A couple of pictures from my recent time in Europe.

[LionJim]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.
Most beautiful women: Zagreb and Padua.

Best single piece of art: Michelangelo’s David, of course. But we also saw Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Massacio’s frescos in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence. Best museum: Pitti Palace.

Couple of pictures I want to share. This is Galileo’s lectern at the University of Padua. It was made special for him, I can just see the great man standing there.

View attachment IMG_3607.jpeg

These two were taken in the Bascilla of San Vitale in Ravenna, dated 600 AD. You know the “I Love You” sign in American Sign Language? (You’ve seen Bryce Harper use it on his home runs.) Look!





Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

 

[Midnighter]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.
Most beautiful women: Zagreb and Padua.

Best single piece of art: Michelangelo’s David, of course. But we also saw Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Massacio’s frescos in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence. Best museum: Pitti Palace.

Couple of pictures I want to share. This is Galileo’s lectern at the University of Padua. It was made special for him, I can just see the great man standing there.

View attachment 986131

These two were taken in the Bascilla of San Vitale in Ravenna, dated 600 AD. You know the “I Love You” sign in American Sign Language? (You’ve seen Bryce Harper use it on his home runs.) Look!

View attachment 986143

View attachment 986144

Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

Awesome. Glad you spent some time in Croatia and Bosnia; spent six months in Sarajevo with SFOR/NATO - girls (I was a lot younger then) were just stunning. Amazing food too. Would love to go back and see a few friends.

 

[Woodpecker]

Does it mean the same when it's upside down?

 

[LionJim]

Does it mean the same when it's upside down?

Yes. It’s not the Texas Longhorn hand sign.

 

[LionJim]

Awesome. Glad you spent some time in Croatia and Bosnia; spent six months in Sarajevo with SFOR/NATO - girls (I was a lot younger then) were just stunning. Amazing food too. Would love to go back and see a few friends.

Sarajevo was rough. I had a hard time getting my mind around the cruelty of the siege there. I let it get to me.

 

[NittPicker]

View attachment 986144

Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

An upside down and backward facing 'I love you". Does that mean "I hate you"?? Those medieval artists were sly.

 

[s1uggo72]

FYI we took a Baltic cruise. We went online to snap fish . Com from their website we uploaded pictures to make a print book of the trip. Once you get a hang of it , it went pretty well. The finished product came today, it looks great!! It’s a coffee table type book. The only hang is, it does not like Safari, it worked just fine with crime. Might want to look into doing this. Or not

 

[Nits1989]

That’s a really nice long trip. You must have been able to immerse yourself in the locations. So much history to see. Thanks for the photos. I’m looking forward to the day the wife and I can go to Europe. I’m 58. We put off travel to Europe for financial reasons. In hindsight, I wish I’d have visited already. I’ll get over there eventually. Looking forward to it.

 

[LionJim]

FYI we took a Baltic cruise. We went online to snap fish . Com from their website we uploaded pictures to make a print book of the trip. Once you get a hang of it , it went pretty well. The finished product came today, it looks great!! It’s a coffee table type book. The only hang is, it does not like Safari, it worked just fine with crime. Might want to look into doing this. Or not

Yeah, the missus makes a print book for our trips.

 

[leinbacker]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.

You go to Europe and the best meal is Oscar Meyer bologna?


Isn't Bologna famous for its towers?

 

[Omar81]

Where are the pictures from Zagreb and Padua?

 

[kgilbert78]

From my recent trip--the best way to watch elephants (in Munich). Currywurst and poppyseed cake.

 

[Headlock]

FYI we took a Baltic cruise. We went online to snap fish . Com from their website we uploaded pictures to make a print book of the trip. Once you get a hang of it , it went pretty well. The finished product came today, it looks great!! It’s a coffee table type book. The only hang is, it does not like Safari, it worked just fine with crime. Might want to look into doing this. Or not

Did the same for our trip to Tuscany and Rome. Snapfish does a great job and the memories are right at hand.

 

[Headlock]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.
Most beautiful women: Zagreb and Padua.

Best single piece of art: Michelangelo’s David, of course. But we also saw Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Massacio’s frescos in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence. Best museum: Pitti Palace.

Couple of pictures I want to share. This is Galileo’s lectern at the University of Padua. It was made special for him, I can just see the great man standing there.

View attachment 986131

These two were taken in the Bascilla of San Vitale in Ravenna, dated 600 AD. You know the “I Love You” sign in American Sign Language? (You’ve seen Bryce Harper use it on his home runs.) Look!

View attachment 986143

View attachment 986144

Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

"Best meal was in Bologna." If you haven't, read John Grisham's, The Broker, which takes place in Bologna. You will relive your trip with his street descriptions and small cafe visits. It is a great read.

 

[Bob78]

FYI we took a Baltic cruise. We went online to snap fish . Com from their website we uploaded pictures to make a print book of the trip. Once you get a hang of it , it went pretty well. The finished product came today, it looks great!! It’s a coffee table type book. The only hang is, it does not like Safari, it worked just fine with crime. Might want to look into doing this. Or not

We are headed to Italy for two weeks in the spring. Looking forward to it. The info about the photo book is appreciated.

 

[Moogy]

FYI we took a Baltic cruise. We went online to snap fish . Com from their website we uploaded pictures to make a print book of the trip. Once you get a hang of it , it went pretty well. The finished product came today, it looks great!! It’s a coffee table type book. The only hang is, it does not like Safari, it worked just fine with crime. Might want to look into doing this. Or not

I would not advise: 1.) committing crimes, 2.) taking pictures of those crimes and 3.) making a coffee table type book of those pictures.

 

[troutrus]

That’s a really nice long trip. You must have been able to immerse yourself in the locations. So much history to see. Thanks for the photos. I’m looking forward to the day the wife and I can go to Europe. I’m 58. We put off travel to Europe for financial reasons. In hindsight, I wish I’d have visited already. I’ll get over there eventually. Looking forward to it.

A word from the Not So Wise. Keep puting things off, and “eventually“ may never come.

 

[LionJim]

We are headed to Italy for two weeks in the spring. Looking forward to it. The info about the photo book is appreciated.

The Rick Steves guidebooks have their uses. He has city walks which really helped in Zagreb, for example, you save a lot of time not rambling around. Also, he has museum guides, which can really be helpful, he points out the really important stuff and you end up not being overwhelmed.

For a handful of museums and cathedrals you really need to book your tickets ahead of time. Everyone wants to see David.

 

[Tgar]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.
Most beautiful women: Zagreb and Padua.

Best single piece of art: Michelangelo’s David, of course. But we also saw Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Massacio’s frescos in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence. Best museum: Pitti Palace.

Couple of pictures I want to share. This is Galileo’s lectern at the University of Padua. It was made special for him, I can just see the great man standing there.

View attachment 986131

These two were taken in the Bascilla of San Vitale in Ravenna, dated 600 AD. You know the “I Love You” sign in American Sign Language? (You’ve seen Bryce Harper use it on his home runs.) Look!

View attachment 986143

View attachment 986144

Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

Awesome!

 

[psuro]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.
Most beautiful women: Zagreb and Padua.

Best single piece of art: Michelangelo’s David, of course. But we also saw Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Massacio’s frescos in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence. Best museum: Pitti Palace.

Couple of pictures I want to share. This is Galileo’s lectern at the University of Padua. It was made special for him, I can just see the great man standing there.

View attachment 986131

These two were taken in the Bascilla of San Vitale in Ravenna, dated 600 AD. You know the “I Love You” sign in American Sign Language? (You’ve seen Bryce Harper use it on his home runs.) Look!

View attachment 986143

View attachment 986144

Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

So, where are the pics of the hot chicks?

Asking for a friend.

 

[Thus Spake Mainer]

Awesome. Glad you spent some time in Croatia and Bosnia; spent six months in Sarajevo with SFOR/NATO - girls (I was a lot younger then) were just stunning. Amazing food too. Would love to go back and see a few friends.

Ever check out Czech girls? Also awesome.

 

[rudedude]

So, where are the pics of the hot chicks?

Asking for a friend.

 

[kgilbert78]

The Rick Steves guidebooks have their uses. He has city walks which really helped in Zagreb, for example, you save a lot of time not rambling around. Also, he has museum guides, which can really be helpful, he points out the really important stuff and you end up not being overwhelmed.

For a handful of museums and cathedrals you really need to book your tickets ahead of time. Everyone wants to see David.

On David (at the Accademia), we booked one of the rarer evening sessions. It was not as crowded and was pleasant, especially as Florence was very hot that week (105). One point to be careful of when planning: Monday is often a day when museums are closed (which makes it a good travel day). Some restaurants as well. Check before you go.

 

[psuro]

 

[LionJim]

On David (at the Accademia), we booked one of the rarer evening sessions. It was not as crowded and was pleasant, especially as Florence was very hot that week (105). One point to be careful of when planning: Monday is often a day when museums are closed (which makes it a good travel day). Some restaurants as well. Check before you go.

I was shocked to see how crowded it was in Dubrovnik, Venice, Milan, and Florence. Incredible crowds in October.

 

[WaffleShopper]

I’m not happy with my picture posting skills but I’ll get over it.

The missus and I went on a two-week tour to Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, then two weeks on our own in Italy, based in Venice, Bologna, Florence.

Best meal was in Bologna. We had zero bad meals on our trip.
Most beautiful women: Zagreb and Padua.

Best single piece of art: Michelangelo’s David, of course. But we also saw Giotto’s frescos in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and Massacio’s frescos in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence. Best museum: Pitti Palace.

Couple of pictures I want to share. This is Galileo’s lectern at the University of Padua. It was made special for him, I can just see the great man standing there.

View attachment 986131

These two were taken in the Bascilla of San Vitale in Ravenna, dated 600 AD. You know the “I Love You” sign in American Sign Language? (You’ve seen Bryce Harper use it on his home runs.) Look!

View attachment 986143

View attachment 986144

Pretty cool, eh? We saw this 40 years ago when we were young and silly and it meant a lot to see it again. It’s been a great great ride, we’ve been blessed and are very thankful.

Thanks for indulging me.

Pretty awesome. I was in Florence during a European trip 25 years ago and we got into town very late at night. For some reason the Uffizi was open so we went right over instead of going to bed. It was 2am and we were walking around an almost completely empty place seeing works from Botticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, etc.

Would love to get to the Balkans at some point.

 

[LionJim]

Zagreb women are a type, just saying. Totally your type, ‘Ro. You should consider retiring there.

 

[IrishHerb]

Zagreb women are a type, just saying. Totally your type, ‘Ro. You should consider retiring there.

Come on Jim, we're waiting for the pics of those Zagreb hotties.

 

[Mr. Potter]

Super cool. The Galileo lectern photo is tops. Would have loved to hear the docent story regarding it.

 

[LionJim]

Some notes on Italian restaurants.

Menus show First Course / Second Course. First courses (pasta) cost around €14-€18 and Second courses (meat, usually) in the low-mid twenties. Waiters are NOT pushy or overbearing so don’t let the menu intimidate you. It’s perfectly okay for a couple to order a pasta first course and a meat second course and share them. If you’re on a budget just get the pasta and skip dessert. The pasta will be perfectly cooked. I tried to avoid tomato based sauces because there’s a whole different culinary world out there. Their white sauces are much lighter than what you find here, that’s what I had in Bologna.

Italian restaurants have a cover charge, usually €2-€3 per person.

Tuscany does steaks well, charred on the outside and almost raw in the center. Very fine but nothing you couldn’t find in Kansas City. €€€€, that was our only splurge, really.

 

[psuro]

I was shocked to see how crowded it was in Dubrovnik, Venice, Milan, and Florence. Incredible crowds in October.

Probably all Penn State season ticket holders with no reason to watch football this season.

 

[throw2oj]

My wife and I did Slovenia late 2023 and it was a great few days. We had a car to get up to Lake Bled which was a bit out of Ljubljana and so when I had a chance I took it down to Trieste and that was also pretty great. Rounded a corner in town and there's a Roman Theater from two thousand years ago. Rather lovely architecture and such. As I drove back I crossed the border at 70 mph and it was mind blowing to just pass that line like it was northing when it was such a significant border back in the day. Also this amused me to no end: