EUROPEAN ROAD TRIP 2019

Lloyd and Judy's adventure Read more

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Thessalonika Macedonia
June 15, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Just one night in this city as we traveling to Greece. But this city is one if Paul's stops on his missionary journey. Graffiti around the city spoils some of its beauty. But there still remains the history of this seaport. At last we have arrived at the Mediterranean.Read more
Yum!
6/18/19Reply
Thanks for sharing! Thessaloniki is probably the most beautiful city in Greece. It is well worth hiring a car as there is such a lot to do and see. It will give you the time to do things at your own pace https://aktis.rent/en
3/3/20Reply
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Athens Greece
June 17, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Well we've had a breif but enjoyable visit to this great city. Our b&b is right in heart of tourist town at base of the Accroplis. We struggled to find parking for car but after about the fourth try we prevailed but not before we were relived of 40 euros for two days! The apartment is quiet but bustling with tourists from early until late. We climbed accropolis hill at 8 am before main crowds arrived from cruise liners. Then we did the Ho ho bus....city tour and came back for lunch and compulsory book club (rest). Lloyd went off for an afternoon adventure to Piraeus city and harbour on Ho ho bus and the girls went shopping! Final evening saw us eating out in this magical time warp of a city.Read more
TravelerAlways wanted to go. Lucky you sounds wonderful—-and Judy I still love your hair. Your journeys are exciting and historically interesting -enjoying the read. Love Anne and Stuart
6/17/19Reply
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Naxos Greece
June 19, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Naxos has come just at the right time. We have stopped here for a few days R and R. The island pace is slow and w have a lovely B and B in a small village caled Agios Anna. No street names here nor house numbers so it's hard to find your acoms without internet. Such is the pace of life. Today my morning took me to local wharf taking with a Greek fisherman here on holiday from Piraeus. I caught a small fish and spent time chatting, then bought fresh fish for tea from straight from fishing boat which supplies local restaurants. The pool at our accoms is fabulous. Everywhere you look us a photo...it's just stunning and one of our favorite places so far.Read more
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Santorini Greece
June 22, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We have had an absolutely superb time in Santorini. We have friends who live here Olaf and Judy Reinen who own two photography businesses on the island. We spent time with each of them learning about the island and more importantly how to take great photos. Below are some of our photos. The evening sunset here is followed by what is called the blue hour where the photos show the sky at it's best. We visited many villages learning about it's history and grape and horticulture in this rocky dry environment. And we enjoyed one if the best Greek lunches ever at Olafs favorite restaurant. Our cameras are surely worn out!!!Read more
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Crete Greece
June 24, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
Arriving by boat into Heraklion Crete and then driving by night to Rethymno was memorable mostly because of it's danger with unmarked roads, no lighting and a black night, add to this Greek drivers who have little concern for speed or road law. But we arrived safely. Today we went to Melame which is a major site for the battle for Crete in WW2. My uncle served here with the medical corps and was among those who were safely evacuated after climbing over the mountains to escape the Germans paratroopers. Many thousands of troops were saved by the navy who came ashore and took soldiers off the beach. But many others missed the evacuation and lived in caves protected by Greek citizens who put their lives in great danger by doing so. It was moving to visit both the allied cemetery and also the German cemetery as well. Many lives were lost under the New Zealander General Fryberg who we suspect made a poor decision not to defend Hill 107 above the airport. Tomorrow we had back to Heraklion and take the boat back to Athens.Read more
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Peleponese Greece
June 26, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We left Athens and drove northwest to the Corinth canal and then onto various beautiful villages around the Peleponese. The best example of Roman amphitheatre was just west of Epidavros. We then enjoyed the fishing and sailing village of Nafplion. And finally arrived at the final stop for the day, the little coastal village of Methanion which has it's own natural hot springs that leak into the sea. We scored a wonderful hotel overnight third floor right on waterfront!Read more
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Footprints of Saint Paul
June 26, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Well our trip had taken us to Thessalonika, Crete, Athens and now Corinth! We have been in search of Saint Paul's footprint. Finally we arrived a couple of days ago in Corinth and we think we have discovered it! There on the pebbly Corinth beach it was! Downtown Corinth is a bustling seaport, but we had a great lunch by the beach and look what we found! Did you know Paul wore hush puppies sandals?Read more
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Scilla Italy
June 28, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
We took the overnight ferry from Patras on Greece to Bari in Italy. Then we drove 450 kms to Scilla which is a gorgeous fishing village just 22km from the end of Italy before the Messina straits. We have a small apartment right on waterfront with water lapping our bedroom. Went for swim which was refreshing too! Parking here is problem for visitors but not locals who ride scooters in the narrow alleyways at great speed. Ate pasta for tea followed by ice cream. High above the village is the old fort which dates back to 400BC. Ancient fishing legends tell of a beautiful nymph who turned into a monster with six heads and twelve tentacles and who lived in the Messina straits and terrorised sailors and fisherman.Read more
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Scilly
July 2, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We have spent four gorgeous sunny days on Scilly at the base of Mount Etna the highest active volcano in Italy. The tiny fishing village of Stazzo is where we have enjoyed lazy days swimming and resting after such a long journey in the Adriatic with high temps usually around mid 30 centigrade. We took a trip up Etna by cable car and then Unimog to one of it's craters and climbed around it at 2900 metres. We spent a day in Syracuse where the martyred Saint Lucia is worshipped. Tomorrow we had north to Amalfi Coast.Read more
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Amalfi Coast Italy
July 4, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Driving north from Scilly was a long day but the traffic was surprisingly light. We arrived at Salerno and the village of Pellezano for three nights. It's perched in the hills above Salerno at the base of the Amalfi peninsula. We took a hair raising bus trip around the peninsula on two bus rides around the narrow one way winding roads high above the coast. It was an awesome experience meeting other buses and traffic at speeds that defied gravity! We spent time at Amalfi and Positano and then caught the boat ferry back to give another perspective on this amazing photogenic part of the world.Read more
Wonderful!!
7/10/19Reply
On our bucket list-looks beautiful —Anne
7/10/19Reply
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Montecassino
July 7, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We visited the site of one of the greatest battles in WW2 where New Zealand soldiers together with the allies fought bravely for 123 days to take the city hill which now is a monastery. It was a Polish soldier who first stood on top of the hill and together with his countrymen and our allies won the day. But not before a terrible loss of lives by both sides. The monastery was bombed until hardly anything was left and the battle raged among the rubble the Germans fighting from top down and the allies from the slopes. A Polish cemetery in the ground reminds us of the cost of claiming this notable landmark hill that commands views for miles.Read more
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Rome
July 7, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Made a dashing trip into Rome city for the afternoon and evening. Drove to underground and visited several sites including the Roman forum, the fountains at the Navona piazza, the Spanish steps and although the Pantheon was shut we found saint Paul's footprint again! Hot, enjoyableand full of tourists but well worth the effort.Read more
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San Gimignano
July 8, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
The village of San Gimignano is a must for any serious traveler in Tuscany. It's claim to fame is it's tall towers that can be seen for miles around and from which those living inside it's walls could monitor movements from afar. We stopped for a quick lunch there and an icecream on our way to the Cinque Terra. Here are some photos of our brief visit.Read more
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Chivari
July 9, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
At Chivari we stayed for three nights from which we visited Cinque Terra and Portofino. Chivari itself is a lovely city with buildings painted with the 3D look.....in the European colors. It has good beaches and our accommodation was good though has no air conditioning which meant difficulty sleeping in the heat. We took a day trip to Portofino by ferry which was very enjoyable. The views from the top of the old monastery on hill over Portofino were great....and the usual super yachts and launches tired up to the piers seemed to me to defend more time being polished by their staff. I swam at the first boat stop around the corner from Portofino to cool off!Read more
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Cinque Terra
July 9, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We stayed at our accommodation in Chivari which lies between the Cinque Terra villages and Portofino. We were delighted when we discovered that Richard and Caroline Cook were holidaying in Montorosso at same time. We met and shared a meal together. We arrived by train and bought tickets that allowed us to stop at any of the five villages, hoping to catch a boat ferry between some of the villages but to our dismay discovered that the ferry was not sailing that day due to heavy swells. In Richard and my views it looked fine to sail! For more on this topic please consult Richard and my previous sailing experiences and joint ownership of two sea going vessels! However we used the train, saw three of the five villages from the north downwards and then sat at the train station for just under three hours waiting for a train to take us home. A mixed day but very enjoyable still. We encouraged each other...."just relax.....This is Italy". Last time we are at the Cinque Terra we started at bottom and saw the first three so we have now seen all villages!!Read more
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Sete
July 10, 2019 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The southern city of Sete is an ancient French seat port originally called Cete from which French ships patrolled and fought their enemies. Today is a bustling fishing port and tourist attraction for holiday makers. We stayed four nights here, two days we spent relaxing at beach or around the Bl and B the other at Carcassonne. Views from to of Mount St Clair were expansive, the beaches were great with white sand, and the boat jousting hilarious. And another feature was the nightly sunsets......Read more
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Carcassonne
July 12, 2019 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
This day trip did not disappoint. We drove north to this city and it was not difficult to see why it it's listed as one of the top five places to visit in France! Just follow the crowds and you will find it. Actually we stumbled yet again on a great parking spot for free which the owners said was fine for us to use, it was a bit disconcerting to hear as we left then that they were local gypsies!!! Anyway we walked up to the castle and around it's inside which is full of shops. Every turn is a photo and takes you back to the middle ages of battle and fortification. I bought a book about the history of the castle. We had nice lunch in the city beside the river afterwards then drive back to Sete.Read more
TravelerStill to visit that town—I know it is a must. Have read book ‘Narrow Dog to Carcassonne ‘ about a man and his dog taking a narrow boat across the English channel to Carcassonne. A good read. Continue to enjoy great following you. Anne
7/17/19Reply
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Millau
July 15, 2019 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We decided on a rural drive to Millau from Sete which proved to be very long but no road tolls! The road took us through farming and hill country and the town of Roquefort where the famous goat cheese is made. Coming into Millau you cannot miss the bridge in the sky.... It's an engineering masterpiece. We then headed up the Gorge du Tarn, which is a French version of the Grand Canyon. Very enjoyable drive up and back with it's tunnels and high mountain like cliffs and river for campers and kayakers by the score.Read more
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Annecy
July 16, 2019 in France ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
An early start from Millau saw us driving across rural France yet again avoiding the tolls and enjoying it's beauty. However this has it's gotten side as we often felt like we were on back country roads making little progress towards or destination of some 430 km. We were so low on fuel and found a remote station only to discover my credit card would not work but paid cash and bought 20 euros supply. Then head of again cross country. We arrived in the mega city of St Eitenne again low on fuel, and hungry, found a Lidls for bathroom stop, tried three more stations which were all self service and all refused my card. Almost running on fumes now and becoming desperate and lost on the streets we decided to go on motorway again until we found a main highway fuel stop. We did....And my card worked, I realised that in France I needed to sign for the chit hence the self service didn't work. Finally with fuel in tank we got to have or egg sandwiches again.We arrived in Annecy one hour late but after an event full day. Who said traveling was easy! Dinner at our digs then walked the lake promenarde.Read more
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Chateau Annecy and Old Town
July 16, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We got up and packed early and after finding parking in city walked up to the chateau where we paid the entrance fee and saw the museum inside which focused on the lake, it's fish, and the history of Annecy. Then we walked through the old town area which had as a feature the waterway. After an enjoyable couple of hours we headed to Germany to stay at or friends house from Homelink. We were greeted with Black forest cake and all kinds of yummy food.Read more
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Black Forest Germany
July 18, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We are now in the Black Forest region of Germany by the French and Swiss border. We drove from Annecy and stopped by the beautiful lake Geneva where we had lunch.. We are staying with our Homelink friends Iris and Ewe Classeen. Today we drove to a remote lake in the Black Forest, where we swam then had lunch at a fisherman's hut restaurant. We plan to return here for ten days next year.Read more
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Freiberg Germany
July 19, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Today we visited the university town of Freiberg. This was a free town during the reformation period where free thinking was encouraged and those who were being persecuted for their radical views could flee to. Among them were people like Erasmus whose views were not welcomed by the Catholic church of the day. We walked around the city and noted the memorial to those many Jews who lost their lives when their synagogue was burnt down in 1938 during the period of the Nazi party rising to power. A footprint of the synagogue was made into a fountain feature to remind the city of what occurred. We shared the mandatory "long red" sausage common to the city, and lunched at a fabulous restaurant up the hill overlooking the city reached by cable car. Back home for our final night in Germany after an enjoyable few days in the scenic south west. This city was almost completely destroyed by the allied bombing during the second world war, the stained glass windows were taken out of the cathedral and there are photos of the church standing among the rubble. It's a remarkable story.Read more
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Chamonix Mount Blanc
July 21, 2019 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Well today we had an experience that is unlikely to be repeated! We drove to Chamonix which is about 60 mins from Geneva, there we bought two tickets to the top of the highest cable car in the world. At 3840m it takes you most the way up Mount Blanc. All was well until Judy started to feel quite unsafe and fearful. We could do very little about this locked inside a steel box with about forty other people. Up we went higher and higher until the final few hundred metres were almost vertical. We emerged to temps of about -2 degrees and strong wind. Needless to say we did not stay to long, but got some good photos and some video of both way up and down. Afterwards we walked around the village of Chamonix and enjoyed our home made lunch and thermos of tea! Judy was able to confirm after today that several things are off her bucket list now, para gliding, parachuting, and any cable cars over 2500m.Read more
TravelerHave been enjoying reading your posts regularly!
7/21/19Reply
Scary and insecure feeling I’m sure but rewarded by the stunning mountain tops !
7/21/19Reply
Happy Chappies!
8/9/19Reply
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Littlehampton England
July 23, 2019 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Well we are back in Old Blighty! Easyjet landed at their usual 60 minutes late into Gatwick. We have left the sandy beaches of the med behind. Outside a balmy 31 degrees today and Littlehampton beach is crowded with handkerchief hatted men and bodies of all shapes and sizes. Our long time friends Andrew and Jenny Hubbard picked us up and took us to their beach house at Littlehampton. We went to Chichester today, parked in the boat marina and walked some distance to the Crown and Anchor pub for a lovely lunch. The weather was warm and sunny and fields ripe with wheat. It's very peaceful here...the sea air at the coastal town is refreshing, the seagulls fly overhead and the long days and short nights somehow seem more northern. A heat wave has hit the area the last few days and today is predicted to peak at 37°.Read more
TravelerLovely area—hope you had a chance to work the lock gate—good exercise ! Anne xx
7/25/19Reply
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Poole UK
July 25, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We drove to Poole where Andrew and Jenny visited his elderly parents and we meet up with Tabitha and James Smith who were part of our YAS group at church. They took us to Rick Steins Restaurant for lunch which was an amazing meal then we wandered around the Poole main city centre and beach. Afterwards Judy went back to Littlehampton and I stayed overnight so I could see my cousins son Steven Dodd who is in rehab in Bournemouth recovering from major spinal injury from an accident. I then took train back east.Read more
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