Scheisse! It's over!

Our grand adventure has come to a close, we are in the air and on our way home. Scheisse! Yes, I have learned a german swear word as well as an italian one! Vienna lived up to it's reputation of being a cultural hot spot, full of life and energy, and of course tourists. We stayed just outside the "inner ring" so everything was within walking distance. Walk we did and the weather was perfect to do just that. 

The naschemart. Forgive me for my gross misspelling of this wonderful outdoor food venue. 

Our happy coffee kid, Meinl. I wonder what he is thinking....

The visit to the fine arts museum was spectacular. I have never seen so many Egyptian artifacts in one place. 

This wonderful bird is from the 1500's and is made entirely of ivory. 

We moved onto the Czech Republic to Cesky Krumlov. What a glorious little fairy tale town this is, situated in the hills of southern Chech Republic. 

This is the sign at the border. Twenty years ago there was a double electrified and barbed wire fence surrounding the country. Up until this time there were armed guards that restricted all travel in and out of the country. Now, no guards, no fences except for a 50 foot section planted with flowers and maintained by a family to remind everyone of how it once was. People move freely between countries now. 

The Chech country side. These trees were planted to shade the soldiers as they marched.

Out our window at the Castleview Apartments. It certainly lived up to its name. 

 

More from Cesky Krumlov...

Brother Dan and Miss Jeni came for the weekend.

Hi there! Sugary and cinnamony pastry. 

We say goodbye to Cesky Krumlov and spend the day on the the Czech, Austrian, and German rail system. It was quite a challenge negotiating especially the Czech trains because of our utter lack of that complicated language but negotiate it we most certainly did and also the Austrian and German lines. The scenery was marvelous!  We were picked up by our cheerful and hospitable, Richard. What a wonderful friend that he and his dear wife would host us outside Munich in Brunnthal. They have a beautiful home and an amazing garden that Ingrid tenderly cares for.

Hi Ingrid and Richard! 

We had an amazing meal, relaxing at their home with loads of  one of my favorite wines, the Italian, Primitivo.  We finished our evening with champagne to celebrate all our good fortune (in italiano, buon fortuna...got to keep practicing!) The next morning we headed out for a lovely hike through the countryside. 

We returned home for a brief respite then out to dinner at an amazing Bavarian restaurant. Truffles, venison, pumpkin soup and an bottle of Barolo. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our friends and are so grateful that we will see them again at Christmas when both our families will be together to celebrate.

So babies, that is about a wrap for this grand adventure. Wonderful and as always romantic Italy, vibrant and exciting Vienna, quaint and Slavic Cesky Krumlov, and finally Germany in the fall with friends. Spectacular! 

Gary and I wish everyone happiness and as always wonderful travels.

Ciao babies!!

PS check back in a few days and I will post some of my favorite pictures and even some from my wonderful brother, Danny.