thefouramigosblog

A wake-up call at 3:30 am and a drive to the Prague Airport at 4 am to catch our flight home. The first leg was Prague to Zurich. The airport was dead.

We spent time in a lounge waiting for our flight.

The food was really strange. Cheeses, salami, and other cold cuts. Beetroot spread but nothing to spread it on. I was satisfied with a cappuccino and a cookie.

We were in business class to Zurich which gave us preferential treatment in the shuttle from the plane to the terminal.

Also lots of snow on our flight in.

We spent time in another lounge. This one had better food and donuts.

On our flight from Zurich to Miami we had lay-flat beds. I love that.

Food was served constantly and I really wasn’t very hungry.

Now our friend Brad picked us up at the airport and we are heading home!

I’m looking forward to sleeping in my bed!

We started with the morning buffet at the Grand Mark Hotel and then ventured out to explore more of Prague.

Our first stop was the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn. They are having a concert here later today. It’s a bit chilly inside these churches.

The next stop was St. Jakob Basilica. It was quite ornate but very cold inside. I did get scolded for taking pictures. Apparently, I missed the sign.

We walked through the Jewish area and would have gone into the Synagogue but it would cost $30 each so we just walked through the area.

We walked to the Vltava River which is the longest river in the Czech Republic.

There was a nice view of Prague Castle.

We stopped for lunch on a boat on the river.

We could see the Charles Bridge which was built in the 14th century.

The skies were getting stormier and there was definitely a chill in the air.

We began our walk back to the hotel passing some amazing buildings.

We went back to our hotel and completed our packing before heading out to dinner.

We ate Asian again at Sasazu.

We walked around Old Town one more time.

And Bruce on a metal bike.

And back to the Grand Mark for ice cream and bed. We fly home tomorrow.

#prague#czechrepublic#grandmarkhotel#charlesbridge#vltanariver#sthakobbasilica#ourlady#asianfusion

Today we started our day with a buffet breakfast at the Grand Mark Hotel. I had delicious waffles, but then I wasn’t feeling well.

We took it easy in the morning, then headed over to Old Town, which was just down the block from our hotel.

The Easter Markets, similar to Christmas markets, were in full gear in the square.

We visited St. Nicholas Church an 18th-century Baroque church.

While we were in the church a high school from Canada was performing.

We crossed the square to see the Astronomical clock which dates back to 1410. It still keeps time.

We went up into the tower and had amazing views of Prague.

The old buildings and the history are worth a visit to Prague.

This was the staircase to the tower. We paid to ride up in the elevator and then walked down.

I love some of the old wooden doors spotted around the city.

Bruce and I are resting for a moment in the square.

For dinner, we ate sushi. It was very good.

And ice cream back at the hotel for dessert.

Tomorrow will be our last day in Prague.

#prague#astronomicalclock#stnicolaschurch#eastermarkets#grandmarkhotel#oldtown

We woke to sunshine and chilly weather. The temperature was about 44 degrees which for us is very cold. Breakfast is included in our hotel stay so we went to the restaurant. It had a winter garden so we could feel like we were outside but protected from the cold.

We headed over to Prague Castle where we met up with a tour guide. Actually he wasn’t a guide but gave us a 20-minute intro to the Prague Castle complex.

We arrived just in time to catch the changing of the guards.

The St. Vitus Cathedral appeared to be under renovation. The seating areas were all roped off so we just walked around it. After seeing so many churches and cathedrals in Vienna this was disappointing. However the outside was beautiful.

The stained glass inside the cathedral was beautiful.

We stopped for coffee and hot cocoa. And another apple strudel.

Then forged ahead into the Old Royal Palace. It was very stark. It is the oldest castle complex still being used and dates back to the 9th century. At that time it was mostly made of wood and in the 12th century it was rebuilt using stone.

The Basilica of St. George was built around 920 ad making it one of the oldest buildings in Prague.

The side of the building has a sculpture of St. George and the dragon.

Our final stop was called Golden Lane. This was built in the 16th century now consisting of colorful buildings housing mini museums and shops. They had a display of suits of armor from the 14th and 15th centuries.

By the time we reached Golden Lane we were quite tired so I didn’t give it the time it deserved.

There was a great view of the river and Prague from the top.

We walked down from the castle for

quite some time.

At the bottom we found a taxi to take us to our hotel.

Back at the hotel we used the hydro pool and the sauna. It was much needed.

For dinner, we are eating Thai at Fame, a restaurant around the corner from the Grand a mark Hotel.

My Pad Thai was good and Bruce had soup again. He’s missing out on the cuisine because of his teeth.

After dinner, we walked around the neighborhood. This is Smetana Hall, where the Prague Philharmonic performs and people are formally attired.

I also caught a glimpse of the crescent moon.

And some large lion sculpture on top of a building.

We are both exhausted and ready to call it a night. Tomorrow more of Prague.

#prague#thegrandmarkhotel#stgeorgebasilica#praguecastle#goldenlane#stvituscathedral#oldroyalpalace#thaifood#smetanahall#vacation#czechrepublic

This is where we feel a bit old. Bruce and I each had a large suitcase and a small roller bag that connected to it. It was way too much weight for us. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We had breakfast at the hotel and then took a taxi to the train station.

We waited a while before they announced our track, then we proceeded to the platform. We were on Regiojet in Business Class. It was fine but limited space for luggage in the compartment that seats four.

Getting on the train was difficult but on our embarkation and disembarkation, people helped us. It’s amazing how few elderly people we see around. The same was true in Vienna.

They gave us bottled water, juice, and coffee for free. Food cost and we weren’t hungry having had a big breakfast before we left.

The countryside was rather bleak, still with the grey skies and leafless trees of winter.

We read a bit during the four-hour trip and I occasionally looked out the window.

Finally, we were coming into Prague. And then a nightmare began. We couldn’t find the exit where we could get a taxi. We went up elevators and down elevators. A nice couple helped us and directed us to where we could get a cab. I had Bruce wait with our bags while I went up to see if there were any cabs. I found one and went down to get Bruce and the bags. The only thing was that there was no elevator so we had to use the escalator. I tried getting on pulling two bags when the bag caught against the side. I fell, lost my shoe and one of the bags went up the escalator. Luckily, a gentleman helped me up and a young lady went up the escalator and retrieved my bag and shoe. So embarrassing. But I was ok and I think that’s all that mattered. My heavy coat padded me so it made it easier on me.

Anyway, no more escalators pulling two bags.

We finally went up an elevator to the street but no taxis there. I saw a young man who was a bolt driver. That’s their other car service similar to Uber.

He drove us to our hotel. I could have kissed him.

Our hotel is The Grand Mark Prague. It’s a nice hotel. However, our room is quite small, especially compared to the suite in Vienna.

But we do have a nice balcony.

We explored the hotel and decided we would eat out.

We ate at Sia, which was Asian Fusion.

Afterwards, we had a nice walk back to the hotel.

Tomorrow Prague Castle!

#vienna#prague#thegrandmarkprague#sia#asianfusion#regiojet#train#travel#vacation

We slept in this morning and it was much needed. But we had time for a nice breakfast at the Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel, then headed out looking for the Tram station. I really wanted to ride the tram.

It was a nice walk and the architecture in Vienna is amazing.

After several minutes of trying to figure out what ticket to buy, a man came to help. He actually caused more confusion because he didn’t speak English but we had fun with him anyway.

Of course, we got on the wrong tram and headed in the wrong direction.

After waiting for another tram we rode on that only to find we needed to get on a different one. It wasn’t stressful but just a bit comical.

We finally got off near the Old Town City Center. I thought this window display was interesting.

We went to St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is a must see in Vienna.

They have concerts at night but unfortunately we have an early morning tomorrow.

Inside the church we were able to hear mass in German.

Our next stop was St. Peter’s Church, a round building.

We listened to classical music from the organist. It was lovely and peaceful.

After St. Peter’s, we went to St. Michael’s which was plainer than the other two churches.

Now it was time to have our afternoon dessert. I had apple strudel and Bruce had cheesecake.

There were fabulously expensive stores everywhere. Louis Vuitton had a waiting line.

Beautiful architecture everywhere.

It started to rain but we were nestled in a cafe eating our desserts. We left when the rain stopped and headed back to our hotel for some rest.

The weather isn’t nice – it’s raining a bit. So we decided to eat in the hotel!

Tomorrow we are off on a train ride to Prague!

#vienna#applestrudel#anantarapalaishansenviennahotel#ststephenscathedral#stmichaelschurch#stpeterschurch#tram

Bruce and I were so tired that part of me wanted to blow off the tour I had already paid for. But I dragged myself out of the luscious bed and started getting ready to go to the Schonbrunn Palace and Garden Tour.

I stepped out on my balcony to check the weather. It was chilly.

As part of our stay, breakfast is included so we had a quick breakfast then the hotel called a taxi to take us to the palace.

It was the summer palace of the Habsburgs and Maria Theresa who reigned from 1740 to 1780, was responsible for the grandeur of the palace.

She was the only female ruler of Austria but still was not given the title of Empress. Maria Theresa had 16 children one of whom was Marie Antoinette. Another daughter married Napoleon Bonaparte and she returned to Vienna with their son, who was a very fragile child. He died a young man of 21.

The palace had 1,441 rooms and is done in the Baroque style.

We toured 22 rooms rich in color and adorned with large portraits and landscapes. One room was painted to look like porcelain.

The large white ceramic stove was the heating element for the palace.

Our guide Nicole from Roso Travel was very knowledgeable and enjoyable with her personal stories of the palace.

She explained the little details in the artwork including Mozart being inserted in the above painting although he hadn’t been born yet at the time this painting was commissioned. Many of these art pieces take years to complete.

After the tour of the house, we proceeded to the gardens. The gardens are not typical English gardens but have a Baroque style to stimulate conversation. They are also designed for quiet and privacy since privacy within the palace is limited.

It was a delightful tour and as we were leaving she told us the best apple strudel was at the cafe. We headed over to the cafe to indulge in the strudel.

Back at our hotel, we went to the spa and enjoyed a Finnish sauna and hydro pool.

For dinner, we ate at a little cafe across from a church. I had a chicken wrap and Bruce ate soup. He has been having trouble with his teeth and needs to eat soft things.

We enjoyed a light show at the Votive Church across the street.

It was a beautiful show set to music. Afterwards, bedtime. We are exhausted.

#vienna#schonbrunnpalace#anantarapalaishansenvienna#votivechurch#lightshow#gardens#baroque#mariatheresa#napoleon#summerpalace#strudel

When we got off the ship nobody seemed to know where the shuttle was. A large bus labeled “Sun Princess shuttle” was not it. I left Bruce with the bags as I ran around trying to find the shuttle. It was the furthest bus from the doors.

Finally, we are on the shuttle and get to the airport. Our airline is again furthest away from the door and the line is super long and not moving. Two flights have already been cancelled to Amsterdam, our first leg.

I realized there was a shorter line to just check bags. So we moved to that. The attendant tells us we are in the wrong line. I point to Bruce with his cane. She helps us check the bags and issues us tickets. I had boarding passes already with the seats I paid for. Now we have different seats- not together and both in the middle. Nothing can be done.

Luckily with my American Express Platinum, we have lounge access. Sweet. Time to relax and refresh.

We board our flight and we sit. And sit. Finally, we take off and we are landing in Amsterdam as our connecting flight is having it’s final boarding call. We run or try to run but it’s a mile away. We didn’t make it. I’m in tears. This is not easy.

We get rebooked in a flight out at 10 pm. Five hours in the lounge. Thank goodness for lounges.

We finally arrived in Vienna around midnight. More walking to get our bags with a little assistance in an electric cart. That saved some time and energy. Happily, our driver was waiting to take us to our hotel, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel.

What a beautiful suite we have. Large closets, king bed, sitting area.

They even gave us wine and goodies to eat. Unfortunately, we don’t drink so the wine went untouched.

Tomorrow we will take a tour of a palace.

#vienna#sunprincess#anantarapalaishansenviennahotel#travel

Mallorca and Majorca are the same Spanish island, but “Mallorca” is the official, local Catalan/Spanish spelling (pronounced Mah-YOR-ka), while “Majorca” is an older Anglicized spelling commonly used in the UK. Both are pronounced the same way. Mallorca is the preferred spelling.

Whichever spelling you choose, it’s a charming island with a lot of history.

I bought skip-the-line tickets for the Cathedral of Mallorca but our conundrum was how to get there. Do we take the shuttle for $16 each, the bus for $3, or a taxi for $15? I think we thought too long and ended up walking the 2.5 miles.

We walked the waterfront the entire way. There were some magnificent boats or rather yachts.

Windmills stood tall atop the hills, overlooking the waterfront.

The old and the new enfolding the landscape.

We even found some canons on our way.

The weather was warmer than we expected. But it was a glorious day for a walk.

We could see the Cathedral in the distance.

Finally, we arrived but were held up by a military parade.

The Cathedral was beautiful. Sculptures honoring different saints were on the sides of the Cathedral.

The Nave and the Altar were magnificent.

The side chapels were exquisite.

They were so large and beautifully adorned that they could be their own churches.

Outside the Cathedral there were tiny alleys and walkways which you often see in European cities.

We found a little cafe and had a cappuccino and a pastry!

Some random photos around the Cathedral.

Mallorca is definitely a gem that I wouldn’t mind revisiting.

Tomorrow we arrive in Barcelona and disembark the Sun Princess! And into another adventure!

Bruce and I have been to this port before so today we decided to go to the Panoramic Lift and Conception Castle.

It was a beautiful day for exploring with bright sunshine and 65-degree temperatures. It was a pleasant walk of less than a quarter mile to our destination.

We walked through an interesting tunnel with artwork.

We bought our tickets from Get Your Guide and to be honest you could just go there and pay. It was $16 for our tickets with an audio guide.

It was quite a pretty walk around the grounds. Lots of peacocks which I’m used to in Florida.

First, we went through low-hanging doorways to get into the cisterns.

We climbed stairs to the tower area, which had magnificent views of Cartagena.

A slab of rock above the entrance was reused stone from ancient times.

The interior had small windows obviously for bows and arrows.

And several rooms had artifacts and reproductions.

We didn’t take the lift down but had a nice walk downhill.

A delightful day in Cartagena.

Tomorrow it’s Majorca!

#cartagena#spain#sunprincess#cruising#conceptioncastle#panoramiclift#vacation#europe