ROME 2012

+ I left my camera somewhere in Rome on the day we left, March 3.  I took plenty of photos I will never be able to share. 

+ Rick Steves describes Rome as "magnificent and brutal at the same time."  I agree! 

+ I was really amazed at the Pantheon which has stood for nearly 2000 years and hasn't changed all that much.

+ The many fountains and piazzas are quite a treat.

+ We enjoyed delicious meals again and again.  I am sure that the Rick Steves recommendations make a huge difference.  When we tried a ristorante he didn't recommend, we were not as pleased.

ENGLAND 2011 -- 4

+ updated at 2:11pm ESDT on Thursday, August 11, 2011


+ This is good!
Rick Steves blogs about the current mayhem in London.


We have begun our trip to England and Scotland. Blogging on Amtrak with a Galaxy Tab is a bit of a challenge.


But it can be done!

GERMANY 2010 -- 6

+ February 25 UPDATE 1: When in Berlin we will be sleeping at Hotel Pension Alexandra.

+ February 25 UPDATE 2: I asked about Berlin Priorities at The Rick Steves Travelers Helpline and I have received many suggestions. Go to "Berlin and Vicinity Top Sights".

+ Rick Steves' Germany 2010 says that five Berlin attractions are "must see": Reichstag, German History Museum, Museum of The Wall at Checkpoint Charlie, Jewish Museum Berlin and Gemäldegalerie.  That will probably fill our day and a half in Berlin.

+ Rick Steves offers "One Big Berlin".

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.

GERMANY 2010 -- 2

+ updated at 11:57am ESDT, October 3, 2009

+ Of course I will buy the Germany 2010 tourbook by Rick Steves when it appears. In the mean time, the Rick Steves website offers Rick's Favorite 3-week itinerary. I like the map. We don't plan to stay quite that long but ideas for our travel are always welcome and nobody does it better than Rick Steves and his team of travel experts.

+ In Rick's Favorite 3-week itinerary, there is a list of sightseeing priorities:
3 days: Munich, Bavarian castles

5 days, add: Rhine Valley, Rothenburg

7 days, add: More of Bavaria and Tirol, side-trip to Salzburg

10 days, add: Berlin

14 days, add: Baden-Baden, Black Forest, Dresden

17 days, add: Nürnberg, Mosel Valley, Trier

21 days, add: Würzburg, and slow down

More time: Choose among Frankfurt, Köln, and Görlitz

+ Last night I enjoyed looking at some photos of Bavaria offered by Trip Advisor.

+ A Bavarian town Rick Steves recommends is Füssen which is described by Germany: The Travel Destination as "a truly romantic town."

+ Mary & I and the kids were in Germany very briefly in 1990. We took the train from Oslo, Norway to the Baltic ferry and then through Germany to Heidelberg with a short stop in Cologne which has a famous cathedral. Heidelberg has a lot of history and was not bombed in WW2. The castle overlooking the city was mostly destroyed in the 30 years war (1618-1648).

+ Your experiences and suggestions are welcome as our planning continues.

ENGLAND IS WONDERFUL AND THE RICK STEVES BOOK IS GREAT

+ This is the third time we have used a Rick Steves book for travel, Spain in 2006, France last year, and now England. Every trip gets better as we use his wisdom and knowledge. He helps with so many little things as well as the really big things.

+ The Mad Max tours have been delightful. The tour guides are knowledgeable and fun. We have made new friends from all over the planet.

+ Badminton was invented in Badminton!

+ Stonehenge needs Avebury to be fully appreciated. Avebury needs Stonehenge. The energy of these holy places is something to behold.

+ Many English trains run on time.

+ Bath deserves its designation as a world heritage site.

+ The tour guide for the Bath walking tour stuck with us on a chilly, breezy and rainy day. It's a free walk and we learned a lot. The Roman Bath is a great experience.

+ This has been the first time I have been on the internet since leaving home last Saturday. I may have time soon to offer some more thoughts about the trip.