Westport, Connecticut
Have you wondered about how we choose our trip destinations? We discuss many ideas about where we would like to go and what we would like to see and do, but in the end, we take turns deciding upon our destination. I got credit for last year’s trip to China, so this was Nick’s year to choose. Continue reading Eastern Europe, 2019 – Introduction
Westport, Connecticut to JFK in Queens, New York, to Prague, Czech Republic
Our driver called and asked us if he could pick us up to take us to the airport an hour earlier than we had previously arranged. This was really fortunate, because the traffic getting to JFK was even worse than ever. After crawling along for more than two hours, we saw that a manhole cover was in the middle of the highway, blocking two lanes of traffic! Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 1 – Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic
There we were in Prague on Nick’s birthday! This trip will be quite a birthday celebration! Desk clerks often have wonderful restaurant suggestions. We asked ours for a restaurant that would have typical Czech food, and off we went. The restaurant, decorated with black and white photos of actors of the 1920s, was aptly called Nostalgie. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 2 – Thursday, May 16, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic
Our tour would begin at 3 PM. We began the day at the breakfast buffet that was served in the Italian restaurant across the street. There were literally dozens of choices including eggs prepared in a variety of ways, cereals of many kinds, a selection of yogurts, and Italian cold cuts and cheeses, as well as a variety of breads and cakes. We needed to find an ATM to get Czech money, and we figured we would find one while we explored the city. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 3 – Friday, May 17. 2018
Prague, Czech Republic
We expected to get a great night’s sleep. Surprise! From the window of our hotel room, we could see a dance club that was so full of young people that they spilled out onto the sidewalk. As for the music, Techno Dance music, “loud” does not sufficiently describe it. This continued until about two AM. At breakfast, we learned that several of our travel companions had the same experience as we had, while others never heard anything. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 4 – Saturday, May 18, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic, to Krakow, Poland
Last night was Saturday night, and the young people were out in full force at the dance club outside our window. The techno music was so loud that our room seemed to be vibrating. We texted Katerina, who told us that she had called the police twice, and the front desk had called them three times. The police came after each call, but after they left, the music started again, with the door of the club open and the crowd spilling out into the street. What a night! Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 5 – Sunday, May 19, 2019
Krakow, Poland
Katerina had advised us that breakfast would be more like brunch, and she was right. The array of food was even bigger than the one we enjoyed in Prague, with many hors d’oeuvres, veggies and pastries in addition to all types breakfast foods. It was fun having breakfast with different members of our group each day. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 6 – Monday, May 20, 2019
Krakow, Poland to Auschwitz
We had a free morning in Krakow. Before our trip began, we learned of a portrait done by Leonardo DaVinci called Lady with an Ermine. We decided to go to the National Museum to see it. 
Lady with an Ermine is fascinating for many reasons. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 7-Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Krakow, Poland to Levoča, Slovakia to Eger, Hungary
What an amazing day this would be: breakfast in Poland, lunch in Slovakia, and dinner in Hungary!
We had an early breakfast so that we could be in the bus by 8 AM. Because the road was filled with hills, twists and turns, I asked for a seat in the front. This was not a problem. There were enough seats in the bus for almost everyone who so chose to take two. Nick and I prefer to be together. As usual, Katerina provided activities to keep us involved, as well as quiet time. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 8 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Eger, Hungary
After seven hours of sleep, we awoke refreshed. Katerina offered all of us a choice of spending the morning either going to town to explore on our own, or staying at the hotel. Most of our travel mates chose to explore the town, but we opted to remain at the hotel. At 11:45 AM both groups met Katerina at the Dobó Monument (István Dobó saved Eger from the Ottomans in 1541). Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 9 – Thursday, May 23, 2019
Budapest, Hungary
First thing in the morning, Nick snapped the earpiece off his glasses. We always travel with extra pairs of eyeglasses, and this was the first time we ever needed them. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 10 – Friday, May 24, 2019
Budapest, Hungary
After breakfast, our group was ready to go to the west side of the Danube for a tour of Buda, again led by Elemer. We began the tour in the in Castle Hill district, known for its crooked, cobblestone streets, fascinating architecture, and views of Pest.
Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 11 – Saturday, May 25, 2019
Budapest, Hungary, to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
This would be a travel day. We took a last look at Budapest from the window of the bus. Again Katerina made the bus ride very pleasant as did Sam, our driver. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 12 – Sunday, May 26, 2019
Plitviče Lakes National Park, Croatia to Istria, Croatia
Plitviče Lakes National Park is a 100 square mile forest reserve in central Croatia. Yesterday we saw a waterfall near the entrance of the park. That was just the beginning. Plitviče is known for its sixteen terraced lakes joined by countless waterfalls that extend into a limestone canyon. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 13 – Monday, May 27, 2019 Rovinj, Istria, Croatia
We awoke taking in the peaceful beauty of our room and of our view of the Adriatic from our window. This day was called “Vacation from Vacation.” We were free until 6 PM to do as we pleased. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 14 – Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Rovinj, Croatia, to Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Bled, Slovenia
We were leaving our island paradise and heading for Slovenia, the final one of the seven countries on our trip. We breakfasted lightly. As I did yesterday, I enjoyed polenta with chocolate sauce, while Nick ate cake. We were both wide awake for the bus ride. This was one of the few times on the trip that our passports were stamped. And it was raining again. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 15 – Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Bled, Slovenia
Again we were getting an early start to avoid crowds, but first, there was the breakfast buffet. This one had everything we had seen and/or tried before, with the addition of poached eggs, and champagne. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 16 – Thursday, May 30, 2019
Bled, Slovenia to Ljubljana, Croatia to Paris
On all of our previous trips, our departure flights have been scheduled very early in the morning. However, this time our plane was taking off in the afternoon. When we said our farewells to our group last night, we learned that many were heading back home, but others were continuing on to different destinations in Europe. As for us, when we made our travel arrangements, Nick asked, “What do you think about stopping in Paris on our way home?” Of course, I said yes. Continue reading Eastern Europe Day 17 – Thursday, May 31, 2019
Paris
I awoke after a wonderful night’s sleep. Nick and Jose-Maria had gone out to pick up some things for a picnic lunch. When they returned, Nick was glowing. I have seen that glow in two locales. One was on his friend’s boat the first time we were invited to go sailing. The second is in Paris. Paris is Nick’s favorite city. He glows when we are there, and having friends to be there with is the icing on the cake. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 18 -Saturday, June 1, 2019
Paris
We slept until 8:30 AM, something that never happens at home. Nick and I accompanied Jose-Maria to get croissants for breakfast. I love the friendliness and politeness of both the store clerks and the customers! After breakfast, we went to Rue Mouffetard, where locals do their food shopping. Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 19 – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Paris to JFK to Westport, Connecticut
We had an 8:30 AM flight, so we arranged for a cab to take us to the airport at 5:45 AM. There was very little traffic at that hour. We had no problems at the airport or during the flight.
Continue reading Eastern Europe, Day 20 – Monday June 3, 2019
The Rick Steves tour along with our fellow tourists and tour guides created a memorable experience for us. Many thanks to everyone. Our photos are ready.
Here are photos of our trip: http://pisarro.org/Europe2019.
We have separated out our photos of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps: http://pisarro.org/Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum: http://pisarro.org/SchindlerFactory.