Europe 2009

We travelled Europe during spring 2009 and visited the following countries:

As we travel, we wanted to share with you some of our "lessons learned", and will update the "best of" and "worst of" for your entertainment.  Check for updates periodically.  :)   Last updated May 17

Lessons Learned (so far....)

Sit upwind from horse carriages while eating - it took us twice to figure this one out L

Pack duct tape - it works for almost everything.

Never pass up a free washroom, even if you don’t have to go.

Get some currency of your destination country before you arrive.

Skip Polish rail - take a plane!

Don’t try to do everything the night before you travel - take it easy the night before travel day.

Always pack a snack or two or three.

Get uneven amounts from a banking machine - need to have some smaller denominations.

If your shoes squeak - leave them at home!

Travel size anything is only good for few days; week maximum.

Don't share an audio tour - get your own machine and separate head sets.  Otherwise you feel like 2 kids tethered together.

When bicycle riding in Switzerland make the return trip downhill.  

Best of (so far....):

Means of transportation - German trains - clean, fast and smooth.

Classical concert sound - St. Martin in the Wall (Prague).

Fun classical concert - Church of St. Wojciech (Krakow) - opera, film and show tunes.

Opera - Carmen (Prague) - it was the only one we have seen so far.

Restaurant - Stoleti (Prague) - hot, delicious and cheap.

Cathedral - St. Giles Church (Prague)

Museum - Historical Green Vault (Dresden)

Monument - The Memorial to Murdered Jews (Berlin)

Apartment - Sara (Krakow) - as much square footage as the main floor of our house.

Dessert - (1) Chocolate tortes (Black Forest and Russian) at Ruzwurm Cukraszka (Budapest) 

                 (2) Sunday sundaes (Loza restaurant, Krakow)

Drink - 1000 ml Daiquiris (Restaurant Hawelka, Krakow)

View - Church of Our Lady (Dresden)

Running trails - Planty (Prague) - no cobblestones and fewer bikes

Relaxing event - Szechenyi Baths (Budapest)

Tour - Absolute Walking Tours (Budapest - Sara as our tour guide)

Apartment location - Central Apartments (Vienna) - very convenient to markets, sites and transportation.

Towels - biggest, softest and cleanest (changed daily) - Maximilian Apts. (Munich)

Waterfalls - Trummelbach falls (Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland)

Worst of (so far....):

Stairs - Powder Tower (Prague) - not designed for two way traffic!

Apartment stairs - 4 flights up of a 1374 building with original narrow and now  well worn steps (Salzburg)

Running trails - Prague - cobblestones, cobblestones and more cobblestones (and vehicle fumes)

Bathrooms - Polish trains

Showers - Central Apartments (Vienna)

Rude queue jumpers - Italians at the Schonbrunn Palace

Audio guide commentary - Salzburg - listening to the two 'characters' of Mozart and the Archbishop banter back and forth for over 2 hours was not entertaining....

*******************

Once last winter glimpse as we leave the house.