We arrived at our condo after a train, a plane, and a subway. A total of about 7 hours of travel. The condo was A LOT smaller then the pictures made it look like. It was clean and close to the Metro so that was good. The four of us bucked up and stayed there for three nights together then Steve and I had it for one more night.
The first night Steve and I left the condo to explore at 9:30 at night. Just hopped on the tram and decided to get off at the Sol station (Central). We walked around and found a cool little square for wine and a sandwitch. It took the waiter about 90 minutes to get us our food but in the meantime we talked to our neighbors. One man named Frank was visiting from Atlanta. He was visiting his friend Alex who was with him.
We got a few tips from Alex, what to see the next day, so we decided to put it into the agenda. After our wine and sandwiches we went inside so Steve could go to the bathroom. While he was in there a BIG rain storm started with thunder and lightning. We waited it out until we could run to the metro. Once we got to our station the rain came down even harder. We had no umbrella with us. We waited it out some more in the stairwell of the metro. By the time we got home it was 2:30 am and the Schabilion's were waiting up for us a little worried.
The next day we headed out to see the sights. Well it just so happened to be Columbus Day in Madrid so the sights we went to see were all closed. The Francisco Cathedral and the Royal Palace:( We decided to get some lunch and then take it from there.
After lunch we walked around some more then headed back for a nap before dinner. Steve found a great place for dinner called La Trucha. We were seated at 10:30 pm and stayed until they kicked us out about 12:30 pm. We headed home and played some cards. We were fitting in well with the late nights, and sleeping in, until 10 am.
The next day we took a 30 minute train to Toledo. Cute town with twisting small little roads. We shopped and walked around for a couple of hours. We headed back to Madrid at 5:30 so we could rest up for Nancy and Jeff's last night with us.
Steve found another awsome place called Casa Benigno that had spectacular Pallea and lobster pasta. It was a perfect last dinner. It was a little bit of an earlier night since the Schabilion's had to wake up at 6 am to start their trek home.
The following day Steve and I did a repeat of Madrid so we could actually go inside the Cathedral and the Palace. It was a beautiful day of sunshine with not a cloud in the sky. Not only did we go to the Cathedral and the Royal Palce, but we walked all around the city through it's parks and squares. We ended up going back to La Tucha for dinner. Not exactly the same experience but good.
We headed out to Seville the next day. The train ride was plesant and we arrived at our hotel by 3 pm. The hotel here is gorgeous, more like a resort really http://www.hoteles-silken.com/hoteles/presentation.php?idmenuleft=0&deploy=true&idhotel=5&lang=ENG
We toured the town of Seville from 3:30 pm until we got home at 9:30 pm. We saw just about everything and again had perfect weather. It was about 80 degrees here in Seville yesterday. They have a cute old town with Cathedral, Alcazar and neighborhoods to twist and turn through.
We actually had lunch at an Irish bar. Steve had nachos that were better then the ones we have at the club!
In the evening before we went home we found an excellent place to rest our toes and have a magnificent view and some nice wine. I forget the name of the place but will post it as soon as I get it.
So here I am now in the business loung of our hotel catching up on my blog. Tonight is our last night sad but true. We are really looking forward to coming home to our little girl and friends and family. Thanks again for watching out for Siena and we will talk to you as soon as we get home and settled.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Interlaken is is a Hit!
We arrived at Interlaken (Swiss Alps), in the evening. We were unable to really see where we were at because it was dark. We had a good dinner and went home to sleep and take on the day the next day.
The next day Steve and I went out for some coffee and he wanted to get pizza for lunch. After lunch we decided to go up a tram. It is really called a funicular. It was kind of scary going straight up a mountain 2500 feet. Once we got to the top we took in the view and decided to buy some water and walk down. It was the hardest walk down of a mountain I have done. I think it was harder than walking down the gran canyon because it was so steep and less miles.
Steve and I were sore for two days. It hurt us to walk down a few stairs!
The next day we ignored our sore legs and decided to do another hike. We took a train, and a tram up the mountains and started to hike to the next little town called Murren http://www.muerren.ch/start-e.htm It was sooooo beautiful the weather was perfect and the hike was not that bad. About an hour long small climb. We stayed in Murren for a couple of hours for lunch and some shopping. Next we headed to Grimwald. This was an hour hike down (sore on those downward leg muscles again).
From there we took a tram back down to the valley. The tram drop was about 1500 feet, talk about white knuccling it down!
From there we saw these incredible underground waterfalls. They were in Trummelbach http://graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/pictures/switzerland/trummelbach/ I found someone elses pictures from Trummelbach. I will post mine when we return. After Trummelbalch it was time to go back to the hotel and rest up before dinner.
We found a great restuarant in town where Jeff finally got to order his Beef Stroganoff, (he had been looking for some since Germany).
Next day is a travel day to Madrid. I will blog again soon.
The next day Steve and I went out for some coffee and he wanted to get pizza for lunch. After lunch we decided to go up a tram. It is really called a funicular. It was kind of scary going straight up a mountain 2500 feet. Once we got to the top we took in the view and decided to buy some water and walk down. It was the hardest walk down of a mountain I have done. I think it was harder than walking down the gran canyon because it was so steep and less miles.
Steve and I were sore for two days. It hurt us to walk down a few stairs!
The next day we ignored our sore legs and decided to do another hike. We took a train, and a tram up the mountains and started to hike to the next little town called Murren http://www.muerren.ch/start-e.htm It was sooooo beautiful the weather was perfect and the hike was not that bad. About an hour long small climb. We stayed in Murren for a couple of hours for lunch and some shopping. Next we headed to Grimwald. This was an hour hike down (sore on those downward leg muscles again).
From there we took a tram back down to the valley. The tram drop was about 1500 feet, talk about white knuccling it down!
From there we saw these incredible underground waterfalls. They were in Trummelbach http://graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/pictures/switzerland/trummelbach/ I found someone elses pictures from Trummelbach. I will post mine when we return. After Trummelbalch it was time to go back to the hotel and rest up before dinner.
We found a great restuarant in town where Jeff finally got to order his Beef Stroganoff, (he had been looking for some since Germany).
Next day is a travel day to Madrid. I will blog again soon.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Now we are in Vienna
We had one more day in Salzburg and it was a beautiful day, we could't have asked for better weather. We went on the Sound of Music tour that Nancy has patiently been waiting to go on. It was a good tour of the city and the country, as for the Sound of Music information and sites there were only about 5 sites that we went to that were sort of filmed in the movie. If you want more details I can give them to you one on one.
Heading out to Vienna on the train was no biggy. Hop on, hop off after 3 hours, then head to a cab and get to our pension. Our pension is in the perfect location, it is in the middle of everything. Last night we just went outside and saw some gorgeous sites, town hall, their library and other buildings that are about 1000 years old!
Steve and I went on our own to just walk around today (october 7th). We saw a lot and then met up with Nancy and Jeff for a very high end lunch. the lunch was very tasty and we shared everything. We had a tender Sturgeon and the Schabilion's had a red meat beef thing???
Next we took the Underground to the river and went on a really fun river cruise. The boys had a few shots of jugermyster (spelling?), and we had some wine and caprese.
So that leaves me here and now thinking about what we are going to do tonight. Tommow we head out to Interlaken. It has been a week, I can't believe how quickly time goes by on vacation.
Say hey to our little girl when you see her, and tell her we miss her and love her!
Yvonne
Heading out to Vienna on the train was no biggy. Hop on, hop off after 3 hours, then head to a cab and get to our pension. Our pension is in the perfect location, it is in the middle of everything. Last night we just went outside and saw some gorgeous sites, town hall, their library and other buildings that are about 1000 years old!
Steve and I went on our own to just walk around today (october 7th). We saw a lot and then met up with Nancy and Jeff for a very high end lunch. the lunch was very tasty and we shared everything. We had a tender Sturgeon and the Schabilion's had a red meat beef thing???
Next we took the Underground to the river and went on a really fun river cruise. The boys had a few shots of jugermyster (spelling?), and we had some wine and caprese.
So that leaves me here and now thinking about what we are going to do tonight. Tommow we head out to Interlaken. It has been a week, I can't believe how quickly time goes by on vacation.
Say hey to our little girl when you see her, and tell her we miss her and love her!
Yvonne
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Beautiful Salzburg
We left Munich on October 4th in the morning and had a lovely relaxing 2 hour train ride to Salzburg. We made it to our hotel with no problems. It is a very nice hotel and inexpensive only 95 Euro per night plus we had a fabulous breakfast.
Last night we followed Rick Steves suggestion and went to a nice wine bar called Firbisch. Then we headed next door to a place called Shrimps.
The food and wine at Shrimps was to die for. We ate every course possible from the tomatoe soup to an ice cream Sunday! At about 10:30 pm we decided to head back to our hotel to get a good nights rest. We want to be bright eyed and bushy taled for our Sound of Music Tour. Donna I am sure you wish you were here for this one. Even the boys are going to join us on the 4 hour tour! Until tomorrow have a great day!
Last night we followed Rick Steves suggestion and went to a nice wine bar called Firbisch. Then we headed next door to a place called Shrimps.
The food and wine at Shrimps was to die for. We ate every course possible from the tomatoe soup to an ice cream Sunday! At about 10:30 pm we decided to head back to our hotel to get a good nights rest. We want to be bright eyed and bushy taled for our Sound of Music Tour. Donna I am sure you wish you were here for this one. Even the boys are going to join us on the 4 hour tour! Until tomorrow have a great day!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Oktoberfest-To Crazy!
We found an excellent Italian place for dinner last night the food was decent and the wine excellent with perfect service! Once we left there we were ready for Oktoberfest. Ok so we thought, not really!
We got there at about 9 pm and went on a super fun rollercoaster. Dizzy and giggling like kids we decided to find a beer tent to go into and get some beers. Well we found a tent but it was VERY crowded and people were in that drunken hey watch were you are going stage. We stayed for a bit, just to people watch but ended up leaving with no beer in hand.
That was ok we decided to go back to the beer hall we went to the night before. An hour later we were heading into the entrance door when we were told they were closed. Oh well, moving on-back to our hotel lobby. We got back by 11:30 pm had a cocktail then went to bed.
After a few tossing and turning (jetlag), we all got up and headed out to get breakfast and see a palace just west of the city center. After an ok breakfast we did some train rides and walking, walking and some more walking to the Nymphenburg Palace. It was beautiful and enormouse!
Onto lunch-another Italian cafe, with Pizza and beer. I am happy to say the Italian here is excellent. That is our day so far, now for a nap:)
We got there at about 9 pm and went on a super fun rollercoaster. Dizzy and giggling like kids we decided to find a beer tent to go into and get some beers. Well we found a tent but it was VERY crowded and people were in that drunken hey watch were you are going stage. We stayed for a bit, just to people watch but ended up leaving with no beer in hand.
That was ok we decided to go back to the beer hall we went to the night before. An hour later we were heading into the entrance door when we were told they were closed. Oh well, moving on-back to our hotel lobby. We got back by 11:30 pm had a cocktail then went to bed.
After a few tossing and turning (jetlag), we all got up and headed out to get breakfast and see a palace just west of the city center. After an ok breakfast we did some train rides and walking, walking and some more walking to the Nymphenburg Palace. It was beautiful and enormouse!
Onto lunch-another Italian cafe, with Pizza and beer. I am happy to say the Italian here is excellent. That is our day so far, now for a nap:)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
We Made it to Munich!
Hello Family and Friends. Well after a long layover at JFK (about 4 hours), we made into Munich on time at 6:20 pm October 1st. We were supposed to have a 4 hour layover in Heathrow but we got on our JFK plan at 1:30 am and then the plan had to sit on the runway for another 1 hr 1/2 because of bad weather. The train system here is great so we got to our Hotel with no problems.
We headed out to dinner around 9 pm. We ate at a Hofbraun House. You would think that I would starve in a country that serves, pigs, cows and other yuck things I do not need to go into. Let's just say that I wouldn't quit fit into the eating culture here. However, I did find some very tasty dumblings and Pike fish on the menu so I had plenty to eat.
After dinner we went to a beer hall. More fun than Ocktoberfest! singing and having lots of beer. So much beer, that now I am onto drinking the Italian wine which is very good.
We went to Ocktoberfest this morning and had a good time but not as crazy as the night before. It was pretty mellow in the morning and by the time we left in the afternoon. Locals told us to come back tonight because that is when the real party happens. So I am off to take a nap and get ready for tonight. Say Hello and I love you to Siena for me!
bye for now-Yvonne
We headed out to dinner around 9 pm. We ate at a Hofbraun House. You would think that I would starve in a country that serves, pigs, cows and other yuck things I do not need to go into. Let's just say that I wouldn't quit fit into the eating culture here. However, I did find some very tasty dumblings and Pike fish on the menu so I had plenty to eat.
After dinner we went to a beer hall. More fun than Ocktoberfest! singing and having lots of beer. So much beer, that now I am onto drinking the Italian wine which is very good.
We went to Ocktoberfest this morning and had a good time but not as crazy as the night before. It was pretty mellow in the morning and by the time we left in the afternoon. Locals told us to come back tonight because that is when the real party happens. So I am off to take a nap and get ready for tonight. Say Hello and I love you to Siena for me!
bye for now-Yvonne
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Europe 2008 Let's Get Going
Hello All,
Well we are less than a week away heading off to Europe. If you know me well you know I LOVE to travel. This time however, it will be different. This time we are leaving our little 19 month old daughter at home:(
I have started this blog because friends and family have asked me where we are going in Europe. So here are all the gory details. As we travel through Europe I hope to take pictures and do a daily blog for those that are slightly interested in how our trip is going. For those of you watching Siena I hope there is a way for you to attach pictures of her here. Please make comments as to how she is doing without us.
We were going to take her with us but advice from friends warned us not too. They said she would be cranky because of the travel and time difference (is this any different from her Daddy?). So this is our first trip together without her.
I am sure she will be fine with our close friends and family to take care of her. Plus her Nanny will be there as well.
Ok enough about that here is our itinerary. We will be traveling with our close friends Jeff and Nancy Schabilion. We only have on rule. No talking Politics!
Arrive in Munich on October 1st 5:30 pm. We are staying at the HOLIDAY INN MUNICH CITY CENTREHOCHSTRASSE 3MUNICH, GERMANY 81669 (49) 89/48030. Jeff got us this room with his points. Good thing or we would have had to spend $350 a night because it is during Oktoberfest.
We leave Munich on October4th on the train and head to Salzburg. We are staying at Berland Hotel http://www.berglandhotel.at/Home.html +43 662 872318. We are in Salzburg http://www2.salzburg.info/ for 2 nights then we head off to Vienna http://www.wien.info/article.asp?IDArticle=9010. We are staying at the Pension Suzanne, http://www.pension-suzanne.at/english/index_2.htm +43-(0) 1-513-25-07 for two nights. I found both of these hotels on http://www.tripadvisor.com/. I LOVE this site. It is one of my favorite sites to read reviews about anything and everything in the travel world. I also love http://www.sidestep.com/. This site will give you all price options for everything travel except of course Southwest Airlines.
Next we hop on a plane from Vienna to Zurich then take a train to Interlaken. We leave Vienna at 3:25 in the afternoon and get to Interlaken in time for those Europen late dinners. Oprah would starve in Europe since she has the no eating after 7 pm rule. We hang in beautiful Interlaken http://www.interlaken.ch/index.php?id=53&L=3 for three nights.
Next stop is Madrid Spain. We take the train back to the Zurich airport and fly into Madrid by the afternoon. Another favorite site of mine is VRBO. I found this cute http://www.vrbo.com/200670 condo on this site. This is where we are staying in Madrid for 4 nights. Nancy and Jeff are heading home on October 14th. We are staying (only because AAdvantage could only get us out on the 17th). On the 14th we will make a day trip to Toledo http://www.travelinginspain.com/toletpg.html, then on the 15th we will take the train to Seville for a night http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/mainsights.htm.
On October 16th we head to our airport hotel to rest our heads and get ready for our long flight home the next day.
Well we are less than a week away heading off to Europe. If you know me well you know I LOVE to travel. This time however, it will be different. This time we are leaving our little 19 month old daughter at home:(
I have started this blog because friends and family have asked me where we are going in Europe. So here are all the gory details. As we travel through Europe I hope to take pictures and do a daily blog for those that are slightly interested in how our trip is going. For those of you watching Siena I hope there is a way for you to attach pictures of her here. Please make comments as to how she is doing without us.
We were going to take her with us but advice from friends warned us not too. They said she would be cranky because of the travel and time difference (is this any different from her Daddy?). So this is our first trip together without her.
I am sure she will be fine with our close friends and family to take care of her. Plus her Nanny will be there as well.
Ok enough about that here is our itinerary. We will be traveling with our close friends Jeff and Nancy Schabilion. We only have on rule. No talking Politics!
Arrive in Munich on October 1st 5:30 pm. We are staying at the HOLIDAY INN MUNICH CITY CENTREHOCHSTRASSE 3MUNICH, GERMANY 81669 (49) 89/48030. Jeff got us this room with his points. Good thing or we would have had to spend $350 a night because it is during Oktoberfest.
We leave Munich on October4th on the train and head to Salzburg. We are staying at Berland Hotel http://www.berglandhotel.at/Home.html +43 662 872318. We are in Salzburg http://www2.salzburg.info/ for 2 nights then we head off to Vienna http://www.wien.info/article.asp?IDArticle=9010. We are staying at the Pension Suzanne, http://www.pension-suzanne.at/english/index_2.htm +43-(0) 1-513-25-07 for two nights. I found both of these hotels on http://www.tripadvisor.com/. I LOVE this site. It is one of my favorite sites to read reviews about anything and everything in the travel world. I also love http://www.sidestep.com/. This site will give you all price options for everything travel except of course Southwest Airlines.
Next we hop on a plane from Vienna to Zurich then take a train to Interlaken. We leave Vienna at 3:25 in the afternoon and get to Interlaken in time for those Europen late dinners. Oprah would starve in Europe since she has the no eating after 7 pm rule. We hang in beautiful Interlaken http://www.interlaken.ch/index.php?id=53&L=3 for three nights.
Next stop is Madrid Spain. We take the train back to the Zurich airport and fly into Madrid by the afternoon. Another favorite site of mine is VRBO. I found this cute http://www.vrbo.com/200670 condo on this site. This is where we are staying in Madrid for 4 nights. Nancy and Jeff are heading home on October 14th. We are staying (only because AAdvantage could only get us out on the 17th). On the 14th we will make a day trip to Toledo http://www.travelinginspain.com/toletpg.html, then on the 15th we will take the train to Seville for a night http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/mainsights.htm.
On October 16th we head to our airport hotel to rest our heads and get ready for our long flight home the next day.
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