After our time in Romania we headed to Vienna Austria on the sleeper train for 14 hours, and got there at about 9 in the morning, checked into our hotel and then went out to see the city.
But first we got some Starbucks as it was a bit chilly and quite windy, and Grace posted for me in front of the Danube.
We saw the Parliament...
And we also found this sweet fountain. The most successful (or potentially successful) trident fishing I have seen in years...
This girl seemed peeved that we were there... "can I help you?"
We also found this adorable little elephant that Grace befriended.
It however soon grew jealous of the bond Grace and I shared and became violent.
We also were able to do a good bit of walking around and to see several museums including the Belvedere where they have a good number of paintings by Gustav Klimt, which we enjoyed.
The next day we went to Salzburg. The view of the countryside and the Alps from the castle on the hill was breathtaking.
We also got a great view of the city
And if you know just where to look you can see one of our next stops, where you can buy flagons of ale from the monks who brew it and pour it for you straight out of the barrel. Add a fresh pretzel and you are in business.
Then we walked off the beer and pretzels next to the river.
After Austria we headed north to the Czech Republic's crowing jewel; Prague. At this point we were both quite sick, so I apologize for the lack of pictures.
We went to the famous Charles Bridge; and were immediately surrounded by everyone ELSE who was there to see the Charles Bridge.
It IS a pretty bridge though.
We also went to the big square, also full of people...
As we were quite parched we may have stopped for a fresh cider at the awesome easter market that was still going on.
We also enjoyed the beautiful astronomical clock they have there.
We didn't get to see as much of the city as we would have liked, but were feeling much better by the time we headed for Germany.
We met of with an old friend of Grace's that offered us her hospitality. She was incredubly helpful and drove us all around Germany. We got to see Frankfurt, Berg Eltz, Cologne, Heidelberg and everything else in between. Thank you Erin!
The beautiful Berg Eltz. Not only was it a gorgeous walk through the woods it was a very well furnished castle, so we got to see more or less how it would have been back in the day. The chopping block in the kitchen was 500 years old.
Erin watched out for the dogs and let them swim while we explored the castle.
Grace really "got into" the castle...
Then we went and checked out the cathedral in Cologne, which was my favorite cathedral so far. it was immense and beautiful and there was someone playing the organ. It was amazing.
I also got to take care of this little dog for a while. Grace thought we looked swell together... (don't be jealous Ollie, it was only for the day.)
Then we got some delicious dinner.
The spires of the cathedral looked amazing against the setting sun.
The next day we went to Heidelberg, and I think it was the first warm sunny day of the year for us, and once again just in time for my birthday.
Warm green fields never cease to cheer me up.
Here is a view of the town from the castle up on the hill. I was told there is a Nazi Amphitheater somewhere near here, but we didn't see it.
And now, fittingly I thought I would give you a picture of the castle from the town..
I thought that the bridges were really pretty.
Thank you once again Erin for your wonderful hospitality and tour-guide skills, and for having dogs.
Then Erin gave us a ride to the train station, where we then went to Stuttgart for the night, then through the alps to France. Which will be the subject of my next post (very soon hopefully)
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