Blogs from Europe - page 3

I'm back home. I've been home for 2 days and finally able to function enough to make a to do list and start unpacking. Finishing this blog is top on my 'to do' list. If this last post doesn't get out today, it never will. I did start it at some point so here's what I got... The night we left Belfast I couldn't sleep trying to decide what to do in Dublin. One last night spent with Rick to make a plan for the next day and half.. We made it to Dublin from Belfast with only a quick rest stop along the way. Don was in his element here and gave us the grand tour of Dublin. He's very proud of this city. We went to Phoenix Park for a drive by of the ... read more

The French Open has started. Now that I am watching on TV, I wish I was there! Oh well, maybe next year. The crowds here are what makes this Slam so much fun!!! Last year (2022) at the French Open in Paris: No, we are not celebrating a 16th birthday. Maybe some multiple of 16. I am referring to the 16th Arrondissement (of twenty) of Paris. There are twenty in Paris, for those of you unfamiliar. The 16th includes the Arch de Triomphe, and several well-known museums. But as you are aware, I am not here for the museums. I have only one reason for being here, the famous French Open. The 16th is rather a high rent area or one of high society's favorite places, comparable to Chelsea and Kensington in London, or Charlottenburg in ... read more

After the usual morning rituals, we got the 10.05 train to Linthal-Braunwald Station and then onto the funicular up to Braunwald. This funicular is very steep indeed going up to 1256m. It does not flatten out as I had expected so we trudged on uphill through the village that isn't really a village. It is carless and spread out up the hillside above the station. We figured that a coffee sounded pretty good so we went on a hunt for a cafe that was open. We followed a wanderweg until we found a sign that indicated a hotel with a restaurant. This was the Crystal Hotel near the seilbahn going up to Grotzenbuel. We ordered some coffees with bread and continued on a path she had indicated that we should take. This trail was absolutely spectacular ... read more

Today was a travel day. We were leaving The Balmoral House Hotel and London. We would return to Heathrow and fly to Split, Croatia. This was going to be a whole new adventure as I have not been to any of the areas we visit for the next two and a half weeks, except Rome. We started the day with our full English breakfast. We went down to the breakfast room earlier so there was no waiting today. We bought the kitchen staff a big box of biscuits (cookies) from Harrods. They were so appreciative!! We hugged and said our goodbyes and headed back to our rooms to pack and repack for our flight. I stopped in the office after breakfast just to visit with Flavio. Another couple came in and I apologized and said I ... read more

The Ultimate Guide to Luxurious Europe Tours in 2024: An Introduction For some trailblazers, embarking on a Luxury Europe Tour is their ideal journey, combining breathtaking scenery, shocking historical moments, and opulent pleasures. Europe will be wealthier and more accessible in 2024 than it has ever been, with tailored trips designed to provide the maximum amount of comfort and constraint. This guide will walk you through the top destinations, unforgettable experiences, and practical methods for organizing a final, luxurious trip to Europe. 1. Europe's Top Luxury Destinations: There are many locations in Europe that epitomize luxury vacation. Often referred to as the "city of lights and love," Paris offers a combination of high-end architecture, indulging in delectable cuisine, and top-notch... read more