Thursday, July 5, 2018

The Places We Might Have Seen

So, before I get around to discussing what happened after the return home, let's talk about the places we missed seeing on our itinerary.

First, let me say that I have often wondered what would have happened had I stayed on by myself and finished part of the trip.  Well, I'll never know.  It would be thirty years before I returned to Europe, instead spending all of my vacations in the USA and Canada.

We were supposed to be in Europe until the first of August.  The places we missed and when I eventually saw them go like this:

I went back to Vienna in 2005.  But when I did go, I also visited Budapest, Hungary and Prague, Czech Republic.  Those last two cities were not on my original agenda.  I loved Vienna, especially seeing all of those palaces of the Hapsburgs.  Here is the Belvedere Palace, just another home away from home:
Leaving Austria, our next stop was to be Germany.  First up was Munich.  I finally visited in 2013.  Here is the Town Hall in the Marienplatz, slightly more ostentatious than any Town Hall I worked in:
The highlight of this country was to be a trip to see Neuschwanstein Castle.  It was worth the wait.
Next up would have been Heidelberg to see the ruins of the castle there.
I have never gotten to Mainz, but I have been to Cologne to see the cathedral.
My map shows us planning to go to Berlin, a city I would love to visit again, but not when they have a long holiday weekend celebrating their reunification.  Ugh!  The crowds and traffic....
From Berlin it was onto Hamburg.
From there we were to travel by train and ferry to Copenhagen, Denmark with further stops in Stockholm, Sweden and Oslo, Norway.  I have yet to visit any of these countries.

Back on the continent there was a scheduled stop in Brussels where I visited in 2016.  Again, during a festival.  I need to start planning better.  Here is the Grand Place minus the stalls that were set up.
We had a round trip ticket to Paris, so that would have been the last stop we planned.

I only had $131.26 when I returned home out of the original $1200 I took with me.  That comes to a little more than $17 a day, including souvenirs.

Obviously, I would have had to write a check at American Express to get more Traveler's Checks if we stayed  and finished the trip.  But since I returned, I had a down payment for a 1969 Dodge Charger when I got home.

I also had a letter from the City of Detroit asking me start start work immediately.  I had put my request in before I left saying that I would be available in August.  So, I went back to work as soon as we could process everything.

I hope that those of you who followed me on this rehash of my journey enjoyed the trip.  Maybe it will even encourage you to travel if you have never done so.  I married someone who had no interest in traveling to Europe, which is why it took me so long to get back there.  I'd leave in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose.  Well, in fact it has over the years. 

Next up, the end of a friendship.

15 comments:

  1. That was going to be quite the tour! Glad you got back.

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  2. I loved Denmark, definitely a country you should visit. Norway too although it rained a lot so much so my mother said "even the Teddy Boys carry Umbrellas". Maybe you should have married the other guy from the boat!!

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    1. My cousin who lives in Bristol used to live in Copenhagen. It is still on my list. Marriage to a Muslim? I don't think so.

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  3. So many castles, so little time (and money). My dad always told me Germany was the best place to see castles. True? The end of a friendship. That doesn't sound very good.

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    1. For castles I guess so, but for palaces, I'd go to Austria or Russia. The castles along the Rhine are numerous. Many are in shambles though.

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    2. Have you ever taken one of those river cruises?

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    3. Did a small day trip on the Rhine in northern Germany. My friend did a Christmas market river cruise and loved it.

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  4. I'm glad you were able to go back and visit the places you missed, plus more. ☺ Europe is my favourite travel destination. Could be, because I was born there, but, what's not to like? A history and culture buff's dream! Did you and Shar have a falling out? It's been an interesting travelogue, Denise. Thanks for sharing it.

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  5. I have never been to Europe. As it stands now, I will have to conquer a fear of flying that has developed over the years (I haven't flown since 1996, believe it or not). But such adventures will have to wait, due to various situations in my personal life right now. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. My sister also has a fear of flying. There is a lot to see ion this continent which is where I will spend my next vacation.

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  6. I have never really been to Germany, just traveled through it. Judy spent a summer in Bavaria once.

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    1. I really enjoyed my two weeks in Germany and would love to go back.

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  7. I think you did great coming home with the money you came home with; good money managing skills and the added bonus of having the down payment for your car.

    betty

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  8. You've certainly seen more of Europe than I have which is odd since it's on my doorstep so to speak. Asia, South America, Africa, Middle east - I've seen the lot but hardly anything of Europe. I feel some city-breaks coming on!

    Click to visit Keith's Ramblings!

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    1. I had to cancel my China trip when I broke my leg and never rescheduled it. Have not traveled to any of the countries you mentioned.

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