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Debbielynn, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your trip report,but every time I’m about to post, there are a dozen more posts that I need to read! I finally gave in and decided to write back before I finished all the posts and just let you know I’m following, too!
I’ve loved seeing the photos in Greece, and enjoyed your family wedding. How wonderful to have a family connection - I lived some of the reminiscences. I’’m now just reading your family history and find it moving to read about your family background. Thank you for writing about it and sharing the obstacles that your family endured. I imagine it was very moving to visit. I’m looking forward to reading the rest and enjoying the photos. |
Progol, thank you for your comments. I have been following your post too. I see you are already planning another trip. My husband said that the next trip can’t have all the walking! He wants to stay in one place for a week, preferably a beach. There is a good chance that we might return to Platamonas and Litochoro region next year and just hang but I’m not good about staying in one place. Love to see churches, museums and cemeteries. And take pictures!
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Mirabell palace and gardens
For some reason, the last time we were in Salzburg, in 2006, George did not come to the gardens. He was probably sitting in a cafe somewhere, secretly smoking! He quit many years ago and went back after 5 years but thought he was keeping it a secret from me! Ha! He was always sneaking off and thought he was being so clever. Well, he has quit again but is now sucking on one of those e-cigarettes. I guess it’s better than the real thing but I don’t approve and I know that it is also not good. Nicotine addiction is pretty tough, I smoked for many years, now I eat instead!! George was enjoying the Gardens this time and taking lots of pictures. Salzburg is so picturesque and I couldn’t stop snapping away! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...61c5d5ace.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f770403f1.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e657a3b0d.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e9a2aaea5.jpeg Pegasus statue https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...190054bbb.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...98dee90c0.jpeg Do-re-mi… https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...46268c904.jpeg They were setting up for some sort of art exhibit, with mannequins placed all over the gardens. A little odd. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5c7edf602.jpeg A wedding party. We always see wedding on our trips! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...26992616b.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fff4e3a90.jpeg Nice picture of George, who usually doesn’t smile. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1107b12b4.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e63a51346.jpeg Part of the exhibit https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c877a4a18.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...64227155d.jpeg |
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Getreidegasse The city has kept up the tradition of metal signs over stores to indicate with pictures what is sold there. This dates back to when many people could not read. There are many high end chain stores in the city. The rent must be astronomical! And the alpine clothing is so expensive! Many of the women in Salzburg wear dirndls every day, not just on special occasions. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c530aefc1.jpeg Salzburg’s favorite son https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f6f259470.jpeg Alpine hats https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...62928c16f.jpeg Mozart’s birth house https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ed0bb418.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ff0267ba5.jpeg Mozart statue https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1a1b27b49.jpeg The cathedral of Salzburg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...366c64b13.jpeg |
Thankyou for this report. Loving it, and all the photos. Good to read your family history too. It must have been so emotional revisiting your family's home, and lovely you were able to scatter some of your father's ashes there.
Such a shame about your husband's feet though. The sort of thing that mine would end up with too! Radler is a mix of beer and lemonade/7Up similar to Shandy in the UK. It gets the radler name from being the drink of choice for thirsty German cyclists. |
A quick question. You bought a vignette for Austria but did you do the same for Slovenia? I know you are supposed to.
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Yes, hetismij2, I should have mentioned the vignette for Slovenia too. It was 25 euros. Austria had a self sticking patch for the windshield. The clerk at the first Slovenian gas station/ convenience store put it in the computer for me and gave me a receipt, which I put in my glove compartment. There was nothing for the windshield. I don’t really know how that worked. Maybe you only have to show it if they stop you. I will keep it in case we ever receive a ticket in the mail. In Italy many years ago, we got a ticket for entering the historic district of Luca with a car. We didn’t get the ticket from the rental agency for about 9 months. Of course, by then we had already forgotten about it!
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Sorry, I meant $15 euros for the vignette.
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A Saturday morning walk in Salzburg. We visited St Sabastian cemetery, behind the church of the same name. So beautiful and peaceful. Mozart’s widow and father are buried here. I read that Mozart was buried in a pauper’s grave in Vienna.
Then we walked down to the river and across to the old town. It is a glorious, sunny day today. Being a Saturday, there were mobs of people and tour groups. So glad I don’t have to follow anyone like a herd of sheep! Next we walked to St. Peter’s church cemetery. What a beautiful place. Love this cemetery. Wouldn’t mind spending eternity here. I think they filmed some of the Sound of Music scenes here. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...81ce6f03e.jpeg Mozart’s wife and father https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...504749e53.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7a0b4ee40.jpeg So peaceful https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fa131649c.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1ce6b1d2f.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dc17ca434.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...72d572f09.jpeg The well-dressed Salzburger. Love this skirt! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...924bd03a5.jpeg Beautiful children’s clothing too https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e06d35ac7.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...03a0b2cce.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...603421ff4.jpeg Translation of above poem https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3d1c4b89b.jpeg Fortress on the hill https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1d7543c83.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ac3642483.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b99e8df08.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b2b116b5d.jpeg So peaceful and beautiful. I could stay here for eternity! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fb394c303.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2169ad524.jpeg Family above ground catacombs https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6e8e344d7.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7dee2dfe3.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f3f9f1527.jpeg The cathedral in the background https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5374e7576.jpeg |
A few more pictures of Salzburg and off we go to Munich, which is about 2 hrs away.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d9abd4cf1.jpeg Near the Dom again with the horse fountain https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b566fd5a7.jpeg You can take a horse and carriage through the city https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3ddc20ae3.jpeg Market day https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4503fc284.jpeg Lots of meat https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...045f5ffa8.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...800b509df.jpeg Lots more wurst |
I love Salzburg, I think I’ve visited 3 times now.
My DH is older than me, too, and always says ‘never again’ when we return home after our gruelling long haul flights. And I’m planning our next trip on that flight, lol. If we go Singapore Airlines, we have a 7 + hour flight, a 10 hr layover, then a 13 + hr flight. The return is an overnight flight so the jetlag/ sleep deprivation is brutal. My strategy is going to have to change if I’m to get him back on a plane…. Maybe premium economy and a 2 night stopover in Singapore, rather than arrive 7 am and fly out overnight at midnight… Somehow I’ve got to sacrifice a few days and some $ to make it more tolerable. |
Adelaidean, exactly where did you say you were going?
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I love your photos of Salzburg. We visited Salzburg for one day from Munich in the mid 90's. I don't remember much. So it's nice to see your photos.
Adelaidean, where are you from? Australia? The flights do sound brutal. We live in Massachusetts so it's easy to get to Europe. But we have visited China several times, and those flights can be brutal, especially when we visited Yunnan province. But your flight schedules sound worse. |
We are in South Australia, quickest routing is Qatar 14 hours to Doha, 4 hr layover then 6+ hours to Europe.
But that’s pretty full on. So an alternative is via Asia, but long layovers and then overnight flights which mess with body clock. I’ve got to get it right for DH to agree to it. I keep sending him photos of ‘places we will visit’ because otherwise he might just suggest another road trip around Tasmania (love Tassie, but….Europe beckons) |
I don’t think I would be able to tolerate such a long journey either! NY to anywhere in Europe is more than long enough for me.
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Great trip report! I finally finished reading and love it! Beautiful vistas! Oh, those mountains. They are gorgeous!
I'm glad to hear your husband is doing much better - ugh, cellulitis. It’s so good you caught it and made sure to get to a doctor ASAP instead of waiting! I can relate- my husband has had numerous health issues while traveling, though nothing major, and I’ve learned to be very flexible. With longer trips but aging bodies it’s become a necessity. I loved the photo of 12-year-old you. How wonderful, too, that you were able to scatter your father’s ashes there. I can only imagine how that felt, but so moving to read about it. And seeing the photo of your grandfather, the fire chief, at a historic fire - wow! |
Progol, that is the 20 yr old me on my honeymoon in 1978! The 12 yr old me was a chubbo!
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We left Salzburg and headed to Munich. Should have been about a 2 hr drive. We planned a visit to the Dachau memorial site but due to a huge traffic jam on the autobahn, we lost over an hour’s time and only had about a 1.5 hrs at the site. Had I known what I found out during the coming night about our flight cancellation, I would have switched the visit to Dachau for tomorrow ( Sunday) with a drive to Munich today. Between walking the long distance from the parking lot and the size of the camp, it was impossible to do it any sort of justice. The size is enormous and much of it is completely open to the hot sun. I just couldn’t walk the whole thing. Suffice it to say that when I saw the guard towers as we drove up, I started to cry. So sad.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3bdaaf971.jpeg Originally served as a concentration camp for political prisoners. It was the model for other camps. It was primarily a “work camp”. But many thousands of people died there. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fa3e9b1b6.jpeg The entrance through the guard house. “Work sets you free” https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...768abc909.jpeg Guard tower https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bb9a87292.jpeg The building where the exhibits are housed. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e3cd301e3.jpeg Recreation of one of the barracks https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4b2c75130.jpeg Rows and rows of foundations where the old barracks were https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9614a91d4.jpeg Sculpture by Nandor Glid, depicting fence posts, barbed wire and human skeletons. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...88fae012d.jpeg Urn with the ashes of an unknown prisoner |
Afterwards, we checked into our hotel at the airport for a 7:15 am flight home. We looked up the surrounding area and found the nearby town of Freising. We chose a restaurant and had dinner and then an early night. Little did we know that we would get a text shortly after midnight that told us our flight from Munich to Healthrow in London was canceled. Oh, no. We were stunned!
We looked up a nearby town , Freising, and restaurants and ate here in the outside beer garden. https://weissbraeu-huber.de/en/ George had roast pork with a beer gravy and I had Kasespätzle. We’ve had so much better. Restaurant was definitely overrated. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c2e8d6305.jpeg Roast pork with beer gravy. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...988402070.jpeg Käsespätzle, one of my favorites, fancy macaroni and cheese. My cooking is much better! |
I did all the driving after George had his foot problem. I found the drivers in both Austria and Slovenia to be civilized and patient. They willingly let you into the lane if you missed your lane change and all were very polite. They observed the traffic rules and never looked like they were trying to beat the light. I never worried that they wouldn’t stop or run me over. Pedestrians always waited for the green light and the little green man, even if there was not a car in site. So orderly. My kind of people!
I never heard any beeping. Everyone observed the speed limit on the highways. In both countries I believe the maximum speed limit on the parkways was 130 km - 80 mph but it changed frequently and everyone slowed down. Of course, in towns and cities the limit was much lower, sometimes 50 or 70 km/h. (31 - 43 mph). In Germany there was sometimes no speed limit , and that is when you saw some of the cars speed on by , prob doing over 160 km. Everyone in all the countries did their passing and moved right back to the right lane to let the faster people go by. But as soon as a lower speed limit was posted in Germany, even the speed demons slowed down! I was so happy to be in countries where I could speak the language. I grew up with some German spoken in the house, especially when my parents were trying to talk in secret! I also took 6 yrs of German classes in junior and sr high school. All my relatives spoke German and my mother still had family in Germany, so I had been there previously with family and by myself for 4 weeks when I was 15. My language skills are extremely rusty and I always appreciate the opportunity to refresh them. The longer we were in Austria and Munich, the better I got. The best compliment anyone could give me is, when getting our room for the last night at a family run Gasthaus, the owner thought I was German! That means I am pretty accent free!! |
We were not prepared to get a middle of night text that our early flight was canceled. I was so distraught, probably because George was so angry. He had had enough and wanted to go home, no matter the cost. He wanted me to book any flight, to anywhere and try to get back. I knew if I did it that way we would not be reimbursed. George and I thought that we might got stuck somewhere on the way home, but never thought it would be in Germany. He was hoping it would be in London, if anywhere. A day in London would have been nice.
I tried to rectify the situation in the middle of the night and found out then that neither of our phone were working for outgoing calls. We were getting data but no phone. I called my daughter in US to see if they could call AT&T. No one knew what happened. They said there was no reason why it shouldn’t work. I couldn’t call the airline, the rental site or anything. As I found out in the morning, it is the German telephone company that doesn’t make the international connection with AT&T. I finally gave up around 4 in the morning and went to sleep. In the morning, when we regrouped and figured out how to get home, I was able to find a flight out of Munich tomorrow, the 4th of July, and a connecting flight home that day. So hopefully we will only be a day late. If we are staying another night, it won’t be in an airport hotel. We found a nice family owned Gasthaus in the town of Freising, extended our car rental another day and made the best of the situation. Turned out we had a nice day. We went into Munich and walked around and later, went to the Weihenstephaner brewery, in Freising, for some dinner. The only down side was that it was Sunday and every single store in Munich was closed. We walked around the middle of the city. George had some beer at the Viktualien Markt, which was pretty quiet. There were some people at this small beer garden and they did have an oomph band playing. We took a walk to the Hofbrauhaus for some pictures. |
Munich
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c4e0a950b.jpeg Marienplatz, center square in Munich, and city hall https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b5dd62cfc.jpeg Clock tower https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a0640f74f.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...09668721c.jpeg The old town hall https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...55035fcd5.jpeg More dirndls https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...96fc1837d.jpeg Suspenders https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3a8948de5.jpeg Hofbrauhaus https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...46d031259.jpeg Noisy and crowded inside https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a18b5a4e3.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3c2021ce8.jpeg Hofbrauhaus again https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a69c8d57d.jpeg Beer at Viktualienmarkt beer garden This is the market for fruit, meat and cheeses during the week but it was closed on Sunday. Only the stands with food and beer were open. |
Weihenstephener brewery is the oldest in Germany and is located in the town of Freising. We had wanted to eat in the restaurant but it was no longer serving dinner by the time we got there. We had to eat what was left in the take out section. Luckily, they had George’s favorite, Schweinshaxe, roasted pork shin. I had goulash. After looking through all the pictures and dinners, I see a pattern emerging. Apparently, I ate a LOT of goulash! Actually, one of my favorite foods!
They had nonalcoholic Radler so I was set to go and drive back to the hotel afterwards. Turns out this is my brother’s favorite beer so I brought him a nice mug as a gift. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...689907965.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6c5ade64d.jpeg Established in 1040 https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...05f904fcb.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d5d96d0bb.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a32481ade.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...34f8367d8.jpeg Prosit! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5b99b04d8.jpeg Pork shin https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7e97d2003.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d2f858038.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bb19e75d6.jpeg |
The next morning, the car was returned without problems and we made our flight out of Munich by the skin of our teeth. It took us over 2 hrs to check into our flight because there were only 2 agents working at the desks. The plane left late because of this but made up most of the time in the air. No problems at Heathrow and we got home safely. And our luggage made it back too!
The worst part of the trip was the situation at the airports. Makes me think long and hard about another air trip in the near future. George’s feet are doing better and we didn’t catch Covid so that is a plus! Hope you enjoyed our story and trip. Bon voyage to all!! I will still be reading about all your trips and answering questions in the future. 🛩 🚞 🗻 🧳 📸 |
You made the best of a very frustrating situation, Debbielynn.
thank you for sharing your experiences, such a great trip. |
Thanks for a great trip report! Doubt I'll be traveling any time soon - I'm not worried so much about the planes, but the airports sound way too crowded.
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That was a fabulous TR Debbielynn, I really enjoyed the ride and pictures. My fav part was of course the Slovenia, your family history made it so very special. It would certainly have been an emotional journey, but fulfilling too. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us!
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Thank you for all the kind remarks. Glad you all enjoyed.
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Thank you for taking the time to write your report and to post your beautiful photos! I really enjoyed every aspect of your trip. Your Munich photos reminded me of our stay there in the 90's. We visited the Hofbrahaus, too! My husband would love all those meat dishes!!!
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Originally Posted by Debbielynn
(Post 17384126)
Progol, that is the 20 yr old me on my honeymoon in 1978! The 12 yr old me was a chubbo!
Thank you for a great trip report and wonderful photos. I’m glad you made it home safely, despite all the hassles with cancellation. |
Thank you for sharing your recent travels with this trip report. These locations are not covered as often as others so are extra appreciated. I especially love Greece and found your travels in these more off the radar locations fascinating.
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Thank you, HappyTrvlr, they are different than the usual places in Greece but just as nice. If you ever get to the middle of the country, Meteora is a must see!
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What a wonderful travelogue - feels like a virtual vacation!
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Thanks for the trip report, Debbielynn!
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