New year, new travel.
Jan 3rd, 2008 by B.
Booked & Confirmed Travel:
January 18th - 20th : Berlin
February 8th - 15th : Vienna
March 21st - 24th : Hamburg
July 30th - August 13th : England/Wales/Scotland
After the amazing time we had in Salzburg last October we’ve decided to return to Austria in February… Vienna this time… to see if it was just a fluke, or if Austria actually is that great. I don’t know much about Vienna. Just that it’s the capital of Austria and Billy Joel really seems to like it, so any tips you can offer on things to see/do/taste/avoid would be greatly appreciated.
Then we’ve got Hamburg in March- more uncharted territory for us! With the exception of a pinkie swear to Sydney that we’d take her to the fair, we really don’t have much planned. So… Lee? Ian? Other Hamburg residents/fans? What are the not-to-be-missed attractions?
Finally, in July we’re heading out to the UK and dividing our time between the north of England (Liverpool area), Wales and Scotland. All three are new to us, so if you’ve got tips… we’ll take ‘em!
On this day..
- Better late than never. - 2008
- Holy undermovement Batman! - 2007
Thanks Cliff! I just added the Gulaschmuseum & Schnitzelwirt Schmidt as points of interest in our trip planner.
I’m not a coffee drinker, but the dessert photos you posted from Cafe Zentral are pretty darn tempting…
in Hamburg? Well, there IS Lee and there IS Ian! Anything else you need?
I DO know a good apartment hotel that HAD 3 years ago) a very very wonderfully satistfactory breakfast buffet …. and just outside the front windows is the PLACE where “those” women haunt the night, but very quietly so! I did NOT know about “them” until much later. (have you seen “them” in the mile after the border betwen Germany and Czech …. OMG! In the snow, sleet, rain, and hot weather …. JUST like post-men!
Of course during the GDR days, “they” brought in trucks and campers in one long stretch of Straße in Dresden. Been there yet? In Czech I have never understood WHERE? The WHAT? is quit apparent.
Serious about the hotel, B!
Much in Hamburg. One evening meal at Chez Lee, complete mit kinder (yours), unless we do NOT like one another after Feb.
Well, it could happen! Will NOW have something to talk about … is it Feb 1?
In Scotland …. Mark tour guided there….the whiskey factories…..Take the Macbeth tour that does NOT exist, except WE DID IT! (Taught the thing for 30 years!) AND the hunt for Nessy is a must and be sure to scream NESSY and then apologize for mistaking a log for her. Wakes the Scots up!
IS there a friggin spell checker here?
LOVED Vienna!
Hamburg, you say? Just give us a shout!
Oohh, more jet setting! Sounds like some nice trips in store for this year. I went to Vienna once with my parents a couple years ago - I think my favorite part of it was just walking around and seeing the architecture and also sitting in the cafes people watching. We went to the Riding School for a schooling session which was pretty cool too - there weren’t any formal performances scheduled during our visit.
Michelle
No advice to give but horribly jealous. Take lots of photos and Happy New Year!
I’m all over helping you have a blast in Scotland…Mom is Scottish, brother taught at the University and lived in St. Andrews for 10 years while he got his Masters and Doctorate…where exactly will you be, and how far off the beaten path do you want your holiday to be?!
SO excited for you!!
Lee- Looking forward to Feb. 1st! I’ve actually already booked us at the Hamburg Suitehotel on Lübeckertordamm, but I’ll keep in mind your suggestion for future visits.
And, yes, I have seen the hookers in the big plate-glass windows on the way to Prague. Heh.
I have no idea where the spell-checker is hidden in the comments section… if I could find it I’d turn it off in a heartbeat. It really is annoying.
Ian- Will do!
Michelle- I’m really curious to see if we like Vienna as much as Salzburg…
Hexe- I’m a photo nut… I’ll take plenty of pictures!
Essie- We’re staying just south of Glasgow in the Lowlands. Within easy reach of both Glasgow & Edinburgh. I’m not sure how far aways the highlands would be (they might need to be saved for a future trip) but I’d love to hear any suggestions you might have.
Vienna and Salzburg are entirely two DIFFERENT cities. But guarantee you will NOT be Mozart-ed to death in Vienna. That´s Beethoven´s territory! GREAT weekly open air market …. HUM! think that´s in Vienna. (Gosh …. don´t they “all” have great open markets?) Still using the bag of wild rice I bought there. Hate to tell you WHEN there. Oh yes! Headquarters for OPEC is in Vienna and that “vienna” cake is colorie-full! See it´s Easter weekend you´ll be in Hamburg. Easter dinner here? Nothing will be open, per usual.
I only have good things to say about Berlin and Liverpool. Both of which I’ve been a resident. In Berlin there is so much to see and do that I could make an essay of recommendations. However I do recommend visiting the nearby city of Potsdam, around an hours drive away. Truly beautiful.
With Liverpool, whether you’re a football (soccer) fan or not, you should see the famous Anfield Football Stadium. Above all, savour the naval history of the city and take a ferry trip across the Mersey where you can see the famous Liver Building.
If you’re going to Scotland via Liverpool then take time to see the city of Lancaster and the coast nearby. It’s said Morecambe Bay has the best sunsets in the world. They do too, I’ve seen them.
Beaman.
Beaman’s last blog post..My Choice for the 2008 US Elections
Lee- That’s awfully nice of you. I figured we’d just hit McDonald’s for easter dinner… but your offer sounds much better, just don’t want you to go to any trouble!
Beaman- Thanks for the tips! I’ve been to Berlin many times, but I’ve yet to make it out to Potsdam. I’ll add it to the list. And yes, we’ll be heading to Scotland via Liverpool, so we’ll be sure to check out Lancaster. I’ve tried looking up sightseeing info on Scotland, but it always seems to be just Glasgow & Edinburgh mentioned. It’s nice to hear another city mentioned.
NO trouble. B and family. Recall we DO have a cat. Any allergies?
Possibly McD´s will be closed on Easter. Looking forward to it … if we can get along on the 1st. LOLOL
@Lee Don’t worry, McDonald’s in Germany are open every day, including Easter.
The touristy thing to do in Hamburg is to go to Landungsbrucken and take a harbor tour. It can be a real hoot if you end up with group of Bavarians. I still find the harbor fascinating after 15 years in Hamburg (but then again, I come from the Midwest, so I grew up ocean-deprived).
While you’re there, make sure you check out the old Elbe Tunnel, built at the turn of the century for horse-and-carriage traffic.
The real highlight in Hamburg is MiWuLa… the Miniature Wonderland for model trains, even if you’ve never played with trains in your life.
Scott’s last blog post..McDonald’s Takes On Starbucks
Lee- Oh crap, yes, Jim’s highly allergic to cats- which is why I don’t have a kitty… sob… but a Chihuahua’s the next best thing I suppose.
Scott- Thanks so much for all the tips. The miniature train exhibit looks great!