Oh the Places You’ll Go

A blog about our travels across Europe, the Balkans, Morocco, and Canary Islands

  • Corfu – Day 1

    Corfu – Day 1

    Corfu is what happens when Venice parks an island in the Ionian and refuses to leave. For four hundred years the Republic ran Kerkyra like a floating warehouse: two fortresses, a maze of alleys, and an Old Town so stacked with arcades and campaniles that UNESCO later put a fence around the whole thing. The French added the Liston — a café colonnade copied from Paris — the British left cricket and ginger beer, and Greece finally got the keys in 1864. The result is not the white-cube postcard of the Cyclades. It is green, Venetian, a little smug about its looks, and still pretending the fleet might sail back into the Old Harbour any minute.

    We had left our wedding rings at home, and decided to get these to commemorate the trip ($9)!

    Love this area!
    After arriving on the Ferry we stayed at an official camp site near downtown which wasn’t really our Jam. We are here for adventure, are fully self reliant (could likely last a month without re-supply), so we headed out this morning. We will just be stealth camping here with Spud.
    Bought a bag from this husband and wife. The 85 year old man tells us, they have worked they’re shop together for 53 years.. hands me a gift…of course it’s tree of life, he doesn’t know that he’s blown me away by the meaning of Aaron’s Gift of life traveling continent’s , globes.. god is always looking and following.
    We started with a hike up to a 16 century Monastery. Views were building.
    Incredible!
    At the top.
    Entrance at the top. They handed out scarves so ladies shoulders and legs were covered.
    Pondering how Christianity got here.
    Amazing inside!
    1538.. The story of our Lord transpires in so many languages, monasteries, the Truth continues.
    Up on top we made two new friends from Berlin Alex and Claudia. Great conversations on our mutual travels.
    Views over the Adriatic prompted us for more adventure.
    Out on the Kayaks to escape from everyone. Shhh Teena did all the work. I took pictures!
    Coves that make time stand still. The beaches are round river like stone that transitions to sand. Just us…
    Relaxing with a cool drink. Did I mention ABBAs Mama Mia (filmed in Greece), is playing in the background. The day was the best so far!
  • Grab the Spud and run!

    Grab the Spud and run!

    Can’t get to Italy without the Van! I had to go out in a giant parking lot and look for it. It was kind of funny. Many of you know Teena’s nickname is Beaner. Well it wasn’t too hard for me to find the Van. (BE = Belgium, ANR = Antwerp).

    Best news (a true God blessing), is my vision has improved enough where I’m back to driving!
    It was a three day sprint. We had planned to stay 4 days in Switzerland but due to the health delay we had to hustle thru to make the Ferry. Did get one photo. Tunnels were crazy long but managed thru.
    Finally made it to Pineto and straight into the water. A welcome relief for Jeff from driving. The water was amazing!day
    Beautiful beaches covered in river stone. No seaweed or deadfish to smell.
    Looking across the Adriatic wondering what adventures will be on the other side!
    Beautiful picturesque backdrop of wheat colored hills with grapevines, olive trees, poplar’s and Stonepines – just like the image I keep in my mind of Tuscany.
    And of course a Spartan welcome!!
    Snack time in Bari before our night Ferry crossing to Greece. Jeff says be in Italy without an Aperol!
    Amazing foods.
    Waiting to load.
    Spud tucked in for the night.
    Room with a view.
    This is a huge Ferry.
    Up on top.
  • Antwerp – Train Station & Zoo Day 2

    Antwerp – Train Station & Zoo Day 2

    Antwerp is a port city that got rich on ships, diamonds, and showing off — and then built a train station to match. Locals call Antwerpen-Centraal the Railway Cathedral, which is not marketing. Opened in 1905 and designed by Louis Delacenserie, it is a stone-and-marble pile with a dome that borrowed from the Roman Pantheon, a glass hall tall enough to swallow steam-engine smoke, and enough gold leaf to make a king nervous. For a century trains had to come in and back out. Since 2007 they dive under the old hall and keep going. Newsweek and the rest keep putting it on “most beautiful stations” lists. Fair. You walk in thinking you missed your platform and found a palace instead.

    Ok, but for me, I have to say I was a bit nervous when Teena said “I’m taking you to the train station!” (only get it if you’ve seen Yellowstone). It was truly amazing.

    I’ve been in a few but this great call is exceptional!

    Huge vaulted ceiling.
    Teena’s model shot!
    This is the train side
    Trains pull in on either side. ok, onto the zoo.
    Two best parts of the zoo. First it was 72F (seems they are always hot). And secondly seeing Teena in her element. Note the lioness listening to her!
    She called it…
    And here it comes!
    Mama and baby.
    Lunch
    Giraffe hiding behind the tree.
    And her favorite – A huge Gorilla.
    Best part for me was watching her 💕
  • Antwerp – Arrival Day 1

    Antwerp – Arrival Day 1

    Ok, made it to Antwerp. Kind of a down day for us, laundry (in sink), catch-up on things, prepare info for customs and the port officials. It is our last stop as we wait for our Van – “Spud” to arrive.

    Also, since no Van, people have been asking us about hotel costs. So in general we have been able to stay under $200 per night. Often that includes breakfast, sometimes parking, sometimes not (in super crowed places like Bruges).

    So I thought I’d give you a quick tour of how it went here in Antwerp. In short we dodged a bullet!! Enjoy the tour!

    Ok. So we’ve said some of historic hotels we stayed at seemed like movies were made there. Same with this thing only more like murder mysteries!! I chose this one because it was close to the port and had lots of parking. Turns out no parking, and creepy. Teena said “no I’m out!” So we got our money back, and she did a fast pivot (she’s very good on hotels), I’ll keep my mouth shut next time!
    Ok. This is more reasonable, and 2 mile walk for us to the epic Antwerp Train Station as well as their Zoo. So sets us up will for tomorrow.
    Ok walking in. Better than any Hilton we’d stay at in Denver.
    Ok. Teena got the three night special ($150 per night, that included the breakfast buffet, pool, sauna, and lots of included parking). You won’t get this buffet at a Hilton! Not sure what the banging is…..
    I have to say this puts U.S. fresh squeezed to shame. Fresh cut and squeezed!
    And lastly, full expreso bar and Mimosas! Cheers!!
  • Bruges – Church tour Day 3

    Bruges – Church tour Day 3

    Well we missed church yesterday (Sunday), and decided to make up for it today. To say we have a lot to be thankful for is an understatement. Grateful for God carrying me through the July 25 event (see post), seeing me through the healing process and giving Teena the stamina to take on a lot of the workload for me on the short term.

    A bit on the church we are visiting today…

    The church is the Church of Our Lady. It holds Michelangelo’s marble Madonna and Child (the Madonna of Bruges), the only sculpture by him that left Italy during his lifetime.

    The present Gothic church was built mainly in the 13th–15th centuries. Construction of the current structure began in the early 13th century (often dated around 1210–1230), the choir was erected about 1270–1280, and work continued with later additions into the 14th and 15th centuries. Its brick tower is one of the tallest of its kind in the world.

    The statue was bought by Bruges cloth merchants Jan and Alexander Mouscron around 1504–1506 and given to the church in 1514.

    Ok headed down river to the church.
    It’s hard to capture how tall it is. 379 feet and the tallest brick church in Europe.
    Stepping inside is just crazy. How they could build this with limited tools.
    And the artwork!
    This is the centerpiece.
    Amazing detail from 1503!
    The write up.
    Can you imagine living in the 1400s and walking in here (be sure your sound is on).
    And the calling of Mathew (seated in the center), by Jesus on the left. For those of you that have seen “The Chosen” it brings back memories.
    … and lastly Spud (our Van), is in Hamburg with ETA of Wed. Pick up on Friday. We have been on the road 48 days since we left Steamboat. Blessed to be still rolling but our real adventure is about to begin
  • Bruges – Day 2

    Bruges – Day 2

    Our second day was a great weather day to explore the city and learn more of its history.

    Ok. How about a carriage ride to get oriented?
    Why do all the animals always like Teena?
    Horse was great. They don’t stop for people so their loud horseshoes serve duel purpose.
    Ok on to the river cruise
    20 some bridges over the canals some dating to the 1200s.
    This is crazy. The first hospital in Bruges. Opened in 1186 and ran as a hospital till 1975! Our guide was born in it.
    See the tapering “steps” going up the top? The more steps the wealthier you were. They were also said to be steps to God
    This is a bell tower (vs church). Once was the treasury during medieval times. Only took 300 years to build!
  • Bruges – Medieval Wealth Day 1

    Bruges – Medieval Wealth Day 1

    Bruges is what happens when a medieval trading empire retires and lives off its looks. In the 13th and 14th centuries this Flemish canal city grew fabulously rich on English wool and cloth, hosted the glittering Burgundian court, and briefly ranked among the wealthiest places in northern Europe. Then its link to the sea silted shut, the merchants drifted to Antwerp, and Bruges simply stayed put—cobbles, stepped gables, swans, and a belfry that still watches the Markt as if the Hanseatic fleet might sail back any minute. The result is less a reconstruction than a city that never quite got the memo that the Middle Ages had ended.

    So over we came to check it out. Teena did great as our driver, I’ve been relegated to navigator 😦 (She calls me the drivers Ed teacher she never hired!)

    Hotel is nice and despite the quality, the cost is less than a Hilton in BTV or way less than in Baltimore, which was ouch!

    Driving the narrow streets here is another story. Can’t wait for the van to fit in here… not!

    Then there is the car elevator! Never done this before. Oh and waiting at the bottom was a car wanting to get in. He had to back up in a narrow corridor and ceilings are 5’10”.
    Rather fancy for us!
    Teena found the jungle/spa
    This is not an Eggo waffle!
    Amazing church as always
    A bit newer than others. 1600s?
    Crazy detail
    Town square. Ah, see a cafe for lunch.
    Belgian stew
    Now that’s a Belgian waffle!
  • Ghent – On the Scheldt River

    Ghent – On the Scheldt River

    Ghent never got the memo that the Middle Ages were supposed to end. In the 13th and 14th centuries this Flemish city grew rich and powerful on the cloth trade, produced Jan and Hubert van Eyck’s staggering Ghent Altarpiece, and was rebellious enough that even Charles V—born here—spent years trying to humble it. When the old trade routes faded it didn’t freeze in amber; it became a textile city, then a university town. Today the three towers still dominate the skyline, the Leie still slides past the old guildhalls, and Ghent feels less like a preserved relic than a city the Middle Ages simply decided to keep living in.

    This city is a must see. We were shocked by the number of remarkable buildings on the river. Like Venice of the north!

    Amazing views right out our door!
    Perfect weather
    Epic
    Can you imagine seeing this in the 1500s when there was no electric, running water, bathrooms? Just walking up or on a small boat?
    City Hall
    Just stunning
    How do you build this is the 1400s?
    Built to intimidate the residents
    Dinner riverside
    How to keep the streets clean!
    St. Bavo’s

  • Our Route Map is up.

    Tap here to open the map. Pinch to zoom. Letters A, B, C are towns.

  • Oudenaarde – Tour of Flanders Center

    Oudenaarde – Tour of Flanders Center

    In Flanders the Tour of Flanders is less a bike race than a yearly civic argument about who suffered best on cobbles. First run in 1913, it has finished in Oudenaarde since 2012, after the last savage kicks of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. The town now keeps the whole religion under one roof at the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen on the Markt: old bikes, old films, and the quiet understanding that for one Sunday in April this modest Scheldt town is the center of the cycling universe.

    You can’t be a cyclist and not know of the Spring Classics in Belgium. This is in Oudenaarde, just south of Ghent. It is a museum honoring the Tour of Flanders.

    Super epic to be here and see the history.

    Wall of jerseys….
    Wout keeping an eye on me!
    Where it all started
    Amazing history
    Entrance for a pint and fish & chips