Preparing for our adventure!

In one week we'll be on our way to Europe! We are making final arrangements for kitty care, and plans for things we want to do during our free time. We are both excited and nervous!
PDX

Through security and time for a meal! Smooth sailing so far!
Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

Arrived at Amsterdam airport. Huge and very organized. This sign was our first sight when exiting the airport. mdds hit as I walked off the plane. Going to have fun anyway!
First day in Haarlem, The Netherlands

Meandering through Haarlem.
Haarlem tour by a local tour guide.

I'm falling in love with this enchanting town.
Anne Frank Huis

Such a beautiful place

We had Gelato at this stand 3 times before we left Haarlem!
Amsterdam's funny buildings

Some of Amsterdam's entertaining buildings!
Our tour guides

Our fabulous tour guides!
Amsterdam

Took a walking tour today with our group guides, as well as a long canal tour with a local who was quite entertaining. We went to the Rijksmuseum where we saw some Rembrandt paintings, before headingRead more
Bicyclists in Haarlem

People picking up their bikes at the train station after work. They have huge bicycle parking garages everywhere in the Netherlands.
Bus, Arnhem and Bacharach

Right after breakfast we got on the bus, heading for our next stop. Farewell to Haarlem. On the bus a total of about 6 hours, with a stop along the way at Arnhem's Open air Museum where we got to tryRead more
Rheinfels Castle

After our city walk, we took a quick bus ride to the next town over, St. Goar, to see the castle. First we had a delicious traditional German meal, Schnitzel, spatzael, sourkraut and potatoes. AnotherRead more
Bacharach with a local guide (Thomas)

Walked around the town of Bacharach this morning after breakfast, including a small vineyard. Thomas gave us a history of his family and the town. A lot of interesting info about their perspective onRead more
more Rothenburg

I found kitties, of course, in the window of a closed shop.
We experienced our first European thunderstorm. It was quite spectacular the way the sound bounced off the walls of the city. We decided notRead more
Medieval Rothenburg

Headed out on the bus (too early..ha). I was so lucky that Colleen said something about phone cords. As soon as she said it I realized I'd left mine in the room, and I was able to run and get itRead more
Dachau Concentration Camp

The first concentration camp built. Open from 1933 - 1945. It was the model for all future camps. There were no mass exterminations there, but it was where they experimented with all the methods theyRead more
More at Dachau concentration camp

Dachau
Wieskirche, 1740s church

To lighten up the mood we made a stop at the rococo-style Wieskirche, built in the 1740s by the Zimmerman brothers.
Alpenhotel Ernberg, Reutte Austria

Had a wonderful dinner that included spatzael, and a decadent dessert with a pancake, ice cream, syrup and fruit. I really enjoyed the entertainment. It was 2 Austrisn men with accordions. They playedRead more
A beautiful day in Reutte

It was a beautiful sunny day in the small town of Reutte, and I was ready for a down day, so I stayed at the hotel while John went with the group to Neuschwanstein Castle ("Mad" King Ludwig's), aRead more
Leaving Reutte, beautiful Austrian view

The countryside as we left Reutte was breathtaking! Had a nice lunch at the Cafe Gelateria, and enjoyed entertaining rest stop. They specialized in oversized things like the potato chip containers.
Our dream come true - Venezia (Venice)

A rather chaotic entry to Venice. The bus was parked in a lot, then we all saueezed into a Vaporetto (water taxi) and made out we to the Rialto stop. A 10 minute walk and we reached our hotelRead more
A day on Venezia

First thing this morning we had a tour by a local guide Elizabetta. She took us though the streets of Venice, to a really fun demonstration of Mask making and a history of the festival tradition, andRead more
Leaving Venice

Leaving Venice. What a wonderful way to go!