RACING TOWARD A NEW ADVENTURE

Rick Steves Best of Europe 2005 Galleries

Amsterdam and Haarlem : Day 1: Welcomed to the Netherlands. 
 
 Traveled to the hotel in Haarlem (30 minutes by train, bus or taxi from the Amsterdam airport). Attended an informal group meeting at the hotel around 5 p.m., afterward a get-acquainted walking tour and dinner. Slept in Haarlem (2 nights). 
 
 Day 2: Progressive, Artistic Amsterdam
 
 We took the train into Amsterdam this morning, and begin with a walking tour of Amsterdam’s historic core, including Anne Frank's House. After lunch, we saw masterpieces from the remarkable Rijksmuseum. We had free time late this afternoon to see the Van Gogh Museum and stroll along the canals. Later, we returned to Haarlem for a free evening.

Amsterdam and Haarlem

Day 1: Welcom ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 10:49am PST

Bacharach and the Rhine : Day 3: Dutch Treats and Rhine Views
 
 We worked our way down to Germany’s castle-studded Rhineland and took a walking tour of Bacharach with Herr ung. Slept in Bacharach on the Rhine (2 nights). 
 
 Day 4: Rhine Castles and a River Cruise
 
 This morning part of our group headed to St. Goar and hiked up to the mighty Rheinfels castle, overlooking the Rhine while Marie and I headed to Marksburg Castle. Spent hours cruising the Rhine.
 

Bacharach and the Rhine

Day 3: Dutch & ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 2:48pm PST

Rothenberg : Day 5: Medieval Rothenburg
 
 After an early start, we arrived in Rothenburg Germany’s cutest medieval town. The afternoon was ours to see Riemenschneider's altarpiece (the best woodcarving in Germany), walk the medieval wall, tour the Crime and Punishment Museum, or hunt down the best apple strudel in town.

Rothenberg

Day 5: Mediev ...

Updated: Jan 24, 2006 2:53am PST

Dachau : Day 6: Dachau Today we made a 21st century pilgrimage to Dachau concentration camp near Munich. Later, we had lunch break in Andechs and then drove south into Austria, toward the Alps and Reutte, our rural and tranquil Tirolean home base.

Dachau

Day 6: Dachau Today we made a 21st century pilgrimage to Dachau con ...

Updated: Jul 18, 2006 1:50pm PST

Austria and Neuschwanstein : Day 7: Neuschwanstein Castle and the Luge It was a short drive and a half-hour walk to "Mad King" Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle. After lunch, we went for a summer luge and barreled down it, after we found free time to stroll in the woods and relax at our peaceful hotel before dinner,

Austria and Neuschwanstein

Day 7: Neuschwanstein Castle and the Luge It was a short drive and ...

Updated: Jul 28, 2006 11:29am PST

Newkastle :

Newkastle

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 3:45pm PST

Orvietto :

Orvietto

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 1:45pm PST

Venice : Day 8: Italy’s Incomparable Venice
 
 We drove all day to Venice, where we left the bus and boarded a boat to our hotel in the historic heart of this seductive city. After dinner, we took an orientation walk to magical, moonlit St. Mark's Square.  
 
 Day 9: The Art of Wandering in Venice
 
 We were free all day to tour St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Accademia art gallery - or shop, explore the alleys, cruise the canals, and "crawl" the pubs.

Venice

Day 8: Italy’ ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 5:43pm PST

Florence : Day 10: Florence and Michelangelo’s David
 After checking into our hotel, a gelato-fueled orientation walk found us winding through the historic core of Florence. In the evening we got acquainted with Michelangelo's David at Florence’s Accademia. 
 
 Day 11: Wonders of Renaissance Florence
 
 We begin our day with a tour of the masterpiece-packed Uffizi Gallery. Then were on our own for the rest of the day to discover the wealth of historic churches, museums, street markets and cafés.

Florence

Day 10: Flore ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 7:10pm PST

Rome : Day 12: A Walk through Caesar’s Rome
 
 This morning we drove straight to the heart of Rome, where we spent the afternoon uncovering Ancient Rome (visiting the Colosseum, Forum and Pantheon) with a local guide. Tonight we celebrated la dolce vita, with a fountain-splashing, after-dinner stroll through the heart of the city.  
 
 Day 13: Renaissance Rome
 
 Today we focused on Renaissance (Catholic) Rome, spending our morning touring the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, and our early afternoon in St. Peter's amazing cathedral. We had the rest of the day free to take a siesta or explore more of the Eternal City.

Rome

Day 12: A Wal ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2006 4:09am PST

Cinque Terra : Day 14: To Italy’s Cinque Terre
 
 We drove all day to reach the sun-drenched beaches of Italy’s hidden Cinque Terre: five perfectly preserved fishing villages, surrounded by vineyards and the sea. On the way, we took time to visit one of Italy’s enchanting hill towns. At the coast, we left the bus and took a 15-minute train ride into the Cinque Terre, where we slept.
 
 Day 15: Free Day in the Cinque Terre
 
 Ahh, time for a 'vacation from your vacation.' We couldn't see a museum here even if we wanted to! This is simply traditional Italy, with nothing to do but hike through the hillside vineyards that connect the five villages, take in the breathtaking scenery, hang out on the beaches, swim, and lounge around the town like a local

Cinque Terra

Day 14: To It&# ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2006 5:39am PST

Switzerland : Day 16: To the Heart of the Swiss Alps Today we caught an early train back to our bus, then headed into the heart of the Swiss Alps. After a breathtaking drive, we arrived in the magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley and slept in our creaky old chalet in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Day 17: Free Day to Hike in the Alps The day was all ours. We rode the gondola up to the Schilthorn at 10,000 feet, loiter in the thin air, and hiked part way down. Or some laid low and played Heidi. For more Alpine thrills, we rode trains and lifts to hikes at the foot of the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau peaks. Bad weather options included Trümmelbach Falls, valley hikes, or just relaxing in the mountain air.

Switzerland

Day 16: To the Heart of the Swiss Alps Today we caught an early tra ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2006 12:13pm PST

Beaune : Day 18: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy Today we said "Auf Wiedersehen" to the Alps and "Bonjour" to la belle France. We drove into profoundly French Burgundy for a look at small-town France. After an orientation to town and some free time, we gathered for a sampling of this region's most famous product, Burgundian wine.

Beaune

Day 18: A Hearty Taste of Burgundy Today we said "Auf Wiedersehen" ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2006 2:50pm PST

Paris :

Paris

Updated: Jan 06, 2007 4:07pm PST

Pete Johnson's pics featuring Ms. Barbara B.O.E. 2005 : Pete Johnson and Barbs pics from our 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Pete Johnson's pics featuring Ms. Barbara B.O.E. 2005

Pete Johnson and Barbs pics from our 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Updated: Jun 30, 2006 11:29am PST

Will, Tommy, Joyce B.O.E. 2005 :

Will, Tommy, Joyce B.O.E. 2005

Updated: Feb 08, 2006 2:27pm PST

Pete,Kathy,Em, Rach (The Rach the child who can pose on command)B.O.E. 2005 : The Williamson's pics from our Rick Steves 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Pete,Kathy,Em, Rach (The Rach the child who can pose on command)B.O.E. 2005

The Williamson's pics from our Rick Steves 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Updated: Dec 17, 2005 5:03am PST

Curtis Cocoa and Susan(and the VideoMeister) B.O.E. 2005 : Curtis and Susan pics from Our Rick Steves 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Curtis Cocoa and Susan(and the VideoMeister) B.O.E. 2005

Curtis and Susan pics from Our Rick Steves 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Updated: Dec 13, 2005 6:25am PST

Mark, Beca, Em, Zach (Zach and Emily our daily entertainment) B.O.E. 2005 : The McCrapman pics from our Rick Steves 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Mark, Beca, Em, Zach (Zach and Emily our daily entertainment) B.O.E. 2005

The McCrapman pics from our Rick Steves 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Updated: Dec 09, 2005 10:44am PST

Melody and Jan-the Mother and Daughter Dynamic Duo B.O.E. 2005 : Melody and Jan pics from our 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Melody and Jan-the Mother and Daughter Dynamic Duo B.O.E. 2005

Melody and Jan pics from our 2005 Best of Europe Tour

Updated: Dec 09, 2005 10:58am PST