London, Sept 9, 2008 Set alarm for about 8:00 a.m. -- check-out time not til noon, but didn't want to get myself confused by sleeping in too late, since next tour starts tomorrow, probably early. Had leisurely bkfst, finished packing, checked out (my one phone call was L2.00 - about $4.00) and successfully transferred via taxi to the next hotel (with tip the one mile taxi ride was L6.00). Checked in but couldn't get key that early (it was maybe 10:30) so left suitcase and carry-on with porter and headed out for the Underground, which is nearby. Bought another day travelcard (L5.30). Headed off to British Museum; because of construction I missed the sign at the exit from the tube, but followed my map pretty well and got there. It's also very huge and free, and ... read more

Day 15, Sunday, Sept 7, London, England So, I'm halfway thru this trip and feel like I'm starting to get the hang of this - but that's likely because I'm in an English-speaking country now and settled into one hotel for four nights - what a luxury. Trying to get caught up on my laundry for a clean start for the next tour - it's helps that there's actually an iron in this room (none on the continent) since clothes don't dry here very well on their own. Saw a laundromat today but it's a couple of miles away (not sure about distances yet, the way we jog around on the buses). Had bkfst this morning with Melinda and Charlie whose son lives near Asheville - that was a pleasant start; they were leaving on their ... read more

Day 13, 9/05 - train from Paris to London Not much to report today. And I have time to write! Lost an hour, so it feels like 9:30, when here it's 8;30, and have already had dinner and done my laundry. This is the shifting day, and the going home day or on to other things for everyone. It's been a fun group of people - lots of good humor, and a really good tour guide. Wake up at 7:45 a.m., but I was already up and on the way to brkfst when the phone rang. Suitcases out at 8:30 (people going home from Paris had much earlier times), and then on to the bus at 9:30 to go to Gare du Nord to catch Eurostar. Mario drove the scenic route thru city center, so we ... read more

Day 5, Thursday, Aug 28 - “Whirlwind tour” A lot of driving today, with 2-hour stop in walled city of Rothenburg - very quaint, cute buildings, shop after shop after shop; bought an “eis” (E0.60, small, but enough) -- Baileys gelato, yummy, and a couple of postcards.. Then on to Munich for an hour stop in late afternoon - quick view of Olympic area drivng past, then to Marienplatz for a couple of photos, and a walk to the Hofbrauhaus. Munich was pretty much flattened during the war (we're hearing a lot about the war) and rebuilt with a lot of old style in between more modern looking buildings. HBhaus is huge; we tried different beers. I had HB “Dunkel” (dark) - very good, but only had a .5 liter, since we had more bus time, ... read more

Day 7, Saturday, August 30 Up at 6:00 am.; luggage out at 6:30, bkfst til 7, on bus about 7:15 a.m. Today was a spectacularly beautiful drive through the Alps to go to Venice. Morning break in Innsbruck at the Swarovski store (and all I bought was a pencil with a crystal on the end - and got the “free gift” for groups who shop, a little tack pin with a crystal - cute). Three floors to the store, not huge, and there were quite a few things they didn't have, like the zodiac animals, and several others. A lot of the company's business is optics for telescopes, etc. They did have a fanciful winterland exhibit, several large pieces and assorted jewelry, but certainly not the selection I was expecting (they didn't even have the little ... read more