The 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
The entire free world is celebrating with Germany this week as they commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Watching the joyful celebrations must send a chill up the spines of those who watched on TV that wonderful day in 1989 as young Germans climbed the wall and chipped away at this wretched symbol of communism. The peaceful reunification of East and West after the wall came down is a tribute to the leaders this great country and a testament to the desire for peace by all Germans. The people, culture, history and sights of Germany have made it one of the greatest countries in today’s world…and one of my favorite places to visit!
The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, GermanyCheckpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall Crossing
Just a few months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I took a three week, independent rail and bus journey through Western Russia and Ukraine. This fabulous trip began and ended respectively in the gateway cities of Helsinki, Finland and Kiev, Ukraine. In between, I visited the Russian cities of St. Petersburg, Moscow, Saratov, Volgograd, Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea and Rostov on Don before heading west into Ukraine to visit the cities of Yalta and Odessa on the Black Sea and Kiev on the Dnieper River.
The Medieval Town of Porvoo, Finland
Three Countries, Three Seas, Three Rivers
I learned that train travel in Russia, while safe and reliable, could be painfully slow. At times I literally wanted to get out and push the train to make it go faster when there was no apparent reason for it to be going so slowly. Fourteen hour bus trips were the norm. But these protracted sojourns gave me a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know the friendly folks in Finland, Russia and Ukraine. Even with this fast paced trip covering a huge territory, there was still plenty of time to explore the Baltic Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. And I was able to check off one of my bucket list items by dipping my toes in the Volga, the Don and the Dnieper Rivers along the way.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
City by City Itinerary
1) Helsinki, Finland (3 nights)
-arrived by plane from SFO
2) St. Petersburg, Russia (3 nights)
-arrived by train, 5 hours
3) Moscow, Russia (3 nights)
-arrived by train, 4 hours, 45 minutes
4) Saratov, Russia (1 night)
-arrived by overnight train, 15 hours, 30 minutes
5) Volgograd, Russia (1 night)
-arrived by train, 6 hours, 30 minutes
6) Astrakhan, Russia (1 night)
-arrived by train, 8 hours, 30 minutes
7) Volgograd, Russia (returned for train connection to Rostov on Don)
-arrived by overnight train, 10 hours
8) Rostov on Don, Russia (1 night)
-arrived by bus, 8 hours
9) Yalta, Ukraine (1 night)
-arrived by overnight bus via Simferopol, 14 hours, 20 minutes
10) Odessa, Ukraine (transfer to train)
-arrived by overnight bus, 14 hours
11) Kiev, Ukraine (2 nights)
-arrived by train, 8 hours, 30 minutes
Yalta on the Crimean Coast of the Black Sea in Ukraine
A Whirlwind Trip!
As you can see, this was not a trip for the faint at heart. It required sticking to a rigorous schedule, with many long hours on trains and buses, but it enabled me to see some fabulous places that tourists may not have an opportunity to see again for quite some time. Within months of returning from my trek through this area, Russia invaded the Crimean region of Ukraine, which it has occupied since. Russian troops are still marshaled on the border in the Rostov region of Russia. Within the same period of time, the train station in Volgograd, where I made several connections, was bombed by terrorists. Yet, I would not have wanted to miss this chance to explore Russia and the Ukraine and to meet the wonderful people who reside in these two counties. To a person, they were friendly, welcoming and interested in the American visitor traveling solo through their homeland. Stay tuned for lots more information about traveling through Russia in future articles on your favorite travel blog, Blue Orb Travel.
Perchersk Lavra Monastery on the Dnieper River in Kiev, Ukraine
The village of Mayrhofen, located in the Zillertal of Tyrol in Austria, is a resort of considerable size that appeals to skiers from all over the world. With Neilson Ski Holidays available to book online, you can take advantage of some great deals to ensure your ski holiday in the area is as affordable and as good a value as possible.
Perfect for intermediate skiers, Mayrhofen is also incredibly popular with beginners due to the reputable ski schools that operate in the area. The folks at the ski school, Mayrhofen 3000, have made an excellent name for themselves, offering good value and lessons that won’t disappoint, ensuring that everyone comes away feeling more confident about their efforts on the slopes.
The snow-sure slopes mean that the resort is fortunate to have excellent conditions throughout the season. Its 620 km of pistes make it the largest resort in the Ziller Valley, affording plenty of opportunity for on and off piste adventures. The nearby Hintertux Glacier, often credited as being the largest glacier in the world, also provides some great opportunities for more advanced skiers, even out of the main ski season.
For freestyle skiers and snowboarders, a break in Mayrhofen will give you access to the second largest terrain park in Europe, giving you plenty of opportunity to show off your moves. Although the village has grown somewhat over recent years to cater to the growing tourism trade, its traditional aspects remain the same, providing a charming and quintessentially Austrian atmosphere that appeals to its many visitors.
Once you have enjoyed your day on the slopes, you can be safe in the knowledge that the après-ski facilities and nightlife won’t disappoint. If you’re considering a holiday here, consider a week in April to coincide with the ‘snowbombing’ event, combining skiing with some awesome live music and a party atmosphere.
If you’re after a memorable holiday, full of fun and vibrancy, book a Neilson Ski Holiday at this buzzing resort.
Join us now to check out just a few of the fantastic reasons why you should take a Holland Bike Tour. As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers and, yes, indeed they do. Holland is in full bloom during the springtime and provides some splendid scenery as you pedal along from one location to the next. Blankets of daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips create a path of color and floral scents as you ride along the path on two wheels. Keukenhof boasts one of the world’s most beautiful gardens, in operation for almost 65 years! They feature so many flowers, colors, and patterns, that you and your camera will have a field day. Various flower shows and markets will entertain you as you stroll through the local varieties and take in the bouquets.
While the flowers of Keukenhof are pretty amazing, the rest of the attractions in Lisse are no less marvelous. Take a tour through the Keukenhof Castle and check out the park across the way. You can also visit the small and interesting Museum de Zwarte Tulp to learn about how the tulips are planted and grown. Definitely a neat stop after basking in the view of the rows upon rows of tulips at the Keukenhof gardens.
Once you have taken in some of the beautiful spring flowers you should definitely stop by the beach at Scheveningen. This seaside resort originated as a shipping village and has since been separated into three different parts. Haven is the area where fishing boats still arrive and it continues to be operated as a port. There are some chic restaurants and shops in this area for you to enjoy. Dorp is the area where fisherman used to come in and, although there isn’t much left to see there now, it is still worth checking out. Then there is Bad, the area where people like to come and enjoy the soft sandy beach area and soak up some sunshine. This area also attracts a fun array of nightlife as well.
Once you have had your share of flowers and beachside festivities, you should take a quick ferry ride to the sleepy island village of Kaag. A location heavily focused on water activities is, of course, a great place to get in some aquatic adventures. Kaag is also a town that is very relaxed and mellow where you can just sit back and enjoy the nice weather. Once you feel like you just couldn’t get any more tranquil, it’s time to shift gears a bit and head to “The Nine Streets.” This is one of the most popular shopping areas where you will find designer fashion boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, gift shops, specialty businesses and, of course, some fantastic bars and restaurants.
Before heading out of this floral and relaxing little slice of paradise you must take in at least some of the arts. As the birthplace and home of Rembrandt, Leiden is a 17th century town rich in character. It’s no wonder he was such an incredible artist, with all of the inspiration that surrounded him! You simply must see some of his works and what better place than where it all began! Many other great artists came from these parts as well, so even if you aren’t a huge Rembrandt follower, there are still many other works that you might enjoy. No matter what entices you to take a Holland Bike Tour, you will hopefully take some time to enjoy the arts, the sunshine, the canals and windmills, as well as breathe in some of the fresh floral scents of the countryside.
Austin Lehman Adventure Travel is a travel tours company with a 38 year legacy in creating amazing adventures packed with cultural and artistic encounters, with expert guides and hand selected adventures to guarantee you the vacation of a lifetime, without any of the grunt work. Book your travel adventure tour today!
As the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, Cork is an incredible gateway to some truly amazing sights on the southwest coast of the Emerald Isle. If you choose to head here, whether from inland or abroad, take a look at the Travelodge Hotel near Cork Airport, an ideal spot to serve as your home base. With so much to explore, there’s no need to spend unnecessary money on accommodations – not when you can get a comfortable, affordable hotel with such ease. From here, why not hire a car so you can explore the surrounding area under your own steam? It’ll give you all the freedom you need to take things at your own pace. Just grab your GPS and head for the coast, taking in the beautiful sights and various attractions along the way.
Blarney Castle
Built in the 15th century, with earlier strongholds on the site dating back much further, Blarney Castle is home to the Stone of Eloquence, otherwise known as the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that if you kiss the stone, you will be given the gift of the gab. Nowadays, you have to hang upside down over a sheer drop to give it a peck, but it’s still do-able for the brave!
Fota Island
This small island off the coast of Cork is home to Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland’s only wildlife park, which aims to preserve global wildlife in its natural surroundings. Animals include ostrich, kangaroo, giraffe and antelope – all of which are allowed to roam free without fear of predators, such as the cheetah.
Carbery’s Hundred Isles
Be sure to take a trip to these beautiful isles, situated off the coast of Cork in and around Long Island Bay and Roaringwater Bay. Many of these islands still have rustic villages on them. Cape Clear Island (Cleire) is a popular berth for yachts and Sherkin Island, approximately 15 minutes via ferry away from the mainland, is a popular tourist destination, particularly with families during the summer holidays.
Rolling Hills and Coastal Cliffs
As you can see, there are plenty of places to explore on the southwest coast of Ireland. With rolling hills and coastal cliffs right at your doorstep, Cork is much more than its namesake city. Head further into the country and you can enjoy a whole host of attractions.
