We're in Salzburg now... a cold front came in yesterday and it's cold and rainy. I was feeling guilty because neither of us are in a sightseeing mood today, and we're leaving tomorrow. But then Thad told me I shouldn't worry about it... after all, this is a vacation and if we don't feel like wandering around in the cold/rain then we shouldn't... so sitting in the internet cafe instead where it's nice and warm :) I just updated our profile (and will continue to do so) with where we have been when since we're behind on the blog. What we [View Full Entry]

---

---

On the way to Salzburg, the weather was pretty miserable so we had our first car picnic. It took us an hour to find a room... a convention going on so lots of places booked. We walked to Augustiner Braustube which is a LARGE beer hall that can fit up to 2800 people and there was even a non-smoking room, YEA! It reminded us of the Market at the Grove in L.A. but in reverse where drinking is the focus and you can bring all the food you want. [View Full Entry]

---

---

THANK YOU to our friend Lily who recommended Hallstatt!!! We would have never known to stop here otherwise and I think it maybe the gem of our trip thus far!! Halstatt was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and a quaint/cute little town. It is surrounded by the Alps and lakes which makes for spectacular views. Our room that we found was beautiful and overlooked the hills and lake. The owner of our hotel had a display of all kinds of things found diving in the lakes (there are over 70 of them in the area)... apparently it was a dumping ground for the Naziś [View Full Entry]

---

---

Checked out of the hotel then went to Schloloss Schonbrunn, the Habsburgs' summer palace which was described as a mini Versailles but we thought it was huge and pretty spectacular so we'd say it was a 7/8 Versailles and we were just about as impressed as we were with Versailles. We took the "Grand Tour" which was very well done then picnic on the beautiful grounds. We did wish we had been able to spend more time here, but alas needed to move on... we decided to skip Slovakia and in hindsight are REALLY glad we did since the weather turned [View Full Entry]

---

---

Behind on entries.... wé're in Vienna right now, going to Slovakia tomorrow for 2 days. We're behind on these entries which is why they are out of order. Also, I keep forgetting to list links to all pictures for a particular country, so if you want to see all of our pictures thus far (I have them split into various sets) go to: pictures [View Full Entry]

---

---

We're staying at a Marriott in Vienna... Thad's new job gives him a great discount, we got to stay here for 49 Euro when it's normally 179 per night!! And they had a fitness center so I got to get a real workout in 2 days in a row (walking all day just doesn't cut it). And we also got our first normal double bed that doesn't have a crease between the two matresses... yea!! Tried lots of great beer at a couple of breweries. Thad got to have a full Irish Breakfast and we went to Kaisergraft where many royalty [View Full Entry]

---

---

I have to admit I'm glad to be leaving Prague.... (so is Thad...) Yes, it's an incredibly beautiful city with tons to do and great beer, but... Maybe my expectations were too high with everyone's rave reviews... Maybe it was the stares I've been getting in CZ... Thad said he was noticing it in Prague as I did in Plzn. Maybe it's because the town is really overrun with tourists and I really dislike places like that... Thad said it reminded him of Pier 39. Maybe it was that the food was mediocre compared to other places. Or maybe it was [View Full Entry]

---

---

Beautiful weather today!! Took a nice long walk to visit Prague Castle. Started off with a picnic there then spent 2 hrs and were really glad that our friend Marc recommended getting the audio tour. We climbed the 287 steps up the tower and were rewarded wtih some spectacular views. After leaving the castle, we walked over Charles Bridge which has no cars on it, just lots of statues, vendors, and street performers. The performers were actually quite good! We then happened upon a street party... free drinks :) It was sponsered by Beefeater so we had G&Ts with a cucumber [View Full Entry]

---

---

Thad surprised me with some flowers this morning... Awww :) We went to Vysehrad which is a fortress in Prague founded in the 11th century. Had a lovely picnic then went to SS Peter and Paul Church, and the cemetary. Beautiful views all over here. [View Full Entry]

---

---

Bold Text: Jessica Says: Breakfast in Rothenburg was great with this fantastic homemade marmalade... yum!! From there we got on the road to Plzen, Czech Republic where Pilsner beer was first created. On the way we stopped at a rest stop for a picnic. Thad got to drive on the Autobahn. Drove around the town of Nabburg on our way. I have to admit, Plzen was a bit scarey to me... everyone was staring at us, or more specifically me... Thad thought maybe because I was the only non-white person around, who knows. But I've never felt this uncomfortable anywhere before. [View Full Entry]

---

---