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traveled in 20 countries Read more Oxnard, United States
  • mjnandyEastern Europe
    Day 4

    Train to Bratislava, Slovakia

    April 20, 2023 in Slovakia ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Alarm went off at 5:30am. Goal was to be picked up at our hotel by 6:30am to get to the train station and take the 7:29am train to Bratislava. Arrived at station only to find out no one was there selling tickets where they should be. We were told they moved the ticket station outdoors due to a remodel. Found the so called ticket booth. Now to find out where to catch our train. Unfortunately, no one was available and those there had no idea. We found out we had to keep an eye out on the digital screen for the platform to be issued. It was a cold morning. We found the train we were to be on right where we were standing. Thank goodness we didn't have to run somewhere else.
    Train ride was 2.5 hours long. Very comfortable and $32 for the both of us one way. Views were like other train rides in europe we have taken. You see graffiti, trash, beautiful green areas, nice homes, homes barley standing, construction, flower fields,buildings lost in weeds and trees. Overall comfortable and fast.
    We arrived in Bratislava and then figured out we needed a taxi to get to Old Town. Taxi's were available right outside and they only accepted cash. Off to the ATM inside to get some cash. We arrive at the main center which pretty much looked beautiful and clean. We took this cute little train to the castle. They only gave you 20 minutes to go up so we decided to go across the ways for pictures and views.
    Once we arrived at the old town we took in some sights in walking distance did a little shopping stopped by a cute spot for some hungarian beer. Walked around quite a bit then got our taxi back to the train station. We had an open ticket which allows you to go back at any of the departing times. Our train was delayed 20 minutes was more like 40. So many people waiting my concern was is everyone going to fit. We didn't reserve seats so I was hoping we wouldn't have an issue. John made sure I got on the train as soon as people were getting off the train. Sometimes you just need the "excuse me" and push thru.
    We were hungry so we stopped at this nice restaurant named APE REGINA. Had a yummy raspberry aperol spritz and delicious food. Our dessert was enjoyable as well. We have been lucky to have chosen restaurants that serve amazing food.
    It was time to head back to our hotel, shower, it was a nice hot bath for me and get some sleep for our last day in Budapest.    Read more

  • mjnandyEastern Europe
    Day 3

    Sightseeing Budapest.

    April 19, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Starting early morning walking towards Fisherman's Bastion. Oh so many stairs.
    Made it to the top beautiful views and overall just amazing. We were lucky enough to see Matthias Church as they had no idea when their ticket person would show up. We walked around went back to church and we were told we could go in no charge just a donation. Absolutely worth seeing. We walked to Budapest Castle which is big and views beautiful. We walked down and decided to do the On and Off bus. Stopped at the Harley Davidson store and had a nice lunch sitting outdoors. Love the hungarian stew. You can never go wrong no matter what city you visit on the On and Off bus.
    Had beautiful views from the ferris wheel that we took the opportunity to ride on. They weren't busy at all. Beautiful day and amazing views.
    Stopped along the way at Cafe' Gerbeaud for a cappuccino & a chocolate for each of us. We saw a few more places then headed back to our hotel for a wine tasting/ cheese evening cruise. Again views were amazing. Great way to celebrate my birthday as that is what I told John I wanted to do. After our cruise we went to a lovely italian restaurant and had a wonderful dinner. Back to our hotel as tomorrow is a train ride to Bratislava, Slovakia for the day. Having a great time and weather has been absolutely PERFECT!    Read more

  • mjnandyEastern Europe
    Day 2

    Flying away.

    April 18, 2023 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    10 hour flight LAX to Heathrow London airport. Our flight leaves at 1:40pm. Of course plenty of time. We arrived Heathrow long walk to restaurants, shops and cafe's. The screen showed that our flight was to show our gate number at 1:05pm. Well, at 12:45pm it showed 'BOARDING" We start our 20 minute walk to our gate. Once we showed our boarding pass John was told he had to check in his bag. Plane will be full so no room for his carry on. Funny cuz people checking in after him were able to take their bags. Oh well, this was our last flight.
    Arrived in Budapest 6pm headed to our hotel. Met some nice people on the shuttle. An asian lady 71 years old traveling on her own from Sacramento and does alot of traveling alone. Another young lady was with her sister and sisters boyfriend. They were there to scatter her husbands ashes in Vienna. We decided to have dinner at our hotel after going to the grocery store for water and juices. Delicious food on my birthday. View from our room is amazing.    Read more

  • mjnandyEastern Europe
    Day 1

    Ready, Set, Fly Away

    April 17, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Woke up 7am. Not cuz we had to leave early only because that's what time we woke up. Got ready made sure we had everything, fed Baker and left the house at 8:30am. Not too much traffic on PCH.
    John dropped me off at Bradley Intl meanwhile he parked our car at his work.
    He's only 15 minutes away from LAX. His boss was nice enough to bring him back to LAX. It was a good thing we arrived early we checked in at counter to make sure they had my TSA pre-check. They didn't after John called them to give them my number. Made it thru security quickly however the line we went thru or they directed us to we still had to remove our shoes & belt. They later told John we should of told them we had pre-check. Well they did see it on our tickets and advised us to a specific line. Oh well, we're here early made it thru security and had enough time to get something to eat.
    Our flight to London leaves at 3:40pm we arrive at Heathrow at 10am then take a plane at 1:50pm to Budapest, Hungary.    Read more

  • mjnandyEastern Europe

    Hungary for travel. Getting ready.

    April 5, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Ready for the trip we were going to take May 2020. Due to covid and taking care of m♡m we have had to delay.
    Flights have been booked for months. Hotels were the second thing we reserved and 1 month before our trip we reserved and bought tickets to those places we really wanted to see and experience.
    Something different that I did was pick clothes online that I thought would give me option of outfits. Colors that could be used with each pair of pants, sweaters or tops. Same with shoes. This certainly helped in keeping the number of clothes down for packing.
    Itineraries in folder, info on our flights and tickets for certain things we'll be doing. I like to plan my days and avoid the "where should we go today?"
    John and I make the perfect travel partners cuz we can't stay put and we love to see as much as we possibly can.
    We used (I used) for my thick sweaters Travel Space Saver Bags which work great to minimize taking up space. We also never travel without using our travel cubes. Keeps us organized and makes it easy to find what you're looking for.
    Carry-on luggage is how we're traveling. Our bags can also be carried like backpacks. John's is new (gray one) I will be using the same bag I traveled to Paris and Athens in 2019.    Read more

  • mjnandyParis, Santorini & Athens 2019
    Day 11

    Traveling is a learning experience.

    April 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    I always learn a few new things or try new ways of traveling. I make a note of it not only for myself but for others to maybe consider trying. Here's a few suggestions:

    1. I still consider the CUBES the best and smart way to pack.
    2. Always confirm hotel reservations up to two weeks in advance. Keep all email correspondence. I print and add it to my travel binder.
    3. I use a flexible binder for vouchers, itineraries, tickets, emails and flight details. Flexible binders fit and bend easily in backpacks and purses.
    4. I found it handy and convenient to have euro's prior to arriving to your destination.
    5. Most "all" transportation companies take euro's and credit cards.
    6. We noticed that many stores will ask if you want your card run in DOLLARS or Euro's.
    7. Obtain tickets for those sightseeing places that are important for you to visit ahead of time. Not a "must" as we saw many places still had tickets available.
    (Just gives me a piece of mind).
    8. Schedule your airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfers ahead of time. Saves you time and I'm sure you'd rather be seeing sights.
    Hotel can also take care of this for you.
    9. Take advantage of breakfasts included with your room.
    10. Carry on or Check in luggage. Still not sure which I liked better. Carry on seemed to have worked for all of us and saved time.
    11. Enjoy every second cuz you'll only be there for a certain amount of days/time. You can sleep and rest on your flight or when you get home.

    Our trip was amazing we had cold weather but we were prepared for that in March. You either go when it's cold and less people or go when the weather is nice and there are lot's of people. We made the best of our days rain and wind did not hold us back.    Read more

  • mjnandyParis, Santorini & Athens 2019
    Day 10

    PARIS, GREECE to HOME

    March 31, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Nothing like having to wake up in the early hours or not sleep at all on your final day. We arrived back to the hotel around 9pm or so. John and I had already packed so it was off to get some sleep at least 3 or 4 hours. Wake up time is at 1am! Robert, Kalyn and Kenzie decided to stop at the hotel restaurant for coffee, juice and toast. They slept on and off to not sleeping at all. John and I went downstairs to check us all out. Our pick up time is 2:30am and did I mention clocks moved up an hour in Greece?
    When we get to Germany it moves back. It certainly was a LONG day.
    When I was going thru security I was told to go thru a different line "STAR ALLIANCE. I thought I was a chosen STAR who was chisen to get upgraded. Right behind me was Kenzie. We had been luckily chosen to go through a full security search. IT WAS FUNNY yet we went through it with laughs. Kenzie kept saying "WHAT, DO WE LOOK LIKE BAD PEOPLE"?
    I told her "NO, THEY JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT MAKES US SO AMAZING"! We just laughed cuz it was us two.
    Flights were all comfortable and close to departure times. I've realized that's just how flights go.
    Was able to watch the ending of A STAR IS BORN with John (yes again) the ending anyway, watched the old Star is Born with Barbra & Kris, Baywatch the movie and Tom Cruise in American Made.
    Luthansa Airlines was a nice plane and flight attendants were very accommodating with drinks and warm towels.
    Kenzie I think slept the most then Kalyn and Robert. John and I slept maybe a couple of hours on and off.
    We arrived on time and safely. Our checked in bags arrived in a timely manner. John took a taxi to his work to pick up the car and came back to get us at Bradley International.

    It's great to be back home of course but at the same time the reality sets in of getting back to the everyday norm.
    We arrived unpacked, washed clothes put things
    away and tomorrow we hope to sleep in. Robert and John are both off from work. ME? Not so much.
    We were all very THANKFUL to mom for sending us on this amazing vacation. A vacation of memories to last a lifetime. Best part was sitting together during drinks the night before and thinking of where we want to go next.
    TRIPMASTERS will certainly be a travel site I use again. The only thing I'd change to is having direct flights and having transfers set up before hand.
    HAPPINESS for me is truly traveling and traveling with the people I love the most is PRICELESS!    Read more

  • mjnandyParis, Santorini & Athens 2019
    Day 10

    Athens Ruins Last Day

    March 31, 2019 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    The day started with meeting at 7am at our hotel for breakast. Delicious items to choose from. I must admit my fsvorite was the yogurt and tomatoes.
    We walked our way to buy our tickets to see the Acropolis. Passed many nice buildings and found ancient ruins in between.
    We arrived at our destination without any problems.
    Tickets were 10 euro each. We enjoyed walking up seeing all the sights along the way. I don't remember going up this distance when I was here in 1979. You start to wonder how they were able to go up and down back then. The higher we got the colder and windier it got. So very cold. It even blew John's
    beret off his head. We were lucky to arrive a few minutes after it opened the toir buses were arriving just as we were leaving.
    From there we walked over to a few more sights then got something to eat. We wanted a gyro wrapped instead we got an open faced gyro. We received an after dinner liquor which was minty and delicious.
    We did a little shopping after Robert, Kalyn and Kenzie went back to the hotel. John and I headed out to find a pet store to buy Baker a souvenier. After stopping at a few more stops we picked up a delicious heart shaped chocolate donut and some Starbucks sat outside and people watched. Saturday is certainly a busy day in Athens. The donut was delicious and not as sweet as they are at home.
    The other stop we made was the church we sat outside to take a picture after our gelato the night before. Unable to take pictures per the rules but one learns to turn on your VIDEO walk around and get some shots of the beauty inside.
    Kenzie wanted to meet on our rooftop for drinks. Once again it was very cold and windy. Kalyn and Kenzie wanted to have a REAL wrapped up gyro. We went out looking and of course couldn't find a vendor. John asked a couple who worked in one of the shops they suggested a restaurant only 3 minutes away. We had our nice dinner and Kalyn, Kenzie and Robert had their wrapped up BUG AUTHENTIC GYRO.
    Kenzie wanted to have some drinks on our last night we found s restaurant with outdoor seating and heaters. Had our drinks well Kenzie had drinks all of us had only one. We left back to our hotel as tomorrow is our departure day. John and I had already packed. We get picked up at 2:30am to make our way to the Athens airport.
    Robert, Kalyn and Kenzie made it to have some bread, coffee and juices at the hotel. John and I skipped it and headed downstairs for checkout.
    Goodbye Athens, until next time.    Read more

  • mjnandyParis, Santorini & Athens 2019
    Day 8

    Cold Windy Day in Athens

    March 29, 2019 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    Woke up to rain still falling in Santorini. Dreading going out in the rain and getting soaked. We all had a continental breakfast delivered to our room's at 7am.
    John and I pack up the night before makes it much easier with the cubes. You also get to sleep in a little later, no rushing and you get to enjoy your morning breakfast.
    It was still raining when we walked up with our luggage. Luckily one of the guys carried our luggage down to the transportation office. So happy it wasn't pouring like it had been the day before.
    We arrived at the Athen's airport within 20-30 minutes. This airport is still as small as I remember it. We checked in all the backpacks besides mine. We were 30 minutes delayed yet we arrived 5 minutes before our scheduled arrival time go figure.
    We were able to get a van (Black Mercedes) to drive us to our hotel. Traffic is as bad as downtown L.A. with many people on scooter's and motorcycles.
    Driver said we were in a good spot close to everything. We checked into our rooms except for Robert his wasn't ready yet. Luckily we are on the same floor. Kalyn and Kenzie are right next door so we get to bang the wall to each other. Rob is right across from us.
    We were all very hungry so we chose ATHEN'S HARD ROCK CAFE'. Another tradition to go to a hard rock cafe in every country we visit. Food was delicious, drinks hit the spot and service was amazing.
    We decided to go walk around and shop. It is very breezy and very, very cold - 52 degrees.
    Saw 2 church's and walked into one. Beautiful.
    Lit candles for our loved one's back home.
    Next had to have GELATO. Yup we just had to with this cold weather. Found a nice little place with outside seating & heaters. Gelato with a cappuccino is what John and I shared. They brought water and 4 cookies along with the order. It's so nice how they always give you a little more extra.
    We finished and headed back to our hotel. Stopped next door to get water for our room.
    John & I wanted to check out the view on the rooftop. WoW!!! It is an amazing sight. We took a few picture's only a few cuz it was very cold and windy.
    Off to our room we go to get some rest for tomorrow. We will be seeing as much as we possibly can cuz Sunday we head home.    Read more

  • mjnandyParis, Santorini & Athens 2019
    Day 7

    Rain & Santorini Tour

    March 28, 2019 in Greece ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    The morning plan was to meet at 8:45am and have breakfast outdoors together. I looked out and you couldn't even see the volcano. It was very foggy minutes later it was raining. We had all our breakfasts delivered to Kalyn and Kenzie's room. As they have the biggest room.
    We scheduled a tour for 10:30am. The CAPTAIN aka OWNER did mention that it may be cancelled if it rained. John walked to his office and they were still closed. Thankfully one of the maintenance guys had walked to the tour office with John he wanted to know where this tour office was. The receptionist called the room to let us know it was still a "GO"!
    We all filled out our breakfast request for tomorrow before we leave this amazing hotel. Continental breakfast is what we'll get at 7am. Our plane departs at 9am to Athens.
    The rain didn't stop us from going back to Oia and seeing Megalochori, Venetsanos Winery, hiked up to see the Red Rock Beach and ate at a nice restaurant by the Black Beach. We also stopped at Amoudi where some of The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants was partly filmed. The Captains son and his mother had a part in the movie.
    Kenzie was extremely happy at the winery. We of course picked the dessert wine. A brown color wine
    that was delicious with goat cheese and a jelly type relish that had chili and honey along with sesame crackers. Kenzie had her sister glass cuz Kalyn isn't into sweet wines. Scenery there was beautiful from what we could take in with the rain. It rained and rained but we still enjoyed our tour with Nikolas our tour guide.
    He took us by the Black Sand Beach and stopped at a restaurant to get something to eat. As he parked Kenzie noticed a small puppy, Robert noticed he was hiding under a car trying to stay out of the rain. WE the dog lovers of course felt bad for the little pup.
    The puppy must of known who would rescue him cuz he walked directly to Kenzie and she put him in her jacket. We were happy to see other dogs in the restaurant. Apparently the dogs belong to the owner and they run around in the restaurant. It was great for us Dog Lovers. It was like being home. Yes Kenzie did want to bring the puppy back with her. (Who wouldn't).
    We arrived back to where we were picked up for the tour. Robert had a 4pm appointment to get a tattoo and I had a hair appointment at 4:30pm across the street from each other.
    John, Kalyn and I walked back to our hotel. The path was like a river flowing down. John and I stopped at a shop and Kalyn went back to her room. One has to be very careful walking on the rock pathways and marble tiles. They get very slippery. We stopped by to give Kalyn a box of baklava we had just bought her. She loves her baklava.
    John and I arrived to our room with no electricity. He called down to the office. The lights came up in about 20 minutes. We decided to order room service for dinner. Delicious linguine with mussels and a yummy crab salad. Just enough for us to share with each other. We tried sharing our meals when we weren't too hungry. It worked most of the time.
    We packed our luggage and got ready for tomorrow's flight to Athens. Fingers Crossed and Prayers that this rain stops for our last two days on this amazing trip with family.    Read more

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