We all love Germany. We had pretzels for breakfast. We visited Neuschwanstein Castle, which was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. We were able to take a horse drawn carriage from the village up the long, winding road to the castle. The castle was never finished because King Ludwig died under suspicious circumstances only 1 day after being told that a group of doctors were about to issue a report finding him mentally unstable. He is known as Mad King Ludwig. At the time of his death, he was only 40 years old, and had 3 castles under construction. The castle at Neuschwanstein is within view of his parents castle. King Ludwig was good friends with the famous composer, Richard Wagner, and the castle was dedicated to his operas. The government of Bavaria actually banished Wagner to Switzerland because they thought he had too much influence over the king, and that the king was spending too much money on Wagner. An interesting point not mentioned on the tour of the castle is that Walt Disney used it as his inspiration for the castle of Sleeping Beauty.
After Fussen, we took the train to Lindau, Germany. Lindau is a small island in the Boddensee. The landscape of Germany is beautiful, and many farmers were out working their land. With the windows open on the train, it really smelled like Spring. We've noticed alot of cultural differences in each country we've visited, and we've also seen that in many ways people are the same wherever you go.
After our brief stop in Lindau, we hopped on the rails once again, headed for Zurich. The highlight of the trip was a real restaurant car. Other trains have had snack carts that are pushed through the aisles, or snack bars. This train had a sit down, waiter service, restaurant. It was really cool.
We think Zurich taxi drivers would starve in NYC. We got off the train and tried to get a taxi, the driver got out of his car to explain to us how to get to the hotel. After trying to follow his directions, and wandering around town, we hailed a 2nd taxi, who pulled over and told us to keep walking that it wasn't much farther.
We'll be in Basel, Switzerland by tomorrow night.
Bis Morgan
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Trains, Trains, and More Trains
We started our day at 5:30am with a water taxi to the Venice Train Station. We arrived at our hotel in Fussen, Germany at 9:00pm. We took trains from Venice to Verona, Verona to Innsbruck, Innsbruck to Munich, and Munich to Fussen. Thankfully we were nowhere near the earthquake, and didn't even know about it until we were in Austria.
On the train we noticed that the terrain changed rapidly and within an hour of Verona we started to see the snow covered alps. The architecture also changes, with stone and stucco houses with terra cotta roofs giving way to homes that really look like chalets.
Innsbruck is located in a valley and is surrounded by amazing mountains. We spent a portion of our afternoon there, we saw the Golden Roof, and once again played in the Bundesgarden Park with the locals. The Winter Olympics were held here in 1964 and 1976 and you can see the ski jump right from the train station. Innsbruck is also home to Swaroksi Crystal. The older part of town really looked very Disneyesque. We had pretzels and watched the Bavarian band. Even with snow covered mountains all around it was about 70 degrees.
On the train to Fussen, the landscape changed again to flat farmland, with many very neat homes with well manicured yards. We saw quite a few deer in the many open fields. We've now settled in Fussen in perhaps the most unique hotel room we've ever experienced.
Tomorrow we vist Mad King Ludwig's Castle at Neuschwanstein Castle, and head to Zurich for the night.
Gute Nacht
On the train we noticed that the terrain changed rapidly and within an hour of Verona we started to see the snow covered alps. The architecture also changes, with stone and stucco houses with terra cotta roofs giving way to homes that really look like chalets.
Innsbruck is located in a valley and is surrounded by amazing mountains. We spent a portion of our afternoon there, we saw the Golden Roof, and once again played in the Bundesgarden Park with the locals. The Winter Olympics were held here in 1964 and 1976 and you can see the ski jump right from the train station. Innsbruck is also home to Swaroksi Crystal. The older part of town really looked very Disneyesque. We had pretzels and watched the Bavarian band. Even with snow covered mountains all around it was about 70 degrees.
On the train to Fussen, the landscape changed again to flat farmland, with many very neat homes with well manicured yards. We saw quite a few deer in the many open fields. We've now settled in Fussen in perhaps the most unique hotel room we've ever experienced.
Tomorrow we vist Mad King Ludwig's Castle at Neuschwanstein Castle, and head to Zurich for the night.
Gute Nacht
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday in Venice
We had a fun Sunday, wandering the streets, really alley ways, of Venice the entire day. We took a water shuttle from our hotel, and saw several processions of palms for Palm Sunday. Many people had olive branches instead of palms.
At St. Mark's Square we fed pigeons and learned about the Basilica San Marco which was built in the 9th Century to house the body of Saint Mark. We also learned about Murano glass which is made in Venice, and saw an antique market at Campo San Maurizio.
We went to an exhibit of musical instruments dating from 1580-1965. A focus of the exhibit was also Antonio Vivaldi, a famous composer who was born in Venice in 1678. He was a priest and spent most of his life teaching at Ospedale della Pieta, which was a State run school for orphaned girls. At this school the girls were only trained to be excellent musicians. The girls were said to sing like angels, and all of them could play multiple instruments, including some unique and uncommon instruments. Most of the girls spent their entire lives at the school.
We set the gelato record today with 3, and we've decided our favorite flavor is Fior di Latte. We also rode the carousel at Campo San Polo 4 times, and played on the playground at the public park with some local kids. There were alot of kids around today, riding bikes, scooters, and rollerblading. Lots of Fun. We've decided that Dean and Connor would make excellent gondoliers for halloween.
We have a busy travel day tomorrow. We are getting picked up by water taxi at 5:30am to go to the train station. We plan to spend tomorrow afternoon in Innsbruck, Austria and then arrive at our hotel in Germany later in the evening.
Ciao from Venice, Italy
At St. Mark's Square we fed pigeons and learned about the Basilica San Marco which was built in the 9th Century to house the body of Saint Mark. We also learned about Murano glass which is made in Venice, and saw an antique market at Campo San Maurizio.
We went to an exhibit of musical instruments dating from 1580-1965. A focus of the exhibit was also Antonio Vivaldi, a famous composer who was born in Venice in 1678. He was a priest and spent most of his life teaching at Ospedale della Pieta, which was a State run school for orphaned girls. At this school the girls were only trained to be excellent musicians. The girls were said to sing like angels, and all of them could play multiple instruments, including some unique and uncommon instruments. Most of the girls spent their entire lives at the school.
We set the gelato record today with 3, and we've decided our favorite flavor is Fior di Latte. We also rode the carousel at Campo San Polo 4 times, and played on the playground at the public park with some local kids. There were alot of kids around today, riding bikes, scooters, and rollerblading. Lots of Fun. We've decided that Dean and Connor would make excellent gondoliers for halloween.
We have a busy travel day tomorrow. We are getting picked up by water taxi at 5:30am to go to the train station. We plan to spend tomorrow afternoon in Innsbruck, Austria and then arrive at our hotel in Germany later in the evening.
Ciao from Venice, Italy
Saturday, April 4, 2009
We Open in Venice
We traveled today from Florence to Bologna, then on to Verona. The train cars are all numbered, we were assigned to car 1, but the signs on the platform were reversed from the actual cars, so we got on car 12 and had to walk all the way back while everyone crowded the aisles finding their seats and stowing their luggage. In Verona, we visted the Coloseum, which is not quite as large as the one in Rome, but is still big. They host opera concerts all Summer. The major highlight of Verona was Juliet's house. There were love notes and graffiti all over the 12th Century home. It is still owned by the Dell Cappella (Capuleti) family, but the museum is administered by the City of Verona. Each room had some key dialogue from the play, Madddie read every word. There is a statue of Juliet in the courtyard, and if you touch her in a certain place while making a love wish, your wish will come true.
We went to two McDonald's today, and neither one of them would give us milk. They said it was only for coffee, but when we bought coffee, they said we could use the creamers in the bag.
After an afternoon in Verona, we took the train to Venice. We thought we were taking the 4:29pm train, but the sign said 3:59pm and it left at at 4:06pm, luckily we just got on the train, but we still don't know which one it was, but it went to Venice.
It was so exciting to walk out of the train station and instead of city streets, see canals and water taxis. We walked across the Rialto Bridge to San Marco Square and took a water shuttle to our hotel.
We noticed that the terrain changed from the hills of Florence to flat farmland as we went towards Bologna, then as we neared Venice we saw water and boat dealers and eventually a large port with big cranes, ferries and cruise ships.
Venice is full of small alley ways and lots of twists and turns. It is very easy to get lost, but thankfully there are signs for San Marco and the Rialto, the two major tourist locations, on almost every corner.
We finally arrived at our hotel and we were very tired so we went to the lobby for some snacks. We had cheese and vegetables, but our favorite part of the night was watching a little Japanese girl stick her hands in the food, and then an older British man would get angry and complain. He even starting videotaping her. She usually stopped at our table to say hello to Maddie on her way back and forth from the food.
Tomorrow we explore Venice, including perhaps, a gondola ride.
Ciao
We went to two McDonald's today, and neither one of them would give us milk. They said it was only for coffee, but when we bought coffee, they said we could use the creamers in the bag.
After an afternoon in Verona, we took the train to Venice. We thought we were taking the 4:29pm train, but the sign said 3:59pm and it left at at 4:06pm, luckily we just got on the train, but we still don't know which one it was, but it went to Venice.
It was so exciting to walk out of the train station and instead of city streets, see canals and water taxis. We walked across the Rialto Bridge to San Marco Square and took a water shuttle to our hotel.
We noticed that the terrain changed from the hills of Florence to flat farmland as we went towards Bologna, then as we neared Venice we saw water and boat dealers and eventually a large port with big cranes, ferries and cruise ships.
Venice is full of small alley ways and lots of twists and turns. It is very easy to get lost, but thankfully there are signs for San Marco and the Rialto, the two major tourist locations, on almost every corner.
We finally arrived at our hotel and we were very tired so we went to the lobby for some snacks. We had cheese and vegetables, but our favorite part of the night was watching a little Japanese girl stick her hands in the food, and then an older British man would get angry and complain. He even starting videotaping her. She usually stopped at our table to say hello to Maddie on her way back and forth from the food.
Tomorrow we explore Venice, including perhaps, a gondola ride.
Ciao
Friday, April 3, 2009
Under the Tuscan Sun
Our tour guide Franco took us to several Tuscan Hill towns, and through the Chianti Region today. We drove past the American Cemetery at Florence, where more than 4300 U.S. Serivce Members who died during World War II are buried. We saw many olive trees, cypress trees and vineyards.
Franco told us quite a bit about everyday life in Italy. For example, we learned that kids go to elementary school from ages 6 to 11, then middle school from ages 11 to 14, and high school from ages 14-19. Students can attend school Monday- Friday until approximately 4pm, or a bit later, or they can have early dismissal each day if they also attend on Saturday.
Following High School you can get a job, go to a trade school, or enroll in University. University is a bit different than it is in the U.S. Most students live at home and attend the University closest to their home, as the univesities don't usually offer housing. Franco also told us that Italians love TV reality shows and that his 20 year old daughter who is studying Hotel Management only comes home to eat and get money. According to our new friend, football (soccer), bicycle racing and basketball are the most popular sports in Italy.
We visited San Gimignano, a medieval city known as the Manhatten of Tuscany because of its large towers. There are currently 14, although at times there were more than 70. San Gimignano was also a main stopping point for pilgrims from France and England on their pilgrimage to see the Pope in Rome. The movie, "Tea with Mussolini" was filmed here, and they also have a shop which won the the 2006/2007 and 2008/2009 Gelato World Championship.
We next stopped at Monterigioni, which is very small, but was called a "Crown on a King" by Dante because of its appearance on top of a large hill. We had lunch at a restaurant that we saw on Rachel Ray, and met a couple from Chicago whose daughter went to Princeton, they asked about Bruce Springsteen, who the mom said she loves. Franco recommended the Pasta with boars meat sauce, but no one was that adventurous today.
After lunch we went to Siena, which has one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Siena was a major enemy of the Florentines in the middle ages, until 1/2 their population was lost to the "Black Death", or Plague. There is a major horse race in the center of town every summer, with each neighborhood of the city cheering for their own horse. The race is very popular with thousands of people attending, Franco tells us that good tickets are usually more than 500 Euros.
Our final stop for the day was at a small winery in the Chianti Region, we tried some wine, Maggie tried Grappa, which was very strong.
Franco told us quite a bit about everyday life in Italy. For example, we learned that kids go to elementary school from ages 6 to 11, then middle school from ages 11 to 14, and high school from ages 14-19. Students can attend school Monday- Friday until approximately 4pm, or a bit later, or they can have early dismissal each day if they also attend on Saturday.
Following High School you can get a job, go to a trade school, or enroll in University. University is a bit different than it is in the U.S. Most students live at home and attend the University closest to their home, as the univesities don't usually offer housing. Franco also told us that Italians love TV reality shows and that his 20 year old daughter who is studying Hotel Management only comes home to eat and get money. According to our new friend, football (soccer), bicycle racing and basketball are the most popular sports in Italy.
We visited San Gimignano, a medieval city known as the Manhatten of Tuscany because of its large towers. There are currently 14, although at times there were more than 70. San Gimignano was also a main stopping point for pilgrims from France and England on their pilgrimage to see the Pope in Rome. The movie, "Tea with Mussolini" was filmed here, and they also have a shop which won the the 2006/2007 and 2008/2009 Gelato World Championship.
We next stopped at Monterigioni, which is very small, but was called a "Crown on a King" by Dante because of its appearance on top of a large hill. We had lunch at a restaurant that we saw on Rachel Ray, and met a couple from Chicago whose daughter went to Princeton, they asked about Bruce Springsteen, who the mom said she loves. Franco recommended the Pasta with boars meat sauce, but no one was that adventurous today.
After lunch we went to Siena, which has one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Siena was a major enemy of the Florentines in the middle ages, until 1/2 their population was lost to the "Black Death", or Plague. There is a major horse race in the center of town every summer, with each neighborhood of the city cheering for their own horse. The race is very popular with thousands of people attending, Franco tells us that good tickets are usually more than 500 Euros.
Our final stop for the day was at a small winery in the Chianti Region, we tried some wine, Maggie tried Grappa, which was very strong.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Galileo's Head Was on the Block
We wandered all over Florence today, and spent some time at the Palazzo Strozzi where they had an exhibit on Galileo. Many famous artists, writers and scientists are from Florence, including Dante, DaVinci, Machiavelli, and Michelangelo. We learned how ancient civilizations viewed the planets, the Egyptian concept of the Lunar Calendar, and that over the course of history, civilizations have looked to the heavens to navigate the seas and to decide when to sow and when to reap. We also learned that Copernicus was the first to develop a Heliocentric view of the universe, when others still held to the belief of a Geocentric universe. Galileo was born in Pisa, and while on a trip to Venice, bought a toy used to see far away. He worked hard at improving it and eventually invented the modern telescope which he used to observe the heavens. Galileo was tried twice by the Catholic Church for his scientific theories, the first time he got a warning, the second time he was found guilty of heresy and was subjected to a forced abjuration. We saw one of Galileo's original telescopes, and a finger from his right hand. That was neat.
We walked over the Ponte Vecchio a number of times. The Ponte Vecchio is a famous bridge with many shops. It was originally a meat and produce market in the 12th and 13th Century, it then become home to many goldsmiths and silversmiths. Today it is almost exclusively jewelry stores.
We went to almost every Piazza, many small markets, and street vendors. In one of the grocery stores the shelves were arranged by country, the American shelf had brownie mix, marshmallows, cheese balls and peanut butter. Kevin and Maddie rode on a carousel, and we paid .60 Euros each to use the public water closet. After dinner near the Medici Castle(now Florence Town Hall), we had our first taste of Italian hot chocolate. It was hot, but no sugar at all, it wasn't very tasty.
In our hotel bathroom there are cords in the tub and shower, Maggie pulled and pulled on them over and over while asking what they did. She stopped when the front desk called to check on the alarm coming from our room.
Ciao
We walked over the Ponte Vecchio a number of times. The Ponte Vecchio is a famous bridge with many shops. It was originally a meat and produce market in the 12th and 13th Century, it then become home to many goldsmiths and silversmiths. Today it is almost exclusively jewelry stores.
We went to almost every Piazza, many small markets, and street vendors. In one of the grocery stores the shelves were arranged by country, the American shelf had brownie mix, marshmallows, cheese balls and peanut butter. Kevin and Maddie rode on a carousel, and we paid .60 Euros each to use the public water closet. After dinner near the Medici Castle(now Florence Town Hall), we had our first taste of Italian hot chocolate. It was hot, but no sugar at all, it wasn't very tasty.
In our hotel bathroom there are cords in the tub and shower, Maggie pulled and pulled on them over and over while asking what they did. She stopped when the front desk called to check on the alarm coming from our room.
Ciao
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Leaning Tower and Florence
We left Rome on the 9:46am train and headed up the coast to Pisa, about a 3 hour ride. There was some nice scenery, but also alot of industrial areas and major ports on the Tyrrhenian Sea. There is also quite a bit of graffiti all over Italy. We sat with a couple from Los Angeles on their way to some of the Italian coastal cities, then to Paris.
We toured the Baptistry, the Cathedral and went to the top of the Tower. The entire area is known as the Piazza dei Miracoli, or "Miracle Square". There are alot of stairs, 294 to be exact, and it really does lean. Construction on the tower began in 1173 and was finished 99 years later. The Tower is 186 feet high at its peak. Galileo performed his famous experiment about gravity from the tower. We ate lunch on the lawn next to the tower (with it leaning away from us just in case) and then walked back to the train station, about a mile.
We took a commuter train from Pisa to Florence, pretty crowded, and have just settled in to our hotel here in Florence. We have a very nice view of the Arno River.
Tomorrow we will spend the day exploring Florence, the Duomo and the famous sculpture David.
We toured the Baptistry, the Cathedral and went to the top of the Tower. The entire area is known as the Piazza dei Miracoli, or "Miracle Square". There are alot of stairs, 294 to be exact, and it really does lean. Construction on the tower began in 1173 and was finished 99 years later. The Tower is 186 feet high at its peak. Galileo performed his famous experiment about gravity from the tower. We ate lunch on the lawn next to the tower (with it leaning away from us just in case) and then walked back to the train station, about a mile.
We took a commuter train from Pisa to Florence, pretty crowded, and have just settled in to our hotel here in Florence. We have a very nice view of the Arno River.
Tomorrow we will spend the day exploring Florence, the Duomo and the famous sculpture David.
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