• Menu
  • Menu

Stories

Lighted sign that reads "Wiener Christkindlmarkt"

Christmas Markets 2025 – Day 2 (Vienna – Mozarthaus, Christkindlemarkt At Night, Votive Church)

We went to Café Leo for breakfast, since it was close to the apartment. We all had the Viennese Breakfast, which consisted of a soft boiled egg (in an egg cup), soft roll, cheese, marmalade, cucumber, and tomato. It was more filling that it sounds, and a great way to start the day! Mozarthaus One of the days highlights was Mozarthaus Vienna (also known as the Figaro...

Christmas Markets 2025 – Day 1 (Vienna – Café Central, Our First Christmas Markets, Imperial Lights, and a Classical Concert)

We arrived Saturday night around 5pm. It was already dark, and a bit chilly (35 degrees F) but not too bad. We were exhausted, so found a place for dinner (Gasthaus Damir) near our apartment then headed for bed. I had Wiener Schnitzel, while Teresa and Zach both had spinach tortellini. (Allison was too exhausted to join—straight to bed for her!) A bar at the Vienna...

Christmas Market in Vipiteno, Italy

Austria/Italy Christmas Markets 2025 – Day 0 (Trip Overview)

Since Zach turned 25 this year (as did his girlfriend Allison), we said we’d take them to Europe as a combined birthday/Christmas gift. After some discussion, we decided on Christmas Markets in Austria and Northern Italy. After the first week of the trip, the kids flew home and Teresa and I continued on to Rome for six nights. Here was our itinerary: Vienna...

Croatia 2025 – Bonus 2 (Cats)

The abundance of cats in Croatia, particularly in cities like Dubrovnik, stems from a combination of historical, environmental, and cultural factors. One prominent theory attributes the initial presence of cats to the Middle Ages, when sailors brought them on ships to control rodent populations, especially during the time of the Black Plague. It is believed that...

Croatia 2025 – Bonus 1 (Game of Thrones)

Rather that clutter up the daily posts with too much Game of Thrones stuff, I’ve moved most of it here. Split – Diocletian’s Palace There were quite a few locations in Split used in Game of Thrones, including areas in (and under) Diocletian’s Palace. These scenes show up in seasons 4, 5, and 6. Here Be Dragons If you enter the cellars of...

Croatia 2025 – Day 11 (Dubrovnik Countryside – Mt. Srd, Trsteno Arboretum, Traditional Peka Meal)

Morning Walk Our final day before flying out in the morning. Since we weren’t meeting Ella and Dražen until 11:15am, we made an early morning trek into Old Town. We were able to get good photos of the Jesuit Steps (which were very packed when we were on our walking tour). We also found a street market, got some pastries and coffee, and bought some Nutella and...

Croatia 2025 – Day 10 (Full Day in Dubrovnik)

We spent the entire day in Dubrovnik. We met a guide, Karmen, at 9:30am to take us on a tour of Old Town, including several Game of Thrones sites. The tour was very good and informative. The only place we didn’t go inside of was Fort Lovrijenak. The exterior, which we could see from below, was used as the Red Keep. The interior was used for several things...

Croatia 2025 – Day 9 (Off to Dubrovnik + Wine Tasting and Ston)

Left Korčula this morning. We were picked up in the van, then drove the van onto a ferry to the mainland. We stopped at Ston for lunch. Above the town are the Walls of Ston, a series of defensive stone walls that protect the city. Construction began in 1358. It’s known as the Great Wall of Europe, and is said to be the second longest preserved fortification...

Croatia 2025 – Day 8 (Korčula and Local Honey Tasting)

we had a short 1-hour walking tour of Korčula Town that was very informative. We met a local bengal cat that is the “official” town greeter. It’s a very charming little town. Locals, including our guide, like to say that Marco Polo lived on the island. They even have a museum set up in what they say was his house. Historians say there’s no...

Croatia 2025 – Day 7 (Hvar and Korčula Islands)

We had a leisurely morning before taking a catamaran to Hvar Island. Dražen and Ella took our luggage in the van so we wouldn’t have to carry it with us. They met us in Korčula. Here’s a photo of our luggage that Dražen managed to Tetris in to the back perfectly. Dražen is a master luggage packer! Here are a few photos of Split, as seen from the harbor...

Photo of Teresa and Tony in Venice

Oh hi there 👋
Welcome to our travel blog.

Sign up to receive a notification email whenever a new article is posted.

We don’t spam! You'll only receive an email when a new article is posted. That's all!.