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

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

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.

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.

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.

The Alsatian Rieffels

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.

The whole Rieffel extended family at the farm in Fegersheim.

Strasbourg, FranceSituated 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.

Old & New

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

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg

European Parliament BuildingStatue of Europa on bull

Melk.

Day 1 Arrive in Munich, Germany– by high-speed train from Strasbourg.Day 2 Munich Area–Nuremberg–Prague, Czech RepublicDrive 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, AustriaThis 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, HungaryA 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.

Day 6 BudapestBuda 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, AustriaMorning 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, GermanyMorning 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 MunichSpend the day exploring, including the sights and sounds of King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle or BMW Welt.

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.

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 1972by Palestinian terrorists.

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

NurembergAlthough 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.

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 Rallies Site and

The Zeppelin Field.

Nuremberg site now deserted and crumbling

Kaiserburg

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

Prague

No one mentioned the Golem story!

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.

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

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!

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.

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,

Lou discovers the Selfie

And a real wedding!

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

Another Selfie!

Sampling the local cuisine inBudapest

The Parliament Buildingat night.

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.

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

Get your dirndl on!

Fortress Hohensalzburg

Hitler's Eagles Nest Near Berchtesgaden

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

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

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.

Back to Munich

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.