A lot of people choose to go travelling on their own, leaving friends and family behind and going solo. The main worry for many travelers is that they won’t be able to make friends on their adventure. Fortunately, even the shiest of people are likely to meet lifelong companions while globetrotting… CONTINUE READING >>
A lot of people choose to go travelling on their own, making up around 18 percent of global bookings according to Solo Traveler. It can be an enlightening and enriching experience leaving friends and family behind and going solo, but it can also bring about feelings of trepidation. The main worry for many travelers is that they won’t be able to make friends on their adventure. Fortunately, even the shiest of people are likely to meet lifelong companions while globetrotting.
When planning a trip around the world, the best option for a solo traveler is to stay in hostels rather than hotels. Not only are these much cheaper for people on a budget, but they also provide a common ground for meeting likeminded people. But there still needs to be a way to break the ice and get the conversation going. For introverts, this can be quite a difficult stumbling block which brings about feelings of anxiety.
Having a game to play or a skill to show people can be an excellent way to get the conversation going in a relaxing way. This is why it is handy for solo travelers to take a deck of cards along with them and use these as a tool for making friends. Asking people if they want to play blackjack is one option. This is one of the most popular casino games in the world, and most people have at least a rudimentary understanding of the rules.
Before jetting off on an adventure, solo travelers could brush up on their knowledge of casino blackjack rules. This includes knowing the values of each card, the difference between a soft and a hard hand, and when players can hit, stand, or double down. You could offer to be the dealer while a few others play hands. You don’t even need to play for money, and you could opt to use matches instead of chips.
Another good card game which is useful for getting strangers to talk to one another is poker. Texas Hold’em is the most popular form of the game and, since the poker boom, knowledge of how to play is quite widespread. Playing a friendly tournament with around five other people is sure to be a hit among travelers.
If you don’t want to gamble your travel budget, you could opt to use card tricks as a way to impress people into being friends with you. There are a few simple tricks that you can learn from YouTube videos, with “The Three Travelers” being an appropriate and slick one for you to try out. There are even some tricks that can be used to hustle free drinks out of people in bars.
No matter whether you’re travelling around Europe or Asia, the people you will meet will likely be of a similar mindset to yourself. Making friends is easy, but using a deck of cards to grease the wheels can be a cool way to start things off.
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Family vacations will create memories for a lifetime if you can keep everyone active and keep kids of all ages engaged by ensuring there is plenty of adventure on your trip. Here are a few tips… CONTINUE READING >>
When people think of family vacations, they often think about the usual tourist trap or resort, or a road trip, but it can be so much more than that. You’ll create memories for a lifetime if you can keep everyone active, and you can keep kids of all ages engaged by ensuring there is plenty of adventure on your trip. Yet this can be a challenge when you’re traveling with your children. Here are a few tips for finding family friendly adventure on your next family vacation.
Plan Well in Advance
The first thing you’ll have to consider is the time of the year you’re intending to travel. If you have school aged children, you are often limited to traveling when your children are out of school. And so are all the other families traveling with school aged children. This means you can’t book a trip for Spring Break a few weeks in advance. If you’re going to plan a trip around school breaks, you will need to book months in advance, and the sooner, the better. This gives you the ability to lock in the cheapest tickets and accommodations, and you can choose from the lowest peak rates.
Get Your Papers in Order
Are you going to leave the country? Ensure that everyone in your family has a valid passport. In most cases, your passport must have at least one year left on it from your anticipated departure date. This protects you from potential problems, since most countries have a cutoff of six months.
Plan Around the Children’s Needs
Don’t forget that you’re going on vacation with children, not experienced adults. So, make sure that you go over the procedures if anyone needs to go on a potty break during an activity for instance. Plan for extra rest breaks at locations safe for children, whether you’re hiking or canoeing. Plan now how you’ll handle diapers and dirty clothes.
Your kids will be reluctant to drink chemically treated water or unfamiliar beverages. Take drink crystals in the flavors your kids like. The flavoring will make the boiled water or foreign tap water palatable. And it takes up less weight than trying to carry cartons of their favorite beverages. Pack familiar snacks, too, and give kids a chance to eat them when they’re accustomed to snack breaks.
Don’t forget to plan for entertainment, and expect to take regular breaks. Bring several packs of cards so that your kids aren’t dependent on devices for entertainment. Bring story books and activity books to enjoy on the plane or car ride.
Plan Kid Friendly Activities at Each Stop
Plan activities your kids will enjoy and can participate in. For example, you could sign up for a vacation at a lake resort. These are great for all types of activities, like fishing or watersports.
Paddle boarding, for instance, is something that you could do while keeping an eye on your children. You can find stand up paddle boards the whole family can use and can support you and a child. The best ones have everything you need in one package and can be deflated so you can stow it in a backpack and take it with you on your next trip, whether it is to a cabin on the lake or a seashore excursion.
Ensure that the activities you have planned include all of your children. This may mean taking the kids horseback riding over hiking, because your youngest shouldn’t be carried ten miles. Take the easy hike up the mountain when you have young children. Stop at rest stops or hotels with playgrounds so that your children can run around and play.
Choose the right activities and arrange everything your family needs so that you can enjoy your family’s next adventure. You’ll create memories for a lifetime when everything goes right.
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Paris is the city of romance and its magnificent train stations, like everything in Paris, are encased in stunning architectural masterpieces. Therefore, whenever you visit Paris be sure to go on a tour of the most beautiful train stations… CONTINUE READING >>
Paris is the city of romance and its magnificent train stations are as full of it as the Champs-Elysees. Even not counting the sweet scenes of lovers’ greetings or their tearful partings, train rides have a romance of their own. All this creates a unique atmosphere. And like everything in Paris, this spirit of love and travel is encased in stunning architectural masterpieces. Therefore, whenever you visit Paris next time, be sure to go on a tour of the most beautiful train stations located all over the city.
Gare du Nord
Gare du Nord is the most important train station in Paris and there can be no arguing the fact that it’s beautiful. Dating back to 1864, it’s a fine example of the Parisian architecture. This means that despite the fact that the station is huge and modernized, it still has elegance and beauty in a myriad of details. Be sure to study the statues on the façade.
Over 700,000 people go through this station every day, so it’s too busy to be romantic. However, it’s the place to board Eurostar trains, which can take you on multiple romantic trips to destinations like London, Switzerland, and Belgium. You can learn more about these trips from this guide by Eurostar.
Gare de Lyon
Gare de Lyon was built for the World Expo 1900 and today it’s, quite possibly, the most beautiful and romantic train station in Paris. Even if Paris is your transit destination only, you should try to visit this amazing place.
This should be easy as this is a major hub from which you can reach the majority of popular destinations in France. You can get here easily from the Charles de Gaulle Airport. If you need help with that, check this guide from Top Paris Transfer. This station is also where you can catch TGV trains that will take you to some of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, see an Oui SNCF guide for those here. For the most romantic trip from here, catch Le Train Bleu from Paris to Venice. This lovely ride has been running since 1901.
Gare Saint-Lazare
If you have the soul of an artist, you definitely must pay a visit to Gare Saint-Lazare. Both Claude Monet and Edouard Manet, renowned impressionist artists, loved this place and immortalized it in their artwork. That is the kind of romance and passion that lasts through the ages.
A walk through the Gare Saint-Lazar is akin to a walk through an art gallery, albeit a very busy one. There are paintings, murals, and statues peppered all over the place. The architecture is stunning, and there is a charming enclosed walkway, called La Galerie Marie Antoinette. It takes you to the posh Hilton Paris Opera Hotel. The Paris Opera itself as well as Palace de Madeleine are only a few steps away from the station.
Gare d’Austerlitz
When it was built in 1840, this station was called Gare d’Orleans s this is where you could travel from it. Today you can go to Orleans from this station as well, check the TrainLine guide to learn how. You can also go to many other cities of the central and southern France.
The station changed its name to commemorate the greatest win in the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Austerlitz. Despite the bloody cause behind the name, today it’s one of the most romantic stations in Paris. It’s the only one that offers great views of the Seine and the building itself is elegant and charming.
Paris has many other stations, but these stand out due to their sheer grandeur as well as charm inherent to all historical buildings in Paris. Explore the city by train to discover the beauty of every station.
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Paris is truly a magnificent city. It has a lot to offer, and it’s a perfect way to experience the French way of life and their culture. But if you’re going to be visiting it, it’s crucial that you plan well… CONTINUE READING >>
Paris is truly a magnificent city. It has a lot to offer, and it’s a perfect way to experience the French way of life and their culture. It’s a massive city and one that’s expensive, too, and if you’re going to be visiting it, it’s crucial that you plan well.
That being said, there are a couple of crucial things that you’ll want to keep in mind before you head to this French paradise. We’ll talk about them below, and you’ll be able to enjoy your stay in Paris without a worry in the world.
A Bit of Language Knowledge Won’t Hurt
You actually don’t need to be fluent in French if you want to talk to the locals in Paris. However, it does make a massive difference if you know the basics. Therefore, some French lessons won’t hurt. Make sure you know all the basic phrases, the ones you use in your everyday life and try to learn as much as possible if you want a smooth experience.
The thing with the locals is that most of them actually speak pretty good English, but they don’t want you to know that. If you start speaking English with a French person, there’s a very big chance that they will pretend they don’t know English, at all. However, if you start speaking French, they won’t mind switching into English.
Figuring Out Accommodation Can Be Finnicky
One thing that people love about Paris is the variety it offers. It’s organized in neighborhoods, known as arrondissements, and all of them will have plenty of accommodation options. From hotels to private Airbnb accommodation, you can pick and choose whatever you want.
For example, if you want high-end shops and genuine Parisian charm, the Saint-Germain neighborhood is right for you. If you want to be in the center, and close to all the tourist attractions, the first, second, third and fourth arrondissements are perfect. And if you want to experience the artsy Paris, the 18th arrondissement near Montmartre is unparalleled.
Get Ready to Walk, a Lot
Even though there is ample public transportation, the absolute best way to enjoy Paris is to stroll through it. Getting lost is incredibly difficult. There are 20 arrondissements, and there isn’t a street sign in the city that doesn’t tell you which one you’re in.
The neighborhoods are actually organized in the shape of a snail, but counterclockwise. If you find the first one on a map, you can count to 20 when moving your finger in a circular, counterclockwise motion, to see where the rest are.
If, however, you have a reason to avoid walking, you can always resort to the metro system in Paris. It’s very simple, and it’s actually a great way to get from one place to another. There are more than 15 lines that connect the city’s underground area, and five larger lines that head out to the suburbs that surround the city. And if you’re there for a week, for a tad over 22 euros you can get a weekly pass. Just remember, the doors open by lifting the lever, not automatically. Oh, and note that the metro doesn’t work 24/7.
There’s a Market Every Day
No, we aren’t overstating things. There really is a market every day. You can get the largest array of them on Saturdays and Sundays, but there are smaller markets that have produce, and they’re open seven days a week. You can find them all over the city. Some more popular options include Place d’Aligre, Belleville and Bastille.
Keep a Bit of Cash
While most of the places you’ll be visiting, such as supermarkets or restaurants, will accept a card, it’s not a bad idea to keep a few euros in your pocket. This is especially useful when you’re visiting the markets we just spoke about, as well as when you need to make an unexpected stop in a bakery.
Eye Contact Is a Thing
This might freak you out at first, especially if where you come from this isn’t common. But people will make intense eye contact with you in Paris, and it’s going to happen to you a lot. They’ll also hold that eye contact for an uncomfortably long time. What should you do? Do it, too.
Forget About Grabbing a Cab to the Airport
Whether it’s when you’re arriving, or when you’re leaving Paris, it might be tempting to avoid public transportation and grab a taxi to the airport. However, that’s going to be a costly luxury, as it may end up costing you more than $50. You could grab a metro for about 10 euros, or if you have a weekly metro pass, go to Denfert-Rochereau and grab the airport bus. Thank us later.
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With thousands of medical conferences for professionals and paraprofessionals around the world each year, the hardest part is choosing the best one to attend. Here are the top conferences in the U.S. and around the world in the first few months of 2020… CONTINUE READING >>
With thousands of medical conferences for professionals and paraprofessionals around the world each year, the hardest part is choosing the best one to attend. From emergency medical services to primary care, here are the top conferences in the U.S. and around the world in the first few months of 2020. All conferences include keynote presentations, oral talks, poster presentations, workshops, and exhibitions.
January 2020-National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians
Emergency room physicians can learn the latest medical updates and complete continuing education requirements at the annual meeting at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego from January 6-11. The conference is open to physicians, medical professionals, residents, fellows, students, and international physicians. Open sessions include,
•EMS Quality Improvement and Safety Workshop •EMS Medical Directors Advanced Hazmat Life Support for Tox-Medics •All Things Airway: Airway Management in the Fresh Cadaver
February 2020-Pediatrics for Primary Care
Head to the Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa from February 17-22 for the Pediatrics for Primary Care Conference. The convention is intended to provide primary care providers with up-to-date information about common issues in pediatrics and upon completion, physicians will have a better understanding of how to diagnose and treat these conditions. Conference topics include,
•Does My Patient Need Surgery? •The Disney Phenomena: Challenging Cases and Updates in Pediatric Immunizations •Infants Behaving Badly •Diagnostic Dilemmas
March 2020-Diagnostic Imaging Update on Maui
For the best radiology conferences, head to Maui in March and attend the conference by the Center for Promotion and Education in Personalized Medicine at the Hyatt Regency from March 23-26. The conference is jointly hosted by CME Science and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. Session options include,
•Lung Cancer Screening Update 2020 with speaker Ann Leung, MD •MRI Hip Updates and New Concepts with speaker Geoff Riley, MD •Primary Malignant Liver Tumors with speaker Keitarou Sofue, MD
April 2020-12th World Congress on Precision and Personalized Medicine in Bangkok
Leave the U.S. behind and head to Bangkok, Thailand, from April 6-7 for the 12th World Congress on Precision and Personalized Medicine Conference. It welcomes pathologists, clinical geneticists, cytogenetic diagnosticians, cardiologists, and many other professionals to advance precision and personalized medicine around the world. Available sessions include,
•Precision Pathology •Drug Target Discovery and Integration •Preventive Medicine & Public Health •Precision Immunotherapy
May 2020-4th International Conference on Gynecology and Obstetrics Pathology
Head to another foreign destination for the 4th International Conference on Gynecology and Obstetrics Pathology in Munich, Germany, from May 11-12. The annual theme is “Exploring the New Research and Development to Uplift Women-Baby Health.” The world-class conference is designed to provide the latest research in the field of gynecologic and obstetric pathology for infertility, reproductive medicine, assisted contraception for gynecologists, obstetricians, nurses, midwives, pathologists, and other medical professionals. Tracks available at the conferences include,
•Gynecology and Obstetrics Pathology •Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) •Pre and Post Partum Care •Ultrasound and Genetics
June 2020-Primary Care Update: Cardiology, Geriatrics, and Pharmacology
Consider the primary care conference from June 26-28 at the Westin Seattle in Washington State, designed for primary care providers regarding common cardiology, geriatrics, and pharmacology matters found in primary care. Upon completion, providers will understand the diagnosing criteria, treatment, and prescribing guidelines for the best outcomes.
Topics the conference will cover includes,
•Truth or AFib: The Truth about Afib • Guide Me! A Practice Overview of Cardiology Guidelines and Impact on Primary Care Medicine •Motivational Interviewing •Exercise-The Medicine of Choice
July 2020-International Conference on Eye Surgery
Held from July 13-14 in Helsinki, Finland, the International Conference on Eye Surgery’s 2020 theme is, “The Thinking Eye . . . The Seeing Brain” and will focus on the latest developments for treating ophthalmology diseases. Tracks at the conference include,
•Clinical and Surgical Ophthalmology •Pediatric Ophthalmology •Glaucoma •Neuro-Ophthalmology
August 2020-Office Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for Primary Care
Attend the Office Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for Primary Care Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the Broadmoor from August 7-9. It will cover primary care physicians’ role in orthopedics and sports medicine injuries and treatment options and is open to a wide range of medical professionals. Topics the conference will cover includes,
•Overuse Injuries in the Young Athlete •Evaluation and Care of Common Shoulder Problems •Back to Basics: The Diagnosis and Management of Low Back Pain
These are just a few of the top medical conferences throughout the globe in 2020. Depending on your budget and availability, choose from one or more of these gatherings of professionals to expand your knowledge, network, and future career opportunities while completing your continuing education requirements.
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This could be the most festive way we have ever experienced to celebrate the season. Join us on a day by day account of a holiday cruise along the Danube. The cheer factor was off the charts! CONTINUE READING >>
This could be the most festive way we have ever experienced to celebrate the season. Join us on a day by day account of a holiday cruise along the Danube. The cheer factor was off the charts!
We’re excited to bring you along on our waltz down the Danube as we visit the Christmas markets of Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany.
Our journey takes us to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ensuring immersion into the grand history of the area.
We will be sure to pay special attention to the unique culture and customs surrounding the holiday along the River Danube, including gingerbread making, mulled wine sampling and, of course, the wares of the Christmas markets.
Day One: Arriving in Budapest and Meeting Skadi
Afternoon: Beam me up Skadi
We catch our first glimpse of our home for the next eight days. We’re docked right under Budapest’s famed Chain Bridge!
We are treated to a welcome drink in the beautiful lounge upon boarding
Skadi all dolled up for Christmas. Look at the windows – the entire ship is like this!
Welcome to our stateroom!
Evening: Budapest’s Christmas Market
Our Christmastime tour of the Danube begins in Budapest. At two million people, the Hungarian capital is the largest city we will see on this journey, in fact it is the biggest city on the entire river.
After checking in on the ship and stowing our gear, we head into the heart of the city to check out the first of several Christmas Markets we plan to visit over the next few days.
First things first, a cup of steaming hot Glühwein to warm our bodies and souls.
German for “glow-wine,” not because of the warm glow it gives a body, but from the hot irons used for mulling in days gone by.
The Hungarian version of hot mulled wine is called forralt bor, meaning simply “boiled wine.”
The market is teaming with activity, booths selling handcrafted gifts, and food, lots of food!
After checking all the offerings we order a töltött káposzta, cabbage stuffed with meat and rice and served with a paprika sauce and sour cream. Exceedingly Hungarian! We also couldn’t resist a huge smoked meat dumpling with sauerkraut.
Best jet-lag cure, total immersion into the local food and customs.
Day Two: Discovering Buda AND Pest (you think we’re kidding, but we’re not!)
Morning: Buda
Tunneling through the old city wall of Buda
Buda and Pest. Until 1873 these were separate cities with The Danube dividing them.
With just one day to attempt to see as much of both as we possibly can, we begin on the Buda side in the neighborhood around the old castle and royal palace.
Buda has been the spot for rulers and royals for nearly 700 years. These days the president lives up here as opposed to a king.
The Changing of the Guard
Looking up at Fisherman’s Bastion
On top of the ancient walls of the city, a bastion of seven lookout towers was constructed in 1905.
No longer needed for defense, it is instead a tribute to the seven tribes that established Hungary over a thousand years ago.
Within the bastion, Matthias Church serves as the second most important church in Budapest.
It is built in a Byzantine style to reflect the eastern heritage of the Hungarian people.
The fortifications also surround a statue of King/Saint Stephen, who was crowned in the year 1000 and brought Christianity to Hungary. The church in his honor is on The Pest side of the river and serves as the main cathedral for the unified city.
Having spent the morning in Buda, we cross over to Pest on the famous Chain Bridge, one of eight spans that connect the two old cities to make the new Budapest.
Along the river we pass the Parliament House, and just in front of it The Shoes on the Danube, a memorial to the Jewish people who perished during World War II. Victims were lined up on the river bank so the current would carry their bodies away. They were ordered to remove their shoes first because it was believed that they were too valuable. Very moving.
Hősök tere, Heroes’ Square, is the city’s main plaza dominated by the Millennium Monument. The monument was built in 1896 to commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the founding of Hungary in the late 9th century. Statues of the leaders of the seven tribes that came here from Asia are depicted around the main column topped by the archangel Gabriel holding a replica of the royal crown.
Later in the Afternoon: Climbing to the top of Budapest and being handy
The Christmas Market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica
Szent István Bazilika, St. Stephen’s Basilica, serves as the main church for Budapest. Without really knowing what to expect, we buy tickets to go up in the tower. Climbing the seemingly endless stairs, we’re just sure there must be something really good at the top. Three hundred feet up we’re not disappointed.
The Parliament Dome is off in the distance in the fog
From the top of the cathedral dome we get a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire city. It certainly seems to be the highest spot in town, then we learn that the dome on the parliament building is the exact same height.
This was done intentionally, to show the equality of political and religious power. By law, no building can be erected higher than the ninety-six meters of these two domes.
Inside the basilica, the king who became the patron saint of Hungary is honored in several ways, including a display of his right hand.
Yes, the one thousand year old mummified hand of Saint Stephen is kept in a glass case in a small chapel at the back of the church!
Evening: Getting goulash and a tiny little run-in with a policeman!
A block or two from the basilica on Zrínyi utca we met this bronze Hungarian policeman from the early 1900s.
Veronica seems to think his belly needs a pat.
Making our way back toward Skadi we stop to warm up with some hot soup.
Goulash and fish soup are both classic, typical Hungarian dishes, and what better place to try them the the self-proclaimed oldest restaurant in Budapest?
The name 100 Éves Etterem, One Hundred Years Old Restaurant, doesn’t really tell the story since it was adopted in the 1930s. 180 years old would be more accurate, but hey, they can’t go changing the name every year now can they?
No matter, the soups really hit the spot.
Both heavy on the paprika, this is Hungary after all, the goulash was full of meat, potatoes and carrots, and the fish soup had big chunks of fish with hearty noodles.
Warmed up, we finish our day along the main shopping street of the city, Váci utca, all decked out in holiday finery.
Night: Leaving Budapest: A send off we’ll remember for the rest of our lives!
Sailing out of Budapest under The Liberty Bridge, The Chain Bridge, and The Elizabeth bridge gives us an incredible nighttime view of several landmarks.
On the Buda side we see the palace and Fisherman’s Bastion lit against the night sky.
On the Pest side of The Danube, The Parliament Building is stunning as it glows in the foggy darkness. A remarkable send off after two amazing days in Budapest.
SO close to the wall!
David watching us rise on our stateroom balcony!
We are sailing upstream, which means we must pass through several locks to rise in elevation as we go along.
Skadi moves into position and then water tight doors close behind her. The lock is filled, raising us to match the river level on the high side. Then the doors open and once again we are on our way.
Afternoon: Storming the Castle
Although the city of Bratislava has played an important role in the history of central Europe for centuries, dating all the way back to Roman times and even serving as the capital of Hungary for over two hundred years, the name is actually quite new.
Not until 1919, when the new country of Czechoslovakia was formed, was the name Bratislava officially adopted. Before that it was known as Pressburg in German or Pozsony in Hungarian.
We began our exploration above the river at the Bratislava Castle. Up here the fog is freezing on to everything it touches, making icy art out of the trees.
This strategic spot overlooking the Danube has had some sort of fortification since the Romans arrived over two thousand years ago. Then around 1,200 years ago the Slavs came and built the first stone fortress.
Over time it was added to and improved until 1531 when the Kingdom of Hungary chose this as their capital and the castle served as the seat of power until well into the 1800s.
After that it fell into disrepair, but has been wonderfully restored over the past fifty years.
Below the castle we enter the old town through Michael’s Gate, named for the Archangel Michael whose statue sits atop the one hundred and fifty foot high tower.
Built around 1300, this was one of four entrances through the old protective walls, and is one of the city’s oldest structures.
The area inside the old walls has been closed to vehicle traffic so it makes for a very pleasant stroll through the cobblestone streets.
We discover the Christmas Market in front of Old Town Hall in the center of the old town.
The Hlavne namestie, main square, is filled with booths, mostly selling food and drink, and tables under small shelters where the purchases can be enjoyed.
A very social situation that we are very happy to jump in the middle of.
Nearly everyone warms themselves with varene vino, the local version of mulled wine, but in a twist we hadn’t seen before, hot white wine seems just as popular as the red.
We also gave zemiakové placky with cheese a try. This is a pancake made of shredded potatoes — crisp on the outside and chewy within — covered in a layer of mild, yet tangy white sheep cheese.
Very tasty and stick-to-your-ribs on a chilly December evening.
Dinner on board the Longship Skadi is another fine meal, as all of the fare has been so far. Careful attention is given to preparing local ingredients and dishes and local wines are served. We’ve even been greeted with a smile and yummy morsel when coming in from an excursion! Serving both visually and palate-pleasing dishes is accomplished flawlessly, and dare we say, artistically.
After dinner a group of Slovak musicians come aboard to entertain us.
Traditional folk songs played on dulcimer, violin, and double bass accompany the lively singers and dancers.
Day Four: Vienna, Austria
Morning: Hapsburgs and the most solid (heavy? substantial?) city we’ve ever seen!*
The city of Vienna is completely dominated by the heritage of The Hapsburgs. The dynasty ruled the Holy Roman Empire, then the Austrian Empire, and finally the Austro-Hungarian Empire from here for over 600 years, until 1918. Their palaces, churches, and government buildings are everywhere in the old city center.
The Hapsburgs used marriage to solidify relations with most of the royal houses of Europe, therefore avoiding a great deal of conflict.
None excelled at this better than Empress Maria Theresia who married off all of her daughters, including Marie Antoinette, in arraigned marriages. With one exception, her favorite, Maria Christina.
Christina was allowed to marry for love and so with her husband Prince Albert of Saxony became a bit like the Brangelina of their day. In fact the prince even built an art museum and used their combined names, Albertina.
A less-than-flattering rendition of King Leopold I on the Plague Monument, our guide jokes that perhaps he hadn’t paid the artist enough!
A later Hapsburg ruler, Leopold I, fled the city when plague hit in 1679, but vowed to return and erect a mercy column if the epidemic would end.
The Pestsäule he commissioned is now one of the main monuments in the center of Vienna.
Two ports of call today. We start with an early morning visit to the tiny town of only nine hundred inhabitants, Dürnstein.
The name means dry rock, and refers to rocks above the town where the remnants of a castle stand. But before climbing up to the ruins of the castle, we stop for a look around inside the old medieval walls.
By far the most prominent feature is the blue and white Baroque bell tower that crowns the Dürnstein Abbey.
The abbey dates back to 1410 but the tower is just a baby, having been rebuilt in 1710.
Signs on the way up to the castle inform us that it is most famous for housing King Richard the Lionheart in 1192 after the third crusade, against his will we might add. Duke Leopold V of Austria snatched the king and held him for ransom in the castle. The ransom was paid, Leopold was excommunicated by the pope for messing with a hero of the crusades, and died soon after. Over all the episode did not go well for Leopold.
There is not much left to see of the castle these days, the Swedes came down and destroyed it in 1645 and it has not been used since, but does offer quite a view of the Danube and the Wachau valley.
As we steam up the river to Melk, the crew has prepared and amazing lunch they call A Taste of Austria.
Regional specialties were brought on board yesterday in Vienna, including leberkäse, a meat loaf with a bread crust and cheese inside, and several varieties of sausages.
While these may look a lot like a regular hot dog, these wiener würsten are not even in the same ball park. We’re not talking the left over cuts of meat, these are prime cuts of veal and pork. The käsekrainer, which looked like basic smoked sausage but tasted like heaven, even had a cheese surprise melted in.
And we could never have all of these specialties without the proper beer, so a keg of Zwittler is tapped.
Brewed for over three hundred years in the nearby hills, it is the perfect accompaniment.
This is still an active monastery, and also houses a school for about nine hundred students.
Many of the old rooms are used as a museum now and we walk through these on our way to the incredibly impressive library.
Tens of thousands of volumes, some over a thousand years old, are kept, and still used by the monks.
The focal point of the abbey is the church. As beautiful as it is, the highlight for us are the two “catacomb saints” on display.
For some time during the 16th and 17th centuries the desire for relics became so great that the Vatican declared numerous unknown remains brought up from the catacombs under Rome to be saints.
The thinking seemed to be that since they came from Rome they must have been a martyr or great Christian of some sort, so they were dressed up in jewels and finery and sent off to churches in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Back on board the Skadi, our day ends with a bit of controversy during the Christmas trivia game. Our program director, Joey, asks how many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh and quite a brew-ha-ha breaks out as to whether the correct answer is 8 or 9. Order is restored when he decides to accept either answer, eight in good weather and nine in bad.
Day Six: Spectacular Salzburg
Morning: Meeting Mozart
The fog trapped between Mondsee, (Moon Lake) and Drachenwand (Dragon’s Wall) adds to the spectacular scenery on the road to Salzburg.
Today The Skadi is docked in Linz, Austria, but we will take a bus for a short ride to Salzburg. One of the big advantages of river cruising is that we dock right in the heart of the cities we are visiting. Not true with Salzburg, but it is such a gem of a city that it would be a colossally bad mistake to skip the small detour.
Crossing the Salzach River toward Salzburg’s Old Town
We will spend our day in Salzburg entirely within the walls of the old city, beginning and ending at the home where Mozart was born.
He was, after all, the original source of the sound of music coming from Salzburg. Afternoon: Beer Hall-ing and Walking It Off!
Old Town’s ancient cobblestone streets are closed to vehicles and lined with shops and eateries, most sporting ornate wrought iron guild signs.
These signs date back to the 1400s and the guild system when craftsmen and tradesmen formed guilds, or associations, to manage business and train new apprentices.
For lunch our fabulous guide pointed us to a classic beer hall, Stieglkeller, which of course features the local bräu, Stiegl, but also excellent authentic dishes. Not having had a schnitzel yet, that was a must, and when we saw six stuffed dumplings mit sauerkraut on the menu we knew what we had to do.
Like any good beer hall, big sturdy tables await mass quantities of food and drink, and animal heads, mostly the kind with antlers, adorn the walls.
This was not a light meal, so to walk it off we went along the lower wall of the castle. The side facing the city offers a great view over the entire old town.
But the real reward came around the back side of the castle where we were greeted with a stunning view of the mountain Untersberg playing hide and seek with the clouds.
Late Afternoon: Christmas Market Ho! (Ho! Ho!)
The Salzburg Christkindlmarkt is perhaps the biggest, and best Christmas market we have visited on our trip.
Food and drink are certainly available, but this market has much more to offer in the way of local crafts and unique items.
In addition to Salzburg’s famous Mozart chocolates we bought a gewürzstrauss, a traditional spice bouquet that makes anyplace smell like Christmas.
With only a couple of nights left on our cruise, tonight is the special Captain’s dinner. After a toast to a great crew and journey, the lobster is served. Quite a spread, five courses, from caviar to baked Alaska.
Day Seven: Passau Pleasures
Morning: Germany and Gingerbread
We are finishing our Christmas Market tour in Passau, Germany, where the River Inn and the River Ilz meet the Danube (Donau), and for this reason it is often called the City of Three Rivers.
On our tour of the city we stop at Confiserie Café Simon for a demonstration on gingerbread, known here as Lebkuchen, which means loaf of life.
So our English translation is a misnomer, even more so since there is no ginger in gingerbread. The original simple recipe consists only of rye flour, honey and spices such as clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. A more spicy version known as Gewürzlebkuchen (we learned in Salzburg that gewürzle means spice) includes molasses.
Our final Christmas market is in the square in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a baroque church from 1688.
As with so much of the city, the church was built after the great fire of 1662. Before the fire, the church was not baroque, so afterwards it did need to be fixed. (ba-da-CHING!)
Inside, the largest cathedral organ in the world with 17,774 pipes, has been worked into the stucture. The organ currently has pipes in five different places, including inside the ceiling, all coordinated to play exactly together.
Concerts are held regularly and are a must-do when visiting.
In the market we discovered something new, the 1/2 meter wurst. Almost two feet of sausage. Have we (meaning David) died and gone to heaven?
Unfortunately we just ate a huge lunch so we had no place to put half a meter of wurst.
Afternoon: David Goes Rogue
The thought of the half meter wurst wouldn’t leave me alone, so when Veronica decides to nap back on the ship, I sneak out to the market in search of a super sausage.
This indulgence must be captured on film, so I attempt the half-meter-wurst selfie. A difficult proposition considering that the sausage is almost as long as my arm.
Seeing my struggles, a helpful German woman offers to snap a photo, which I appreciate, but I really want the perspective of meat and bun at an arm’s length.
After seeing both photos, I think you’ll agree that the half-meter-wurst selfie is truly a work of art.
As our journey comes to an end we have some overall impressions.
First and foremost, the crew of The Skadi are superb, with a special shout out to Joey, our program director, Verona, the concierge, and Wilhelm, the hotel manager. They, and all the staff, made sure that every detail was attended to with near perfection.
Veronica in Skadi’s library. Free, unlimited wifi was available ship-wide, but this was one of her favorite haunts.
In addition, the tours were all well coordinated to allow free time while still seeing and learning about all of the highlights of each destination. The guides all lived in each city we were visiting, and so had valuable insights from a truly local perspective.
By docking near the city center of the incredible towns we visited, it was almost like having a hotel with a perfect location in each city. This is a different style of cruising, not so focused on shipboard activities as seeing the destinations, yet our time was always filled with educational or entertaining events. Several local music performers came on board, as well as lectures, demonstrations, and regional foods were offered every day.
Many companies are selling sheds online. However, there are a few things you need to know before you go ahead and order online storage sheds. For instance, deciding on the most suitable style of roof… CONTINUE READING >>
It is no longer that difficult to fulfill your dream of having a high-end storage shed on your property. Many companies are selling sheds online. You get the equipment you need to build them included and you can learn how by watching tutorials online. However, there are a few things you need to know before you go ahead and order online storage sheds. For instance, deciding on the most suitable style of roof is very important.
Shed Roof Designs
The roof will always be the most important feature on any shed. It has to be up to the job of keeping the building watertight and secure. Online you can find many styles and designs made of different materials that will withstand various weather conditions, even the more extreme. Here are a few options you are likely to come across.
Gable Roof
A gable roof is a simple and popular style. It is the one where same sized roof panels slope down each side of the structure from the ridge at the very top. The best thing about this kind of roof is that its high peak creates additional loft space that is perfect for storage.
Catslide Roof
If you’ve seen structures in New England built following the design of colonial saltboxes, you will have seen a catslide roof. In these roofing systems, the read panel will slope downward to stop a few feet from the ground. With this roof, you benefit from more floor space although it limits the space for overhead.
Sloping Roof
If you want a straightforward roofing option, you may want to look for a sloping roof design. It will have a single panel slowing towards the rear of the shed. Because the gradient is minimal, installation is easier. This roof is a good choice if you want plenty of headroom.
Gambrel Roof
To make your shed look great, you can consider going for barn-style appeal, which you get from a gambrel roof. It is a perfect way to add additional volume. With this roof, you can even go ahead and install a storage loft. You may want to install this roofing type if you are planning a larger than average shed.
Flat Roof
A flat roof is a basic roofing option for someone not interested in spending a lot of money. For these, a single panel covers the entire shed. Whilst it is easy to install and a rather cost effective option, a flat roof is definitely more functional than attractive. Without a gradient, there is also the risk of water pooling and debris, such as fallen leaves collecting on the roof. If not dealt with, this will reduce the working life of the roof and therefore the shed.
Hip Roof
A hip roof is a roof with four triangle-shaped panels put together to form a square pyramid. If you’re in an area with high winds, you may benefit from investing in this sturdy roof style. You won’t be getting the overhead storage you could from other designs but the roof will keep its integrity and keep the shed watertight for decades easily.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
