Hopfgarten in the Tyrol

We stayed in the cute village of the Hofgarten in the Tyrol area of Austria. But on the way was a stop at Swarovski factory shop/museum. I spent a little more there than planned, oh well. It was all so pretty. And then it was on to the Contiki special stopover. These are lovely large houses that Contiki has brought that we get to stay in and party at. Definite highlights of the trip. We ate well and drank very well while there. On day two we took a gondola up the mountain and I had bacon dumpings and a large helping of sauerkraut. That night was the tight, white and bright party. Very cool.

Austria and my most favourite place Vienna.

We went to Vienna next. And of all the places we visited I think it was favourite (followed closely by Florence). The first night we went to a concert, and got to explore where Mozart did his thing. The next day we explored the old city that held such beauty. Sampled sacher torte a very rich chocolate cake and had sushi for lunch. That afternoon we went out to the Hapsburg summer palace for an hour before dinner. I found the most amazing fountain made of old Roman ruins.
We then went for schnapps sampling and had a great night out drinking beer, schnapps and eating schnitzel. We waltzed, danced and sung our hearts out.

Slovenia

Next we travelled to Slovenia and stayed the night in Ljubljana. Ljubljana is beautiful, with their town logo of a dragon on their manhole covers, but that is another subject completely. That evening we head up the funicular to the castle for a look about and then we went to crazy bar that had been decorated up with lots of skeletons and quite freaky.

The next day before we left Slovenia we all went for a swim in Lake Bled. It was so warm, just like a bath. After that we headed into town for a piece of bled cake, basically a custard slice.

The rest of Croatia... Split and Zadar... and Bosnia

After Dubrovnik we headed to Split but first we crossed through Bosnia. Just for food stop and photo opportunity.
And then to Split and the Palace of Diocletian. If you ever go there it is worth paying the small fee and going into area underground. It was a very cool place to visit and explore. I would have loved to explore the markets a bit more, but on tour sacrifices must be made.

After Split we headed for Zadar another old walled city to spend the last few hours of the day and stay the night. We went to the movies to see Bruno and yet again had bread for breakfast.

And a big shout out to Fran. As requested I'm updating my blog.

Dubrovnik is as lovely as they say it is.

I've been asked many times why Dubrovnik is so lovely and why everyone loves it so, and really I can't. It just is. Dubronik is an old walled city that is paved in this beautiful stone. The day we were there it was too hot to walk the around the city walls, although it is one thing I regret not doing. The afternoon we went for a cruise around the islands to go for a swim off the boat and have a yummy seafood lunch on one of the islands. And apart from having nothing but bread and jam for breakfast it was a pretty good stay.

The trip to Croatia

Firstly a big shout out to Melissa, thanks for reading. I take requests, so if you want a mention, just drop me a line, or grab me for a quick chat when online.

Right after only minimal issues at the border, we crossed back into the EU and Montinego, and had a lunch stop at a supermarket. I don't think any of us have been so pleased to see a supermarket on our lives. Food was cheap and selection was good. The picture is of me on the car ferry that took a total of 10 min for the journey.

And after an hour or two we were in Croatia and having fun at the border. They made us wait for a few hours claiming we needed a piece of paper. We got thru in the end and made our way to Dubrovnik.

corinth canal

I almost forgot I saw this. We stopped for lunch on our way to Athens. All I could say was WOW. The picture doesn't do it justice. If you're interest in more just Wikipedia it.

Tirane (that's in Alabania!!!)

Yes I've been to Albania now, it's one of the odder places we visited and one of the most eye opening. If you ever get the chance to go to Albania, do go you will get to see things that you never thought were still in use, such as donkey and carts being used as transport in the middle of a major city and traditional methods of erecting haystacks. This former communist state has a long way to go until it is on an even playing field with the rest of the developed world. The country was full of half finished buildings, where they had just been abandoned or were awaiting upper floors. The picture is of me standing in the city square of this post communist stronghold.

Preveza

Wow I'm actually getting around to update this thing. I'm sorry to everyone who is sick of reading about my adventures in Mykonos.

After Mykonos we ferried back to the mainland of Greece. We were in such a rush that we had the god given food of gyros drive thru on the bus, hot food on the bus is huge no no. Even with that we arrived at Preveza and sent straight to the hotel at about 10 pm for dinner and then we were off again at 8am.