Is the Blue Danube really blue? River cruisers and shore observers alike have their opinions as to whether the name of the Blue Danube Strauss waltz is always accurate. But there's no doubt that this beautiful European waterway is a magnet for inspiration and enjoyment. We've compiled fun facts and interesting ways to take in the scenery, culture, and history surrounding the beautiful blue Danube River that we hope will add enjoyment to your experience. This post contains affiliate links and/or Continue Reading
Top 10 Vienna Attractions for First Timers
Beauty and culture combine in Vienna attractions befitting its reputation as the crown jewel of the historic Hapsburg Empire. Be sure to enjoy the marvelous mix of old and new Vienna attractions when you visit this storied city. Visit a Vienna bakery, ride the giant ferris wheel in Vienna, take a Lipizzaner stallions tour at the Spanish Riding School or visit one of the palaces in Vienna Austria. This Vienna blog post will help you get the most from your time in Vienna. To take Continue Reading
Are Carriage Rides a Tourist Trap?
Horse-drawn carriage rides are popular with romantics and sightseers alike, but of course the experience doesn't come cheap. Or does it? This is not a post about horse-drawn carriage rides and animal rights; there are plenty of agenda posts and opinions on that subject already. This is a post about whether horse-drawn carriage rides are a high-priced tourist trap aimed at free-spending vacationers. Are high-priced carriage rides justified? Well, that depends. The experience Continue Reading
Review: Hotel Bristol Vienna
Staying at the Hotel Bristol Vienna is like living in a little jewel box, cushioned and protected in a world that exists specifically to indulge you. It's the mark of an exceptional hotel experience when you find yourself remembering more than a few impeccable details months later, as I am from our stay at Hotel Bristol Vienna. Part of Starwood Hotels' SPG Luxury Collection, Hotel Bristol Vienna is on the Kaertner ring right next to the Opera. This excellent location is the perfect Continue Reading
5 Touristy Things You Should Do in Any New Destination
Touristy things get a bum rap. Experienced travelers and locals alike look down their noses at anything remotely resembling a tourist attraction. Let them! Ever heard someone proclaim they wouldn't be caught dead doing touristy things like such and such (usually something you're planning to do or have just done)? They'll pooh pooh your plan or experience, citing tourists have ruined it. This can totally be true. Ever try to see the Mona Lisa? Yeah. Folks who live in tourist Continue Reading
Central Europe Architecture: 7 Images of Dignity in Disrepair
We photographed the faded, the forlorn and the crumbling facades. A theme - Central Europe architecture in disrepair - emerged. It was beautiful. When traveling for extended periods, you begin to cluster your impressions. It's no longer a trip which is segmented into days, but a trip comprised of themes. This happens, I believe, because we look for similarities. In new places, we draw upon previous experiences and proceed to compare. Familiarization such as this can be a comfort Continue Reading
European Luxury Hotels: A Month of Affordable Stays!
How could we afford a month in European luxury hotels? We're transitioning back to Kauai after over a month in Europe and Russia. More than one person has wondered just how could we afford a month, staying as we did at quite a few European luxury hotels, enjoying more than one comprehensive excursion, and traveling to a dozen countries or more? We most definitely are not wealthy, but that doesn't stop us from preferring the comforts associated with high end experiences. We're not the first Continue Reading