are tempted by more destinations outside that perimeter, then we establish another home base. I hate the idea of spending more time travelling to and from a destination then the time I will spend AT the destination.

Lucca is 3 ½ hours from Rome (our closest home base on this trip)… very close to Pisa and not too far from Florence, but both are destinations I am not interested in revisiting on this trip… we did Northernish Italy in 2010, this trip is dedicated to the south.

 

So, 7 hours of travel…  do we add it to the itinerary??  I’m flip flopping.

Where Are We Going?

We had a really usual experience coming home from Munich.

I admit that since I travel so much, I am becoming a little lazy. Or perhaps it’s confident? I am paranoid about some things – like do I have my passport. I must check that about 10 times between the time I leave the house or hotel and the time I arrive at airport. But about other things, I make a lot of assumptions.

Case in point, this was my eticket:

Ok fine Air Canada to Montreal. I didn’t think about it more than that. I didn’t even bother committing the flight number to memory because I assume there is no more than 1 flight to Montreal.

I looked all over the terminal for an Air Canada self check in Kiosk and could not find one! (Now a days, with many airlines you even get your luggage tags from the kiosks and you only go to the counter to drop off your bags). So I went to the Air Canada counter to ask where I could find a kiosk and I was told I could check in right there for my flight to Toronto. Um… where? what?

I said we are going to Montreal, not Toronto. She said “Oh! that’s with Luftansa, you have to go upstairs” What??? I dug out my ticket again and then it clicked. I saw the note: Operated by Luftansa.  Duh. That’s me being lazy.

I suspect this is the reason Flight Diary did not update Facebook with my flight, because I programmed it with AC 9099. I noticed on a few occasions that Facebook doesn’t get updated – must be the code sharing thing that’s confusing it. It worked properly on the way to Frankfurt, but that really was with Air Canada on an Air Canada plane. I will have to pay closer attention next time when I program my flights.

For those of you who are not friends with me on Facebook, here’s an example of what appears on my Wall when my flight takes off:

Ok, so we’re flying with Luftansa now – fine… but what’s my flight number???  Thankfully I was right about there only being 1 flight to Montreal, so by deduction it was easy to find by looking at the departures board.

I easily found a Luftansa self check in Kiosk and went through the steps to go to “Montreal DURVAL” What??? OMG.

Our airport in Montreal is called Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (or “PE Trudeau” or P.E.T.) It was named in 2004 after the death of one of our more popular Prime Ministers. Before that, it was called Montréal–Dorval International Airport. DORVAL. O. Where did they get DURVAL from? And even if it was spelt correctly, it’s been almost TEN YEARS since the name change!!!

Amazing. How can they get this stuff so wrong??

Eggs

Ok, I’ve left you hanging long enough!

Regular readers of my blog might remember that we picked the Park Inn hotel in Munich on purpose because when we stayed there in 2008 we had the best breakfast of our LIVES.

So, did the scrambled eggs measure up to the memory? Well, I can’t really answer that question because the entire breakfast experience changed too much.

Perhaps the hotel hosted tours before, but in 2008 there were none when we were there. This time, the place was packed everyday with bus tours and the breakfast selection was not the same – not as humongous. I don’t think you can have a galore-selection like they did in 2008 when you have a ton of guests because it’s too difficult to keep up! On many mornings, we had to wait for a table.

There was no paté, no devilled eggs, delicious cheese only on one day… so no, the eggs were not amazing as in 2008 but I feel like I am comparing apples and oranges.

Hotel was wonderful, I’d easily stay there again next time.

2013:

2008:

Germany Pictures!

SOOO MAAAAANY PICTUUUUUURES!

I started with over 900 pictures and was so overwhelmed I decided to create an album for each of the cities we visited instead of just one for the whole trip.

I whittled them down to a total of 302 split into 8 albums:

• Dresden
• Wurzburg
• Rothenburg
• Frankfurt
• Munich
• Ulm
• Augsburg
• Regensburg

I hope you enjoy them, click on the picture for a link to Picasa – there you can pick the albums individually to see the pictures.

Home!

We made it home uneventfully. I am sad to no longer be on vacation, but it’s good to be home too… I can’t continue to eat like that on a regular basis!! Although it was all delicious, I am sure my blood has turned to sludge!

Now, it’s time to get cracking on the pictures…  over 900 to sort through!!!

Here I go!

Germany Field Report 13 - Day 9

We were very impressed with Regensburg and would definitely recommend a day trip here. As a matter of fact, I'd consider it for a home-base city on a future visit instead of Munich - depending on the train connections.

Lots to see and do, my guide book was right when it said Regensburg is big on the historical wow factor. I especially liked the many many "platz"s and lots of pedestrian zones.

We lucked out with the weather too, it was supposed to rain, but as it happened it was barely overcast. Kind of annoying because I dragged my raincoat and our umbrellas around, plus I took it easy on the sunscreen! Still, that's not a complaint; we appreciate the dry days.

Lunch was especially atmospheric, in a Biergarten along the Danube, across the old stone bridge with views of the old town. Fantastic!

Here are 2 shots of the resto (Alte Linde), our meals, and views of the old bridge & old town.

Germany Field Report 12 - Day 8

I just didn't wanna call it quits today!!

We went to an Italian resto for supper, one we discovered here (Munich) in 2008 called 'La Valle'. It was just as excellent this time. You may have heard me say this many times before, but it bears repeating: the best Italian food outside Italy is in Germany.

After supper, it was still light out and the temp was PERFECT! My husband wanted to call it a day but I was adamant - wasting this evening would have been a crime!

We walked aimlessly for a while, then I dragged him to an outdoor café in Marienplatz for a drink. He had coffee, I had champagne and a few bites of German cheese cake. It was fantastic! (The atmosphere, not the cake)

There was an EXTREMELY chatty fellow Canadian at the next table that was talking business and global economics to anyone who would listen. My husband was dying to chat with him and honestly I would not have minded; it's just that it was "bursting the bubble" a little bit.

I have to say my husband really was a trooper to indulge me tonight!!

Here's a picture of the resto, and a view of the Rathaus from the café.

Germany Field Report 11 - Day 8

Such nice "sitting outside" weather!!! We're having a drink in the shadow of the Frauenkirche. It's wonderful!!

.... now, if only we could do something about all the smokers!!!

Germany Field Report 10 - Day 8

We went to Augsburg today.

Although it was not as charming as some of the other places we visited, I don't really regret it, because I'm one of those people who would always wonder about what I might have missed.

We knocked off the sights suggested in the guide book, had some lunch and strolled around... we headed back to Munich at 3.

Our friends were in Augsburg last week and found a nice restaurant that they recommend to us. It was in a cellar (great atmosphere) and the food was delicious. And I think it was also the cheapest meal we've ever had to date!! Only 16€!!

You know you've been in Germany too long when you start to consider a schnitzel as a light lunch! HA!

Germany Field Report 9 - Day 7

We did it!!!

We went to Ulm and climbed the world's tallest steeple. 161.5 meters high (the viewing platform is 143m up), that's 768 steps! The steeple is gorgeous, almost delicate or lacy, especially near the top.

The Münster (Cathedral) is so unbelievably big, it takes your breath away! IT'S MASSIVE!! So huge you can't fit it all into one picture. We first noticed it in 2008 from the train on our way to Stuttgart, and said we HAD to visit it one day... 5 years later, here we are!

We made sure to get there early and do the climb first thing; I'd NEVER do it in summer, just too hot! The climb up was not too bad, just sweaty. I have more trouble on the way down from these things because I get dizzy.

After that workout, we rewarded ourselves with a great outdoor lunch along the Danube.

We finished our sightseeing around 3, it's always over for us when it gets too hot and sunny and muggy and all we're really doing is looking for shade instead of "enjoying the moment", so we took the train back to Munich.

Hope the next few days are not as hot!!

Germany Field Report 8 - Day 6

We had supper tonight at an Italian resto near our hotel. It was in a part of the town we did not explore last time we stayed here in 2008. (To give you some context, we're in the suburbs roughly 20 mins out of Munich, about half way to the airport).

It was a good meal, nice place, CHEAP! only 6.50 for a pizza! The service was slower than slow, and full of mix ups. It was not due to language because they spoke Italian and German and so do I. I ordered a Margarita pizza with mushrooms, and got a Seniora instead which is ham and olives! Whatever.

Then, I had a cocktail and the glass was so dirty I had to ask for another one. You know those stains lipstick leaves when the dishwasher is not hot enough... Well, they actually argued with me (politely) informing me that is was not dirty, it was condensation. Whatever.

They were nice in general and the food was good, so not really worth getting in a snit over... but I maintain that glass was dirty. I ordered second one, see for yourself and tell me what you think.

Germany Field Report 7 - Day 6

Munich.... Aaaahhhhh so good to be back!

Our plan was to check into the hotel before exploring the town, but we changed our minds on route since that would have taken over an hour. Instead, we put our suitcases in lockers at the train station and hit the town running!

Good thing we've been here before because there is a lot of construction blocking some sights. We already took pictures of everything in 2008 so the disappointment-factor is null. Still, the city is just a beautiful as we remembered - so nice to be back!!

Lunch was a no-brainer: Hofbraühaus. It was too cold to sit outside last time, but it was 20C today so we took advantage.

I noticed a few additions to the menu too: red wine & white sausage. In 2008 it's what I wanted and they didn't have it. Plus, I've had bad luck with the wine here... I don't like it!! It's always some fruity sweet crap, and even though I order "dry" I am almost always disappointed. I've had many meals with only 2 or 3 sips of wine and just left the rest!

My patience was rewarded today; the wine was very satisfying. My husband discovered wheat-beer thanks to the help of our friends yesterday, so we left the Hofbraühaus with a decent buzz! HA!