Poland - People on our trip 2010

There were about 21 or 22 people on our bus during the trip to Europe.

Jeanie, Wanda, Francis, Teresa, Teresa (Stephanie) and Walter, Sylvia and Chester, Connie and Tony, Stan and Joyce, Dolores and Ted, Andy, Jean and Robert, Diane, Frank and Jane (Janina), and of course John Gora made the trip a delight.

All these folks were from Canada except Stan and I.

Prague - Ceske Krumlov - Ceske Budejovice - Vienna



Vienna and Apelton Winnery Austria

I never though that we could wear out an umbrella on a trip, but with gusty winds the frame such give way.




Bratisalva Solvaki - Budapest Hungary

Bratisalva was the rainy and windiest. Several stayed on the bus instead of braving the driving rains and winds. Budapest was really fun and interesting especially the large indoor market.




Zakopane and Krakow Poland




Doorways in Zakopane and Krakow

Poland 2010 Hotels and food

Doorways in Europe are intriguing. Some tattered from years of use and some inviting and upscale.




Here is a sampling of food. I usually ate it before I remembered to take a photo.



We stayed at many lovely hotels.


Prague


The first one in Prague was the best.

HOTEL CENTURY OLD TOWN ( 4 * )
Na Porici 7
Prague 1
11000 Prague, Czech Republic
Tel : (420) 2 180 0800
Fax : (420) 2 180 0801

The ceilings were at least 15 foot high. The rooms were spotless. Beds had those fluffy mattresses and soft down (or down like) comforters. WIFI (Internet service for laptops) worked great to connect in the room and was lightening fast to upload videos and photos.

We really like to have a cup of tea or coffee in the room. There was a boiler handy. There were fluffy soft towels and a wash cloth. The bathroom included a makeup mirror. There was a hair blower at a desk. Living the dream of luxury.








If you like to use a wash cloth be sure to take one with you. The first hotel was the one that had washcloths.

Ceske Budejovie Czech Republic


HOTEL GOMEL ( 4 * )
Prazska Trida 2306/14
37004 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
Tel : (420) 389 102 111
Fax : (420) 389 102 333

After a long day riding on the bus and driving through beautiful country side. We stopped in the charming village of Ceska Krumlov and then on to Ceska Budajovice where were toured the Budweiser plant. Replete with good food and fresh beer we were ready for an evening's rest.





Hotel Gomel is nothing to write home about. Rooms were typical European- - small size where you just don't know where to lay out your luggage. No wash cloth, but that's OK after all you are in Europe and the sights are spectacular. The mattresses are not quite as soft and puffy, but more like camping in a tent with a bed roll on the ground. Just missing the tent flap. Breakfasts with tasty dark breads and lovely meats, cheeses and fruits that get you started on your day. The view of the city from our room was delightful. The windows open so you can get some refreshing outside air.

Many in the group walked to the near-by square to attend Sunday Mass.


Vienna

AUSTRIA TREND HOTEL ANANAS ( 4 * )
Rechte Wienzeile 93-95/ Sonnenhofgasse 8-10
1050 Vienna, Austria
Tel : (43) 1 546 20
Fax : (43) 1 545 4242






The room was cozy and had a little desk under the window looking out to the charming courtyard of other buildings. Stan and I had tea and pastry over looking that view siting on coral leather chairs and a stool. There was a refrigerator, but no boiler for tea. I got used to hot water from the facet - kind of like warm tea. We drank the water from the facets in all the places, however still bought some bottled water to carry around during the day.


Budapest Hungary

HOTEL MERCURE BUDAPEST CITY CENTER ( 4* )
20 Vaci utca
1052 Budapest, Hungary
Tel : (36) 1 485 3100
Fax : (36) 1 485 3111








This is a very nice Hotel in the main part of the city. We walked about 2-3 blocks from where the bus dropped us off to this hotel. It was close to lovely restaurants and shopping along the streets. Most streets were for walking and shopping as traffic from cars were on other streets. No washcloth. Breakfast was a delight.

There was easy access to three computers by sitting on bar stools in the inviting bar area. You slide in your room key ( or any other credit card sized card) and you could use the internet for free. There was no way to upload photos from USB ports or the like as you only had access to the screen and key board. The font was set so large that you could read it across the room.

Rooms did not have free WIFI. This is where you were required to pay for the service in Euros (6 for two hours - 9 for 24 hours). We walked back to our hotel from the main covered market on afternoon. Very handy.

Zakopane Poland


HOTEL MERCURE KASPROWY ( 4 * )
ul. Szymaszkowa
34-500 Zakopane, Poland
Tel : (48) 18 202 4022
Fax : (48) 18 202 4024



This hotel was a delight. The view across the meadows to the snowed covered peaks of the Tetras mountains was a sight to remember. Stepping out onto the balcony even on a rainy day was refreshing.

The internet was easily connected by the red cable that was provided. Uploading videos was a sluggish process and I finally gave up on that. I uploaded a few pictures which seemed to go smoother. I don't remember seeing any computers or a business center for the rest of the travelers.

The place was roomy at least enough for lay out the luggage.

Stan and I ate breakfast early around 7 one day and had time to visit the swimming pool before our departure for a tour. I'm glad we did. Always take your swim suit just in case although I think they rented them also. The pool was about 3 times the size of most indoor hotel pools. It was about 4-5 feet deep so plenty of space and depth to swim. The locker rooms were co-ed, however there was a changing room for privacy. The pool was included. There were also other amenities for a small charge. If you stay here, plan to use the pool.

Krakow


We stayed at the Novotel .

Hotel Novotel Kraków Centrum
www.accorhotels.com
Ul. T. Kościuszki 5, Kraków - 12 299 29 00










The rooms are spacious, still no wash cloth. The breakfasts a delight as usual.

The hotel is within walking distance from the main square. We stayed at this same hotel last year and did walk from place to place. This time it was so rainy that we ordered golf carts with plastic to shelter us for a ride down to the square. On the way back, still too rainy so we rented a cab for 15 zoltys for 4 of us.


There are a variety of covers on the beds. Some beds are thick pads over hard boards or so it seems. Others are like clouds of soft down that you can just melt into after a long day.

Most places have internet services in their complimentary business centers. I bring along a notebook computer as I found in years past there were not always business centers, but generally some WIFI was available if you had your own computer. You can also unload your photos if you are using up lots of space on a flash card. The flip camera I use holds 60 minutes of video, which is quite a bit when more songs I record are about 2 - 5 minutes. But it is nice to know I have a place to save them through out the trip as this camera doesn't have a place to use and extra flash card like cameras do. I always carry extra batteries, flash cards, battery chargers and plug adapters. Over the years you learn by traveling to just bring along extra stuff.

Some Rooms had free WIFI in the rooms or with use of connection cord as in Zakopane and Krakow. Budapest I was mostly internet less for uploading photos / videos as it cost 6 Euros for a couple of hours or 9 Euro (~$15) for 24 hours. After all I am on vacation and internet can wait. I was able to make a quick note on facebook about every day.

Local Currency is always a problem when you arrive in a country. US dollars and coins are worthless unless converted to local currency and coins. Even euros are not such friendly coins. People you might want to buy a postcard, cup of coffee or use of the WC (water closet - bathroom) usually about 50 cents worth want their coins or currency. Often I found the tours started in the mornings, guides get busy telling you about this and that about the community you are visiting and you are coinless with it is time to use the WC. Yikes.!. It if really hard to plan around this one traveling across borders with limit time for finding places to exchange money. The tours don't really wait for you to get with the program and many hotels didn't have facilities for exchange. There are ATMs around, hopefully you have the right card. We used one in Budapest and requested 19,000 forint, which I think is about $90. Vacation minds don't always think in mathematical term. You can always buy some local currency at larger banks in US metro cities. be sure to get small denominations as those large bills look great, but are not so easy to bargain with in the markets. We didn't use visa at all in the open market shops. Visa / Mastercard works for upscale shops. Stan bought a really nice belt. That shop took visa, but really wanted local currency so be obliged due to the cost of using credit card services for the shop.

Kradow 9-6-2010

September 5, 2010

In the afternoon after our long walk through Krakow we went to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Stan and I were there last year and enjoyed it immensely. We debated if we should stay back so Stan could practice accordion that John Gora had on the bus. John had serenaded us on our bus ride through Krakow to the Salt Mine. Either choice would have been fun.

We did the tour of the mine. It is a challenge for aging knees as there were many staircases going down. The railings were sturdy and plodding along one step at a time seemed to work OK and didn't hold up the group. One very long stair case I didn't start counting steps until were about half way down. I counted 80 steps. Other staircases were 39 to 60 steps long. It was a staircase kind of day.

The most interesting chamber is the one with all the reliefs carved in the walls and giant chandeliers hanging in a magnificent hall. This is used for weddings and Mass. As I think about our visit and what we saw, it still amazes me that miners did all the sculptures instead of some slick laser tooled artisan that was paid to professionally complete these mighty works. However they were done, it is a must see experience.

Toward the end of the trip, I'm almost pictured out. Here are some photos I took the first time through the salt mine. We were wearing the same coats and shirts.



We had our farewell dinner across the street from the salt mine. My vegetarian meal was battered and fried goat cheese with a mound of boiled vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots). Sometimes I think when you say you want a vegetarian meal the restaurants are afraid you are starving and give you servings to feed a table of six. Stan and other meat eaters had tender roast duck with potatoes and red cabbage sauerkraut. Dessert I remember from last year when we went there was the same this year; a scoop of ice cream floating in a generous serving of fresh raspberry sauce. Pretty tangy and yummy.

We saw dancers getting ready to play for the evening, but they were getting ready for the next bunch of visitors. The restaurant had reconfigured the place to make booths that seated 6 with high backs so it would have been near impossible to enjoy any playing or folk dancing from our seats as you couldn't see over the backs of the booths. Last year they had long tables with lower bench backs that worked well for entertaining crowds.

We all climbed back into the bus. John Gora entertained us with the accordion on the way back to the hotel. He sure can play and sing any song we requested and more. Made for a fun evening to top off the trip.

Next morning we all left to go back home. The long 9+ hour plane ride from Krakow to Chicago and another 2+ to Denver makes for a long day, but worth it in the end.


MON , SEPTEMBER 06 - KRAKOW - END OF TOUR ! Early morning transfer to Krakow airport for flight home .

Krakow Poland 9-5-2010

Krakow Poland



Sunday September 5, 2010
The group crawled into the bus early in the morning with coats on and umbrellas in hand for a walking tour of Krakow, Poland.

We walked up a pretty steep incline on the Royal Wawel Hill to view the beauty of the outside of the buildings. The cathedral was having mass so no visitors unless you intended to stay for all of the mass. We did go quietly through a chambers in the lower area that had the sarcophagus of the recently deceased President and his wife who were killed in a plane crash earlier this year.

We walked down the incline overlooking a view of the city and turned back to see the magnificence of the spires and roofs of the many buildings that had been added on over the years. Of interest on the drizzly day were the rain spouts made of copper in the shape of gargoyles, dragons heads complete with crowns and ducks which were flush with water that slashed gently from two stories above.

At the bottom of the hill we walked several blocks back to the main square of the city. St. Mary's church had the trumpeter playing out of the top windows to mark the hour. Mass was going on there also. We were on our own to explore the area for a few hours.

I hurried to buy a few things I saw along the way and then we stopped for a quick bowl of soup in a very reasonably priced cafe about two blocks from the main square. John Gora had spotted it on our walking journey. A bowl of mushroom and noodle soup with bread was about 3.6 zloty or about $1.80. Try to buy that in Colorado and you will be sadly out of luck.

One thing of great importance on walking / shopping tours is the finding and using a water closet (WC- Bathroom). The cafe had none of course at those prices. We walked through the updated cloth hall (mall) of shops with upscale Polish crafts and jewelery. No WC.

Finally we went through an archway across from the main square to one of the coffee / beer bars toward the back. It was a cozy, trendy place filled with young people enjoying the day called Figa-2 Kachwa I Wspolnicy Spotka Jawna 31-042 Krakow, Rynek Glowny 7/11. For 14 zloty (less then $5) we had the most relaxing cups of tea, yes with facilities in a very contemporary shop. The beer was served extra cold and the ice formed on the pipes attested to that.




SUN, SEPTEMBER 05 – KRAKOW Half-day tour of Krakow, including: The Royal Wawel Hill , the Royal Route and the Old Town area with the Old Town Market Square, the Cloth Hall, the Barbican, St Mary's Church with 15th c Witt Stwosz Altar inside, Florianska Gate. Afternoon to Wieliczka Salt Mine and afterwards Farewell Dinner . Overnight in Krakow. ( B , D )

ZAKOPANE –KRAKOW 9-4-2010

September 4, 2010 Saturday

On bus trip from Zakopane to Krakow.

Last evening in Zakopane Poland was a big hit. We walked up wide gravel steps to a mountain goralli restaurant. We knocked at the door and were met with a man with an axe in one hand. He lined up the men as they went in first followed by the women. As we entered the man smacked the hood over the open fire a good one and about knocked our socks off.

We set down at long picnic tables of white wood that was sandblasted to leave that interesting rough finish. The benches were shorter then a normal chair as they were on top of two big logs.

Three musicians played folk music and sang in those extra high voices. One guy played a 3 string instrument bigger than a cello and smaller than a contra bass. We recognized many of the tunes that were adapted to the goralli mountain style of music. John Gora and Diane treated us by dancing to one of these rapid paced dances. Feet moved at double time.

Soup was served in little buckets hanging from a wrought iron holder. My soup included chunks of hard-boiled egg, while Stan’s was more a beef vegetable like goulash. Dinner followed. It was tender chunks of lamb and ham on a skewer with some potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and a snappy pickle. I had potato pancakes with fried mushrooms. Dessert was on fire when it arrived at the dinner table. Ice cream topped with flaming whipped cream.

The waiter and waitresses kept us jumping. Many times they brought out platters of drink and food, then quickly dropped the platter on the rock floor scaring us with a start.

The waitress cut off a customer's underwear using a machete to slice off the underwear on each side and then pulled them out from the back. The male waiter said in Polish- you better loosen your belt and pants or she'll pull your n---- off. Then the guy had to through them up on the rafters which were already full of bras, ties and other underwear.

The next morning replete with food and laughter we settled into our bus seats for a leisurely nap on the way from Zakopane to Krakow. We stopped nearby to drink in the beautiful view of the snow covered peaks of the Tetra mountains and the lush green of the valleys. At a church (Bachledowka) off the normal tourist stopping point, we marveled at the beauty of the hand carved wood. The ceiling of the church was in the shape of a big cross with squares of carvings, symbols of the community. Men in goralli costumes wear these same symbols craved in metal on their belts.
The homes in the area are typical in style with the high peaked roofs most with lacy curtains in the windows and floors cascading from window boxes. The foundations of these homes are adorned with repeating patterns of river rock such as a large one next to two long skinny ones. It must have taken some time to line up the supply of rocks for these interesting designs.

We stopped in a small city at the local Saturday market. It was filled with all stalls of locals selling normal goods such as bags of candy, socks, shoes, coat, pots and pans, bushels bags of carrots, onions and pickle cucumbers. I won’t tell you what the vendor said when I comments on his nice bag of carrots. I don’t speak Polish, but gestures tell it all.

We all voted to skip the rafting trip as the river was overflowing from the recent rains. Riding on a wooden canoe on fast current isn’t as charming for us older folks as it was last year when the river was almost quiet with calm.

We went instead to Pope John Paul II’s church where he was born and became an alter boy in Wadowice. Stan and I went in, sat down and said a few prayers. Up front by the alter were two chair draped in white with a large bow softly tied in the back of each chair. Soon a wedding would take place in this beautiful setting.
We strolled around the square and enjoyed a scoop of strawberry ice cream for about 50 cents or 1.6 zloty. I like that they serve little small scoops at reasonable prices. This gives you a chance to try it out without loads of calories. Some times more is not better.

We arrived in Krakow at the Novotel Hotel. This is the place we stayed last year on our Poland trip. It started to rain again about the time we were leaving for our restaurant in the downtown square. We rode on golf carts in groups of 6 to the square. It is interesting to be on the back with cars rushing toward you. One time we passed a horse and carriage.

We had about an hour until our restaurant reservations. Not so much fun to stroll in the chilled raining air as it would be a balmy evening. We ducked into St Mary’s church. This place is amazing. It is about 500 years old and adorned with so many interesting designs that your mind feels it is inside a kaleidoscope. We visited that year so I have a slight remembrance of this place. Once a day the tall ornately carved and painted doors behind the alter are opened to more magnificent carvings adorned in silvers and gold. The doors were opened this evening. We slide into an empty seat and prayed for a few things happy to be out of the rain.

We walked under our umbrella toward the restaurant across the square and ducked into the shop next door. The back room had a book store. It is definitely more challenging looking through a book store when all the books are in Polish. The rest of the store had an interesting assortment of things in separate room ran by different people. There were earring displayed floor to ceiling on three foot diameter columns. Seriously – every inch had a set of earrings hanging from a hook. I pawed through the scarfs, but just didn’t see anything I wanted. Another room sold T-shirts.

Finally, time to dinner. We went down a couple flights of stairs next door to a cozy place. The exposed bricks on the wall and arched ceilings told of older days that this place might have been some secret hiding place with tunnels. Who knows. The food was great. Pieorgies – freshly made and delicious. Dessert was the Pope’s favorite – flakey crusts with cheese- whipped cream type thick filling.
Back to the hotel, this time in a cab as it was now raining harder. Four of us paid 15 zlotes or about $4.50. Well worth the quick ride back.


Here is music from the restaurant. It was so dark in there you can hardly see the musicians, however the music is worth a listen. Many familiar songs played Goralli Mountain man style. This is the region were many of these song initiated.









Itinerary - skipped the rafting trip due to high, rapid flowing river

SAT , SEPTEMBER 04 –ZAKOPANE KRAKOW After breakfast we leave Zakopane. Rafting on Dunajec River - Dunajec Gorge through the limestone rocks of Pieniny Mountains is one of the most beautiful views in Poland. Sitting comfortably on wooden rafts just admire the landscape and listen to the stories and jokes told by the navigating rafts men. Stop at a local restaurant after the rafting for those wishing to have a snack or light lunch . Afternoon arrival in Krakow. Free time before dinner in the Old Town. Overnight in Krakow . ( B , D )

ZAKOPANE Poland 9-3-2010

Zakopane Poland



Zakopane is the most interesting place. Houses are distinct here with high pitched roofs to ward off the snow in the winter. This is a ski town with all the charm and vitality of the young people it attracts to the locals happy to bargain and sell their wares.

The main street have a delightful selection of local craft, smoked goat cheese pressed into tubes and other shapes with Polish designs. There are leather coats, scarfs and jewelry to delight the visitors.

At the end of the street is a funicular that goes up to the top of the hill. More crafts along with sausages smoking on a grill. A road goes on the ridge of the mountain. There are horse and carts that you can pay a few zlotys to take a ride.

Across the meadow you can see the cottages nestled in the forest. The snow covered tatra mountains peak out of the cloudy landscape. It is about 40 degrees this chilly day with intermittent rain.

After a brief look around we hurry back down the funicular to the warmth of the shops below.

Stan and I found a bank and exchanged the variety of currency (florins - Budapest, Euro - Vienna and Czech currency) to zloty so we could buy some lunch. We walked up the main street and peered at a few menus. A lady waiting on the steps of a cafe saw us looking and struck up a conversation. She noticed that we were probably Americans. We discovered after a few words and hearing her accent that she was from Australia. It is a small world after all.

We meandered up the street some more and found an interesting cafe that we had heard gorali mountain music playing the year before. We picked a table made of logs and sat down on a well worn sheep's skin draped on the seat. I ordered potato and cheese pierogies which were some the best I have eaten in Poland. Stan had noodle soup. Watching the people pass made the afternoon a delight.

We stopped by a bakery on that way back down the hill and bought a couple of Pushks (Polish name for jam stuffed Bismark type donuts).



Here is some interesting goralli Mountain Man folk music played at a restaurant






Itinerary Rainy and chilly


FRI, SEPTEMBER 03 – ZAKOPANE Breakfast at the hotel. Half-day tour of Zakopane, including: Funicular ride to Gubalowka Hill gives a beautiful view over Polish and Czech Tatras, Tatra Museum, a walk along Krupowki Street. Time for shopping - friendly street vendors will offer local goods (lamb-wool sweaters, walking sticks, wooden figures). Dinner at a bonfire with accompaniment of a folklore band. Overnight in Zakopane ( B, D )

BUDAPEST – SZENTENDRE - ZAKOPANE Poland 9-2-2010

9-2-2010
Our bus voted to skip the tour of the village of Szentendre, Hungary and just go directly to Zakopane Poland. It was still a 6 hour bus trip and we didn't want to add another few hours to a tiring day. At some point another city tour just plan wears you out.

The countryside through Slovakia and Poland is beautiful. Rolling hills turned to skiable mountainsides covered with lush green grasses and pine trees. We entertained ourselves by reading, sleeping or eating food we brought along from the generous breakfasts.

Our Hotel Mercure is at the edge of top high on the hillside with a spectacular panoramic view of the snow covered tetra mountain across the meadow dotted with charming wooden homes sporting high pitched roofs.

We had dinner at a mountain type restaurant with an open fire burning in the center of the room. Folk musicians entertained us as we enjoyed the food. My favorite was the mushroom soup ladled from pots hanging from wrought iron hooks at the dinner table. There is something about the flavor of those Europeon mushrooms that is different and tasty. Food was attractively presented on wooden rectangular platters. One heaping platters per person that included pork roast, pork and blood sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes. I had spinach pieogies (pasta type filled dumpling. Small cakes and pastries were served for dessert to top off the meal.

We have eaten more food in a week then we probably eat in a month. Thank goodness for stretchy waistbands. There is an indoor pool that is about four times bigger then most hotel pools in the lower floor of this building. I am trying to figure out how to squeeze in a few laps before our touring journey. The pool opens at 8 am and our tour starts about 9. It is another cloudy rainy day. We had planned to visit the large outdoor market stalls that line the main street on our way up the gondola to the top of the mountain overlooking the valley and tetra high peaks of the tetra mountains across the way.


THU, SEPTEMBER 02 – BUDAPEST – SZENTENDRE - ZAKOPANE After breakfast we depart Budapest. We visit Szentendre - the town of artists of middle ages atmosphere, which is built between the hills and the Danube, parallel to the river. It has a pleasant atmosphere, with picturesque old streets, 18th century houses and Greek orthodox churches. An artist colony is settled here. For visitors there are many museums in the town: the unique Kovács Margit Ceramic Museum the Marzipan Museum, Open-air Museum, Caprice Jewelry Manufactory. Opportunity for shopping. Continue via Slovak Republic to Zakopane. Dinner and overnight in Zakopane. ( B , D )

Budapest 9-1-2010

September 1, 2010
Budapest Hungary





This place is awesome especially now that the rain and wind has stopped we have a semi sunshiny day.

Breakfast at the Mercure Hotel located in the heart of downtown was a epicurian delight. Lots of right breads, flake croissants cheeses, ham and sausages filled trays. Cereal was that great granola with right thick milk.

We took a tour of Budapest and across the river to Buda Hungary. The tour was partially on the bus and part walking tour.

We learned a little about Attila the Hun. Mostly I remembered that he had 400 wives. That is a hand full.

On the top of the hill we walked right by the front door of their Prime Minister's home - like our white house. No Guards. No high fences. Our guide said that this man was elected by the people - therefore accessible to the people.


Hungarian language is not understood by many. It is based on mathematics and not similar at all to the romance or Slavic languages.

The tour guide showed us many eye-catching sights. Hungary is really a very nice place with an interesting history. We visited St. Stephens Basilica in Budapest close to our hotel. It was reconstructed from being dark and dank to the charmer it is today with rich red marble and gold adornments above all columns. It was truly magnificent. I'll add some photos once I have access to a computer for a longer time.

King Mathias Cathedral was being reconstructed also. The brightly colors tiles are made of pottery and add to the charm authentic to Hungarian type style.

Hungary was ravages by various evasions over 30 times over the past 50-60 years. We heard the animosity in the voice of our guide that she suffered as a child and her parents endured many times over. The Soviets killed over 2 million Hungarians from 1944 - 1989. Families belonged to the secret police. Their children are reaping the benefits of the graft that was passed so many years ago. When the German's left and the Russian's came in to help the Hungarians, the Hungarian Jews embraced the Communists (now called Socialists). There was a lot of money exchanged hands during the war for a variety of reasons. Over the years this money grew into an empire from many at the costs of freedom for the others. A small group of a few people have control of the economic banks, insurance companies and other business enterprises for years. Regular people are at the mercy of these folks even though this is a democracy. These powerful folks are untouchable according to our guide. There is a law passed recently that does not allow anything to be said about Jewish people or Hungarian citizens will be taken to prison. Soros is the guy who really has the power in the country though now. He lives in the US and a great friend of Obama - Yikes.!.

On a lighter note - Did you know that Funiculars were built to carry fat and heavy general to their palaces on top of the hill? They are pretty good for fat Americans also.

There is a question about the Lion statues around the community of Budapest. Youngsters climb up to see if they really have tongues. I peeked and didn't really see a tongue, but the bus was going pretty fast.

Another interesting tidbit from our guide is about Franz Liszt. He was quite a handsome man at the time and it is said he had over 1,000 lovers. Busy guy.

There are 2 million Hungarians living in Budapest. There are 700,000 Hungarians that live in Cleveland.

Afternoon of leisure included a walk through a two story enclosed market; crafts and food on the top floor, vegetable/fruit and meats on the first floor. I had the most delicious bean soup (butter beans) with a generous scoop of broth, potatoes and tomatoes on top. Stan had stuffed cabbage rolls, sauerkraut and meat chunks. Yummo.

We had an interesting dinner at a restaurant high on the hills of Budapest. The bus could barely make it around the hairpin turns on the one lane steep roads. We were greeted to some sweet wine in cute little porcelain jugs. A guy was cracking a whip in the air. Some of our group tried it, but not much whipping resulted.

We started off with Hungarian Goulash soup and then heaping platters of food including potatoes, garlic noodles, rice, vegetables and tons of meats, schnitzel prepared veal, chicken, roast pork. It was more then we could eat. Dessert was some kind of thinly layered cake topped with whip cream. Wow.!. We have enough food for two weeks instead of one.

The entertainment was the top of the evening. A dulcimer is piano type instrument with the keys missing. Two small mallets are used to hit each string and make the music. It is interesting when played with skill. A violin, viola and bass compliment the music. Then the dancer came out with such rapid dancing I thought my head would spin. Great time and good music.






One of these girls was such a joy to watch as she could dance with the fastest feet ever.






Itinerary - Seems we saw most of it

WED, SEPTEMBER 01 – BUDAPEST
Half-day tour of Budapest: Tour to include: Heroes Square, Millenary Monument, Vajdahunyad Castle, Andrássy Boulevard, State Opera House, Basilica – interior visit, Parliament-interiors, view from Gellért hill, Castle district, Matthias Church-interior visit, Fishermen's Bastion-interior visit, Margaret Island. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner with folklore at a local restaurant .The Courtyard House is 20 minutes from the heart of the city is on the top of the Hármashatár mountain, offers you perfect relaxation and unique experience. Here revives the peace and hospitality of the ancient noble manors. You can enjoy the silence of nature and can take delight in the magnificent panorama from the terrace. All the bridges of Budapest are visible from this very place. The Rosetrellis restaurant that has a full panorama.
Overnight in Budapest. ( B , D )

VIENNA – BRATISLAVA - BUDAPEST 8-31-2010

8-31-2010 Brateislava Slovakia

It was driving rain and wind driving to the quaint town of Bratislava Slovakia. I braved it with a few of my bus-mates to view this charming village. On a better day it would have been fun to have a cup of tea at one of their many outdoor cafes or to shop in their cute stores. No time today. Must walk fast to get out of the rain and keep up on these winding street of this little village.






Then several of musicians came around our tables to play requests.



We ate dinner was chicken with paprika sauce traditional for the area. Dessert was cheese cake between tender flake crust. Don't drink water with gas it can create an amazing nightmere up and down your throat.

Here is a sampling of some the great music we heard from the gypsy chamber orchestra. A piano sized dulcimer, contra bass, viola, violin and of course the maestro on the violin played great classical and also folk tunes.




TUE, AUGUST 31 - VIENNA – BRATISLAVA - BUDAPEST
After breakfast we depart from Vienna and travel to Bratislava. The main features we will see are the
Old Town and the Castle, After which we will have time for light lunch or snack before continuing to Budapest where we will arrive in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Budapest. ( B , D )

Vienna - 8-30-2010

8-30-2010 Vienna



We took a ride on the metro (subway) for 1.80 euros (about $3.60) one way. We exchanged some money for way more commission and extra charges. Don't go to Western Union. The hotel was better.


The downtown open courtyard with upscale shops on either side it a delight to visit. As it was Sunday afternoon most of the shops were closed except the one selling Mozart balls or was it Mozart’s ball. We tried one. It was delicious chocolate surrounding creamy maple or hazelnut with some mocha swirls.
We peered into some shoes stores. Really. Isn’t 500 euros a little high for shoes even if they were attractive high heel leather boots. Men’s wing tips were 395 euros. Stan skipped and stayed with his tennis shoes.

There was a pretty fountain off to one of the side streets. We enjoyed watching the people. We tried to guess if they were Americans or Europeans by their shoes. Not many American on the square today, but we really did see a pair of bright orange ones.


Vienna Austria Through rain soaked umbrella we looked up to see the most magnificient sight as we walked through interesting parts of the city. We walked under archways to view quick videos of the area on large screen TVs on the wall. One was about Lipizzaner stallions. We peered through the viewing windows and saw the horses heads peeking out of the stalls. That would be a sight to see them working out in the ring some day.

The buildings are coordinated architecture with no apparent graffiti in this downtown area. The outskirts of the city still had graffiti marks on sign and sides of buildings. A shame really.

We went for a tour of summer palace of the Hapsburg family. Now I know why my mother-in-law, Alice loved crystal chandeliers and ornate gold tables with marble tops. We have some of those tables that reminded me of the furnishings the folks had in this summer palace.

They had 16 kids. Must have been the chilly evenings and romantic candle light in front of a toasty fireplace listening to Strauss waltzes that increased the population of that family.

The rain stopped after our tour of the summer palace just in time for a quick walk touring the beautiful gardens. The high fountain was three tiers of relaxing cascading water melodies as it flowed to the pool below the statues.

Restoration is interesting in that netting or boards are used that are painted the with the same design as the building being restored so the viewing public has a chance to see the building as they would look.


The bus drove across the bridge over the Danube River and down the road to show us some modern buildings in the city also. Then took the round about and back we went to the core of the city.

This is so much historical significance with the musical composers (Strauss - Mozart) leaving us with their delightful music centuries later.

We drove about an hour through the country side to Apetlon winery. This is a family owned facility that had all the charm you could pack into an evening of fun. The pork roast sliced about one inch thick was tender as you could ever eat. A large round dumpling was served along with the gravy. Delish.

Dessert was traditional Austrian yellow cake fingers layered between whipped cream.

Wine Wine Wine fresh and interesting flavors. We took a tour of the wine cellar and also tried some Ice Wine which was sweet to the taste. It is made right when the grapes are left on the vine and turn a little icy.

Topping off the evening, the Grandfather brought in his drums and some locals along with our tour director, John Gora joined in both playing accordions. People danced along with the music and had a great fun time.

Authentic Austria as it's best.

Here are a few videos.








MON, AUGUST 30 - VIENNA
Today we spend the day exploring Vienna: The city tour will show you the most important historical sights along the Ringstraße, including the State Opera House, the National Museums, the Imperial Palace, the Parliament, the City Hall, the Burgtheater and the University, before taking you to the magnificent Schönbrun Palace, summer residence of the Habsburg family. Afternoon walking tour of city center and some free time for lunch and shopping ( B , L )

CESKE BUDEJOVICE – VIENNA 8-29-2010

Sunday 8-29-2010

Bus trip from Cesky Budejovice To Vienna Austria a mere 120 miles (200 Kilometers) which would generally take about 2 hours will take about 4 hours winding through forests on narrow two lane roads.

People are happy on the bus after many attended mass this morning after sleeping on cramped quarters of the Gomel Hotel on bed that like a slab of plywood with a thin pad of a mattress. Some liken it to sleeping in a tent in the countryside with the exception that there was no tent flap.

We ate breakfast with the Germans instead of the café next door where we were supposed to eat. They had good tea / coffee with dark breads spread with creamy butter that add substance to your ribs. A piece of cheese an egg and two and we are set to go. I think I will keep attempting to make that yummy dark bread when I return home.
It is raining out again, so a good time to be cooped up in a bus writing notes or reading a good book. This off again on again rain makes the forest floor lush bright green probably filled with mushrooms.

We pass through villages of red tiled roofs darkly aged from time and baskets of pink and red petunias or geraniums cascading out of window sill planters. Field have herds of white cows gently eating grasses.

Both on our way through the Czech Republic and to Vienna Austria we saw fields of corn and rolls of hay dotting the landscape from recently harvested alfalfa (hay). Stan noticed some pretty hefty power lines, carrying 500 to 750 kV (kilovolts) that supply electricity throughout the region. This compares to most of our power lines that carry generally 230 to 500 kV. As we didn’t see any power plants, but did see cooling towers from probably nuclear power generation plants.
We rode the metro for about $3 to downtown to exchange money. It was really a better rate at the hotel (1.32 to 1.68). We really need to do something about the dollar. Euros are a killer.

The downtown open courtyard with upscale shops on either side it a delight to visit. As it was Sunday afternoon most of the shops were closed except the one selling Mozart balls or was it Mozart’s ball. We tried one. It was delicious chocolate surrounding creamy maple or hazelnut with some mocha swirls.

We peered into some shoes stores. Really. Isn’t 500 euros a little high for shoes even if they were attractive high heel leather boots. Men’s wing tips were 395 euros. Stan skipped and stayed with his tennis shoes.

There was a pretty fountain off to one of the side streets. We enjoyed watching the people. We tried to guess if they were Americans or Europeons by their shoes. Not many American on the square today, but we really did see a pair of bright orange ones.

We had dinner in a delightful place up a hill. The bus squeezed through the streets and let us out to enjoy the evening. Food was brought in on large platters. There was more than enough to feed an army. Veal schnitzel, slices of pork roast, ham, chicken, sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes. We added some freshly ground horseradish to add to the peace of resistance. I had potatoes pancakes with a sour cream pickle type sauce along with chucks of potatoes. Is that too many potatoes? Does it really matter.

The wine flowed freely as did the laughter. An accordion and violin player entertained us the evening through. They played every Polish song requested as we sang along and danced in the aisles. Connie and Tony from our group were celebrating their 46th anniversary to add to merriment.



SUN , AUGUST 29 : CESKE BUDEJOVICE – VIENNA .
After breakfast we drive to Vienna , one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with numerous cultural and historical landmarks . After checking in to hotel some leisure time before meeting for meeting for dinner with music and wine or beer at a local restaurant in Grinzing the most important wine hills in Vienna.
Overnight in Vienna . ( B , D )

PRAGUE - CESKY KRUMLOV – CESKE BUDEJOVICE 8-28-2010

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Photos of Prague
The cathedral is called Saint Vitus Church



Folk dancing at dinner in Prague Stan Kropewnicki and John Gora enjoyed the broom dance which is a variation of musical chairs where the odd man out dances with a broom.


We left out lovely Hotel which was fully restored and loaded with amenities in the heart of Prague to ride on the bus for 3 or 4 hours on our way to Bud e Jo Vice. I type the word that way as our guide has taken on the task of pronouncing it in a very slow deliberate way by exaggerating every syllable to the point that we would giggle in the back of the bus like school children and mimic the name of the city at the same time she did. Three hours of listening to her chat away about little known nor interesting facts about the various sections of the cities in detail only a person looking for a parking place would care to hear.

I'm sure she knew a lot, but such didn't fit our needs for understanding and enjoying the ride to the next city. She showed a video about the region. Usually you view the videos before the trip and during. It had repetitive sing songy music that put the majority of the people on the bus straight to sleep.

One interesting thing that our guide told us was that her husband was having his 77th birthday and was invited to the President of the Czech Republic's home for breakfast as he was a famous jazz guitarist. This president (Claus) loves jazz and wanted to recognize this man's accomplishments. She mentioned that that previous president only liked rock and roll so he invited the Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi to entertain in the square.

We saw some interesting sites while visiting a charming small city of Krumlov with cobble stone village walkways. Walking up steep hillside pathways is sometimes a struggle for many of us on our trip, but the views from the top are worth plodding along. More steps than I counted down to the village. Quaint shops invited people to view the wares. Group trips are such that you are unable to stop as one could get lost in the crowds of tourists. These crowds are not like hurried manic workers pacing along, but lots of people filling the walkways would lead to losing your group pretty easily. By the time our group dispersed we were happy to just relax on a side street for a beer and coke.

My favorite delight was a bakery with an open window to buy an interesting piece of pastry called Tradlnik. It is a piece of sweet yeast dough rolled pretty thin and attached around a metal four inch cylinder. This roll is placed over an open oven to bake. Once finished the shop keeper takes the steel roller holding it vertical and slides the pastry off the cylinder then rolls it in sugar. For 40 Kronin ($2.50) you have a treat to eat as you stoll the walkways.

After a relaxing afternoon we bused it to Bud e Jo Vice to visit the Budweiser brewing facility where we had some beer and dinner of delicious breaded veal cutlets, potato salad Czech style and warm apple strudel. I'm not a fan of meat so potatoes and broccoli served in a hot skillet with a warm cheese sauce for me really hit the spot.

I learned that this Budweiser facility is not connected to the one in the USA. Same name same scriped logo Separate and different brewery. There is some type of name infringement going on. When both plants opened their door ages ago, who would now that a world wide presence would exist today. This Czech Budweiser plant does ship to America in cans under a different label. They would think of bottling their beer in cans here in Europe - glass quarts is the only way to go to maintain the taste so they say.



SAT , AUGUST 28 : PRAGUE - CESKY KRUMLOV – CESKE BUDEJOVICE
After breakfast departure from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The town is picturesquely situated on the Vltava River . We will have a short sightseeing tour including the extensive Castle complex which is the second largest in the Czech Republic and then some free time for lunch , shopping or simply to relax at an outdoor café. Late afternoon a short drive to the town of Ceske Budejovice which was founded in 1265 and is most famous for the Budvar ( Budweiser ) Beer. We will have a chance to try the beer tonight at dinner. Overnight in Ceske Budejovice. ( B , D )

Prague - August 27, 2010

We took a long walk over the Charles Bridge through Prague after visiting a castle and Cathedral high on a hill. The bus dropped us off and all 24 of us listened to history of both places and then walked back.

Although we skipped the part of walking up the 160 steps in the castle, we still had a spectacular view of the many red tiled roofs and buildings topped with onion domes we still had to walk down a mere 213 cobble stone and brick steps. The people on the bus have segregated into type of like interests. Frank, Ted, Dolores and I are concerned with too many steps for our knees, but we all made it reluctantly.

There are women with similar names. Two are named Jean, a Jane and of course a Joyce - the 4 J's. One of the Jean's mentioned that the red roofs are called thigh tiles as the men that make them lay the flat tiles on their thighs for the shape. Not sure if that is really true.

The walk down the steps had delightful shops on every landing. By the time we reached the Charles Bridge I was ready for the watercolors and jewelery sellers. It is so fun to find inexpensive items that supposedly are hand made and different.

Street Musicians in Prague by the Castle



Street Musicians in front of the Castle - Prague


Calliope on the Charles Bridge - Prague Czech Republic




Back to the square with the clock tower. I was right there when the wooden disciples opened the door above the clock and paraded by for all the tourists enjoyment. This time camera was on.

Right after the strike of one o'clock the clouds burst open and rains poured down. Stan and I slipped into an covered outdoor cafe for a bowl of soup, delicious dark European bread and beer.

The rains subsided and out came the people to fill the square. There is an international folk festival going on here. I took snippets of the music as we walked with some of the dancers and muscians. We saw them carrying flags from Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Belgium and Serbia.

I have about 30 snippets of videos from the dancers and musicians playing that I upladed to YouTube.com. Check it out - JoyceKropewnicki or listed under Prague.

Here is one sample of music. It was a frenzy of happy people.













FRI , AUGUST 27 - PRAGUE
After breakfast we will will start our tour of “The Towers of Prague”. Where we will go on top of the Prague Castle Tower, 160 steps, and enjoy the fantastic view of the whole city and then visit the famous St. Vitus Church and walk down through Nerudova Street to Mala Strana (Lesser Town); we will cross the famous Charles Bridge and through The King’s Way where we will reach the Old Town Square.
Lunch on your own and some time at leisure, Dinner with folklore and music. Overnight in Prague. ( B , D)

Prague - Czech Republic - 8-26-2010 and 8-27-2010

8-25-2010 Our trip to Poland and other interesting places in Europe.

It takes a day to get out of the good ol’e USA. Starting at 8 am in Denver we slide through the ticket counter happy to check a bag without the usual $25 charge. The carry-on became annoyingly heavy carrying it through security, trains and other long corridors.

United was friendlier then I have seen recently. At least it only took 15 minutes or so to get through the ticket counter.

Chicago only takes a couple of hours but crowded flights and cramped conditions still take their toll on older bodies.

The flight from Chicago to Warsaw Poland was a long 9 hours. Stan was the lucky one in the middle seat. At first we hoped for an empty seat in the middle, but soon the plane filled up to the brim. A women sat down next to Stan and proceeded to talk, talk, talk. She was traveling back through Poland and spoke in very broken English. She told him immediately that she was going back to the Czech-Republic to visit the hospital there as the hospital in her home town of Dallas Texas was too expensive. She holds a passport from the Ukraine but had lived in the USA for years with her family.

So she says her reason for her hospital visit was being attached by two pit bull dogs from the next door neighbor. She probably weighs about 90 pounds and a fierce wind could blow her over. Imagine a couple of meanly trained pit bulls. The dogs were put down - thank goodness she didn’t show Stan her injuries. She’s probably lucky to be alive.

She mentioned that the neighbor is a drug dealer from Mexico. Bars on the windows attest to the fortification of the place. There was no secret to his easy dirty money that was easy to spend. Boxes and boxes of goods and upscale furniture were delivered day in and day out purchased with those dirty dollars. The police had watched this neighbor for over 8 months and finally arrested him. Of course he offered them $200,000 to turn their back and let him return back to Mexico. He was found guilty and is in jail for over 25 years.

The stories went on and on until I switched places with Stan to give him a break. She interrupted my movie watching once by talking loudly to the person in the seat behind. I’m not shy about telling her to keep it down.

We finally arrived in Warsaw, Poland and escaped the chatter of Stan’s seat neighbor. We can’t read Polish and/or signs were limited so we had to go through security twice. It is a maze and if you don’t go through proper passport control you just can’t get to the gates. I have that shoe, bag of liquids and computer thing down pat. Speaking of that – a few people did get a little pat down.
Next plane trip to Prague is another 3 hour wait in the terminal. The flight was only an hour to Prague. Small plane, leather seats, lots of leg room made napping easy. This is really old time flying. They served a delicious sandwich, wine and a winner smile.

I talked to the tour guide and found that the 160 steps up some ancient castle were exchanged for a more modest view of the city. Thank goodness. My knees were sure planning to miss at least 130 of those steps.

I was happy I changed into my extra clothes I brought in the carry-on as sure enough city tour right as we are busing in from the airport. A quick rest at the lovely hotel with 15 foot tall ceiling situated on the edge of old town Prague and then walking tour of the area. Beautiful old building loaded with carvings centuries old, un-scathed from the ravages of war like many other European countries, they stand tall today.

We waited in front of an old clock tower for the chimes to ring on the hour. Doors open and wooden disciples pass by for that touists deight. I posed the video camera and carefully recorded the moment. After the 20 second opening and trumpet playing from the top of the tower, I noticed I forgot to turn on the camera.

Clock Tower = no chiming


People are friendly. Stan noticed scantily dressed attractive women. No observable American disease - obesity. Our bus friends on the trip are all from Canada so politic chatting will be kept to a minimum.

Older buildings well kept although some show their aging from the environment changing the stone to a dark color. Streets are clean. Riding the bus through town showed us modern transportation systems of uncrowded roadways. The trolleys that meander through the old town was filled with people, but not packed with stress as you see in some cities. On many street corners you see Iphones, and other personal devised, but clearly people were engaged with each other not necessarily their devices.

Prague - dinner music from a strolling accordionist



Prague - Czech folk dancers



Prague - Czech folk dancers



Here is the itinerary

WED, AUGUST 25 – Departure from Toronto / New York / Chicago on overnight transatlantic to Prague

THU , AUGUST 26 - PRAGUE
Early afternoon arrival in Prague. Transfer to hotel and check-in. We will later meet for a short walking tour before dinner : The Old Town Square is the most significant square of historical Prague. It originated in the 12th century. We will see the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the baroque St. Nicholas church, the Stone Bell house – a gothic city palace from the 14th century and the Memorial to Master Jan Hus. Also we will view the tower which bears a unique astronomical clock from the year 1410 which shows the statues of 12 apostles at every hour between 9 am to 9 pm. Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Prague. ( B , D )

Boston New Years Day 1-1-2010

Stan and I are visiting our Grand daughter, Anya, age 14 months, and her parents. While she took a nap, we took a ride downtown to see the ice sculptures that were created for the New Year's celebration.

People were ice skating in the park and enjoying the crisp weather. Boston is such and interesting place with its vibrante downtown and community spirit.



Frog Pond at Boston Common 1-1-2010