note I didn't say Art lovers. that's a whole nother topic for a whole nother kind of forum. ;-)<BR><BR>any takers? I'll be in Trier, Heidelberg, Munich, and environs. if there are famous artists haunts you are aware of, favored museums - feel free to weigh in!<BR><BR>also Amsterdam, while you're at it - but only for 2 days. <BR><BR>danke schon.

Amsterdam... so many places for so little time! Van Gogh museum (which I LOVED), Rijksmuseum (very easy to get lost as there are so many rooms!), Allard Pierson(ancient), Cobra Museum(modern, Frans Hals (dutch)... get the city pass because the lines at van Gogh and Rijks tend to be long, with the pass you zip right through.. you'll have to buy the tickets for one at the tourist office (only the van Gogh OR the Rijks is free with the pass) Pass also good for tram- a good value IMO because the museums are a bit out from city centre. There are tons of museums in Munich too... spent more time seeing things outside there to really have a comment. Have a good visit! Tscheuss!!

You'll read mixed reviews of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, but to me, it is a great "little" art museum (just the right size for my tastes) with some gigantic masterpieces (both in size, literally, and in stature).<BR><BR>Splurged for a docent's tour two yars ago; it was my second trip there, and felt like that was a good expenditure (though expensive if you're not in a sizable group).<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Well, I'm one of those that will disagree with Rex about the Alte Pinakothek. I found it to be one very old, very dark religious painting after another. I mean how many times can you see the very same crucifixion scene played over and over.<BR><BR>Now the Neu Pinathotek is a different story if you like modern art...and I do.<BR><BR>US

Well, yes, there are some crucifixion paintings, Giotto, for example, and Cranach the Elder. But look at the awesome other Cranachs.<BR><BR>And this painting alone is worth a trip to the Alte Pinakothek.<BR><BR>http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/b/bol/guild.jpg<BR><BR>Plus Brueghels, Canalettos, Rembrandts, and those Rubens!!<BR><BR>The Web Gallery of Art displays 239 works from Alte Pinakothek.<BR><BR>http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/search.cgi?location=Alte+Pinakothek%2C+Munich<BR>

up<BR>

Does anyone else ever wonder if Rex does all his European travel by internet? Seems for everything he knows there is a web site.... jeezzzz

Even if I traveled to Europe two weeks out of every four, I would still cite internet resources frequently. How else can I show all this great info in a reasonable way - - cut and paste it? and plagiarize? and how else show these wonderful images?<BR><BR>Anyhow, it's true, I have not been to Europe in ten months. I recently posted a summary of some of the reasons, as follows below (again). <BR><BR>Looking to come up with a plan to end the drought soon.<BR><BR>===================================== <BR><BR>from http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1305707<BR><BR>(thanks to Cecilia...)<BR><BR>Author: Rex ([email protected])<BR>Date: 07/31/2002, 10:42 am<BR><BR>Message: Might as well update - - more than 12 months have passed.<BR><BR>So much more domestic travel this past year, with only one trip to Europe. Looking forward to more Europe in the next year perhaps - - my wife and I are empty-nesters this fall.<BR><BR>August 01 - - The month began with the funeral for my father-in-law (who posted here - - "Irvin", regarding our May 2000 trip). Then, later - - Lexington, VA; Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem, NC and Clemson, SC. Our last college-hunting trip until (and if) any nieces, nephews or grandkids ask us to go with them.<BR><BR>Sep 01 - The Fodorites' trip to Italy: Milan (flew into with direct train to) Florence and Fiesole, Lake Garda with side trips to Verona, Venice, Trento, Sirmione and Malcesine/Riva; finished up in Rome.<BR><BR>Dec 01 - and almost a dozen trips since (way more than usual) "back home" to Floyd county, Indiana and the Louisville area. Mostly for consulting; some for family functions.<BR><BR>Jan 01 - Tucson. Consulting.<BR><BR>Feb 01 - Los Angeles; to meet with a surgeon who undertook an endoprosthesis revision (the patient is our middle daughter, a student at USC). Seven years after her original bone cancer surgery; the operation was performed in May and was unbelievably successful, restoring to her knee the ability to bend again, for the first time in seven years.<BR><BR>Mar 01 - Toledo, and repeatedly over the next 4 months. Consulting assignment.<BR><BR>Apr 01 - Indianapolis. Consulting.<BR><BR>May 01 - Rochester, NY. to help our oldest daughter move home, and to atttend her graduation.<BR><BR>Jun 01 - Madisonville, KY; Fort Wayne and Lafayette, IN. Consulting.<BR><BR>Jul 01 - Los Angeles, CA to help our daughter go back to her apartment after a 6 weeks at home (my wife brought her here on the 23rd post-op day); Clemson, SC for freshman orientation (where our youngest eventually chose); Henderson, KY for consulting.<BR><BR>Hoping for a little less driving, and more (trans-Atlantic) flying in the coming year. Always mindful of the wear and tear of packing and unpacking.<BR><BR>

Sure it's off topic, but I want to establish my travel credentials, too.<BR><BR>Jan 2002 - Modesto, California. Wedding of my cousin Phoebe. She wore white and did not say "obey" in her vows. Marriage lasted two weeks.<BR><BR>Feb 2002 - Des Moines. Convention of American Stereoscopy and Philology Society. Delivered well-received paper. Later found that audience members were a Serbian folk dance group who'd wandered in by mistake and didn't speak English.<BR><BR>March 2002 - Carrsboro, North Carolina, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and Wenatchee, Washington. Consulting.<BR><BR>April 2002 - Two wonderful weeks in Leeds, England, leading a tour for my bridge club.<BR><BR>May 2002 - Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania - Consulting and bowling.<BR><BR>June 2002 - A week at the Golden Door Spa having my ego massaged.<BR><BR>July 2002 - Emergency room of local hospital with my best friend who had a kidney stone. Also offered to help my next-door neighbor move a television.<BR><BR>Aug 2002 - Oxford, Mississippi. Consulting. Watched premier of Anna Nicole show on TV.<BR><BR>Thank you for your interest.