Saturday, November 21, 2015
Europe 2016
What has happened in Paris is totally unacceptable and horrible. And now the world will be nuts for months and months. I am very worried that I will not be able to get to Weimar in the summer. I just do not know what to think or do.
Friday, October 23, 2015
New Jersey 10/2015
Well, I have been back in the U.S. for 2 months now and I am not too happy. I am constantly reminded of being in beliebte Weimar! I do not know why but I am. I had thought that I might go away again in November but that is probably not going to happen. So, that leaves me with waiting till April. And then of course, summer 2016. But I realize it is way too early to start to talk about that! Although I will admit that I have thought about it!!
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Vienna 2015
I arrived in Vienna on Friday. I took the train from Linz and it was very easy. I used WestBahn. It is not the Austrian railway so you can not buy your ticket at the train station. But the times and platforms etc. are listed on the ordinary posters. You pay on the train and it is half the cost.
Of course I am staying at the Konig von Ungarn hotel. I love this place. They treat me like the special person that I am. Seriously, I think this is the 9th or 10th time that I am here. They sent me a Christmas present for god's sake. I am in my usual room 202. There is nothing here for me to do but I like it anyway. I found a new hang-out. It is called Wein & Co. I have been there twice. Once in the afternoon for beers and tonight after dinner for wine. The wine is expensive but so what. Last night after dinner at Salieri, of course salad, spaghetti aglio and 1/2 liter red, I went to the sports bar and watched a tennis match and drank 4 beers at 4 euro each. So tonight after dinner I went to Il Tempo. I had a 1/4 l Riesling and would have stayed for more but there was a large group with young children there so I left. At Wein & Co I had 3 1/8 of Reisling and paid 15 euro. The same as last night but a different setting. The girl who was working there the last time I was there was there again and recognized me and was nice to me and therefore the boy who waited on me was also friendly. I love that.
The only cultural thing that I have done so far is go to the Albertina. I love that museum. The special exhibits were a photography exhibit of the work of Lee Miller and a collection of works from the sitting collection. I enjoyed both and of course enjoyed the Prunkraume. I am constantly amazed that people go through there and never realize that on the walls are drawings by da Vinci, Raphael, Michaelangelo, Durer and others. That is why I go through that part. The Batliner collection is second to none and deserves to be seen over and over.
Today I really did not do anything exciting. I walked through the park to Rennweg, which is the same street as the Belvedere, and found a Biergarten I have heard of. Then I went to Karlsplatz and had to sit in the shade for a 1/2 hour. Then I went through a street market hoping that I could find a new wallet, but did not. Finally I ended up at the cafe behind the Hofburg. I had a lemon drink and a Kaiserschmarmm. The last time I had a Kaiserschmarmm was in Munchen at the Lowenbrau with Ernest. It was very good and this cafe is a good place to go to. It is in the same court as the Swiss door.
For dinner I wanted to go to Ilona's but it was full so L went up the street, (BrunnerStrasse), to Lohmann's. I have never eaten there before but they have very good German food. I had a skewer of pork wrapped in bacon with potatoes and of course a side salad. I ordered a bock beer and it turned out to be a Kaiser beer!! The very first time I was in Vienna, 1991 think, I drank this dark beer and it is GREAT. Anyway I had 2 before I left. Here is a Viennese traveling tip. In a restaurant ask for " leitungs wasser" and you will get a free glass of water, which of course in the US we expect.
Of course I am staying at the Konig von Ungarn hotel. I love this place. They treat me like the special person that I am. Seriously, I think this is the 9th or 10th time that I am here. They sent me a Christmas present for god's sake. I am in my usual room 202. There is nothing here for me to do but I like it anyway. I found a new hang-out. It is called Wein & Co. I have been there twice. Once in the afternoon for beers and tonight after dinner for wine. The wine is expensive but so what. Last night after dinner at Salieri, of course salad, spaghetti aglio and 1/2 liter red, I went to the sports bar and watched a tennis match and drank 4 beers at 4 euro each. So tonight after dinner I went to Il Tempo. I had a 1/4 l Riesling and would have stayed for more but there was a large group with young children there so I left. At Wein & Co I had 3 1/8 of Reisling and paid 15 euro. The same as last night but a different setting. The girl who was working there the last time I was there was there again and recognized me and was nice to me and therefore the boy who waited on me was also friendly. I love that.
The only cultural thing that I have done so far is go to the Albertina. I love that museum. The special exhibits were a photography exhibit of the work of Lee Miller and a collection of works from the sitting collection. I enjoyed both and of course enjoyed the Prunkraume. I am constantly amazed that people go through there and never realize that on the walls are drawings by da Vinci, Raphael, Michaelangelo, Durer and others. That is why I go through that part. The Batliner collection is second to none and deserves to be seen over and over.
Today I really did not do anything exciting. I walked through the park to Rennweg, which is the same street as the Belvedere, and found a Biergarten I have heard of. Then I went to Karlsplatz and had to sit in the shade for a 1/2 hour. Then I went through a street market hoping that I could find a new wallet, but did not. Finally I ended up at the cafe behind the Hofburg. I had a lemon drink and a Kaiserschmarmm. The last time I had a Kaiserschmarmm was in Munchen at the Lowenbrau with Ernest. It was very good and this cafe is a good place to go to. It is in the same court as the Swiss door.
For dinner I wanted to go to Ilona's but it was full so L went up the street, (BrunnerStrasse), to Lohmann's. I have never eaten there before but they have very good German food. I had a skewer of pork wrapped in bacon with potatoes and of course a side salad. I ordered a bock beer and it turned out to be a Kaiser beer!! The very first time I was in Vienna, 1991 think, I drank this dark beer and it is GREAT. Anyway I had 2 before I left. Here is a Viennese traveling tip. In a restaurant ask for " leitungs wasser" and you will get a free glass of water, which of course in the US we expect.
Linz, Austria 2015
I know that I didn't actually write this in Linz but there was a reason. It was so HOT I could not stand it and the hotel did not have air conditioning I just am not used to that any more. It was very difficult to sleep and you did not want to be in the room in the evening when the sun finally went down. Therefore, I stayed out and of course once I was sitting someplace enjoying the cool air, I was drinking.
The hotel was the Wolffinger right on the Hauptplatz. I had a double room and it was gorgeous. My only complaint, other than the lack of air-conditioning, was that the double bed was really two twin beds shoved together. They were not on the same frame so there was a gap between them and I could fall through. The people could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The location was perfect.
I also hired a private tour guide for this city but he was way more expensive than the guy in Cesky Krumlov. His name is Johann Gutenbrunner and for 2 hours I had to pay 144 euro. It was a nice tour and he knew his stuff and he was very engaging but really. I enjoyed roaming the city. The only real site to see is the Schloss Museum. It is large and has a lot in it. But after you go through there, there is not much else to do. I ate at nice restaurants. The best was Promenaden Hof. It was nice and the service was good and the food was delicious. I ate at an Italian called Doceni where I was the only customer but the spaghetti aglio and salad and 1/2 liter of red were worth it . Very good and not expensive and the man serving me good not have been nicer or happier. The last night I went to the restaurant where Johann and I had a drink after the tour, he paid, but it was full. So right around the corner was Gosser Hof, named for the beer. I had a few Gosser and the schnitzel and a nice talk with the guy working there. If I ever find myself in Linz again I will gladly eat at all three of them.
Other than Vienna, this is only the second city in Austria that I have visited. The other was Graz. I don't know which I liked better because from my 3 nights in the two of them, they seem the same. But if forced to chose I would re-visit Linz. I get the feeling there is more there than I discovered in my three nights.
The hotel was the Wolffinger right on the Hauptplatz. I had a double room and it was gorgeous. My only complaint, other than the lack of air-conditioning, was that the double bed was really two twin beds shoved together. They were not on the same frame so there was a gap between them and I could fall through. The people could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The location was perfect.
I also hired a private tour guide for this city but he was way more expensive than the guy in Cesky Krumlov. His name is Johann Gutenbrunner and for 2 hours I had to pay 144 euro. It was a nice tour and he knew his stuff and he was very engaging but really. I enjoyed roaming the city. The only real site to see is the Schloss Museum. It is large and has a lot in it. But after you go through there, there is not much else to do. I ate at nice restaurants. The best was Promenaden Hof. It was nice and the service was good and the food was delicious. I ate at an Italian called Doceni where I was the only customer but the spaghetti aglio and salad and 1/2 liter of red were worth it . Very good and not expensive and the man serving me good not have been nicer or happier. The last night I went to the restaurant where Johann and I had a drink after the tour, he paid, but it was full. So right around the corner was Gosser Hof, named for the beer. I had a few Gosser and the schnitzel and a nice talk with the guy working there. If I ever find myself in Linz again I will gladly eat at all three of them.
Other than Vienna, this is only the second city in Austria that I have visited. The other was Graz. I don't know which I liked better because from my 3 nights in the two of them, they seem the same. But if forced to chose I would re-visit Linz. I get the feeling there is more there than I discovered in my three nights.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Cesky Krumlov 1 August 2015
Today was my private tour with Jiri Vaclavicek. We met at the Tourist info center right before 10 am. He toured me through the entire city, not that there is a lot, and we discussed things the whole time. Mostly we talked about the transition from communism to today and about the expulsion of the Germans. We also discussed restitution of confiscated property. There were actually 2 confiscations here. One by the Nazis after Czechoslovakia was invaded and one after the end of WWII.
All in all he was a very good, well informed guide and well worth the 900kc or $36 i paid him. However, I have no idea what I will be doing during the day tomorrow or Monday. I did arrange for transport to Linz on Tuesday. The last week or so I have been feeling so tired. I don't know why. I think it be the change from all the jogging I did for 4 weeks in Weimar. But I am out walking every day. Maybe all the eating and drinking is just wearing on me. Like now, I went for dinner at 19:00 and it is now 21;00 and I could go to bed. If I did I would end up watching a 1 1/2 hour episode of Midsomer Murders and not getting to sleep until mid-night anyway.
The hotel I am at is the Old Inn. It is very reasonable. I have a very large nice room and the terrace out front to hang on is the restaurant/bar and right on the main square. The prices are very reasonable, read cheap, and that is where I am now. I can recommend this hotel and also a visit to this city. The city is a remarkably preserved town. But it is very small and there is not too much to do. I think that the 4 nights that I am here are too much. Well I can always sit on this terrace and drink.
All in all he was a very good, well informed guide and well worth the 900kc or $36 i paid him. However, I have no idea what I will be doing during the day tomorrow or Monday. I did arrange for transport to Linz on Tuesday. The last week or so I have been feeling so tired. I don't know why. I think it be the change from all the jogging I did for 4 weeks in Weimar. But I am out walking every day. Maybe all the eating and drinking is just wearing on me. Like now, I went for dinner at 19:00 and it is now 21;00 and I could go to bed. If I did I would end up watching a 1 1/2 hour episode of Midsomer Murders and not getting to sleep until mid-night anyway.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Prague 2015
This is my last night in Prague. I used the Marco Polo guide book that I had bought in Weimar to take a walking tour. This book was not that good. Of course it is in German so if you don't speak German you can ignore it. Anyway at the end of the walk I was by the river so I just followed it to the Charles Bridge, which as I have mentioned the tourists before, is a catastrophe. Anyway, I walked to the Hard Rock and enjoyed 3 beers there. I also bought 2 pint glasses, one for each of the nephews. After all, I will need someone to change the diapers when the day comes.
I slept for about 2 hours and then went to Giovanni's Trattoria for dinner. I had a Greek salad, a pizza and 1/2 liter of red for 480 kc or about $20. I leave for 4 nights in Cesky Krumlov tomorrow. I have never been there. There is no direct train there from here so I had 3 choices for transport. I could take the bus for about $6. I could ride in a van for about $40 or I could have the Hilton car take me for about $160. I went for the Hilton car. After all I pay $85 to go from my house to Newark airport and this is a 3 hour drive. I m looking forward to Cesky Krumlov as I have never been there. I have a tour guide booked for Saturday to show me around. Other than that.....
I slept for about 2 hours and then went to Giovanni's Trattoria for dinner. I had a Greek salad, a pizza and 1/2 liter of red for 480 kc or about $20. I leave for 4 nights in Cesky Krumlov tomorrow. I have never been there. There is no direct train there from here so I had 3 choices for transport. I could take the bus for about $6. I could ride in a van for about $40 or I could have the Hilton car take me for about $160. I went for the Hilton car. After all I pay $85 to go from my house to Newark airport and this is a 3 hour drive. I m looking forward to Cesky Krumlov as I have never been there. I have a tour guide booked for Saturday to show me around. Other than that.....
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Prague 2015
I arrived in Prague yesterday. The train trip from Dresden was easy and it was easy to walk from the train station to the Hilton. My deal at the Hilton worked out to be $58 a night! It did not include breakfast but I didn't care at that price and when I got here they told me to come to the desk if I wanted breakfast and get a voucher! This is a lovely hotel and the service is tremendous. I do recommend it if you are in Prague because it is also perfectly located.
I have to say that unless someone specifically asked me to come to Prague with them I doubt that I will come again. This place is over run with tourists. And I mean that there seem to be too many people for the city! The worst are the low-rent Spaniards, the well-heeled American seniors, and the Asians. I don't care from where you come or what your situation is, you can dress appropriately and not behave in an obnoxious manner. Which is what these groups in abundance.
Tonight I ate at an Italian restaurant that I found on trip advisor. Another gem! It is on u Ventkata street, I think. It is off the main square on the side with the Jan Huis monument. It was called Aldente Trattoria e vineratia(?). I sat inside. The service was great. I had a greens and warm goat cheese salad, great, lasagna and a cheese tray to eat. To drink I had 1/2 liter Peregrino water, 1 liter still water, 1/2 liter red wine and an Aperol Spritz - my first of the summer! All that cost 670 kc. Which is about $27!! In Manhatten that would have cost me $100. I then walked around a little and now I am in the hotel bar writing and drinking a beer and a fernet.
I have to say that unless someone specifically asked me to come to Prague with them I doubt that I will come again. This place is over run with tourists. And I mean that there seem to be too many people for the city! The worst are the low-rent Spaniards, the well-heeled American seniors, and the Asians. I don't care from where you come or what your situation is, you can dress appropriately and not behave in an obnoxious manner. Which is what these groups in abundance.
Tonight I ate at an Italian restaurant that I found on trip advisor. Another gem! It is on u Ventkata street, I think. It is off the main square on the side with the Jan Huis monument. It was called Aldente Trattoria e vineratia(?). I sat inside. The service was great. I had a greens and warm goat cheese salad, great, lasagna and a cheese tray to eat. To drink I had 1/2 liter Peregrino water, 1 liter still water, 1/2 liter red wine and an Aperol Spritz - my first of the summer! All that cost 670 kc. Which is about $27!! In Manhatten that would have cost me $100. I then walked around a little and now I am in the hotel bar writing and drinking a beer and a fernet.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Dresden 25 July 2015
Today I got up and went to the Alte Meister Galarie. It does not open until 10 am and I was there a little early, so I walked through the Zwinger and took some pictures before I went inside. I began on the top floor and worked my way down. I did not hit any crowds until I got to the first floor where they have Raphael's Sistine Madonna. It is a world class collection, right up there with Berlin and Munchen. I was there about 2 1/2 hours.
I went to dinner tonight at a place I found this afternoon. It is around the corner and down the street from the Italian I ate at Thuursday night. It is called Taberna Portguguesa and is obviously a Portuguese restaurant. And it was tremendous! I had a glass of port to begin. To eat I had a skewer of pork and choirso(?) sausage with pommes and a side salad. To drink I had a small water and a 1/2 liter of red wine. After I had a piece of chocolate cake that was recommended to me by the waitress. It was all sooooo good. I paid 40 euro total. This place is at Ringstrasse 3 and if you are in Dresden go there.
I went to dinner tonight at a place I found this afternoon. It is around the corner and down the street from the Italian I ate at Thuursday night. It is called Taberna Portguguesa and is obviously a Portuguese restaurant. And it was tremendous! I had a glass of port to begin. To eat I had a skewer of pork and choirso(?) sausage with pommes and a side salad. To drink I had a small water and a 1/2 liter of red wine. After I had a piece of chocolate cake that was recommended to me by the waitress. It was all sooooo good. I paid 40 euro total. This place is at Ringstrasse 3 and if you are in Dresden go there.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Dresden - 24 July 2015
Yesterday I left Weimar for Dresden. Another month in Weimar past! It is unbelievable but it happens every year. I took the 8:58 train direct to Dresden. Not having to change trains is always better and it only cost me 19 euro because I bought the sparpreise ticket. These tickets cost significantly less than others, it is just that you have to use the ticket on the specific train for which you bought it. Other tickets can be used on any train going to your destination.
Dresden is as beautiful as ever. After I checked in, I showered and went for a walk and lunch in the Biergarten over the Augustus bridge. I have the last 3 times I was here, stayed in the Steigenburger de Saxe hotel but this time I am in the Dresden Hilton. It is wonderful! I am on the executive floor in a double deluxe room. My breakfast is included and it cost 140 euro per night!! How can you beat that? And, Hiltons are always wonderful here in Europe and in my opinion offer great value for the money. You couldn't touch this in the USA for less than 350 dollars a night. I slept great last night. I also took some pictures around here yesterday during my walk.
Dresden is as beautiful as ever. After I checked in, I showered and went for a walk and lunch in the Biergarten over the Augustus bridge. I have the last 3 times I was here, stayed in the Steigenburger de Saxe hotel but this time I am in the Dresden Hilton. It is wonderful! I am on the executive floor in a double deluxe room. My breakfast is included and it cost 140 euro per night!! How can you beat that? And, Hiltons are always wonderful here in Europe and in my opinion offer great value for the money. You couldn't touch this in the USA for less than 350 dollars a night. I slept great last night. I also took some pictures around here yesterday during my walk.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Weimar July 2015
I had a wonderful experience tonight at the Schwarzburger Hof. This is the bar up the street from my apartment here. I went to dinner at Napoli and had the penne bolonese - very good. I then went to my favorite Weimar bar - Schwartzburger Hof. I entered on the terrasse side and immediately went to the bathroom. When I sat in my usual seat the waitress came out with her tray and came to me with beer. I thought she had made a mistake and said that I had not yet ordered. But she knew what I wanted and was bringing the beer to me!!! How wonderful to be a regular in a bar in Weimar.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Weimar July 2015
Well, I have been in my apartment in Weimar for 3 weeks and have done nothing. I have shopped a little and goner to favorite places and jogged in the park a lot. But today was special. Today was the first night of the annual Sommer Weimfest. I love this. I remember the first time that I went and how fun it was. I ate home today and at about 20:00 Uhr I walked over to the Fest.
As good as always. If you are in Weimar at this time you definitely should go. I visited 4 Winery stands and had 0.7 l wine. The Grauen Burgunden was the best. I may contact them and have a few cases delivered to my house. I also ate a pretzel. The only bad moments occurred at the end of my visit. I was standing at the end of the bar enjoying my drink when a man came up to my right and ordered a bottle. The next thing I knew I was surrounded - literally. I was pissed but simply finished my wine and left. On my way past the surrounding crowd, I did say "fuck you" in the ear of one of the ken surrounding me.
Other than that everything is going well. Last night I are at Napoli and it was wonderful. I had a Caprese salad and then my new favorite pasta dish Spaghetti Aglio. I also drank 1/2 lifer of Chianti and had a water. All for a total of 28 euro. Thursday I leave for 4 nights in Dresden.
As good as always. If you are in Weimar at this time you definitely should go. I visited 4 Winery stands and had 0.7 l wine. The Grauen Burgunden was the best. I may contact them and have a few cases delivered to my house. I also ate a pretzel. The only bad moments occurred at the end of my visit. I was standing at the end of the bar enjoying my drink when a man came up to my right and ordered a bottle. The next thing I knew I was surrounded - literally. I was pissed but simply finished my wine and left. On my way past the surrounding crowd, I did say "fuck you" in the ear of one of the ken surrounding me.
Other than that everything is going well. Last night I are at Napoli and it was wonderful. I had a Caprese salad and then my new favorite pasta dish Spaghetti Aglio. I also drank 1/2 lifer of Chianti and had a water. All for a total of 28 euro. Thursday I leave for 4 nights in Dresden.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Weimar 7 July 2015
Well, I have been in Weimar for over a week now. I can't say that I have done anything. I have been running in the park. Run 2 days, don't run one day. Other than that I have been trying to just relax. I have eaten out plenty. I have been to Elephanten Keller, Apollon, Trattoria, Napoli, Texas, Kostritzer. I have been enjoying beers at the Ratskeller Kiosk in the afternoon and at Schwarzburger Hof in the evening, ( not every evening).
None of these places is new. The only thing new is that LaPerle Italian restaurant has closed. A lot of people complained about it, but I always enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed Apollon and Texas. These are my 2 favorites. Never a bad meal and the people there know me now and everything is always good.
As always I have mixed feelings about this. I love being here and I love the idea of being here. I do what I want. But I have to ask, is it a waste of time and money? If I think of my first week in Berlin as vacation and then think of the places I go after here as the traveling part of the summer, staying here is smart. I don't have to pay for air fare traveling back and forth more than once.
There is a special exhibit in Erfurt that I want to go see. It is about altarpiece art and is being held in the Marian Dom. I think I will go tomorrow.
None of these places is new. The only thing new is that LaPerle Italian restaurant has closed. A lot of people complained about it, but I always enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed Apollon and Texas. These are my 2 favorites. Never a bad meal and the people there know me now and everything is always good.
As always I have mixed feelings about this. I love being here and I love the idea of being here. I do what I want. But I have to ask, is it a waste of time and money? If I think of my first week in Berlin as vacation and then think of the places I go after here as the traveling part of the summer, staying here is smart. I don't have to pay for air fare traveling back and forth more than once.
There is a special exhibit in Erfurt that I want to go see. It is about altarpiece art and is being held in the Marian Dom. I think I will go tomorrow.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Berlin 27 July 2015
My last day in Berlin. I went to the book store today and purchased a book about the Fuggers - the banking family that financed Europe fro centuries. I then took the u-bahn to Zoologische Garten to take a walk up and down Kurfurstendamm. But little did I know that today was the Christopher-Street-Day parade. I knew the minute I saw all the rainbow flags and lesbians. It was a good, yet orderly time. I was suprised to see so many people there. I have been to gay pride parades in New York, Amsterdam, Munchen and ,believe it or not, Weimar. But this was the largest crowd I have seen. There was a lot of music and I am sure the festivities continued later, now in fact, but I had to return and get a little sleep because tomorrow I leave for Weimar!
I don't think that I mentioned the 2 special exhibits that I went to in Berlin. First was at the Bode Museum. It was called "Ein Gott" and attmpted to show ancient links between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was ok. It did not cost extra, I used my three day card to get in to it.
The second was at the National Gallery, next to Neues Museem, and the exhibit was called "Impressionismus und Expressioinismus" - "Impressionism and Expressionism". They had a lot of art collected there and it was arranged to show the two different perspectives. They place pictures of similar scenes, i.e. landscapes or cityscapes in the two different styles side-by-side. I enjoyed it. It cost 12e extra. I was there maybe two hours.
There was also a second exhibition at the Bode Museum called "Verschwundenes Museem". It showed photos of art that was somehow lost before/during/after WWII. It was interesting and sad.
I don't think that I mentioned the 2 special exhibits that I went to in Berlin. First was at the Bode Museum. It was called "Ein Gott" and attmpted to show ancient links between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was ok. It did not cost extra, I used my three day card to get in to it.
The second was at the National Gallery, next to Neues Museem, and the exhibit was called "Impressionismus und Expressioinismus" - "Impressionism and Expressionism". They had a lot of art collected there and it was arranged to show the two different perspectives. They place pictures of similar scenes, i.e. landscapes or cityscapes in the two different styles side-by-side. I enjoyed it. It cost 12e extra. I was there maybe two hours.
There was also a second exhibition at the Bode Museum called "Verschwundenes Museem". It showed photos of art that was somehow lost before/during/after WWII. It was interesting and sad.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Berlin 2015 - 22/06/15
The Eurostars Hotel is OK. The people in the bar are nice and the prices there are reasonable. I went to the New Stadt Schloss "Cube" today and the admission was free. They have made great progress on the building. This interests me so much! I can remember the first time I came to Berlin and the Palast der Republik was still there. I saw the building come down and a green space take its place. I also remember when the group advocating for the rebuilding of the Schloss had their Headquarters on Unter-den-Linden and then Gendarmarkt dahinter. I have been watching this for years so to actually see the building take shape is, for me , very exciting. I guess I will have to continue to come back to Berlin every year until it is done.!
I ate at Lowenbrau tonight and enjoyed it as much as ever. I had 2 dark beers and the "pulled Beef"' as they called it. I also ordered a side salad and a large water and paid 35e including a small tip. Then I walked to Augustinier Brau but there were no seat a the bar so I went to Standgige Vetretung, where I ate lunch yesterday and have been to before but never in the evening for drinks. Well that will change. It is the nearest place to this hotel where you can sit outside, riverside, and have reasonably priced beers. I had 4 Kolsch beers for 7,60e! I will be back during this trip.
I ate at Lowenbrau tonight and enjoyed it as much as ever. I had 2 dark beers and the "pulled Beef"' as they called it. I also ordered a side salad and a large water and paid 35e including a small tip. Then I walked to Augustinier Brau but there were no seat a the bar so I went to Standgige Vetretung, where I ate lunch yesterday and have been to before but never in the evening for drinks. Well that will change. It is the nearest place to this hotel where you can sit outside, riverside, and have reasonably priced beers. I had 4 Kolsch beers for 7,60e! I will be back during this trip.
Berlin June 2015
Well it is night 5 here and I am very happy. I ate at Dolcini tonight in der Jagrstrasse. I have mentioned this place before and I love it. I first went here years ago when I saw a sign on the corner on Freidrich Strasse that said " Big Mo's" and so I went. It was a restaurant and that night I went back. I have been going every summer ever since. Now , of course, it is called Dolcini's. I had the fish soup, then the Caprese salad and the a special, Gnocci with a truffle oil filling in a gorganzola sauce. I also had a Weisse beer and 2 glasses of Sangiovese. They gave me a grappa after. All for 37 euro. If you are in Berlin you should go there. It is delicious and the service is friendly and good. You definitely know that the food is cooked for you when you order it and that the people talking to you are the people who run the place.
After I walked up Friedrich Strasse and over the bridge to the Vertretigung. I had 4 Kolsch there and shared my table for 4 with 2 different couples. Whenever I think that my days of traveling to Berlin must be over, I have an evening like tonight or last night and I know that I will come back just so I can experience this again.
After I walked up Friedrich Strasse and over the bridge to the Vertretigung. I had 4 Kolsch there and shared my table for 4 with 2 different couples. Whenever I think that my days of traveling to Berlin must be over, I have an evening like tonight or last night and I know that I will come back just so I can experience this again.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Berlin 2015
My flight here was horrendous! We were delayed 3.5 hours. I was exhausted by the time I got to the hotel at noon Berlin time. Then I had to wait till 3:30 to get a room which made it worse.
For the first time in years I am not staying at the Berlin Hilton. I am at the Berlin Eurostars and the long wait for a room that I booked at least 2 months ago did not make a good impression. After I slept a while I walked around and ended up having a bowl of penne bolonese at pizza peccorino(?). It is a little place off Orienionburg strasse and the man cooked it fresh and gave me my second glass of wine free! It was very good. He also makes the pizza to order. If you just want a quick pizza or pasta it is great. It is on Tucholsky Strasse. I have used the interactive map on TripAdvisor to find possible restaurants in this area for the rest of the week, since I have never stayed up here.
For the first time in years I am not staying at the Berlin Hilton. I am at the Berlin Eurostars and the long wait for a room that I booked at least 2 months ago did not make a good impression. After I slept a while I walked around and ended up having a bowl of penne bolonese at pizza peccorino(?). It is a little place off Orienionburg strasse and the man cooked it fresh and gave me my second glass of wine free! It was very good. He also makes the pizza to order. If you just want a quick pizza or pasta it is great. It is on Tucholsky Strasse. I have used the interactive map on TripAdvisor to find possible restaurants in this area for the rest of the week, since I have never stayed up here.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Europe June 19, 2015
Tomorrow is the big day! The car comes to get me at 2:00 pm. My flight is at 5:50. Hopefully I will take off on time and everything will go smoothly. I am packed and as far as I can tell I am ready to go. All the arrangements have been made so I just need to get on the plane. Sunday morning I should be in Berlin!
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Germany 2015
Well everything is in place and I leave for Deutschland next Saturday. I think that I have gotten everything necessary done. I arranged for the car to the airport today. So next Saturday I fly out at 5:50 and should arrive in Berlin at 9:00 am German time. I think I will take the u-bahn to Friedrich Strasse station and then walk over to the hotel. I should be there and in bed napping by 10:30 am. From there we will see.
With only a week to go I am starting to get excited. I think I have it all under control. Of course after all these years of traveling there I know what I am doing. Once I get there I can start to chronicle what I do.
With only a week to go I am starting to get excited. I think I have it all under control. Of course after all these years of traveling there I know what I am doing. Once I get there I can start to chronicle what I do.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Europe-Summer 2015
Plans have been made and bookings have been confirmed! The only thing I have left to do is buy a plane ticket. I haven't done that yet because I can't decide if I want to spend an extra $2300 to fly over 1st class. But everything else is done. Here is the itinerary. Berlin - 7 nights, Weimar - 25 nights, Dresden - 4 nights, Prague - 4 nights, Cesky Krumlov - 4 nights, Linz - 3 nights, Wien - 7 nights. Only Cesky Krumlov and Linz will be new to me. The others I have been to many times. I got a tremendous deal at the Prague Hilton which is part of the reason to go there.
I had thought it might be nice to go to Cracow this year but it is unbelievably hard to get there. I don't know why. I had also considered Munich again but the prices were stupid. I am going to look into getting walking tours of Cesky Krumlov and Linz. I have found that it is worth it to look online ahead of time and find and book a private guide before you go somewhere. The prices are reasonable and the guides are always very nice, informed people.
But I do not want to get ahead of myself. I still have two months before I leave and will add more as time calls for it.
I had thought it might be nice to go to Cracow this year but it is unbelievably hard to get there. I don't know why. I had also considered Munich again but the prices were stupid. I am going to look into getting walking tours of Cesky Krumlov and Linz. I have found that it is worth it to look online ahead of time and find and book a private guide before you go somewhere. The prices are reasonable and the guides are always very nice, informed people.
But I do not want to get ahead of myself. I still have two months before I leave and will add more as time calls for it.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Europe-Summer 2015
Well, decisions are being made. I believe that after flying to Berlin and then spending my 4 weeks in beliebte Weimar, I will be going to Prague, Pilsen. Munchen, Linz and of course Vienna. I am hoping to finalize the plans this coming week. I have been looking at hotels and will not be staying at the Berlin Hilton for the first time in about 10 years. Once the euro fell they raised their prices to outrageous amounts! I have also notice the last few times I was there that a lot of tour groups use that hotel now. The shame of it is the location. Being on Gendarmmarkt can nnot be beat. Being one block away from the Loewenbrau is unbeatable. But everything must change and I believe that I have found as good a place to stay. But nothing is definite yet.
I will be at the Hilton in Prague and Munchen as always. I believe I have found places in Pilsen and Linz, and of course I will be at the Konig von Ungarn in Vienna. But I will have more information at the end of this week .
I will be at the Hilton in Prague and Munchen as always. I believe I have found places in Pilsen and Linz, and of course I will be at the Konig von Ungarn in Vienna. But I will have more information at the end of this week .
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Europe 2015
It is a very cold day here in New Jersey and of course I am sitting here drinking red wine and using my computer to plan my summer in Europe! I am looking at hotels in Prague, Munchen, and Innsbruck. In Prague and Munchen I will undoubtedly stay at the Hilton because I have done so in the past and I love it. At the Prague Hilton I can use my points from last summer and stay for $58 a night including breakfast!
All of these hotels rock and now I like to spend time looking for new restaurants in the area. I have already, of course, rented my apartment in Weimar for July. I don't need to look for restaurants there because I already know all of them! I will also stay in the Hilton in Berlin at the beginning of the summer. I fly there before Weimar and always figure since I am there already I might as well stay a while. The Berlin Hilton is becoming a little touristy but I have not found anything else to match it for location, quality and price.
All of these hotels rock and now I like to spend time looking for new restaurants in the area. I have already, of course, rented my apartment in Weimar for July. I don't need to look for restaurants there because I already know all of them! I will also stay in the Hilton in Berlin at the beginning of the summer. I fly there before Weimar and always figure since I am there already I might as well stay a while. The Berlin Hilton is becoming a little touristy but I have not found anything else to match it for location, quality and price.
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