by Ron Largent | Sep 15, 2017 | Alborg, Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, Finland, Gdansk, Helsinki, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, Icelandair, International Travel, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Sweden, Tallin, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Volcano Island
Greetings all…..we are now in Alborg, Denmark…..and have had some great days. Needless to say, each day has been packed with tours and lectures, etc….here are some highlights….
1. Gdansk is a marvel, in that it was a heavily destroyed city during WW II……and has been completely rebuilt. Right on the water, it has always been a trading center….but now it is a very modern and progressive major shipping city. We walked the Old Town along the canal that was once the major loading area from the Baltic for all of Poland. This was on Saturday and was part of their 3 week period of independence…so on this day was their marathon race…and we were right in the middle if it. A gorgeous city thus is a must to see….
2. From Gdansk we sailed on to Warnemunde…..where we got off the ship and directly on to the train for the 3 hour ride into Berlin. The train was older but very fast and comfortable and we arrived into Berlin about 10:30 am….we then had an hour bus ride around the city…and then free time, which we used to ride the hop on hop off for about 2 hours.
3. Suffice it to say that both Audy and I were overwhelmed with what has happened in Berlin…primarily east Berlin. It is now a hug city with massive development, especially in east Berlin. We were very disappointed in that the old is largely gone…replaced by new and very modern. The city has spent millions to bring it to the point of leading cities of the world. The Hop On was not as god as usual …… Not as many stops, etc….and all in all….Probably will not go back to Berlin….just to big and so different that what we have seen in the past. We got back in the train and back to the ship by 8:30 pm…a long day. But, for someone that has not known Berlin in the past ……a good day tour and experience.
So, 2 busy days….and good days….Gdansk was the bright spot…..but Berlin has so much for a few hours….maybe 3 days minimum…..
by Ron Largent | Sep 12, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, Icelandair, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Stockholm, Sweden, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Volcano Island
Today is our day at sea between Tallinn, Estonia and Gdansk, Poland ….so have a relaxing day with seminars, etc…and it is a beautiful day at sea…
We got a bit behind on my daily updates as we just got busy with excursions and they have been great …yesterday was in Tallinn in Estonia. Very impressed. The city has combined the ultimate in modern design surrounding the historic and totally restored Old Town….they are one of the most highly developed technology cities in the world, and is the seat of the NATO computer protection system. Kind of a Silicon Valley in Northern Europe….and Internet everywhere. The city mixes the old and new very well…and is obviously a very wealthy city and country……with luxury cars abounding. They have capitalized on the Cruise Ship business with 4 big ships in port yesterday….and same expected today. The setting right on the water is very impressive and with the Old Town built inside the wall you can look down from the higher ground, so views are spectacular .
Two days in St Petersburg was great. Just too much to put here…other than to say the Hermitage museum is clearly among the most impressive museums in the world. St Petersburg is very very tourist friendly…and as such the crowds are almost overwhelming. Both Audy and I said at about the same time….biggest crowds we have ever been in..as we were exiting the museum…then the lines outside were a block long. Kind of a Disneyland on steroids……in terms of crowds. We were also able to go to Peterhof Palace….and again…..magnificent.
The evening at Swan Lake was, as expected, superb. We were in row 7….literally the best seats in the house. Truly outstanding .
The city of St Petersburg is also very impressive combining the old and the new…the pre communist with the post…and then the past 20 years making the city a world class metro area. It is now not only the 2nd largest city in Russia but now a destination resort for Russians as it is right on the water with great access to Finland and Scandinavia. A great place to visit and stay for a few days to see all. Very modern and very convenient
Helsinki was a delight to visit and a place to go back to. The excursion was perfect as we got to see the city and what has made it and the country great. Very modern and progressive and very busy with a lot of building and development. Being the shipbuilding capital of the world we were also able to see the giant ice breaker ships …
So, the Cruise so far has been wonderful. Everything we expected and the some. Overall impression of this part of the world is much as what we found in the Mediterranean……..Europe is moving ahead of the US in many ways, in my opinion. Certainly equal if not exceeding metro city development….same with technology….same with education, emphasizing science and technology. Obviously the weather here in Northern Europe is somewhat limiting, as the winter days are short and cold….but they are doing so well to offset that by modern technology in building and metro development, such as indoor malls, etc.
On to Gdansk, Poland tomorrow…….a great time.
by Ron Largent | Sep 5, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, Icelandair, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Stockholm, Sweden, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Volcano Island
Left the hotel at 4 am….very easy check in and relaxing wait til flight at 7:30…..flew a new 757 on Icelandia….got into Stockholm at 1…great 40 minute bus ride to ship in the harbor which is downtown….unpacked and resting. Dinner at 7… Gorgeous warm weather at about 75…more to
by Ron Largent | Sep 5, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, Icelandair, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Volcano Island
Today started with me going to the airport on the airport bus to try and find the luggage. Bottom line….I got them.
returned to the hotel by noon and we got on the Hop On…and spent the afternoon seeing Reykjavik ……stopped at the Krisling Mall for lunch and Audy got a pair of pants. Some great shops in this mall, which is the largest in Iceland and still very small, but a neat place.
Got into the big Cathedral and heard the organist rehearsing…..not as good as William…..but the church is modern and very impressive. Had some great coffee
at a little shop opposite….got back to the hotel about 5….then walked down the street about 2 blocks to this great restaurant and had a wienerschitsel and it was great. Sat net to these 2 retired doctors…fun time…
Went by 10/11 for some chocolate….back to the rom for the 4 am departure to the airport….Icelandair to Stockholm
by Ron Largent | Sep 4, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, Iceland, Iceland Hiking, Iceland Tours, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Travel, Travel the World
Our day started early at 9 am when we left on the Golden Circle Tour. We went to the National Park……then on to the Geyser…..eating lunch at the 5 star restaurant at the Geyser….then on to Gullfoss Falls…..
All 3 events are well worth it…and by the time we got to the Falls the wind had come up and probably gusted at 60 mph. We literally had to hold on to each other as we looked down at the Falls…..scary but so impressive This Golden Circle is a must to fully appreciate Iceland….and at the falls you can see the huge glacier that stretches to the east coast.
As we returned we traveled on their main east west highway out to the park and were in stopped traffic for about 30 minutes….a bad accident…but made it back to the hotel t 5:30 …then got into the whole lost luggage issue. Finally gave up at 7 and decided to go to the nearby mall and get some clothes, which we did along with a meal at Joe’s and Juice in the Mall….went with the couple from Austin…..back to the room at 10. Still no luggage…A good day of seeing Iceland.
by Ron Largent | Sep 3, 2017 | Asian Travel, Cruise Line Deals, European Travel, International Travel, Special Events Travel Deals, Special travel deals, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized
This was the recent trip to Northern Europe, via Iceland….and Iceland was very different than any place we had seen. Other than the fiasco with Delta and the luggage…a great brief visit….
Only the points and I will fill in later…
1. Arrived about an hour late….rode bus from aircraft to terminal….nippy…..terminal was busy with a lot of remodeling…all very smooth….got to luggage and waited and no luggage, for us, along with about 50 others. Luggage was taken off the plane in JFK and not put back on. Got to the front of the line to file…still almost an hour
2. The shuttle driver was waiting and took about 45 minutes to get to the hotel…very barren looking and foggy and sub as we came in….virtually no trees with lava ground. Almost desolate at times. ….approaching city with lots of newer looking apartments…but unusual designs….and same with buildings. More on t his today….checked in the Hilton…hassle due to numbers and the hotel not having rooms ready until 2 pm. Completely full every night….lots of tour groups, etc.
3. We found a good bench seat and Audy slept….I walked out in the street to find a restaurant, as we had not eaten since the Atlanta airport….flight from JFK could not serve due to weather. At noon walked a block to a Mexican restaurant…..great food.
4. Came back and got out room….spoke a bit to the manager and they gave us an upgrade…great room views looking at the commercial areas of the city.
5. Both slept for a while then dinner at near little coffee bar around another corner. Great sandwich,,,then walked through the local market….called 10/11 here but like a big 7-11.
6. Back to the room and watched TV on China, France, British, and European sport TV stations…to bed at 9….
End of Day 1.
