Geo: 45.9458, 9.19024After all the beautiful weather we have enjoyed, it finally turned on us. We were not able to ride a ferry to towns we wanted to visit. Instead we had, for us, an unusual lunch (HP had three small fish that were caught in the lake, and Bird had Buckwheat stuffed Ravioli with the stuffing consisting of Lake fish and Cheese). HP preferred hers, but she refused to share. The lunch, and sitting in the apt complaining of the weather, took us until 2pm. Something of a break then ensued. At least the rain ended. Too late for a ferry, so we drove ostensibly to Bellagio. Actually the navigator sent us in the opposite direction. Have we told you about the roads around this lake? They are bit larger than a normal lane yet ... read more

Geo: 48.1391, 11.5802More than we were hoping for. A mixture of carnival (rides and games of all kinds), stalls selling all kinds of German food imaginable (sausages, pretzels, pommes frites), other stalls selling souvenirs (beer steins, coffee cups, keychains and t-shirts), and then the beer tents. They are really not tents but permanent buildings with a canvas ceiling (thus tents) that seat between 4,500 and 10,000 and are all differently decorated. There are 14 large tents and 20 small tents. We visited about 10 of the 14 large tents and no small ones. No, we did not have a beer at each tent. A beer is a liter severed in a large glass stein. We shared two (more beer than we have drank in a day in many years) and some German sausages. In fact, food ... read more

Geo: 47.8, 13.0333Our entire day was spent in the old town of this ancient city (Romans were here) and the fortress that was begun in 1077 says Bird. The fortress was enlarged over the centuries with the imposing structure we presently see. There has never been a successful assault, although they surrendered to Napoleon without a fight. Inside this place is a maze of rooms and towers that left two tourists constantly lost. We were here just over forty years ago, one would think we would remember our way around.Other sights are essentially the churches, which are not surprisingly large and ornate. A very interesting sight is a restaurant where Charlemagne ate during the ninth century.While the fortress proved itself to much for HP and Bird's sense of direction, the old town left us completely bewildered. ... read more

Geo: 45.2367, 13.9386We drove to the interior of Istria to see the gorge that inspired Jules Verne to write "Journey to the Center of the Earth". After seeing it all we can say is Jules was a very easily inspired person. And Frommer gave it three stars! Sorry, no picture. In fact, we only include one of an olive grove.Now for the sad part. We must leave Croatia tomorrow, and our route will take us by Vicki and Carol Ann's old stomping grounds in the former Northwest of Yugoslavia. The Croatian people are a very pleasant lot. Invariably with a smile and quick to assist. Most of their country is rugged, doesn't lend itself to agriculture, but beautiful and extreme. In some contrast to much of the country Istria, which is a triangular peninsula in the ... read more

Geo: 44.8739, 13.8453Okay folks, we know everyone wanted some night pics so here are a few.... read more