Geo: 41.0245, 28.9881Went on an all day waking tour of the old city.Started at the Hagia Sofia, then the Basillica Cistern.On to the Grand Bazaar and a four course lunch.Next was the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.We checked out the obeliscs at the Hippadrome, and finished with a quick visit to the compulsory rug shop.After a quick rest we headed out for dinner to another local restaurant.... read more

Geo: 48.22, 16.37Off to the Vienna Woods for a half day tour.Visit Mayerling Village, site of a historical murder/suicide, a Monastery, and an old gypsum mine with an underground lake boat ride.We sent home a second parcel - 10kgs of stuff and coats.Out to dinner to the Zwolf Apostlekeller Restaurant for traditional Austrian food.Two old guys playing violin and piano accordion. They played 'Tie me kangaroo down' and 'Waltzing Matilda' for us. We ate Schnitzel and Strudel. Kate drank Strawberry Wine and Derek had a red and a white mulled wine.The perfect end to our Vienna stay!... read more

Geo: 48.1391, 11.5802We decided to go on a 'free' walking tour of Munich, where you pay the guide what you think the tour is worth. It started at the old city square in front of 'The Glockenspiel' at 11am, then off around central Munich with our German/American guide Virginia. The commentary was a bit sarcastic at times, but we learned some interesting stuff, from a German point of view.Train to the airport - always a challenge in a foreign city, the same with check-in and baggage/security points.Flight delayed a bit due to storms, then fast train and taxi to our hotel.Dinner at the hotel, and an early night reading brochures for tomorrow.... read more

Geo: 49.0689, 10.3202Breakfast, then a walk around the top of the walls at Rothenberg. A tour of the historical vaults, including the dungeons.A bit more souvenir shopping, then out to the coach pickup.Travelled down to Dinkelsbuhl, where they had put on another festival - just for us, we are so lucky!A quick stop in Rottenden, then on to Augsburg.Finally arrived at Hohenschwangau, and Muller Hotel for dinner and bed.... read more

Geo: 50.0924, 8.68195Up early today, taxi to the airport and fly KLM to Frankfurt.We checked into our hotel early, and went out for a wander.The first street we turned down was the main street of the Red Light district!Further along we found a street market show casing fresh local foods.So we had a frankfurt in a roll, and another dish with potatoes, sausage, egg and some sour cream based sauce called Fleischwurst, Grune Sobe mit Schwenkkartoffeln und Ei.We found another market square that was really pretty, then headed back to the hotel for a rest.Out to Kakadu's Australian restaurant for dinner, Derek had schnitzel with mushrooms, Kate had Chicken with salad and apple strudel. We also had Mumm champagne and Erdinger beer - YUM.... read more