PRAGUE IS THE LAST STOP

 It has been an amazing two weeks and we have been able to see so much and come to appreciate both the beauty as well as the hardships that this part of  Europe has experienced.  The last city is Prague and it is beautiful and still seems so much like it has been over all the years--that is, of course, if you don't look at the crowds who are also enjoying this beautiful city.  The narrow city streets with cobblestones and the magnificent Castle still exist as they have for centuries.   

The Clock is at the heart of old town and everyone loves to come to watch the changing of the hours.  From the vantage point to watch the clock it is an easy walk to the Charles Bridge and then up the royal walk to the Castle Complex.

VIENNA IS BEAUTIFUL

Vienna lives up to expectation in the beauty of the buildings and the elegance that was the capital of the Hapsburg Empire so long ago.  The city is easy to discover by walking as well as travelling around the Ring Road that keeps the inner city contained.  

Where else can you find as much

attention paid to beautiful

buildings and great collections of

art as is paid to artistic pastry collections such as you see in the right picture.  This is a window in one of the many beautiful pastry shops. In all the cafes if the waiters (only  men) are dressed in Tuxedos you are able to order your coffee and pick up one of the many newspapers and sit all day if you want.  On the other hand in in the patisseries where women serve you are expected to have your coffee and pastry and leave!

We were able to visit the beautiful palace of .Schombrunn which was the summer palace of the Hapsburgs. This Palace is amazingly intact with beautiful floors as well as furniture from the time such as the incredible room heaters.  

The floors are intricate patterns formed with exotic wood.

And as much as the inside is beautiful the gardens are not to be missed.  They are extensive and beautiful.

  Finally in keeping with the important traditions of Vienna I was able to attend a performance of the Lipizzaner Horses and Swan Lake at the Vienna Opera house.  Unfortunately no photos are allowed but these were amazing.  Cultural performances are of monumental importance here.  If you can't get inside the Opera house then the performance is visible on the large screen outside and chairs are put on the sidewalks for everyone to take advantage.

                                     

  

BRATISLAVA AND ARRIVAL TO VIENNA

Today we were able to experience Slovakia as we drove to Vienna.  It was great to experience another Danube city.  Bratislava is a contrast of old and new.  

We have both the new bridge with the UFO restaurant and the Royal way that is cobblestone leading to the old city walls.  One claim to fame is the fact that the Peace Maker movie with George Clooney was filmed here.  

This courtyard where the Mayor held his important meetings was the scene of the action.

Next stop Vienna and today it is only a taste of this amazing city.  We visited from the outside the Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral as we explored the pedestrian way of this great city.  It is a contrast of the old and the modern as the jewels of the monarchy are displayed next to the jewels of modern fashion houses!

Also important to note in an exploration of Vienna and its history is the balcony where Hitler proclaimed that this was no longeran Austria.  It is such a sad history for all of these countries but they are so proud and so strong!  

                                                                 BUDAPEST A FULL DAY

Today we concentrated on the Pest side of the river and toured some of the beautiful sights that we all recognize as Budapest.  The first stop was the opera house which is intricately designed inside so that just being there is a treat.  Of course, in Europe opera and ballet are a very important part of life and everyone goes!

Tauck is known for surprises for it's guests so today there was a small, surprise performance at the opera--it was fantastic!

From there we went to Hero's square which is the largest and most important square in the city.

Later we visited the church of St. Stephens which is incredibly beautiful and of utmost importance to the inhabitants of Budapest.  The Dome as the Dome of the Parliament are the highest structures in Budapest.  Here is a photo of the beauty of the interior as well as the shrine that holds the right hand of St. Stephens.


On a lighter note, Budapest is all about great food and one of the best places to see it is the Covered Market with food stalls that display all of the products that make up Hungarian cuisine.

  We ended the day with an amazing folk performance that showed the spirit of the people in both song and dance.  

BUDAPEST

It's a long drive from Kracow to Budapest but at least interesting as we were able to cross Slovakia with snow capped mountains, beautiful fields and even Medieval Castles as well as lovely villages.  In Slovakia the houses are all set close together because it seems that everyone loves each other!!

We arrived in Budapest at the end of the afternoon and just in time for an amazing private dinner cruise on the Danube.  We have left the small cities behind and Budapest shines as a bright and beautiful Metropolis.  A cruise on the Danube is the best way to begin explorations of the city as it gives you a glimpse of both Pest and Buda--the two distinct areas of the city located on opposite sides of the river.  Here is a quick look at some of the highlights of this amazing city.  

Parliament by day and night show the amazing beauty on the Pest side of the river. But not to be forgotten is Chain Bridge and the Old Royal Palace on the Buda side of the river.

KRAKOW AND A TRIP TO AUSCHWITZ

Today was spent in time travel--so much has happened in Poland and in and around Krakow.  This morning we toured the beautiful Krakow Cathedral and Wawal Hill to understand the many wars  that have shaped the history of Poland.  The Cathedral Complex is beautiful and stands majestically overlooking the Old Town of Krakow.

After exploring the history of the city there was still time to 

go back to the Old Market Square which is dominated by

shops, the beautiful horse drawn carriages and many amazing 

cafes.  It is truly a beautiful square and someplace that it is easy to linger enjoying the variety of cuisines available.  And, of course, even 

though it was cold and there was snow in the air we all had

to try the Polish favorite dish of lody--ice cream!

The afternoon was a dramatic contrast to shopping and eating ice cream as we toured Auschwitz.  Even seeing the barracks and the reminders of the horrors and what was left behind it is impossible to comprehend how something like this happened.  The gate where the train brought the prisoners to suffer beyond our imagination leaves a lasting impression.

 The shoes that were left behind and the wall where so many were shot before the use of gas and the crematory tell of unspeakable horrors.  And then there was the luggage that each brought with them to "begin their new life">

 I will leave the pictures to tell the story as words are not enough.

WARSAW AND ON TO KRAKOW

Warsaw with it's old town and beautiful Royal Palace was truly special and embodied all that I have imagined of Poland and this part of the world--Royalty, Politics and Music.  We were able to visit the Royal Palace and imagine what it must have been like to be entertained here.

Just outside the Palace in Old Town Square the birthday of the European Union was being

celebrated while just down the street protests were          

being held for Poland to declare it's independence.  

In the evening we were treated to a beautiful piano recital

of Chopin's music.  He is certainly the most revered 

citizen of Warsaw.

And then on to Krakow or Crakow as it seems that the city named can be spelled either way!

Krakow is a city of monuments and churches as well as the largest Market Square in Europe.

It was originally a walled city but there are only remnants such as the gate you see to the left. 

On the Market Square there are the most beautiful

carriages and horses making it easy to 

imagine what the city must have been like so many years 

ago.  

Also on the Square you see so many flowers being sold.  The weather here is such that flowers flourish and people love them for

decorations of all manner.  

   

WARSAW

Warsaw is the first stop on this whirlwind European Itinerary.  Upon arrival we were treated to some excitement as the Bristol Hotel where we are staying is next to the seat of government.  An important meeting between the Qatar head of state and the leader of Poland was just about to take place.  All the dignitaries had their entourages with them and they were leaving the hotel to sounds of police sirens, photographers' flashes and honking horns of all of the vehicles.

Surely this hotel has housed many dignitaries and their visits are commemorated with brass wall ornaments.

We will have a chance to explore the city more but the glimpse of Old Town we had today highlights a labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, ornate tenement facades and picturesque plazas.

Everything is very colorful and there are many people strolling and amateur musicians playing.  It all contributes to a very festive atmosphere. It is hard to believe that at the end of 1944, 85% of Warsaw's structures had been razed to the ground. Everything has been rebuilt using pre-war sketches, paintings and photographs of Old Town.  The process took until 1962.

European Exploration

                                                                             

I always love Exotic travel  and destinations that are not the "everyday" but sometimes it is very important to see the legacy that is Europe.  Over the next two weeks I will be exploring many of the most important cities in Europe.  These will include Warsaw, Krakow, Budapest , Prague and Vienna.  These cities will provide historical information, cultural experiences and a chance to enjoy great musical venues.  I am looking forward to all that I can see and learn as well as being able to share in this blog.