TravelStream™ news feed for member cocacolacathy on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/cocacolacathy en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:17:44 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1225132860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1225132860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1225132860/tpod.html Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:17:44 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

We arrived in Amsterdam today. Haven't done much, but we did eat a wonderful dinner at this little restaurant just around the corner. We had pollack, lobster bisque, and Randy had an apple tart for dessert. We are getting a little tired now....I think we'll be ready to come home, even though we are having a wonderful time.

Tomorrow we are going to meet the author of On The Tracks of 007, who wrote a book about all the James Bond movie locations. Should be fun to have dinner with him, he's fresh off a holiday where he got to be at a banquet honoring Sir Roger Moore.

Ok, we're back now, it's Tuesday, October 28th. We've had a full day today. We slept in until about 8:30 (woo hoo), then ate breakfast and set off for the Hard Rock Cafe. Randy hit pay dirt with a Halloween pin, and we met some really nice staff members. He bought several other pins, then we had lunch, where he traded pins with a waiter from Portland, OR named TJ. Kinda looked like the PMI TJ, bald head and all. He even had a Hard Rock staff pin made especially of him, Randy can tell you about that when we get home.

It was some cold today, and it rained a lot. Thank goodness we brought umbrellas with us. We spent the afternoon at the Vincent Van Gogh museum. If you are ever in Amsterdam, we highly recommend it, it was great.

Wish we could spend more time here, but tomorrow it's off to Paris, then home. See you then~
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1225046100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1225046100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1225046100/tpod.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:40:17 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Berlin, Germany

We arrived in Berlin on Saturday morning. On Sunday, Randy and I went on a six hour, total city tour with our guide, Jeremy. He is originally from the U.S., but he lives in Berlin now. He is a total riot, and we had a great time with him. We saw the Brandenburg gate, part of the Berlin wall that is still standing, lots of really interesting buildings and architecture. We had no idea that so many buildings in Berlin were ten years old or less. Berlin's a happpening city!

We also saw lots of movie locations from the Bourne Supremacy to Octopossy. We also took a tour of the Berlin Film Museum, which was dedicated to German film......very interesting, especially the section devoted to Marlene Dietrich.

The Hilton was also very nice.....but our stay was all too brief.........
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223886360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223886360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223886360/tpod.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:25:00 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Athens, Attica, Greece

We took a tour of Athens on the 16th, for about 1/2 day with Yanni, our taxi driver. He was very knowledgeable, and took us to the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Athena, and Hadrian Library, among others. We had a delicious lunch in Plaka. I had Greek lasagna, I can't really describe it except to say it was delicious.

He took us to the airport, and it was on to Rome!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224203760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224203760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224203760/tpod.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:43:49 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Rome, Lazio, Italy

We're a little out of sync with the blogs, but since I can get all our pictures uploaded, we can finally get all these done!! We got to Rome on October 16th, and checked into our bed and breakfast. The breakfast was OK, but they always served their milk warm, not cold, which I think is how they do it a lot in Europe.

We went to the Colliseum, which was fabulous.....so much history, and fascinating artwork and statues to look at. We were there several hours, just taking it all in. There were lots of people, and locals dressed as gladiators who charged for photos.

On Saturday, we went to the Vatican museum, and had a semi private tour with Karina, who was originally from Germany, had lived in the US for a while, and was now in Rome. She was very knowledgeable about everything we were seeing. She had us in stitches while she was talking about painting of the Sistine Chapel (Michaelangelo mooned the pope in it, can you imagine?)

We hated to leave Rome, but I'm sure we'll be back sometime soon!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224772260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224772260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224772260/tpod.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:34:25 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic

So here we are in Prague. We didn't do too much yesterday, just walked around and did some shopping. The Hilton here is amazing, we have the executive lounge access, which gives us completely free breakfast, internet access, snacks, soda and beer. We had a really delicious breakfast this morning, a cheese omelette for me, french toast and bacon for Randy.

We will upload pictures later, we are going on a personal tour today with our guide, Eva.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224718200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224718200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224718200/tpod.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:25:49 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Bern, Bern, Switzerland

OK, we moved on from Venice to Bern Switzerland. Long train ride, got to Bern about 9:30 pm, then off the next morning at 6:30 am to go to Piz Gloria to see the famous rotatiing restaurant that was Blofeld's lair in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

We had to change trains about 4 times, and then came my favorite part of the trip, ascending to over 8,000 feet to Piz Gloria via an arial cable car.

The restaurant looks just like it did in the late 60's, so it was one of the best James Bond locations that we have visited to date. Randy bought a new watch (James Bond location watch) along with a new James Bond Villian watch in Bern at the train station.

Breakfast was a very good buffet, quite pricey, but came with some champagne (which I mixed with my orange juice, instant mimosa!)

As you can see from the pictures, it was quite frosty up there, with temperatures in the 30's. After breakfast, we made our way to the gift shop, a short Piz Gloria video, then outside for more pictures. Then it was back down the mountain, and back to Bern to catch our overnight train for Prague.

Before I leave you, I have to tell you about the little town of Murren, which is just below the Piz Gloria. You have never seen such a pretty little village, Randy and I want to go back just to stay there. It was so quiet and peaceful.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224717060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224717060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224717060/tpod.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:20:55 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Venice, Veneto, Italy

Well guys, we've finally caught a break, free internet and free executive lounge at the Prague Hilton, so I think we will be able to catch you up and upload some pictures.

We were in Venice very briefly on Sunday, October 19th. We took a train from Rome to the Santa Lucia train station in Venice. Let me tell you, Venice is a happening town! We left some of our luggage at the train station, and I'm glad we did, because the water busses (vaparettos) are very crowded, and you have to pay for each piece of luggage as well...

We finally located the place to get our free shuttle to the Hilton, as it was across the canal (and believe me, that was the only free thing in Venice, you even have to pay to use the restroom in most public bathrooms)

The Hilton was the most beautiful one we'd ever seen, a separate bathtub and shower, even a bidet. We ate in the restaurant, and though it was expensive (5 euros for 1/5 of a liter of coke, we spent 20 euros just on soda for dinner), the food was absolutely wonderful, worth the price, definitely.

We left for Switzerland the next morning, but we spent a few hours in San Marcos Piazza (St. Mark's Square). It is really gorgeous, we were in awe of all the buildings and churches, both in the square and elsewhere.

We can't wait to go back, our time there was way too short.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224255600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224255600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1224255600/tpod.html Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:55:51 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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Rome, Lazio, Italy

Bon Giorno!
We are now in Rome and today is laundry day. While Cathy is doing the laundry I can add to our blog because there is internet access even at the laundromat. I tell you internet access is everywhere! It costs 21 euros, about $28 dollars for 3 loads wash and dry. Sorry about being slow in adding the pictures but we are still trying to figure out how to add many without taking 5 minutes or so to upload one picture.

We arrived in Athens, Greece on Monday Oct 13th at the St. Thomas Bed and Breakfast run by a charming English lady and her husband. The B+B is about 30 min by metro from the center of Athens. She picked us up from the airport and took us to her B+B where we unpacked and then she took us to a Greek restaurant that she likes for some sea/fish food She knows the owner and he spoke excellent English. He brought to our table some appetizer platters for us to chose from and explained the items. Cathy and I chose crab salad and some kind of fish strips that tasted to me like some kind of fish like jerky. For the entrees Cathy had some huge shrimp and had fried calamari. Boy was the food delicious! For dessert he brought out three items, for each of us. One item was sliced apples sprinkled with cinnamon, second was "spoon sweet" which was some kind of cake laced with liquer and the third was some kind of crunchy sweet block. He told us the the dessert was "on the restaruant" which means "on the house". There was more food but it would take too long for me to describe. The whole meal cost a total of 36 euros for the both of us!

The next day Cathy and I went into Athens and rode around on the "Happy Train" that took us all around the city to get an overview. It cost 12 euros for the both of us. After that we did some shopping and went back to our B+B.

The next day we took a taxi from the B+B and went to the airport to fly to Corfu which is an island off the coast of Greece. Cathy had already arranged for a taxi driver who takes you all around the island all day to show you the sights the tourists like and the sites he likes. Because one of the James Bond movies, "For Your Eyes Only" was filmed mostly on that island he took us to those sites as well! He pointed out the tourist traps and took us to where the "real" food was and he certainly knows where to eat! We stopped at a monastery that was run by only 5 women and one of them let us take some photos and insisted on giving us some water and some olives. I tell you I hate olives but these olives did not taste like any olives I ever tasted before! You have not tasted olives until you've tasted real olives from Greece! Americans are truly so spoiled!

After that we went to the town of Corfu where the streets are narrow and made of cobblestones.

I'll add some more later.

Ciao!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223835600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223835600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223835600/tpod.html Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:35:27 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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London, United Kingdom

Our time in London is coming to a close. We spent a wonderful day today checking out the Tower of London, just for Erica!! It was lots of fun...and lots of walking. We started out by going to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards, the only thing is, they said, "We're not changing, not gonna happen!" So we took lots of pictures while we were there, and said hello to the queen....

We then ran off to the Tower of London, where we had a most entertaining Beefeater to guide us. We saw the Crown Jewels, which we couldn't take pictures of, and Sir Walter Raleigh's room, which we could.

Soon the day was drawing to a close and we set off for the underground to go back to our hotel. We ate at a little French restaurant, Cafe Rouge. It was right on the water, and we sat outside to eat, since the weather was so pleasant.

Randy had a salmon tart of some sort, almost a quiche, and I had quiche lorraine. Both were really good.

Once we got back to our hotel, we arranged for a cab to Stansted airport. What a mistake that was! We were told it would be about 90 pounds, but it ended up being 151 pounds, about $300.00 American. Ouch!!

Well, now it's off to Athens, and the St. Thomas Bed and Breakfast.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223687400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223687400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/cocacolacathy/1/1223687400/tpod.html Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:21:07 -0400 25th Anniversary to Europe, the Pattersons follow in the steps of the Griswolds!

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London, United Kingdom

Well, we've made it to the land of Gordon Ramsay and all things British. No pictures yet, but we had tremondous jet lag, and took a while to get checked in. We slept for a few hours, then had dinner in the hotel restaurant. We had a very nice waiter, who asked us where we were from. When he found out we were from Arizona, he immediately mentioned John McCain, I guess we'll probably get that a lot here. He had travelled to AZ a few years ago, and told us what a good time he had.

Randy had lamb, which I don't really like, but he loved it. I had some roasted chicken with potato fondant that was quite tasty. The hotel was pushing their ethnic night, which was Mexican of all things, but we certainly can get enough of that at home, so we passed. Based on the corn soup we had, the Mexican would not have been nearly spicy enough.

Everyone here has been very friendly to us. We did share the restaurant tonight with a very LOUD American who was embarrassing to us. I don't think anyone will hold him against us, though!

Tomorrow we are off to do some sightseeing, tonight, we're just walking around seeing what's what. We may do one more entry before we leave for Athens, but if not, we'll definitely add something when we get there, as we won't be doing any sightseeing the first night in Athens.
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