Vienna 2023

      Since my last post in Munich, I have spent 4 nights in Innsbruck, Austria and 3 nights in Graz, Austria.  I am now on night 5 in Vienna.  I was in Innsbruck once before.  I think 2017 but I am not sure.  I stayed at the Goldener Adler Hotel and it was wonderful.  It is right up the street from the Goldenes Dachl and the perfect place to be.  I booked one of their bigger rooms and it was fine.  It had AC and a "German double" bed.  The people there could not have been nicer or more accommodating.  If I am ever back in Innsbruck I will definitely stay here.  Across the street is a bar called Franz's, I think,  and they make a nice Negroni for only 7,50 euro.

      I ate up the street, really next door, at Mama Mia's.  Obviously, Italian.  I also ate at Weisses Rossl, Altstadt-Schmankerl and Ansicht Wirthaus.  The last 3 are Austrian places and I enjoyed them all.  I also enjoyed an afternoon wine and sausage at Continuim in der Pfarrgasse.  I went there one night for a drink as well.  I went to the Hofburg and the hofkirche.  The Hofkirche is very interesting because of the "black" statues.  If you know who they are it is even more interesting.  I also went to the Ambras castel were I never went before.  I took the street tram using a pass the hotel gave me.  Another reason to stay there. Then I had to walk up the hill.  Long but not bad.  When I was buying my ticket the woman there told me a tour was beginning in 1/2 an hour, so I went.  They are only in German on a daily basis.  It was interesting and after I got a coffee and cake at the cafe and them took myself through the portrait gallery.  I enjoyed it.  I also went to the Tyroller Landesmuseum.  It was interesting and more so because I experienced the mosrt insulting Art of my life.  On the top floor was the Special Exhibit.  So I started there.  9 rooms with nothing in them.  Seriously.  They were all supposed to smell differently.  But they didn't smell at all.  Only like a public room.

     Graz was an ok place.  I stayed at the Palais Erzherzog Johann.  The nicest hotel in Graz.  An old palace very well located and very reasonable.  My room was big and very stately.  I found a bar called Dizzy's and the first time I was there I ordered a Negroni and thought it was about 10 euro, good, but the waitress only charged me 5,90 euro and said it was Happy Hour until 8 o'clock.  Needless to say I returned the other 2 nights.  I ate at a greek place across the street form Dizzy's called Dionysis.  I also ate at Peppone.  It was Italian and very small and local and I enjoyed it.  I spoke with an older man, even older than me, sitting at the next table.  He said he has lived in Graz for 60 years and comes to that place all the time.  They did know him.  There really is nothing to see in Graz.  I took the funicular up to the Schlossberg but nothing there.  So it is really just walking around and enjoying being there.  I don't think I need to return, but if you are passing through it is worth a few nights.

      Now I am in Vienna.  I am staying at one of my favorite hotels, Konig von Ungarn.  I have stayed here many times before and always in single roon 202.  But this time I am in double 308 and it is wonderful.  Several people here have been here since I started coming way back in 2006(?).  I have not been here since 2017 and I have been to the Albertina, Kunst Historisches Museum, Leopald Museum and the Schatzkammer.  

Munich 2023

       Sept. 16, 2023

     It is Saturday night and I arrived here on Tuesday.  The trip down was an easy one, first to Erfurt, of course, and then to Munich with only 3 stops.  My room was ready and I checked-in quickly.  Tuesday night I had a reservation at Piazzetta up the street.  It was nice and the Italian was as good as anywhere.  But the service, while friendly, was a little slow.  I had a salad and a pasta dish and I was there at least an hour before I had my pasta.  I was in no rush but it was still a little annoying.

      Wednesday I went to the Altes Pinakothek.  As wonderful as ever.  I spent about 2 hours there.  The cafe is different in that they don't have all the delicious cakes on display anymore so I skipped it.  I went down to Platzl  and had a beer at Guiness when it torrentially poured.  

      Thursday I went to the Barisches National Museem and spent about 2 hours there.  I walked there and then downtown.  I tried to stop at Spaten for a beer but they said at noon you have to eat, so I said no.  There was a woman at the next table with her dog.  I said hello to the dog before I sat down and then as I was leaving the woman spoke to me.  I knew she said her husband was coming and I though she was offering for me to sit at her table so I could  have my beer.  But it became obvious that she wanted to leave to get her husband and was asking me to stay at her table with her beer and her dog!  I gladly did!

     Yesterday I used my phone to find the post office and mailed cards.  I stopped in Frauen Kirche and had a beer around the corner.  Today I went to Konigplatz and went to the Glyptotek and the Staatliche Antikensammlung.  I walked back and stopped at Hard Rock, outside, for 2.

     On Wednesday night I had a reservation at El Gaucho.  I found it last year and it is a good steak house.  Last night I went down town to eat and found a place on Sendlinger Strasse.  I had rostbraten with a salad and cabbage salad and Kloss and it was tremendous.  Thursday night I went to Wirthaus in Braunauer Hof.  That is the place I used to eat at, not Wirthaus in der Au!  Ausgezeichnet!

     I did not know that Octoberfest began today!  I was never here this late in the Fall.  There are a lot of tourists wearing Bavarian Tracht and making a lot of noise.  So tonight I am only going down the street to the Indian place.  Hopefully no one is there!

Nuremberg 2023

       Well I spent my 3 nights in Nuremberg!  The trip down was easy and quicker than I anticipated.  Naturally, I had to go to Erfurt first, but I was at the Hauptbahnhof here early so I arrived in Erfurt with plenty of time to have a coffee and then get the train, straight to Nuremberg.  Only about 1 hour 40 minutes!  I stayed at the Park Plaza Radisson which is across from the train statio and very easy to walk to.

Nuremberg Room

    I went on the Stadtsrundfuhrung given through the Tourist Office.  It was very interesting and took us all over.  It did not go up to the fortress!  The Guide was very good and knew what she was talking about as well as being entertaining.  I also went to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum.  It is very large and has a very nice, interesting and full collection going from pre-historic times to the 20th century.

      

Germanisches Nationalmuseum

Historic fountain in main square

     I ate at 3 great places.  The first was an Italian place called Cucina Italiana.  The special that day was Bronzino so I had that which came with a salad.  Great!  I also had a pre-dinner Negroni, a glass of Montepulciano, a tafelwasser and a grappa.  The servers were efficient and friendly.

     The next night I ate at Goldenes Posthorn which is obviously a German place.  I sat outside and had what they call Schauferle.  That is pork shoulder with the fat cooked very crispy on top.  I didn't know it until it arrived but I have had this before and if you like pork it is incredible.  I also had a local beer - Tucher.

     The last night I could not find the place I was looking for so I ate at Travolta - another Italian place but more of a pizzaria and the pizza I had was great.  It had some sort of Italian salami that had a unique taste and I loved it.

      My  trip home was also very smooth and easy.  I had gotten the round-trip ticket before I left so I just had to get up and go.  I am glad I went, I think I was there a long time ago, and I am glad I went

Weimar 2023 Night 23 - Nurnberg

       Yesterday I finally made a decision and booked a hotel room and went to the Hauptbahnhof to buy the train ticket.  Next week I am going to Nurnberg for 3 nights!  I was there once, a long time ago, so it is almost like going somewhere new.  I will be staying at the Radisson and booked an Executive room for @ 168 euro/night, breakfast included.

     I am glad I finally made a decision because I have wanted to go somewhere for a few nights.  I was considering Bremen and I have never been there but it turns out the train trip to Nurnberg is easier.  I go to Erfurt first, of course, and then direct to Nurnberg in about 1 hour 20 minutes.  I bought a Nurnberg travel guide and there seems to be a lot to see and ways to spend time.  But even if there isn't, I have been at this long enough to be able to fill my time anywhere.  I may go on a walking tour of some kind and I will find nice places to eat and drink.  I will tell more about it of course when I am there.

     I must again remind people,  do NOT wear vacation clothes that you would buy to wear at the beach while on a trip to a city.  Thank-you.

    

Weimar 2023 Night 12

      Well, obviously I have been here 12 nights.  I arrived on 2 August without incident.  I have settled in nicely and things have gone well so far.  The weather has been shit.  Dark, rainy.  I haven't been "out" as much as I would like.  On the 1st Friday night I did get to go to the outdoor music at the "Turm".  It was nice, I had a couple dark beers and spent the evening talking to a painter named Gabriel who came and sat with me.  It was nice to have someone to spend the time with and nice to be able to practice my German with someone who does not speak English!  Tonight, Saturday, I was home all day because of the rain, but then it got nice so about 6 pm I went out for a walk.  I heard music at the Kunst Gartin and went in and they had a duo who just stopped as I came in!  So, I got a glass of wine and sat down and waited.  It was worth it.  They were very good and I sat and listened to and enjoyed the next set.  

     When I left I walked around a long block and on the way home stopped at the bar across the street.  I had 2 glasses of wine while I sat and read about Munchen on my phone.  I have become one of those people who sit staring at their phone.  At least I was alone and not ignoring someone.  I do like that place.  It is never crowded, the guy who is normally there is very friendly to me, and the price is right.  2 glasses of wine for 7,80 euro. About $8.50.  I know places in NJ where you would pay that much for 1 glass at Happy Hour!

     I have gotten to eat at some of my favorite places - Pomodoro, Texas, India, Mythos and El Burrito.  I have also been hanging out at Pomodoro, as always.  I have also done some shopping because of the weather.  I bought 2 long sleeve pull-over shirts, 2 pull-over thin sweaters and a pair of pants.  It turns out that as long as you have internet access, the WhatsApp app works great.  I have spoken to my friend in London twice, once from Berlin and once from here, and to my brother.  I have also used it to text with several people and it goes through instantly.

Riesling in Weimar

Berlin 30 July

      Well this is my 5th night in Berlin and I am very happy.  The Berlin Hilton is as wonderful as ever.  I have been to the Stadt Schloss Museum,  the Gemalde Gallerie and the Egyptian Museum.  I also saw a special exhibit on the etchings of Albrecht Durer.  All on my 3-day card which, if you are a museum visiter, is the way to go.  I have eaten in 4 familiar places and 1 new place.  The new  place was Sagrantino which is an Italian restaurant.  I had a buffolo mozzarella salad, lasagna, a Negroni, and 2 glasses of wine. It cost me 56.60 euro.  You decide.  But everything else has been wonderful.  The weather has left a little to be desired.  It is much cooler than it is in USA and also much rainier. 

      I have already purchased my train ticket to Weimar and told my landlord when I am arriving.  I leave in 3 days.

Berlin 27 July 2023

      I arrived in Berlin yesterday.  It was about 3 am USA time and about 9 am German time.  The flight was quicker than ususal, about7 hours, and I got out of the airport easily and quickly.  I took a taxi to the hotel and was checked in right away.  All I did was shower and nap and go for an early dinner.  I ate at Block House, a steak house I have been to many times.  After, I came back and was asleep by 9 pm.

     Of course today I was up earlier than ususal so I went for breakfast in the "regular" room and took my time.  Since it was early, there was really no one there.  At about 9:30 I left and walked up Unter den Linden to the Stadt Schloss.  The museums/exhibits don't open until 10:30 so I got a cup of coffee and wrote a postcard.  I went into the Sculpturen Salle, the History-of-the-Site panorama and through most of the permanent exhibit.  It is very interesting with so much to see.

     At about 12:30 pm I walked to Gendarmarkt.  The platz in front of the 3 buildings there is closed because the whole area is being "re-paved" so the Erdingen bar is not there.  I had to sit at there regular restaurant across the street.  Had a Weiss beer and a water.  Then I walked to Augustinier and had a beer and pretzel.  Then it was back to the room for a nap.  At about 4 pm I got up and was in the bathroom when there was a knock on the door.  It was house-cleaning!  I told the man I needed an hour.  After a shower and a shave I dressed and walked to Friedrich Strasse German restaurant for dinner.  Rinderroulade, red cabbage and a large salad.  Also a beer and a water.

      It was about 70 degrees all day today and at the end of dinner it was rainimg so I walked back and made a video call to  Ernest in London.  While we were on the phone someone knocked on the door and it was housekeeping!  at 7 pm!  So far the weather has been a little cold, which is suprising considering the rest of the world is having a heat wave.  But I am not complaining.

    I think tomorrow I will go to the Hauptbahnhof to buy my train ticket to Weimar and also to thye Gemalde Gallery. 

      

Departure Day 2023

      Well its here!  I am packed and ready to go, I just need to be picked-up to go to the airport.  Of course, I have 2 1/2 hours to go!  I am checked-in for my flight and have my hotel reservation confirmation for Berlin.  This always a very exciting yet stressful day.  No matter what I always feel excited, nervous and anxious.  But once I get on the plane it will be fine.

     Once I land and get my luggage, I will get a taxi to the Berlin Hilton.  I have stayed there many times.  Usually my room is ready and I can get right in, so I am hoping the same happens today, actually tomorrow.  Then I usually take a nice shower, put on the robe they give in the room, and take a nice nap.  Dinner on the first night is always at Block House.  This is a steak house on Friedrich Strasse and I will be there early so sitting will be no problem.  It is a standard steak house with really nice steaks and good beer to go with them.

     I really have not made any other plans for the week I am there.  I know I want to go to the Stadt Palais museum and , of course, to the Gemalde Gallerie.  Other than that....

Germany 2023

      In a few short weeks I will be leaving for Germany!  Everything is planned and booked.  I fly to Berlin and will be staying at the Berlin Hilton for 7 nights.  I have stayed there many times before and am looking forward to going again this year.   Then I will take the train to Weimar to stay in the apartment I rent for 6 weeks.  I have been in this apartment every year, (except the 2 Covid years), since 2009.  Nothing new to do there but it is always so nice to return.  

     Then it is down to Munich for a 7 night stay at the Munchen Hilton City.  Again, I have stayed there many times and am always happy to return.  After Munich it is 2 new places.  First Innsbruck, Austria for 4 nights and then Graz, Austria for 3 nights.  Finally a week in Vienna at the wonderful Hotel Konig von Ungarn.

      I am very excited about this itinery.  A mix of familiar and new. Of course I will write more about each place, (hopefully), when I am there.

Cancun 2023

      On Tuesday I leave for an 11 night stay at a resort in Cancun.  It is El Dorado Royal Casistas(?) and I stayed there last year.  It will be nice to get away during the Winter.  I really don't have any plans once I am there.  Beach/Island vacations are not my "normal" thing but I enjoyed myself there last year and the price for this all-inclusive, luxury resort can not be beat!  So I plan to lie around a lot and sleep a lot.  The good food and the drinking go without saying.

       All the plans are in place.  I am going with 2 friends and we have a ride to and from the airport.  We arranged for a car to pick us up at the airport so everything on day 1 should go well.  I will try and post some pictures once I am there and if anything happens, write about it.