Salzburg Austria and Zurich Switzerland

Well was able to get some internet here in Zurich. So here is the last couple of days events

Two days ago we went right across the border into Germany to see Adolf Hitler's house called by the Americans the "Eagles Nest". It was basically on top of a mountain! We had to go through a bunker of sorts and an elevator that took us up to his house. When we were up there we were in the clouds! We also were able to hike a little ways in his "backyard". We even found some patches of snow. Made a little snowman in Hitler's backyard. It was also really interesting and when the clouds subsided we had a great view of the Bavarian countryside.

That evening we went back to Salzburg we went to the well-known Beer Garden in town. It was really big and packed full. Had one or two beers.

The next day we went around Salzburg some more. We ate (actually I got one of the cheapest things on the menu a 5 Euro soup) at the 2nd oldest resturant in Europe. It was established in 800. After this we rented bikes for a couple of hours and rode around Salzburg and along the Danube River.

That evening we went to a small town close to where we were staying and ate dinner. It was awesome because there was a wedding party going on at the same time we were eating there. Everyone was dressed up in traditional Austrian clothing and we were able to see some of the traditions that the Austrian people partake in. Very interesting and the food was amazing.

We got into Zurich this afternoon. We checked into a very big hostel. All I am willing to say right now is that this place is interesting... This afternoon we strolled around Zurich. By the way everything here is so expensive! We ending the evening by laying out by the Zurich lake for a couple of hours and soaked in the sun.

Side note Greg, a friend from MU, is coming tomorrow for the final leg of the trip. Until next time

Vienna, Austria; Budapest; Salzburg,Austria

Have not had internet access in the past couple of days...

When we arrived in Vienna a couple of days ago to pouring rain. That evening we went out to eat at an Austrian restuarant. It was pretty good.

The next morning we left very early for Budapest. It was three hour train ride. When we got there the weather wasnt the best with some drizzling rain. Tom, Stacey and I walked around all day to all of the sights of the city. We were able to see the beautiful Parliment building on the Danube river. Also we went to the top of a Cathedral for a panoramic of the city. We Went over to the Buda side and went to where the Palace was and also had another great view. We finished up the day going to a Halocaust museum. It was very interesting.

The next day we toured around Vienna amongst periods of rain. The city was amazingly beautiful. We we able to see one of the famous Cathedrals, the Palace in the city and the Schonnburn Palace. It was amazing and had a huge garden behind it. The best part of the evening was that we lucky enough to see an opera at the famous Vienna Opera House. We had to wait in line for about an hour but got standing room tickets dead center on the lower level. It was quite the experience.

Side note-Tom's mom and her friend left last night

Today we arrived in Salzburg, home of the Sound of Music and Mozart. We are in a house just outside the city that has a great view of the countryside. This evening we were able to see Mozart's house and walk around the city. The rain here stopped and the sun is shining at the moment. Apparently there are some great floods here but I have yet to see any real signs of dangerous waters.

Either tomorrow or the next day we are going to head right across the border to see Hitler's house that was named the "Eagle's Nest". Should be interesting

Bled, Slovenia

Today we took a day trip to Bled, Slovenia. It was a nice and quaint town on this lake. The water was so clear because it was snow runoff. There was a very cool looking castle that was on rocks that overlooked the region. The town was also surrounded by snowcapped mountains. There is also a small island in the middle of the lake which had just enough room for a small church.

Tomorrow we are off to Vienna. Also, a person from MU will be traveling with us for about a week when we reach Vienna.

P.S. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Ljubljana Slovenia

Arrived here in Ljubljana yesterday. Checked into our first true hostel. We are sharing a room with a couple of other people, with communal bathroom and a slighly warm shower. Its not that bad just different. Yesterday we toured around here and saw the sights such as the castle and the three bridge area. Last night Tom and I went out with a guy that is in out room. He was about 30 and was laid off by Lehman Brothers so once that happened he just decided to travel the world for awhile.

Today was our first day of semi bad weather. It was rainy and kind of cold. Tom and I decided to sleep in and lounge around. We did however go over to Tom's mom's hotel and watched the movie Chocolat. Also, we went out to dinner and walked along the river that goes down the middle of the city.

Tomorrow we are taking a day trip to Bled, Slovenia. It is suppose to be pretty beautiful. I will let you know how it goes.

Opatija Croatia

Today we went to the coast of Croatia. We took a driver that our hostel recommended. He drove us an hour and a half to the coast. It was pretty cool to see the coast and the Croatian country side. All we did there was hang out on the beach and soak up the sun. I know a rough life. We also had a pretty good lunch right next to the see. We headed back around 6 PM and now I am cooking some speghetti here at the hostel. Heading off to Ljubljana Slovenia tomorrow!

Villach, Austria and some of Zagred, Croatia

Two days ago Tom and I hike in the mountains (Alps) in Aurstria. The British owners of the Chalet that we stayed at dropped us off at the base of the hike and we set off. We were walking along a river that was moving through the large boulders. There were many waterfalls and we had to cross over several wooden bridges. At some of the points we were literally holding onto chains that were drilled into the rock. The views were amazing. We reached the end of the trail that we were on and stumbled on an Austrian guy that was going further so we went with him some ways. After marking a few times where we have been (with big sticks, making an X, and a big rock in the middle), in order not to get lost, we decided to not spend the night in the Austrian mountains and headed back. We hiked around 9 miles. We had a great time and the natural beauty was unexplainable! That night we went to a local restaurant and I had the Weinerschitzel. It was pretty good. Once we got back Tom and I stay in the living room and watched the movie Fracture and went to bed afterwards.

The next morning we got up and had a plentiful breakfast. It was really filling(which hasnt happened too many times this trip for breakfast). Once we were done there we headed to a little post along the train tracks in order to get picked up by the train. (Side story- Tom's mom was trying to call me and tell me that they were ready, but instead of calling my cell phone she called my home phone back in the US. She reached my father. It was like 230 in the morning his time. Im sure that was a suprise for him) But anyways, after waiting at our stop for 30 minutes post when our train was suppose to arrive 2 local men show up. Luckily one of them knew English and explained that the railroad was getting worked on that day. They loaded all of our luggage and we headed off with 2 Austrian railroad workers. They took us about 30 minutes down the road until another train station. We finally got on a train and headed to Zagreb. We finally reached Zagreb after going through 2 Customs check points.

Once to Zagreb we got checked in and went to dinner. The exchange rate here is in our benefit and things are pretty cheap.

Today Tom and I slept in for really the first time of our whole trip. It was still only till about 10. Today Tom and I walked around Zagreb. We saw the city center, a Cathedral, a very huge park and more. Right now we are at an internet Cafe.

Tomorrow, we are heading to coastal town near Rijeka Croatia. Suppose to be really beautiful. I guess we'll wait and see.

All in all I would have to say that the small town that we stayed at near Villach Austria, with the hiking, accomadations, and natural beauty, would have to rank one of the best spots we've been this trip. It was awesome!

Portofino/Venice/Trieste/Piran/Villach

First I wanted to apologize for not writing on here in such some time. I have not forgotten, just I have not been able to get on the internet. But I have it now so I am going to try and catch you up on all that I have done since last. I am going to try and make it brief

Tom and I went on a day trip to Portofino. It is a remote town (maybe only 300 people living there)on the coast of Italy that is tucked away in a big cove. It was very beautiful and a lot of affluent people go here for vacation. Tom and I soaked in the beauty on top of a hill for an afternoon.

Our next stop was Venice. There Tom and I met up with his mom (Brenda) and her friend Lana. They will be traveling with us about 2 weeks. Venice was amazing! Every street you go down is just so beautiful. We also went to Murano, an island by Venice, where we were able to see them make there famous glass making. Also Tom and I went to another island and sat on a beach for some time. There were so many seashells on the beach!

Our next stop was Trieste Italy. It is a medium size town right on the coast. We were able to admire the views of the port and city center. We took a ferry one evening to a very small town about 20 minutes away and walked around and took in the sights.

While in Trieste, we took a day trip to Prian, Slovenia. Up to that point it was probably one of my favorite days. Piran is a town on the end of a Pennisula. It was so beautiful and right on the ocean that was caked with sailboats.

Today we traveled to Austria. The place that we are staying at is in the mountains about an hour and a half from Villach. It was the most beautiful train ride that I have been on. We are are surrounded by mountains with a river running right by our place. The natural beauty here is unbelievable! Tomorrow Tom and I are going to go on a hike in the mountains. Should be really fun. Also the place that we are staying with is a very nice house ran by some British people who are very friendly.

Some general information: We are about to approach the half way point of trip and it has and will continue to go by real fast. The only thing that has been a bummer is that I believe I left my sunglasses in the hotel in Trieste. I guess if thats the only thing bad that happens then all will be ok. Been washing my clothes in the hotels. Been eating decently but cheaply. Could go for some Mexican food... But enjoying everything and trying to live up every day.

Until next time

Turino and Genova

Yesterday we did all of the tourist stuff in Turino. First we took a tour of the Royal Palace. After that we went to see the Shroud of Turin (The supposed wrappings of Jesus after he was crucified). I was waiting for a couple of weeks to see this and was excited when I was able to. The actual shroud was behind a think glass wall and kept in a nice box (kind of like a coffin) with a very nice thorn display on top. It was pretty cool! After that went to the tallest museum and took an elevator to the top to view the whole city.

The only downfall of Turin was that we were so far out of the city that figuring out what bus to take and where the bus stop was at delayed us a lot.

Today, we arrived in Genova, Italy. We got here around 11 am and headed right off to see the sites. We were able to go in the house that Christopher Columbus lived in! Also, saw the port that it resides on and able to hang out by the ocean this evening.

Tomorrow we are heading o Portafino, as small city along the coast about 20 minutes from here. We do plan on sleeping in a little since had to wake up at 6am this morning. Also, the place we stay at prepares us breakfast!YEA!

St. Paul/Cannes

Well yesterday morning we went to a small mountain town called St. Paul. This town was small fortress on a hill that over looks the French Riviera. Now the village is set up for selling highly priced art. The narrow streets and great view was pretty cool.

The next stop that afternoon was Cannes. The bus took a long time getting there, which wasnt expected, and therefor we basically just wanted to lay on the beach. Thats exactly what we did! I think that it was the best all around beach so far of this trip. Great view, pretty water, sand (unlike the rocks in Nice), and just a great atmosphere.

Later that evening we went out to a restuarant in Nice. It was ok, nothing spectacular. I have grown accustomed to eat everything on my plate since living on a budget leaves us eating cheap food from grocery stores and prolonging times between meals.

Today, we arrived in Turin. We actually are in a small town out of Turin in which wasnt really known until the Taxi dropped us off. This evening we had a small dinner and relaxed in our hotel. We have a beautiful view of the snow-capped Alps. They look really pretty!

Plan on doing the Turist thing in Turin tomorrow.

Nice/Monte Carlo

Well yesterday walked around all of Nice. It is very pretty and right on the Mediterranean Sea. Was able to see the famous Flower market, a Russian cathedral, and a very cool panoramic view of the ocean from a high hill. At sunset we went down to the ocean and watched the waves come in and the sun go down.

Today we went to a very small fortress town called Eze. It was on top of a very big hill and had a great overview of the ocean.

Then in the afternoon we went to Monte Carlo. We went and saw the imfamous MOnte Carlo Casino, the harbor full of luxerious yachts(like the Al Mirqab which is one of the biggest in the world own by the Emir du Qatar, it was amazing!), and the palace of Monte Carlo in which the Prince of Monte Carlo lives. They were also setting up for the Grand Prix that is coming up and had the finish line for the Tour De France set up. Also, there were Rolls Royce, Bentleys, Ferrari's, and Mercedes everywere and I mean everywhere.

Tomorrow we are heading to a small mountain town in the morning and then Cannes in the afternoon in which we are going to lay out on the beach :)

RUN IN WITH THE FRENCH POLICE!!!

Well today was very interesting! Went to a small medieval town outside of Lyon. Very cool and interesting. But the real event took place on our 45 minute train ride back to Lyon. Tom (the guy I’m traveling with) and I got on the train that maybe had 2 other people in the same cart. Once we sat down we both kicked up our feet on the seats in front of us (the seats were facing us and made for a nice foot rest). Within 5 minutes 2 police officers came into our cart right for us. They started speaking in French and Tom and I thought that they just wanted to see our ticket. We showed it to them and they asked if we speak French, we said no. The other guy said English and we said yes. He further went on to explain that we were in violation of a crime for putting our feet up on the seats. I was biting my lip holding back my laughter waiting to the joke to be revealed to us. Instead he asked for our passports and proceeded to book us. Once the train stopped we were escorted to an office in which we had to pay a 45 Euro fine (roughly $60). When all was done Tom and I both got a picture with the police officers holding our ticket (they actually were pretty nice). I blame both my parents for this since they obviously didn’t teach me manners or to obey the law.

Lyon, France

Well yesterday was an interesting traveling day. Our trip from San Sebastion to Lyon France had a layover in Paris. Well our train from San Sebastion to Paris was around 30 minutes late into Paris. On top of that our train from Paris to Lyon was at a different train station across the city. Need less to say I probably ran a good 2 miles with my 50 lbs pack on and was on the subway for like 30 minutes. After all of the effort we missed our train. We thought we were going to have to sleep in the Paris train station. But after talking to the train personale we got on a later train that evening and first class!! So it all worked out! Today we toured Lyon. It was a very typical French town, Basilica some very pretty building, a huge park with a big lake. One of the interesting buildings we saw was the headquaters of INTERPOL. Also we ate a great dinner tonight but basically guessing what I was going to eat from the menu. Tomorrow Tom and I are going to a small town outside of Lyon and have a relaxful day.