We began our 3 week summer trip in Eastern Europe in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The limestone pavement is worn so smooth it looks like marble. We absolutely loved this city. The people are welcoming, the fresh fish is marvelous and the old city is a gem. Just be sure to find out when the cruise ships are there and don't go on those days.

If you think there are a lot of photos in this blog, understand it could have been worse. These have been culled down from the over 1700 photos that Julie and Paul took together. Enjoy-- or at least pretend too!!! 

Do I look like I'm enjoying Dubrovnik or what? 

We really enjoyed our sunset walk around the perimeter of the walled city of Dubrovnik. It is remarkable how this city has rebuilt after being war- torn less than 10 years ago.

Tradition has it that if you can balance on this small ledge in Dubrovnik's town square you'll have good luck. Looks like good luck for us!!

We went on a day tour of Montenegro-- the world's newest country. We saw a church( still in use) built by fisherman on an uninhabited island as well as gorgeous beaches and walled cities.

A most romantic meal in Dubrovnik. Pope John Paul II and Dick Cheney dined here!! 

We stayed at the famous Gellert Hotel in Budapest which is noted for its Art Deco style and its many indoor and outdoor baths. They actually had a wave pool which was built in 1919.  

The world's second largest Jewish temple is in Budapest ( the largest is in NY). We also had an intimate tour of their terrific museum conducted by a Holocaust survivor who was hidden by a Swede.  

Budapest view of Parliament. Paul had been here in the 70's as a student and was amazed at how prosperous the city looked. Gone were all those soot covered buildings he remembered.  

Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest. We happened to be there right at the "sweet light".  

Nighttime on the Chain Bridge in Budapest. On our last night there, they closed the bridge to traffic and had a huge party with food and craft vendors, musicians and table to eat at.  

So cool!!! We had an unlimited mini-bar at the Savoy Hotel in Prague. It was sooo hot there. Each afternoon we'd come back and just tear into these fancy bottles of water and enjoy our free beer at night!! Hyatt and Hilton-- take notes please.  

A lovely dinner with Prague's Charles Bridge in the background. 

Prague's Old Town Square 

Prague's Jewish Quarter is often cited as the most interesting Jewish sight in Europe. In the Old Jewish Cemetary, there are 12,000 tombstones nesting at crooked angles. From 1439 to 1787, this was the only burial ground allowed for the Jews of Prague. Consequently, tombs had to be piled on one another and, as the many layers settled, they took on this haphazard crookedness.  

Prague was truly a feast for the eyes and ears. Glorious churches, street musicians on the Charles Bridge and the thrumm of a vibrant city.  

The Lennon Wall in Prague. John Lennon's ideas gave many of the Czech people during Lenin's time hope and vision. When Lennon was killed in 1980, a memorial wall covered with graffiti appeared spontaneously. The police would continuously paint over the wall but it would always reappear. 

Since we so enjoy ballroom dancing, we of course had to visit the "Dancing House" designed by Frank Gehry (who designed the Guggenheim Museum among other notables) in Prague. Can't you just see Fred and Ginger? 

The view from the Hohensalzbur fortress.  

Salzburg at night. We dined at the famed Goldener Hirsch and had the best Austrian cuisine of our trip.  

The Grossglockner drive was definately a highlight for us. The day we had planned to go was rainy so we took our chances hoping that the last possible day we could go would be better. It was not only better, it was a magnificent, sparkling clear day.  

The Grossglockner is reputed to be the world's best alpine drive. Definately the best we've ever been on . It was quite a feat having been built in the 30's. Over 30% of the traffic is motorcycle. Apparently, a cyclist's dream come true 

This shows where the glacier was in 1960. Very scary how much of it has receded in such a short span of time.  

Check this out!! 

Austrian sense of humor!! We were amazed to come upon several roadside constructions such as this. We saw a tractor made of bales of hay, a woodcutter carved out of wood and this realistic "shack on fire" complete with firefighters coming from behind. These funny creations were by the side of the road with apparently no purpose other than to ticke your funny bone.