Arrived in Venice around 8 this morning on the night train from Munich. Surprising, we slept great, Might be the wine and bourbon we drank before hitting the bunks. We were to stay at a guest house but were able to get a 2 room apartment closer to the train station. Was very nice and roomy. Spent the day exploring Venice. There are no cars on the island and all goods are transported by large 2 wheeled dollys to the restaurants and shops. We even saw DHL freight boats delivering packages and trash boats picking up refuse. The water looked remarkably clean only seaweed that we could see. Took a vaporetta down the Grand Canal.... read more

Today we visited Dachau. It took a short train ride and bus ride to get there. The weather was overcast and cool so it seemed appropriate for the setting. After visiting there, you wonder if the sun ever shined. The site has much improved since I was there, with much more information and more sections open for viewing.... read more

Guten tag from Rothenburg! We arrived here early afternoon. Checked into our quaint gaste-haus and started exploring. But first a beer and wurst to tide us over till dinner. We took a walking tour of Rothenburg from the Market Square with its old RathHaus with a large tower which I (not Bill) climbed, I counted 200 steps up. It had scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Talking with others up there and ran into some folks from Pittsburg, Kansas. Other stops, St, George's fountain (Diane was almost dunked into this about 35 years ago, I will have to find that photo) and St. Jakob's Church which was a stop on pilgrimages to Spain to where St. James (Jacob) died. We then walked to the castle garden where remenents of the first castle is located. Rothenburg ob ... read more

Today, it is on to Bacharach on the Rhine. We missed a train but quickly regrouped and found another. I have an app on my phone that makes it so easy to find which trains are going where we want to go. Bacharach is such a change from Amsterdam, so quiet and low key. We have a great room with a balcony overlooking the street. Flowers are everywhere. Our train trip was along the Rhine and the scenery was beautiful, river on one side and vineyards on the other. We settled in and spent the afternoon walking the town. We had a fun dinner at a Greek restaurant with singing and a little dancing. Afterward we walked up to the Postenturm which is a large tower in the vineyards in the hills. Great views of the ... read more

Goedendag! All flights were fine. Had bulkhead seats for overseas flight so had lots of room. It was hard to sleep because most of the flight was during the day/evening hours. Arrived at Schipol airport and took train to main station in Amsterdam. We were able to walk to our hotel which is very nice and centrally located. A few minutes to freshen up and we were off. Walked to the Heineken Experience which was enjoyable but not like the last time I was there. Not much of the actual factory. And we surely enjoyed our 4 beers at the end. After that we took a canal ride. As we were waiting for the boat to come, we started speaking with the gentleman next to us. Lo and behold, he was to the the driver/captain on ... read more