Home - Just in Time

We made it home last night....looks like just in time.
Reykjavik airport was shut down briefly last night as the volcano rumbled.

We've had a wonderful trip and have some great memories.  

Looking forward to our next adventure...

We'd like to be off to see Australia.

Ruedesheim

A little extra bonus from our trip plans today.

Julie suggested that instead of staying in Frankfurt we travel to the Rhine and visit Ruedesheim.

Beautiful land of vineyards and castles.

And so ends our European vacation. Provided volcanoes in Iceland behave well we'll be sleeping in our own beds tomorrow night.

Wiedersehen Europe. Merci for a fantastic trip!

Frankfurt

So we're in Frankfurt, Germany.

I have nothing else to say about that.

Castle Hike

Yesterday we hiked to Newschwanstein Castle and some of the other surrounding homes of various princesses. Hiked the forest back to Fuessen. Not one dragon spotted.

Last trip - Hurricances....This trip - VOLCANOES!

This could be a wee bit of an issue...

We fly home through ICELAND on Saturday!

Germany

And so after two trains and a windy bus trip we have come to the last country on our vacation, Germany. Fussen is a beautiful little town just a hike away from Neuschawanstein castle. If you ever drop through we would recommend Suzanne's B&B. What a beautiful place!

Austria

If you're ever in Innsbruck...

We'd recommend that if you take the Hungerburg Funicular in Innsbruck, and you come down to the Alpine Zoo level, and are looking for a solid place to eat, we would recommend the Cafe Pension Alpina. Located across the road from the funicular we found this place full of friendly locals without a tourist in sight. The waitresses were super friendly and put up with our terrible German. Try the schnitzel!

Venice

We're in Austria!

After a night in a 600 year old hotel in Venice (no WIFI ... Go figure!) We have arrived in Innsbruck. The pictures will tell the story I'm sure.

More gelato.

Spanish Steps

Really French steps.....

Colosseo

Roman Vacation

We have arrived in Rome and are enjoying two full days in one city. The last time I was here my impression was one of a city over-run by street urchins. The worst we encountered were two under-parented children (not ours) in first class on the high speed from Florence.
Jessica and Madeline have decided they will eat their own body weight in gelato on this trip and Julie has taken a shine to Italian wines.

Dante and who?

A Tuscan Afternoon

Wandering about Florence

We spent the morning wandering Florence and took in the gardens south of the city.

Florence

A late train caused us to miss our connection in Milan. Fortunately we were able to get seats on the next train and we have arrived in Florence.
Beautiful city! Amazing food. Outstanding gelato.
And so...after a long day of travel...to bed.

Hiking through the Cote d'Azur

Night walk

Nice at night...nice.

Wine on the Beach

Julie is missing her pink wine club meeting tonight. We shared a bottle while the girls swam.

Night Train

Night trains might be the best way to get around Europe. Last night we had our own couchette and travelled from Paris to Nice in luxury. Today we have spent the day on the beach and sampling the local culinary delight of Nice.

Paris

We've had a great time in Paris. We're off to catch a night train to Nice. Thanks Paris!

Paris

We have arrived en Paris!
The train trip in was terrific!
Paris seems a bit more worn than the last time I was here in the late 80's.
Great walk today around the city and we've remembered how to use the Metro.
Lots of site seeing tomorrow!

...and an evening stroll through downtown.

...a visit to the Princess Di memorial.

...ice cream in Hyde Park...

...a lovely lunch and visit with Aunt Em...

In London Today...

The National Gallery to see some Van Gogh's.

London England

We blew into London today and walked everywhere. Big Ben and the Thames. London Tower and St. Paul's Cathedral. Oh...and a few neighbourhood pubs followed by a walk to Buckingham Palace.

Early Morning

Off to London!
Went to bed at 4 o'clock Toronto time and up at midnight.  Not quite through jet lag yet. Sleepy little people.

Guess who ate the rotten shark....

Guess who ate the rotten shark.......

Julie's take on "cured" shark.

Swimming the Blue Lagoon

Never swam on such a cold day in August before!

Blue Lagoon

Swimming in the Blue Lagoon with Mud