Well, we finally made it to Italy, the location we've all been looking forward to since the start.
We started off in Venice which was absolutely gorgeous. The weather was perfect and it even seemed cooler after the heat wave in Vienna and Prague. We spent some time in Venice checking out the Murano island in the lagoon where the glass blowing factories are and we checked out the Rialto and San Marco. We also learned that there are wine shops with wine "on tap" which will fill up your empty water bottle for like 1 euro. Not too bad. Plus we got to stay in an actual hotel with a balcony. Granted the balcony opened up on a not quite to picturesque alleyway, but compared to building inspectors and strange hostel owners who never seem to sleep, it was like paradise.
Next up was Florence, where we leave today. Florence was just crazy. We would turn around and see something that we'd seen slides of in class and sort of do a double take every time. We actually stood in front of the palazzo Medici for a bit before realizing it. We also limbed the duomo which was an exhausting 465 steps, but totally worth the climb. We managed to get into the Ufizzi Gallery without a reservation and saw some incredible art up close, the Birth of Venus was my favorite.
Other than that, we've just been falling in love with Italy. The gelato has been incredible and the cities and countryside are gorgeous.
Next up, Siena!!!
-Jamie
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Ok, managed to get up Prague pics but am having a hard time loading more on Snapfish... more when we can!
heres Prague...
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=204281185623344491/l=289101686/g=98457132/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
heres Prague...
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=204281185623344491/l=289101686/g=98457132/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Vienna Summary
Ok, so we're paying a lot for internet right now so this is going to be a brief summary (please forgive sp errors etc!).
Vienna started out sort of rough when we showed up at the hostel only to discover that it was under construction and a mess! The recpetionist tried her best to sweet talk us with free drinks and internet, but in the end the room was just not good. Plus, she had to buy us breakfast our first morning there in order to get us out of the hostel so building inspectors could come through! Awkward!
Other than the hostel, we got to see some great sights, including the royal palace, Karlskirka, Schönbourn Palace (sp?) and the museum quarter. Plus we took an great day trip to Budapest, the highlight being our fabulous dinner there which we all loved. Vienna has been beautiful, although not the cheapest, and we are all super excited for Italy- the true highlight of this European adventure for us all.
Ok, thats enough for now, sorry this is so short. More pics when we can!
-Brittany
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Update on Heat!
So as Brittany wrote yesterday it was very hot here. Today we found out that it was actually the hottest day ever in Prague's history and the 43 degrees C calculates to 109 degrees F. It was crazy hot and there was no breeze. (Seems as if we can't beat the bad/unwanted weather.)
The heat was much better today though only getting into the upper 80's and it suppose to rain tomorrow to cool things off.
Hope everyone is well at home!
-Hilary
The heat was much better today though only getting into the upper 80's and it suppose to rain tomorrow to cool things off.
Hope everyone is well at home!
-Hilary
Monday, July 16, 2007
little update...
So I'm posting again because we actually have free internet here which means I can take advantage of updating our blog more. The past few days have been relaxing and quite fun.. not too many real plans or specific sightseeing adventures, but just good old 'hanging out' that we are all thoroughly enjoying. We have been shopping around, sun tanning and meeting people at our hostel which has been great.
If there is one small downfall of the past few days, it would be the heat. We went from cold, rainy misery to hot, HOT, HOOTTT!! Today Jamie actually saw a tempurature reading of 43 degrees celsius, yikes! But we cant complain too much because its better than rain and also preparins us for Italy.
Anyway, not much other news. We are doing more sightseeing tomorrow and have a few more days here until we leave for Vienna on Thursday. We LOVE Prague!
If there is one small downfall of the past few days, it would be the heat. We went from cold, rainy misery to hot, HOT, HOOTTT!! Today Jamie actually saw a tempurature reading of 43 degrees celsius, yikes! But we cant complain too much because its better than rain and also preparins us for Italy.
Anyway, not much other news. We are doing more sightseeing tomorrow and have a few more days here until we leave for Vienna on Thursday. We LOVE Prague!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Night Out!
So last night was the second night that we went out here in Prague. (Its great how cheap it is because it means that we get to experience the nightlife a lot more easily and still keep on our budget.) The first night (Thursday) we tried a place that is suppose to be authentic Czech, Club Cross, recommened to us by one of Brittany's friends from home. The aesthic was awesome with an underground/sewer feel and regga/techno music. Everything inside was custom made with piping to really fit in with the them. (Didn't get many pictures but it has a website with some.)
Last night we went to an 80's/90's bar again recommened by Brittany's friend and we had a great time. Most of you know that Jamie and I love the 80's especially the music so we were all super pumped about getting to dance to them here in Prague. When we first arrived it was a little dead and no one was really dancing much but within the hour the dance floor was full and included us. We got our groove on to Michael Jackson, Abba, and many more most of which we knew some that we didn't. We met some nice guys who talked hockey with Jamie for a bit, which in combination with hearing Billy Jean made her night. The best part about both nights was the fact that we could dance however we wanted and it didn't matter because there was always someone worse.
-Hilary
Last night we went to an 80's/90's bar again recommened by Brittany's friend and we had a great time. Most of you know that Jamie and I love the 80's especially the music so we were all super pumped about getting to dance to them here in Prague. When we first arrived it was a little dead and no one was really dancing much but within the hour the dance floor was full and included us. We got our groove on to Michael Jackson, Abba, and many more most of which we knew some that we didn't. We met some nice guys who talked hockey with Jamie for a bit, which in combination with hearing Billy Jean made her night. The best part about both nights was the fact that we could dance however we wanted and it didn't matter because there was always someone worse.
-Hilary
Friday, July 13, 2007
Prague...
So we are in a new city again- Prague! We arrived yesterday after spending a long morning in the train station, but a beautiful ride from Berlin to here. The scenery was amazing! We found our hostel, which is kind of ecelctic but cool, Hostel ELF :) The best part about it? Free internet, free breakfast and free linens, luxuries that seem minor but are a big deal to us. We have 7 days total here, so we are taking our time seeing everything and just relaxing. The weather forecast is nice for once, and warm, so we are pumped!
Last night we had a great dinner at a place near the hostel called Sklep, and we all got some yummy dishes with potato pancakes and more tardtional Czech flavors. Then we went to a really unique club off a recomendation from my friend Kristy and just had a fun night out dancing the night away! Today we wandered around "old town" just taking in the sights, popping into suveniour shops and seeing the Charles Bridge and main square. Tomorrow the plan is to go to Prague Castle and maybe catch some rays (since all we've seen for awhile has been rain!). Oh, and my favorite part about Prague? ITS CHEAP! Very exciting afetr Stockholm, Copenhagen and London.
Thats about it for now, stay tuned for updates and more pics!
-Brittany
Last night we had a great dinner at a place near the hostel called Sklep, and we all got some yummy dishes with potato pancakes and more tardtional Czech flavors. Then we went to a really unique club off a recomendation from my friend Kristy and just had a fun night out dancing the night away! Today we wandered around "old town" just taking in the sights, popping into suveniour shops and seeing the Charles Bridge and main square. Tomorrow the plan is to go to Prague Castle and maybe catch some rays (since all we've seen for awhile has been rain!). Oh, and my favorite part about Prague? ITS CHEAP! Very exciting afetr Stockholm, Copenhagen and London.
Thats about it for now, stay tuned for updates and more pics!
-Brittany
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Berlin...
We saw Harry Potter today!!! In the Sony Center in Potsdamer Platz!!!
Anyway... We went on a free tour our first full day in Berlin. It was a really awesome tour, our guide really knew her history. We saw Hitler's bunker... an ugly parking lot now. And found out the story behind the fall of the Berlin wall. It's crazy how many signs of the war are still here. Besides the bombed building left for tourism purposes there are bullet holes and pockmarks in lots of the buildings and most things are brand new since 1990 or so.
We went and shopped yesterday along Berlin's major shopping street the Friedrichstrasser. We also visited the KaDaWe department store, supposedly the largest on the continent. We also waited in line for about an hour in the rain (the weather has been typically rainy this trip) to see the Reichstag which was completely worth the wait. The dome itself was amazing and the view of the city was stunning, the sun even managed to come out long enough for us to have a clear view of the panorama.
Today was dedicated to Harry Potter and Potsdamer Platz. I got to see all my nerdy architecture including the Diamler-Chrystler headquarters and a particularly cool building by Richard Rogers, and we killed time before the movie on some huge see-saws.
We saw the movie and that in and of itself was an experience. They added an intermission here.
Then we trucked in the rain to the Jewish Museum by Liebeskind. It was a really great exhibit and super informative.
Tomorrow... we go to Prague!
-Jamie
Anyway... We went on a free tour our first full day in Berlin. It was a really awesome tour, our guide really knew her history. We saw Hitler's bunker... an ugly parking lot now. And found out the story behind the fall of the Berlin wall. It's crazy how many signs of the war are still here. Besides the bombed building left for tourism purposes there are bullet holes and pockmarks in lots of the buildings and most things are brand new since 1990 or so.
We went and shopped yesterday along Berlin's major shopping street the Friedrichstrasser. We also visited the KaDaWe department store, supposedly the largest on the continent. We also waited in line for about an hour in the rain (the weather has been typically rainy this trip) to see the Reichstag which was completely worth the wait. The dome itself was amazing and the view of the city was stunning, the sun even managed to come out long enough for us to have a clear view of the panorama.
Today was dedicated to Harry Potter and Potsdamer Platz. I got to see all my nerdy architecture including the Diamler-Chrystler headquarters and a particularly cool building by Richard Rogers, and we killed time before the movie on some huge see-saws.
We saw the movie and that in and of itself was an experience. They added an intermission here.
Then we trucked in the rain to the Jewish Museum by Liebeskind. It was a really great exhibit and super informative.
Tomorrow... we go to Prague!
-Jamie
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Finally in Stockholm...Checked-In
So we made it on our first overnight train. I am glad we only have one of those left. After spending our day yesterday in Malmo we waited until 10:30 to board our overnight train. As we climbed into our train car we see that half of it is already filled with 11-14 year old girls. We found out later that they were an Iranian Karate team. Of couse with our luck we looked at our seats and they were suppose to be right in the middle of the bunch. Since we were early we headed out of the car to find someone to help us find seats that weren't reserved that we could use instead. Although we ended up in the same car we were on the other side of the slumber party and all three of us got two seats instead of one to attempt to sleep in.
The train left on time around 11:08 and we were mostly asleep after the first two stops. Around 3am we wake up to find the train stopped at a station, which it stayed at for about an hour. By the time we left the station the sun was starting to rise and we still have four hours left on this overnight train.
We arrived in Stockholm this morning around 7am to find almost nothing open, and that the tourist office that was once located in the train station had closed. We got directions to the nearest one and headed there to find out the best mode of transportation. Of course, the tourist office was closed when we got there and didn't open until 9am. After sitting in one of the few coffee shops open for about two hours we headed back to the tourist office only to be treated fairly rudely and not really have our questions answered. After looking at some information we pulled a second number from the counter and waited to talk to a different agent.
We decided to go for the 72 hour Stockholm Card, giving us three days of unlimited travel by bus and metro and free entrance into 75 museums and attractions. We decided to wait to purchase this card until we were getting ready to head to the hostel since Central Station sold them and we had to pick up our packs from the locker we had stowed them in for the day.
We spent the rest of the morning looking through shops and around the city. At 1:30pm we headed to Central Station to buy our cards and head to the hostel, only to our disapproval we found out that Central Station didn't actually have the cards and that we would have to walk back to the tourist information station for a third time that day even though they were the ones that told us we could get the card at Central Station in the first place.
After treking back and forth we finally got it all squared away and found our hostel.
We are all checked-in and ready for a busy next three days!
-Hilary
The train left on time around 11:08 and we were mostly asleep after the first two stops. Around 3am we wake up to find the train stopped at a station, which it stayed at for about an hour. By the time we left the station the sun was starting to rise and we still have four hours left on this overnight train.
We arrived in Stockholm this morning around 7am to find almost nothing open, and that the tourist office that was once located in the train station had closed. We got directions to the nearest one and headed there to find out the best mode of transportation. Of course, the tourist office was closed when we got there and didn't open until 9am. After sitting in one of the few coffee shops open for about two hours we headed back to the tourist office only to be treated fairly rudely and not really have our questions answered. After looking at some information we pulled a second number from the counter and waited to talk to a different agent.
We decided to go for the 72 hour Stockholm Card, giving us three days of unlimited travel by bus and metro and free entrance into 75 museums and attractions. We decided to wait to purchase this card until we were getting ready to head to the hostel since Central Station sold them and we had to pick up our packs from the locker we had stowed them in for the day.
We spent the rest of the morning looking through shops and around the city. At 1:30pm we headed to Central Station to buy our cards and head to the hostel, only to our disapproval we found out that Central Station didn't actually have the cards and that we would have to walk back to the tourist information station for a third time that day even though they were the ones that told us we could get the card at Central Station in the first place.
After treking back and forth we finally got it all squared away and found our hostel.
We are all checked-in and ready for a busy next three days!
-Hilary
Monday, July 2, 2007
Copenhagen
Well, another city over with. We have just left Copenhagen this morning and are in Malmo, Sweden on our way to Stockholm. Copenhagen was beautiful besides being slighty expensive again. We had another run in with some of our odd luck, and it turned out to be the weekend of the European Union Triathalon, right there in the city. And the course just happened to run on the street our hostel was on, so we got to watch some exciting races with athletes from all over Europe- very cool! Besides that, it was also graduation weekend for local high schoolers and we learned of a tradtion they do there which is that the fraduates must wear sailors hats for 14 days after they graduate, and groups of them ride around in big party trucks, drinking and dancing and waving to the crowds. It was sort of weird, but a neat thing to get to see.
Besides the special events going on, we got a chance to do lots of great sightseeing, including the National Museum, Black Diamond Library, 3 palaces and Marmorkirken (sp?)- a church at which Jamie and I took a dome tour and got to actually climb right over the dome, through the structure and onto the roof, viewing the whole city and harbor. What an amazing experience! We also got to see the oldest house in Copenhagen (c.1663) and strolled down Nyhavn (the touristy area with the multi colored houses). Jamie also got to meet up with an old friend from high school who was in the city, and I ran into someone from DAAP which was a strange feeling being as we are across the Atlantic Ocean! But all in all, Copenhagen seems to be the favorite up to this point, but we are all excited for the cities to come. Hope everyone at home is great. More from Stockholm! -Britt
Besides the special events going on, we got a chance to do lots of great sightseeing, including the National Museum, Black Diamond Library, 3 palaces and Marmorkirken (sp?)- a church at which Jamie and I took a dome tour and got to actually climb right over the dome, through the structure and onto the roof, viewing the whole city and harbor. What an amazing experience! We also got to see the oldest house in Copenhagen (c.1663) and strolled down Nyhavn (the touristy area with the multi colored houses). Jamie also got to meet up with an old friend from high school who was in the city, and I ran into someone from DAAP which was a strange feeling being as we are across the Atlantic Ocean! But all in all, Copenhagen seems to be the favorite up to this point, but we are all excited for the cities to come. Hope everyone at home is great. More from Stockholm! -Britt
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