My Goodbye to Central Europe…For Now

This is my farewell post to Slovakia…at least for now. I will be leaving the country soon to have other adventures. It has been such a treat to be here and I love Central Europe. Slovakia (the center of the center of Europe) is a beautiful country.  I did some calculations and realized that in the past 19 months I've visited 8 countries; Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Turkey, and two continents; Europe and Turkey. Wow, I'm a little overwhelmed just thinking about it.

River Vah in Piestany January 2014

I have composed some of the best of my 50+ posts of my travels in and around Slovakia. I'm not saying goodbye, only čau, because I will be back. I'll keep posting on my experiences and travels and hope you will continue to follow my adventures.

Slovakia

It's hard to pick the best. While living here I've visited seven castles in Slovakia; Bratislava (my first), Trenčin (I lived there for four months), Beckov, Banska Stiavnica, Bojnice, and Orava and my personal favorite, Spiš Castle.  Spiš is located near the village of Levoča where I met Nadia and David Conway on my first trip in Slovakia. I've had the pleasure of visiting Levoča three times, twice to experience the Indian Summer Music Festival hosted by David and Nadia.

Spiš Castle

There are other adventures as well; two wine tasting tours and the summer party in Čachtice with the Skypers team. 

Wine tour May 2013

Austria

Salzburg Austria August 2012

I've visited Vienna several times, and it's alway a pleasure but I think the Vienna Christmas market, the bike wine tour and the trip to Salzburg are the most memorial.

Wine bike tour Wachau Valley, Austria

Hungary

Budapest is a must see on any European tour. I'm so glad I saw it early in my stay because it was such a lovely way to start my adventure in Central Europe.

Parliament, Pest August 2012

Poland

If Budapest was a nice first entry to my travel life in Central Europe, Krakow was the bang up finish. What a city! I absolutely loved it. Although Auschwitz provided a solemn historical view, it was well worth the experience.  

Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow Jan 2014

Italy

Even though I had been to Italy before, the trip I took with the Rotary members that included two of my students, was a highlight of my travels to date. I cherished the four day trip through Tuscany. Of all the places I've been, Italy has a special place in my heart and I know I will be back again.

Montepulciano, Italy Spring 2013

The Netherlands

Amsterdam had been on my travel "to do" list for some time. So, Christmas 2012 I had a weeks paid vacation and decided to make it one of my stops. Amsterdam is an incredible city. It is one of those places that mixes history with a contemporary flair and nothing looks out-of-place.

Amsterdam, December 2012

Belgium

Ooh…what a night. I celebrated Christmas 2012 with Bruges for breakfast, lunch in Ghent and dinner (mussels and a Gamay Blue) in Brussels. The Christmas markets were beyond what I had seen with carousels and joy rides, but I believed I enjoyed the music museum most.

Bruges Christmas Day 2012

Grand Place, Brussels December 2012

Turkey

Antalya, Turkey

Pamukkale, Turkey

My trip to Turkey was the first time I'd ever been on a tour. I've never liked the thought of being shoved to and fro and honestly this tour didn't change my mind. I like to see places on my own. It was a week long plane and bus ride with 30 Slovaks who didn't speak English. Now… there's an adventure. I wish we'd had a longer stay in Istanbul (I guess I'll just have to go back) however, if I hadn't gone on a tour, I don't think I would have seen as much of the country; Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Antalya  

Theatre in Ephesus, Turkey March 2013

Whew…there you have it.  Almost two years in a nutshell. In the immortal words of an Austrian actor turned California Governor…"I'll be back!"

Bruges, Belgium's Historic Gem

If you haven't seen the film, In Bruges, with Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleason and Ralph Fiennes, be sure to rent or download it.  It was filmed in Bruges. I saw it a few years ago and after seeing the film definitely wanted to visit Bruges.  I wasn't disappointed.  This pocket book size medieval city was Europe's trade center and wealthiest until the 1500's.  Unfortunately it fell into obscurity for almost 400 years. Then, in the late 19th century the lace cottage industry brought the city back from poverty.

I arrived Christmas Day morning, the weather was clear and the sun shinning.  I couldn't stop taking photos except for a breakfast break of Belgium waffles with cream.  Yum!  Once I was fed I started my tour in the Markt or Central Marketplace.  The step-gabled guild houses are the main feature of the square.

Markt

The Provinciaal Hof, is a late 19th century design and is the main government building on the east side of the square.

Provinciaal Hof 

The Belfort plays an essential role in the film and is quite impressive.  Climb to the top of the belfry and you can see for miles.  Bring your walking shoes, there are 366 steps to the top.

Belfort

The Burg in Bruges is the focal point of the older part of the city.  It is filled with classic architectural buildings like the Stadhaus below when Bruges was the hub of international trade.

Stadhaus

The Stadhaus is one of the greatest medieval secular pieces of architecture in Europe.  It is the town hall and was originally constructed in 1372-1420 but was renovated in the 19th century.

Bruges has a beautiful canal that runs through the city. One after one, each building is more interesting than the next.

One of four surviving gates to the city

There are some wonderful museums in Bruges showing the finest in medieval art dating from the 1300's.  Unfortunately I was there on Christmas Day, so the museums were not open.  The two museums with the most incredible art selections are The Groeningemuseum, a short walk from the center of town and The Memling in Sint-Jan-Hospitaalmuseum.  The latter museum is  part of a medieval hospital.

Here is a selection of other photos I thought best represents Burges.  If you happen to visit Belgium, don't miss Bruges.  It is a piece of history that cannot be ignored.