Rothenburg views

The Romantic Road

September 16, 2008

Yesterday was a good day for traveling on the train as it rained most of the day. This also means, no pictures. Our path out of Prague was along the Elbe River (very similar to the Stillwater area in MN) north to Dresden. From Dresden we traveled south through Freiburg, Glauchau, Plauen and Hof to reach our evening destination of Marktredwitz. Today our travels will take us through Nurnberg and on to the beginning of the Romantic Road , Wurzburg in Germany. Prior to Wurzburg, we will make a stop in Bamberg, a small town that is often missed by tourists. Bamberg has well-preserved 17th and 18th-century buildings, palaces and flanking both sides of the Regnitz river. An added plus, Bamberg has their own local beer. If we find the town interesting, we will secure a room at the brewery, very convenient for sampling in excess. If not, we’re on to Wurzburg. Bamberg is recognized by the Unesco as a world historical site. No not for the beer, for the architecture.
The train has become a favorite means of transportation for Gary and I. Something we will miss in the states. It is fast, comfortable and efficient. On the high speed trains we meet travelers from all walks of life with unique destinations willing to talk about their experiences. On the local trains we meet the locals, chatting depends on the country and in some instances, the age. The Germans speak excellent English and are very friendly. The French will make an effort if you make an effort to speak their language and the Czecks, were mixed with some speaking perfect English and others (usually the older folks) with little or no interested in communication. In all, language has not been a problem, but we wish we knew more of the native languages, this would make for some good conversations with very interesting people.

We spent the day walking around Pragues castle and other areas of old Prague and the left bank. These images include the cobble stone pathways and streets. A wooden carving of the city and the complex clock on the central square of old Prague.

Day 2 in Prague

Prague

September 13, 2008
Two of my former co-workers when asked, held Prague as a must see in Europe, they were correct. Prague is fantastic! Prague was spared the rath of WW2 so the architecture has been beautifully preserved.
We traveled on a sleeping coach, killing two birds with one stone, an inexpensive sleeping arrangement with the 9 hour travel to Prague from central Germany. Not the best night’s sleep, but we arrived with sufficient time to learn enough to get around. We loved the old town so much that we found a small bed and breakfast for the next evening. This has become our methodology, figure out where we want to go, find the first nights hotel and once we get to our location, learn the local transportation, decide if we want to stay a second night and find another place in our favorite area. Prague is very inexpensive for such a large city when you compare it to Western Europe.
Our EuroRail passes were not good in The Check Republic but the cost was only 14 Euros from the border of Germany to Prague. The Check Republic is not using the Euro, but will except the currency in most places. We were warned while still in Germany to watch for pick pockets but so far, so good.

River boat trip

September 11, 2008
We traveled down the Rhien vai river boat ferry today, one of the most beautiful trips we’ve ever taken! I highly recommend this to anyone that travels to Germany. It has been a little challenging finding good internet connections. Europe is not like the states were every Starbucks and Panera has free WFi.
Tonight we will take a night train with sleeper to Prague, very excited to see what it is like sleeping on a high speed train.

Guten Tag - Deutschland

September 10, 2008

Guten Tag - Deutschland
As we left Colmar this morning at 8:13, traveling at 227 km per hour, south into Basel (9:12 Switzerland) to journey north through the Black Forest, Freiburg, Offenburg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Frankfurt and at 1:05 we arrived in Koln (Germany). We will spend two days in Koln, sleeping at a backpackers hostel and float down the Rhine and Mosel rivers via Ferry.
Riding through the Black Forest was enchanting with hillside crops of this year’s vintage and castle ruins. Valleys filled with little German towns, steeple towers and every Bavarian stereotype rolled into one. Just a few days away from the stein clinking October fest, we are making our plans to be in Munich for the start.
The little video I’m including has an error in my comment about being in Koln, we were in Colmar.
Auf Wiedersehen

Just for Hunter

Hunter see if you can spot the architectural change with the addition to the right at Villandry.

It’s not easy being a Gargoyle, hanging around the castle for hundreds of years, and do you know about the pigeons?

Storming the Castles

September 7, 2008
Sunday we had fun storming the castles.

5 Chateaux’s in one day, Azay-Le-Rideau, Villandry, Chenonceau, Amboise and Les Clos-Luce (the home of Leonardo Da Vinci). Each was uniquely special, very romantic with story tale history. Ann Yell, my sister in-law would love the gardens of Villandry.
Today we are traveling on a high speed train (TGV) to Colmar. Located in the Alsace region near the border of France and Germany, Colmar was spared the battles of WW2 because of the historic beauty, a rare find in the border towns. We expect to sample the vintage of this region as we travel north to Strasbourg.

Still in France

Our images from the 6th

September 6, 2008
At last, a beautiful day for a train ride to the central part of France, a little longer than we planned as we missed our stop in Tours. But nothing was lost as the fields of Sunflowers and rows of tall corn, swooshed by our window. If it weren’t for the stone farm houses with clay tiled roofs and an occasional chateau peaking over the tree tops, this could be the heartland of America. The Euro Rail passes put us in a first class seat on the high speed trains that eat up the farmlands at 130 mph and more. Very comfortable for us, but I understand these train’s are a little hard on the birds that are not fast enough to get out of the way.
Our day concluded with a stroll down the medieval streets of Tours in the heart of Chateau country. Just by chance and tired feet we stopped at a small hotel in the oldest part of the city and love the room! I’m amazed by the history and age of the architecture in Europe. In our stroll through town I took a shot of the Basilica of St Martin’s. The original framework was started in 400 AD. I will load the images tomorrow when I have a better conection.

September 5, 2008
Our last full day in Paris was a day of extremes. From a rainy morning to a beautiful evening on the Seine, to the heavenly vistas of the Sacre Coeur to a stroll through the Montmartre with the famous Moulin Rouge. Tomorrow we are off to the Loire Valley.

Day two in Paris

September 4, 2008

As our second trip to Paris we went for the sites that were unique. In 1785 the hygiene problems posed by Paris’ over flowing cemeteries was solved by exhuming the bones and storing them in three disused quarries. One created in 1810 is now known as the catacombs. 130 steps below street level, 1.6 km of corridors stacked with the bones of millions of Parisians. Spooky but super. And we could not pass on another trip down the Champs’ Elysees, Arc De Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.

Paris Arrival

September 3rd 2008, First day in Paris
We landed in a soggy Paris at sunrise today and worked to stay awake as long as we could. After 27 hours awake, we found our hotel in the 6th district and took a 4 hour afternoon nap. This helped us to combat the jet lag and get our bearings on how the transit system operates once again. The Holiday Inn was really cheap (free with my rewards points) and in a great location. We’re still not sure why I was able to get it for only 5,000 points in a very popular part of Paris. We are within walking distance to all the major sites and quaint cafés everywhere.