European Sojourn

June 2023

Tour of Normandy Beach, Helsinki, Stockholm, Viking River Cruise from Vienna, Austria to Bucharest, Romania aboard the Viking Rinda. Read more

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10countries
25days
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Traveler European Sojourn
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- Jun 4, 2023, 5:18pm
- ☁️ 68 °F
- Altitude: 66 ft
- United States New Jersey Essex County Oak Island Junction Newark Liberty International Airport 40.698562, -74.17880940°41’55” N 74°10’44” W
Day 1
On the way to Paris
June 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
We started out with a terrific layover of 3 hours in Newark. Terrific because we got a chance to visit with Kris, Ryan and Ryker. Ryker missed baseball due to our visit but we saw him at Lacrosse practice and he has flag football at 630 so I think he'll get over it!! Crazy schedule that kid. Anyway, Can and I are taking off for Paris shortly for an overnight flight to CDG.... arrival 730am.
Exhausted we simply did a sidewalk cafe (but not B4 tea stop) for dinner and a walk near the Louvre. A bubble lady, shots around the Arch de Triumph and out towards the Eiffel Tower. Gearing up for a long day out to Normandy tomorrow.Read more
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- Jun 6, 2023, 11:43am
- 🌬 61 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- France Normandy Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer 49.358933, -0.88147849°21’32” N 0°52’53” W
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Day 3
Paris + Normandy Beach
June 6, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌬 61 °F
A long trip out to Normandy but well worth the drive. Lots to see. Some of it very awe inspiring. It was a bit unfortunate believe it or not that we actually came on the 79th Anniversary. Just coincidentally.................unfortunate because many sights were closed for special services. Stopped at Sword Beach, Juno Beach, Gold Beach, Pointe du Hoc among others. Actually quite impressed with the little talked about Canadian Cemetery as well.
On the way back got a very close up view of the Eiffel Tower and an American citizens gift back to France.... of Statue of Liberty.Read more
Traveler Just see the Saving Private Ryan scene. Takes your breath away I’m sure!
6/6/23Reply
Traveler No doubt
6/6/23Reply
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- Jun 7, 2023, 3:24am
- 🌙 61 °F
- Altitude: 190 ft
- France Île-de-France Paris 07 Paris 10 Ancien - Quartier Faubourg-Saint-Germain Eglise Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin 48.856656, 2.32741848°51’24” N 2°19’39” E
Day 4
Off to Helsinki...
June 7, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
Never been to Finland so we decided to fit one more country into the trip.... really early morning flight. And high temp around 60, though sunny today, will likely not be welcomed by Candyce. Helsinki is a beautiful little city. Although we are exhausted, we've enjoyed walking around and taking a cruise across the water to an island. Among other things we visited a Toy Museum operated by a family that lives upstairs. Lots of fun stuff to see ... this is the anti Paris if I ever saw one. Very laid back. Cool shot of the Ferris Wheel with an Orthodox church, Ustenski Cathedral, in the back ground.Read more
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- Jun 8, 2023, 8:30am
- ☀️ 54 °F
- Altitude: 23 ft
- Finland Newland Region Helsinki Kluuvi Havis Amanda 60.1663, 24.95170760°9’59” N 24°57’6” E
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Day 5
Helsinki, Finland Day #2
June 8, 2023 in Finland ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F
Quiet day walking and taking in this quaint little city. South harbour and Esplanade Park. Tsar Alexander II statue. Surrounding the square is the harbour itself, the Presidential Palace, the Uspenski Cathedral, the old market hall (Vanha Kauppahalli) built in 1889 and ferry ports connecting the mainland to the Unesco World Heritage site Suomenlinna which we visited yesterday. Reindeer meat is served everywhere....but we went with an amazing Baked Potato place and Wonton Soup in the Old Market....with a can of ginger beer for the boss. And "finnished" off with dinner at Goodwin's Steak House.Read more
Traveler Smoked Reindeer and Bear Salami!
6/8/23Reply
Traveler Yes sir... kind of gamey
6/8/23Reply
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- Jun 9, 2023, 11:41am
- ☀️ 63 °F
- Altitude: 79 ft
- Sweden Stockholm Stockholm Municipality Skeppsholmen Nybroviken 59.33212, 18.08071259°19’56” N 18°4’51” E
Day 6
Stockholm, Sweden
June 9, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Staying at the beautiful Hotel Diplomat in the waterfront area of downtown. An old, eclectic hotel with the old glass door elevators.

We started our own walking tour by heading over toward the island of Djurgården, and the Vasa Museum... It's a warship that sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm on August 10th 1628. 333 years later it was salvaged and made into the world's best preserved 17th century ship. The carvings and sculptures throughout the ship were amazing. We continued by walking over to the Viking Museum. We actually began our lengthy walk with a lovely water side luncheon had a restaurant. We just happened upon....The Strand Bistro. Weather has been absolutely perfect.Read more
Traveler Lol. 😂 So cool!
6/12/23Reply
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- Jun 10, 2023, 7:57am
- ☁️ 54 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- Sweden Stockholm Stockholm Municipality Skeppsholmen Nybroviken 59.332087, 18.0806859°19’56” N 18°4’50” E
Day 7
Stockholm. Day 2
June 10, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Lovely day for a long walk out to the Presidential Palace and more. Toured a US Coast Guard Vessel as well, and they head back to New London, CT. tomorrow. Saw the Presidential Horse Troupe walking by as well. Just a perfect weather day so far. Lunch at the Corner Bar near the palace and dinner at Four Corners near the marketRead more
Traveler I bet you can find a lot of Dahlin's over there. That where my grandfather came from.
6/10/23Reply
Traveler I have to start looking! It's a beautiful city and country.
6/10/23Reply
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- Jun 11, 2023, 6:41am
- ☀️ 54 °F
- Altitude: 69 ft
- Sweden Stockholm Stockholm Municipality Skeppsholmen Nybroviken 59.332094, 18.0806959°19’56” N 18°4’50” E
Day 8
Off to Vienna+ Viking Rinda
June 11, 2023 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F
Arrived safely in Vienna and boarded our ship, the Viking Rinda. Layout is exactly the same as our previous river cruise ship, the Einar. Basically spending much of the afternoon unpacking and getting the room organized, a very nice suite room 304. Met some nice folks from Michigan, Fort Myers, Philly and more. Photo with Program Director LeonardRead more
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- Jun 12, 2023, 9:39am
- ⛅ 64 °F
- Altitude: 636 ft
- Austria Vienna Inner city Vienna Burggarten 48.203333, 16.36548°12’12” N 16°21’54” E
Day 9
Panoramic Vienna
June 12, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
A long city tour which included stops at Hofburg Palace, the museum of fine arts, and many more. It's a beautiful city with lots to see and do. We decided to jump off the tour and walk back to the ship. About a one and a half mile walk from St. Stephan's Cathedral.... Along with the traditional stop at the candy shop.

Obviously this is a big city for music. The Vienna boys choir, Strauss, Mozart and many more.Read more
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- Jun 13, 2023, 8:11am
- ☀️ 59 °F
- Altitude: 515 ft
- Austria Vienna Inner city Leopoldstadt 48.228842, 16.40237848°13’44” N 16°24’9” E
Day 10
Final Day in Vienna
June 13, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
Day began with a long walk over to Copa Beach. We enjoyed lunch at a Greek sidewalk cafe before walking back. Some lovely pictures from over there.

In the afternoon we went for a Taste of Vienna . Crazy traffic in downtown Vienna too. Pictures posted included City Hall, Burg Theater and our first culinary stop for hot chocolate at a place called Landtman Cafe, a coffee shop frequented by Sigmund Freud. The next stop was a traditional sausage shop right on the square next to Saint Stephen's.. It was an excellent sausage with cheese.

Kapuzinergruft church where the Hapsburg's are buried. Lots of very different things to see and taste.Read more
Traveler You two are just adorable!
6/17/23Reply
Traveler 👍
6/17/23Reply
Traveler Love the music!!!
6/18/23Reply
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Traveler European Sojourn
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- Jun 14, 2023, 6:56am
- ⛅ 57 °F
- Altitude: 492 ft
- Austria Vienna Gemeindebezirk Donaustadt Kaisermühlen 48.230945, 16.40433248°13’51” N 16°24’16” E
Day 11
Bratislava, Slovakia
June 14, 2023 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Cruising overnight into the Capital of Slovakia. Did a 2 hour walking tour that will be highlighted by a stop at St. Martin's Cathedral. More or less in order: the National Theatre and Concert Hall of national philharmonic, statue of a big Human Rights freedom fighter, and then St. Martin's Cathedral. Random other shots of us walking the city.
Slovakia is probably best known for its ties to the Czech Republic, and when they split they refer to it as the Velvet Revolution because it was so peaceful.
Took a trip through one of the locks which is STILL fascinating to see. Afternoon was a Strudel making class... and of course tasting!Read more
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