Europe 2018

We embark on our second trip to Europe Amy and I and Nick and Margeaux. I will make periodic posts to the blog as we wend our way through Europe. Margaeux has developed the itinerary, which I have posted here. it will be a very aggressive pace through 5 different countries so we will be on the move, as they say. Stayed tuned for more!

Wed., July 25 through Sat., July 28 (Amsterdam) (2 nights)

  • Things of interest:
    • To see old windmill go to this brewery (Brouwerij ‘t IJ) (open from 2-8pm)
    • Beer tasting @ In de Wildeman
    • Brown Bar (popular with locals)
    • Museum Van Loon
    • Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder.  (restored three canal houses to their Golden Age furnishings and you can view one of the few remaining secret churches in Amsterdam)
  • Thursday, 7-26-18
    • 9:30 a.m. Van Gogh Museum (tickets for this entry time)
  • Friday, 7-27-18

 

Sat., July 28 through Mon., July 30 (Venice) (2 nights)

 

Mon., July 30 through Wed., Aug. 1 (Rome) (2 nights)

 

  • July 30, 2018

 

      • Arrive at AirBnB around 3pm
      • Do a Rome walk. See Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain.

 

  • July 31, 2018

 

 

Wed., Aug. 1 through Fri., Aug 3 (Florence) (2 nights)

  • AirBnB booked
  •  dinner)

 

Fri., Aug. 3 through Mon., Aug. 6 (Cinque Terre) (3 nights)

  • Airbnb Booked
  • (Take train from Florence through Pisa up to La Spezia and from La Spezia there is a 15 minute train to the village of Vernazza)
  • Things to note:
    • Must stamp train ticket at a green & white booth on the train platform before boarding or be fined 50 euros.
    • Train doors do not open automatically; must twist black handle.
    • Need a park pass for the hiking trails.
  • Five towns:
    • Monterosso (sandy beach)
      • Il Casello; Ristorante Belvedere; Ristorante Tortuga ; Miky
      • Take out: Pizzeria la Smorfia; il Forantoio; Pizzeria Focacceria da Emy
    • Manarola (vineyards)
    • Corniglia (La Posada Ristorante – overlooks the sea)
      • Good for lunch; open 12-10pm.
    • Vernazza
      • Restaurants with views: Gambero Rosso; Ristorante Belforete – call and reserve the terrazza con vista
      • Restaurants inland: Trattoria da Sandro;Ristorante Incadase da Piva
      • Vernazza Wine Experience (fun place to taste wine and eat)
      • Gambero Rosso (try the creamy pesto)

 

Mon., Aug. 6 through Tues. Aug. 7 (Lake Como- Varenna) (1 night)

Train from La Spezia to Milan around 10am and then we head to Varenna from Milan. I think about 3 hours of train travel total. Doesn’t sound like there is a whole lot to do in Varenna, so I think if we got there Monday afternoon (hopefully around 1pm) we would be ready to leave by late morning the next day (see below)

  • Hotel du Lac 

 

Tues. Aug. 7 through Wed., Aug. 8 (Zurich) (1 night)

  • Stay in Zurich for the night (Hotel Alexander); Confirmed; Card Charged upon arrival; 24 cancellation.
  • Restaurants:
    • Restaurant Swiss Chuchi
    • Wirtschaft Neumarkt (organic place)
    • Cafe Zahrginer (famously good coffee per RS)

 

Wed. Aug. 8 through Sat., Aug. 11 (Munich) (3 nights)

  • Staying at Eden Hotel Wolf
  • Hofbraehaus: Famous/touristy beer hall
  • Restaurant ideas:
  • Walking tours: Radius Tours
    • Also Bike Tours (bike through English Gardens)
  • Royal Palaces:
    • Residenz
    • Nymphenburg
  • Museums
    • Alte Pinakothek (art gallery)
  • Other sites:
    • Dachau Concentration Camp
    • Asam Church
    • St. Peter’s Church
    • St. Michael’s Church
    • Frauenkirche
    • Viktualienmarkt (outdoor market)

 

Sat., Aug. 11 through Sun, Aug. 12 (Oberammergau) (1 night)

(rent car in Munich and drive to Oberammergua – stay one night. Return car to Munich Sunday and head to Rhine valley)

 

Sun., Aug. 12 through Tues., Aug. 14 (Rhine Valley) – Stay in Bacharach (2 nights)

  • Stay at  Rhein Hotel
    • Free bikes, free breakfast, provides hiking trail maps (hike to Heinrich Heine Viewpoint)
    • Can order a picnic basket
    • Best high-end restaurant in town is at the Rhein Hotel
  • Altes Haus is another good restaurant; Kleines Brauhaus Rheinterrasse is also good and more casual (closed Mondays)
  • On Monday, Aug. 13, do a boat cruise to St. Goar
    • St. Goar:
      • Rheinfels Castle
  • Explore Castles and wineries

 

Tues., Aug. 14 through Wed., Aug. 15 (Amsterdam) (1 night)

  • Train from Bacharach to Amsterdam is about 5 hours: Book tickets at DB Bahn
  • Dinner at Cafe De Klepel
  • Flight out at 10:10 a.m. on Wednesday morning
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Author: davifam

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