This document provides a summary of a multi-day trip through several European cities, including London, Strasbourg, Munich, Nuremberg, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Salzburg, and Melk. The trip involves sightseeing in each location, such as visiting landmarks like Big Ben in London, the Strasbourg Cathedral, various palaces and squares in Prague and Vienna, Heroes' Square and the Parliament building in Budapest, and abbeys in Melk and Salzburg. The document also mentions historical contexts in locations like Nuremberg and provides some personal reflections and photos from the journey.

2. The London Eye
from the bridge;
Big Ben and
Westminster
Abbey.

3. After only one day in London, we flew
British Air to Basel, Switzerland and
took a limo to Strasbourg.
Buckingham Palace
and the
Victoria Monument

5. Located at the apex where Switzerland,
France, and Germany meet, Basel,
Switzerland is the first point of contact on
the navigable portion of the Rhine River.
Some of the gates of the airport are
located within France so that you only go
through customs once.
Strasbourg, France, is influenced by the
culture of both Germany and France. It's
also the capital of the Alsace region
known for its delectable wines. There
are cobblestone streets, medieval
architecture and winding canals of La
Petite France in the heart of
Strasbourg's Old Town.

6. The dominant
building of
the
Strasbourg
skyline is the
Strasbourg
Cathedral,
built between
1176 and
1439. At 466
feet tall, it
was the
tallest
building in
the world
until 1874.

7. The
Alsatian
Rieffels

8. The Astronomical Clock was completed in 1571 by a team of sculptors, painters,
mathematicians, and watchmakers. It ticked regularly along until one day in 1788 when it
suddenly stopped. After studying it for years, a self-taught Alsatian clockmaker was able to
rebuild the mechanism. It was restarted in 1842 and has ticked on since then.

11. The whole
Rieffel
extended
family
at the farm
in Fegersheim.

13. Strasbourg, France
Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg
blends the cultures of both countries in a delightful way. As capital
of the Alsace region and seat of the Council of Europe and
European Parliament, it is without a doubt an important city, yet it
manages to retain its historic charm.
A Walking Tour is a must and you will discover Europe at its most
quintessential. Visit the monumental red-sandstone Gothic
cathedral with its ancient murals, stained-glass windows, and
fascinating astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite
France district, home to half-timbered houses, quaint shops,
inviting bistros, incredible bakeries, fine restaurants, and a
waterfront promenade. Also spend time exploring Place Kléber, a
large historic square in the heart of the city, and Place Gutenberg
in the heart of medieval Strasbourg, which features a statue of the
inventor of the printing press. Dating back to 1570, the traditional
market is one of the oldest and finest in Europe.

14. Old
&
New

15. Strasbourg is a
cosmopolitan city. This
row of European flags is
in front of the European
Parliament, of which
Strasbourg is the seat.
At 754 members, it is
the second largest
parliament in the world,
second only to the
Parliament of India.
European
Parliament
Building

16. European Court
of Human Rights
(ECHR) in
Strasbourg
European Parliament Building
Statue of Europa
on bull

17. Melk

18. Day 1 Arrive in Munich, Germany– by high-speed train from Strasbourg.
Day 2 Munich Area–Nuremberg–Prague, Czech Republic
Drive this morning on the Autobahn directly to Nuremberg for a visit. Next, east across
the border into the Czech Republic. Evening arrival in Prague.
Day 3 Prague The wealth of gothic and baroque architecture perhaps inspired
Dvorak and Smetana, both Prague composers. The included guided sightseeing
features landmarks such as the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town
Square with the Astronomical Clock.
Day 4 Prague–Vienna, Austria
This morning, motor from Bohemia into Moravia and continue southeast for a few
more miles before crossing into Austria. Arrive in Vienna to enjoy an afternoon of
sightseeing. Start with a tour featuring the State Opera, Parliament, and the Town Hall.
Stop for a stroll in Heroes’ Square to view the Hofburg. Reserve some energy for an
exciting evening of music and opera.
Day 5 Vienna–Budapest, Hungary
A morning to explore this intriguing capital or do some shopping down the
Kärntnerstrasse. In the afternoon, head for the Hungarian border and a stay Budapest
for two overnights.

19. Day 6 Budapest
Buda Castle dominates the twin cities of Buda and Pest, separated by the
broad ribbon of the Danube. Heroes’ Square typifies the modern capital,
while along the riverbank you find the old inns. Included sightseeing takes in
the Parliament building, Margaret Island, Fishermen’s Bastion, the Royal
Castle, and Matthias Coronation Church.
Day 7 Budapest–Salzburg, Austria
Morning departure from Budapest. Travel westwards across the border into
Austria to enjoy more Alpine scenery before heading towards the Danube,
lunch at the Abbey at Melk, and finally to Salzburg for an overnight.
Day 8 Salzburg–Munich, Germany
Morning to join The Sound of Music excursion. A comfortable and relatively
short drive past Lake Chiemsee to Munich. Tonight, an included typical
Bavarian dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate a successful vacation.
Day 9 Munich
Spend the day exploring, including the sights and sounds of King Ludwig’s
Neuschwanstein Castle or BMW Welt.

20. Although a large city, Munich offers a small-town feel with its pedestrian- and bike-friendly atmosphere.
With its historical museums, splendid English Garden, traditional cafés, and delightful shops, Munich
offers plenty to see and do. A local guide will show you the highlights of this fascinating city, including
Nymphenburg Palace, summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs; Marienplatz with its Old and New
Town Halls; and the gothic Frauenkirche, a prominent landmark for Munich. Everyone waits for the
famous Glockenspiel, which recreates a royal wedding from the 16th century; linger at an outdoor café;
or relax at one of the many Biergärten to sample one of the Bavarian beers.

21. The Munich Olympic Village, housed over 4.000 athletes…and was the scene of
the tragedy of the 1972 Games.
All of the Israeli Olympic
team were killed in 1972
by Palestinian terrorists.

24. Can you spot the
swastikas?
Hitler’s 1923 putsch
began in the
Hofbrauhaus!

25. Nuremberg
Although 90% of Nuremberg’s Old Town suffered extensive damage during WWII,
much of it has been restored to the glory it once knew as the unofficial capital of
the Holy Roman Empire. Marvel at this thousand-year-old city’s medieval
fortifications, Gothic churches, and the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), and a more
specialized “Nuremberg Rally Grounds” tour.

26. Nuremberg
Rallies Site and
The Zeppelin
Field.
Hitler, flanked by the chiefs of the SS and SA, marched the length of the
arena, to salute the Blutfahne (Blood Banner from the 1923 Munich putsch)
Nuremberg site now deserted and crumbling

27. Kaiserburg
Palace of Justice (Justizpalast) where the Nazi War Crime trials were held

28. Prague
No one mentioned the
Golem story!

29. Prague is a 1,200-year-old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures,
such as the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock, built in 1410 and once the envy of all of
Europe; Hradcany Castle Grounds; St. Vitus Cathedral; and the Charles Bridge, the
oldest bridge in Prague.

32. Vienna,
Austria—
Wien in
German—
Austria’s capital
is “The City of
Music” which
inspired genius
in such as
Beethoven,
Mozart, and
Strauss.

33. Hofburg Palace, Vienna—
home to the Vienna Boys’ Choir
and the Lipizzaner stallions.
Vienna Opera House—
on the famed Ringstrasse is still
one of the world’s busiest.
It looks magnificent at night!

34. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue
Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace,
the Opera House —plus, many other sights were seen. We strolled through the delightful
pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, and enjoyed a piece of decadent Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel
in a classic Viennese coffee house. A concert was available that night.

35. The Vienna International
Centre is the campus and
building complex hosting the
United Nations Office at
Vienna.
Vienna International Centre
(UNOV; in German: Büro
der Vereinten Nationen in
Wien). Aka UNO City,

36. Lou discovers the Selfie

37. And a real wedding!

38. Budapest by night.
The cities of Buda
and Pest are linked
by eight bridges.
It is absolutely
gorgeous
on a river cruise
by night.

39. Another Selfie!
Sampling the local
cuisine in
Budapest

41. The
Parliament
Building
at night.

44. In November 1944, just six months before the
end of the War, the Arrow Cross government,
the Hungarian branch of the Nazi party, ordered
all remaining Jews into the Ghetto. During the
next two months, the ruthless Arrow Cross took
as many as 20,000 Jews from the Ghetto to the
banks of the Danube. They had them remove
their shoes so that they could be passed on to
others, and then they shot them and let their
bodies fall into the river.
Sixty years later, two Hungarian artists created
a stirring remembrance of the atrocity, and they
called it "Shoes on the Danube Bank." Sixty
iron pairs of 1940s-style shoes--men's,
women's, and children's--are attached to the
stone at the edge of the Danube, forming a
border that runs about forty-three yards.

46. The Perennial
Traveler in
another
Bloody
Cathedral.
According to
my mother-in-
law, you
get three
wishes in
every new
church you
visit!

52. Get your dirndl on!

53. Fortress Hohensalzburg
Hitler's Eagles Nest Near Berchtesgaden

54. The Eagle’s nest above
Berchtesgaden can be seen from
the terrace restaurant of Salzburg
Castle.

55. The best cookies in
the world! We
found them in
Vienna, but had run
out by Salzburg…

56. Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque
Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lies right in the heart
of the Wachau wine region. Above town are the ruins
of the castle where England’s King Richard the
Lionhearted was imprisoned in 1192. The castle ruins
give spectacular views of the town and river.
Then, travel through the beautiful Wachau Valley to
reach Melk after lunch. This afternoon we visit Melk’s
11th-century Benedictine Abbey. Melk’s abbey towers
over the town and is one of Europe’s largest. It houses
an ornate library with over 80,000 printed books and
2,000 manuscripts. It is amazing! The church has
frescoed ceilings, stunning high altar, marble statues,
and 210-foot-high cupola.
We had lunch there and sampled some of the region’s
famous wines.

61. Back to
Munich

62. So we have a choice on our last day:
Go to King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein
(fairytale) Castle or BMW Welt.
It was overcast, drizzly, and cloudy, so I lost.