……… and more
August 22nd to September 27th 2007.
Thank you to Audie Friend for putting the following notes together.
(Scroll down for photos)
In August 2007 a group of eight Frankston Heights Probus Club members, along with some of Vera’s walking club members, took the five week trip beginning in Dubai. The trip also included a 3 day cruise around the Greek islands.
A feature of Dubai was the Bedouin BBQ and camel ride in the desert near Dubai.
While New York is known as the “Big Apple”, Vienna is the “Big Wedding Cake” – a wonderfully rich indulgence packed with galleries and museums – a sheer delight.
Bratislava, in Slovakia, was also beautiful with its rococo and baroque buildings and cobbled streets in the old town.
A visit to Lake Bled is a “must” for the sheer beauty of the lake in its stunning setting, and the lovely little church on Bled Island. A five kilometre bike ride around the lake was a great way to stretch the legs after the bus ride to the lake.
Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, has a Slovene name meaning “beloved”, and it certainly was lovely. The city is rich in culture, with its museums and galleries.
With enchanting waterfalls, pretty lakes and lush vegetation, Plitvice Lakes National Park was a great delight. The bizarre and ugly truth is that this wonderful park was the place where the 1991 – 2001 Yugoslavia war began, ending with the formation of independent successor states, namely Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and other states. Of course Split, Hver and Dubrovnik did not disappoint, and should be on your “bucket list”.
Zagreb, capital of Croatia, proved to be a fascinating destination, combining the best of Eastern and Western Europe. The sober Austro-Hungarian architecture in the town centre houses stylish boutiques, sleek cocktail bars and a smorgasbord of restaurants.
We visited Lake Balaton and the Danube River as we made our way into Budapest, the Hungarian capital city. Apart from the stunning parliament building, modelled on London’s Westminster, there is an abundance of grand buildings, and the city has a rich and compelling war history.
After a memorable evening dinner cruise on the Danube River, we travelled the next day to Santorini, a Greek island. Three full days allowed us some time to see this wonderful scenic island on the edge of an enormous volcano. This again is a “must visit” island with its amazing Greek architecture and charming inhabitants.
Athens was amazing of course. Its ancient history and sophisticated culture are compelling, ever present, and have great meaning for our democratic way of life. In Greece, ancient temples and antiquity featured in visits to Cape Saunion, Naplio, Corinth, Mycenae (relating to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey), Nafplio, Olympia, ancient Delphi and its gorgeous mountain setting and the monasteries of Meteora.
The three day Greek island cruise took us to the fantastic islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Patmos. Ephesus in Turkey is another “must visit” ancient city, if only for the exquisite Library of Celsus.
It was a wonderful trip with seven fellow Probians who were great travelling companions.
Vienna – Karlskirche. Built 1715-37 thanking God for delivering Vienna from the plague.
Vienna – The Belvedere. Built in 1714-23 to commemorate the defeat of the Turks in 1623.
Nancy beside one of the 8 muses (statues).
Slovakia – Bratislava. Audie and Napoleon “people watching”!
Slovenia – Lake Bled. Our group travelling in a Pletna boat across Lake Bled to the Baroque Church of the Assumption.
Croatia – night out. Phil, Aileen and Audie with Croatian dancers.
Athens – meal and dancing. Nancy, Audie and Dawn with walking group friends.
Athens – same night. Vera, Phil and Aileen with another walking group friend.