Category Archives: Europe

Eastern Danube cruise: fascinating, relaxing, unique experience

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River cruises offer the opportunity to experience charming and historic destinations that are not typically offered by ocean cruises.  You won’t have to worry about fighting crowds to get a seat at the bar, sit on the deck or worry about getting stuck in a windowless cabin. Everyone gets a view on a river cruise. There’s a variety of exciting shore options offered.

Wake up in the morning to a fabulous new port, new scenery and new excursion options. Speaking of new, the destinations on a cruise on the lower Danube are a bit off the beaten path, so they are new to most travelers.

Sue cruising the Danube

There are elegant, charming cities that still bear the scars of overcoming Communist rule, but they are also a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. Looking for a relaxing and authentic cruise experience? GetAway Travel can help you book your river adventure.

Budapest, cowboys, Croatian culture

 Hungary’s capital, Budapest is an amazing place. The Danube flows through the city and the views on either bank are great. The Chain Bridge, a suspension bridge held up by massive chains, is a spectacular sight during the day or at night as is the Parliament Building.

Budapest at night

Kalocsa, Hungary, in the Hungarian Puszta region, was formerly the seat of the archbishop. It is more than 1,000 years old. The town is surrounded by 8,000 acres of farmland where “red gold” or the pepper that give the world paprika, grows.

Paprika peppers and garlic

Bright floral murals brighten the streets of Kolocsa, you can visit the Paprika Museum and the House of Folk Art Museum. Horses have long been the main mode of transportation for the people of the region. The residents of the region embrace the past and continue to elevate horsemanship to an art form. Enjoy a fabulous demonstration at the Bakodpuszta Equestrian Center.

Kolocsa, Hungary

Vukovar is the biggest river port city in Croatia. The Central Cross is a 40-ton monument located at the confluence of the Vuka and Danube rivers. Made of white Brac and Pazin stone, it honors the defenders of the fight for Croatian freedom in October 1998.

The town of Vokovar

Eltz Manor is an 18th century Baroque palace damaged during the 1991 Battle of Vukovar, but now fully restored. The Vukovar City Museum is located here. More than 1,500 Croatian and European works of art are on display. You can climb the Vukovar Water Tower to get some great views of the city. The tower is a testament to what the city went through during the war, it sustained 600 direct hits, but remains standing.

Vokovar, Croatia – water tower shows the scars of war

Osijek is a short distance from Vukovar and is the fourth largest city in Croatia. The economic and cultural center of Eastern Croatia, it embraces its rich history, but also has interesting modern attractions. Indeed, the city’s top attraction, Tvrda, a Baroque fortress, has quaint cobblestone streets within its preserved fortified walls, as well as trendy cafes and galleries.

Main square in the town of Osijek

Inside the walls you will find an eclectic mix of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture due to rebuilding.

St. Michael Church in Osijek

The main square includes Osijek Cathedral as well as the Museum of Slavonia which houses a vast collection of historical and cultural artifacts dating back to prehistoric times, artwork and a collection of natural history items of fossils, minerals, flora and fauna with some great interactive exhibits.

Holy trinity monument in Osijek

The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, on the square, is a Baroque style church with an exterior that features intricate sculptures and domed towers. There are amazing frescoes inside, elaborate altars with ornate carvings and stunning stained glass windows.

The Iron Gate, wine country and Dracula

 The Danube wanders through wide valleys and stretched out countrysides until it gets to an area between Serbia and Romania. At the area known as the Iron Gate, it narrows to less than a mile wide with imposing red cliffs on each side. Here Mother Nature and the river carved a gash between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. In this forbidding area, the Golubac Fortress has stood guard over the Danube while control changed hands from Serbs, Hungarians, Bulgarians and Turks.

Danube gorge – the Iron Gate

The Lepenski Vir is an archeological site and museum that stores finds from a culture that lived on the banks of the Danube 6,000 years ago. Sifting through the sediments here uncovered seven layers of settlements as well as the remnants of stone altars, tools, pottery, jewelry, statues and skeletal remains.

Traditional houses at Lepenski Vir

The Belogradchik Fortress in Vidin, Bulgaria is a Roman fortification built to take advantage of natural rock formations of between 320 and 820 feet high on three sides. The views from the top of the fortress are breathtaking.

The Belogradchik Fortress

The first wine school opened in Vidin in 1887. The area produces high-quality dry white and sparkling wines as well as elegant reds with a distinct fresh and fruity aroma. You can tour the Bononia, Vidinski Games or Los Dos Alamos wineries. The Magura Winery is famous for what is referred to as the Bat Gallery, a cave with darkness and humid that produces ideal conditions for aging great sparkling wine.

Synagogue ruins in Vidin, Bulgaria

Nearby Ruse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area was inhabited by monks for hundreds of years. They began living in caves carved into the hills and out of the rock they carved the Churches of Ivanovo as well as individual cells, monasteries and churches.

Ruse, Bulgaria

An Eastern Danube River cruise should, of course, include an obligatory visit to Romania’s Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle.

Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania

Do some exploring in Brasov first. Here you’ll see lovely medieval buildings painted in bright colors as well as the Town Hall and Black Church, the only two original buildings still standing after a devastating 17th century fire. Both are Gothic style architecture and the Black Church is easily one of the most impressive churches in Eastern Europe. It has high ceilings, an impressive pipe organ, fabulous stained glass windows and an extensive collection of Ottoman-era prayer rugs. The striking neo-Gothic architecture of Beth Israel Synagogue makes it a “must see” site to visit.

Town of Brasov, Romania

Nearby Peles Castle was the summer residence of King Carol I. The castle reflects architectural styles of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. The surrounding gardens are incredible. There is a profusion of flowers, fountains, sculptures and manicured garden areas.

Peles Castle, Brasov

The Peles Castle, as well as Bran castle have great collections of medieval art, furniture and weapons on display.

How about it? Are you up for an adventurous cruise on the Eastern Danube? The travel advisors at GetAway are ready to help you out. Call (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Tuscany offers picture-perfect Italian experience

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Close your eyes. Picture yourself in Italy. Beautiful rolling hills, charming hilltop towns, fabulous art and architecture and vineyards and olive groves dotting the landscape — you’re in Tuscany! If you want to visit an area with seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, history that dates back to the bronze age and home of one of the most famous wine regions of the world, then GetAway Travel is ready to accommodate you. Florence is the jewel of Tuscany, but don’t limit yourself to Florence, there’s adventures waiting throughout the region.

Florence

Vibrant city centers, amazing churches

Pitigliano is nicknamed “Little Jerusalem.” Here tile roofed buildings have been erected on layers of red volcanic “tufa” stone. Jews were able to live here in peace until about 1622. There are underground tunnels and caves beneath the city. Some of the rooms and passages have been in use since Etruscan times.

Pitigliano

The pedestrian-friendly compact city center offers great shopping with artisanal boutiques and dining options. The Fountain of Seven Spouts in the main piazza is a fountain with seven animal heads as the water spouts The spouts are centered in the middle of five arches made of tufa stone.

The Museum of Jewish Culture, next to the Pitigliano Synagogue documents the history of the Jewish settlers while the Etruscan Legacy Museum gives an overview of the area and its beginnings.

Pienza is a lovely Renaissance town perched high on a hill. It was created by Bernard Rossellino with attention to the smallest detail. The main buildings and monuments are all along one main street, and it is recognized as one of the first examples of urban planning. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site for that reason. It is also considered the capital of pecorino cheese.

Pienza

The influential Medici family is responsible for many of the amazing Renaissance buildings in Montepulciano. This hilltop town is where you can sample the famous Nobile di Montepulciano wine made from the Sangiovese grapes that grow in the surrounding hills.

Montepulciano

The large square in the heart of town is Piazza Grande and it is the only real flat area in the town. The cathedral, town hall and Palazzo Contucci are here.The Palazzo Contucci was home to the Contucci family and it sits atop their large wine cellars. The family is responsible for making Nobile di Montepulciano a world-wide name. There are lots of wine cellars and wine bars, but De Ricci Wine Cellar, or the Cantina de Ricci is the place to go. Often referred to as the most beautiful wine cellar in the world, it is worth a visit even if you don’t drink wine. The cellars are actually wide tunnels and underground chambers. Rows and rows of oak barrels line long aisles. The Fontecorrino Cellar is a new addition that combines technology and wine production. There is a large terrace and exhibition hall and, of course, a tasting room that the culmination of the guided tours complete with local cheeses and snacks.

Piazza Grande in Montepulciano

Another great wine cellar is in the Medici Fortress. The Consortia Del Vino Nobile de Montepulciano has a glass floor and you can see fortress archeological discoveries through the floor.

Walkway up to the Medici Fortress in Montepulciano

At the foot of the hill of Montepulciano is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biago. It is the perfect Renaissance church with a dome and spire rising above the cypress trees at the bottom of the hill. Made from gold-colored travertine it was designed by Antonio Sangallo whose work was heavily influenced by the design of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Chianti, that leaning tower, Tuscany’s second largest city

 Smack dab in the middle of Tuscany is the Chianti region. Roughly, its the hilly area between Florence and Siena. Chianti is produced in Pisa, Arezzo, Florence, Pistoia, Prato and Siena. “Visiting” Chianti means drinking a glass of wine, produced under strict rules, that embodies the spirit of the area. A fresh, rounded, medium-body wine, Chianti must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. The grapes, as well as olives, grow well in the hilly area. Chianti Classico must have 80% Sangiovese grapes. It has a tad more acidity than Chianti.

Vineyards, wine cellars and wine bars stand ready to help you “visit” Chianti while you are in Tuscany.

Chianti

Tuscany’s second largest city is Siena. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the principal square in the city is the Piazza del Campo and it is considered one of the finest medieval squares in Europe.

Campo Square, Siena

The Duomo di Siena or Siena Cathedral is a stunning example of Romanesque Gothic architecture. Carve out a big chunk of your time to see it because it is actually seven different sites, including the Oratory of San Bernardino which is a religious art museum about a 10 minute walk from the duomo.

Duomo di Siena – stunning

The exterior of the cathedral is remarkable with light and dark striped marble which continues on the columns inside. Every bit of the interior is covered with some sort of decoration or sculpture.

Duomo di Siena – altar

There are works of art by Donatello, Michelangelo with frescoes covering the main altar, a star-studded domed ceiling and a floor decorated with in-laid marble mosaics.

A library off the nave was built for Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini who later became Pope Pius II. Every inch of the library is covered in highly detailed paintings relating to his life. The Porto del Cielo or Gate of Heaven is an area in the rafters which gives you a birds-eye view of the cathedral interior as well as sculptures, the mosaic window and other creative features you can’t see from the floor.

There’s a museum in the cathedral with illuminated manuscripts, silks and other fabrics, and jewelry. The cathedral’s crypt, which was discovered about 20 years ago, has amazingly colorful frescoes dating back to the late part of the 13th century.

Pisa and the iconic leaning bell tower

Pisa is that unique town with an iconic landmark that has been featured in hundreds and hundreds of pictures, movies, postcards and memes. Even so, the actual sight of the gravity-defying tower is pretty amazing.

The tower is located in the Piazza dei Miracoli or Square of Miracles. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can climb the tower, which is an elaborate example of architecture. The Pisa Cathedral nearby has a facade of different hues of marble and at times it seems to glow.

Tower in Lucca

Lucca and San Gimignano, towns close by, also have some interesting towers. The Torre Guinigi tower in Lucca has trees growing from it and San Gimignano has 14 medieval towers. The town originally had 72, all built by patriarch families to display their wealth.

Towers in San Gimignano

If picture-perfect Tuscany is on your bucket list, the advisors at GetAway Travel will help you with a picture-perfect adventure. You can reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Tuscany – waiting for you

 

Exploring the UK beyond London

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London has a lot going for it, no argument there. But, there’s plenty of other great things to hold your interest in England. Throughout the country there’s cathedrals, cliffs, castles and cuisine to explore. GetAway Travel is here to help you plan your London and beyond adventure!

Newcastle upon Tyne — beverage, industrial history

 William the Conqueror decided to build a castle high on a sandstone bluff above the River Tyne on the site of a former Roman fortification. It was a “new castle,” hence the name. Now, it is more frequently referred to as Newcastle rather than the longer Newcastle upon Tyne.

Newcastle Gateshead Quayside with River Tyne

The city, which made its bones as an industrial center, first for textiles, then for coal and then for ship and steam train building, is a fascinating blend of modern and historical culture.

Earl Grey is a tea blend flavored with oil produced from the rind of bergamot oranges.

Grey’s Monument is in the city center. It commemorates Charles Gray, the 2nd Earl of Grey and creator of Earl Grey Tea.

However, if you aren’t a tea drinker, do partake of the area’s other famous beverage — Newcastle Brown Ale.

Brown Ale – you thirsty yet?

Newcastle Castle is one of the oldest buildings in the city and now it’s a great museum. Explore the ancient passageways and chambers, and the view of the city and countryside from the roof is amazing. Two of the other larger museums in the city include the Great North Museum and Discovery Museum. At the Great North visitors browse the eclectic offerings from mummies from ancient Egypt to local artifacts. The Discovery Museum, a museum of science and technology, has lots of hand-on activities for adults and children and some great ship models including its top attraction, “Turbinia” which was once the fastest ship in the world.

Built on top of a Roman fort around 1175

The Tyne Bridge looks like the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It is the most famous of the seven bridges on the Tyne which are all clustered in an area less than a mile and they all cross to Gateshead. The best views of six of the seven bridges is from the Millennium Bridge.

A view of Newcastle city centre from Tyne Bridge

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Destination: Chocolate

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Chocolate has been making life a bite better since the 17th century. Travel is a great way to learn, expand your mind, broaden your horizons, make great memories. Why not combine the two — chocolate and travel? Fabulous idea! The travel advisors at GetAway Travel are here to help you plan an adventure that includes chocolate and great memories. Here’s some of the tasty travel and chocolate possibilities… 

 Saint Lucia 

 This eastern Caribbean Island is a particularly attractive option when it’s cold out. The Saint Lucia rain forest has been home to cacao beans since the 17th century. Chocolate has vied with bananas as the island’s prime export for years with bananas finally taking a backseat to chocolate in recent years. 

St Lucia pitons

Saint Lucia chocolate has less sugar content than Belgian, Dutch, French or American chocolate, but the intense cocoa flavor is not bitter. You can get cocoa tea all over the island and cocoa sticks, which is how the tea is made, make great souvenirs. There are plenty of chocolate, bean to bar, options around the island and you can practice your chocolatier skills. 

Cocoa Tree

“Single estate” chocolates are chocolates produced solely on one estate. Chocolate is highlighted even more in August which is Chocolate Heritage Month. 

cut open cocoa pod

Island visitors can indulge in chocolate facials, massages and body scrubs and enjoy savory and sweet chocolate dishes and a choc-tail or two!  

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History, legends abound in Romania   

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Romania has the second largest mountain range in Europe, the majority of the world’s brown bears, some world-class athletes to boast about like Nadia Comaneci, colorful old buildings and charming towns and then there’s that whole Dracula thing. Yep, Transylvania is a big chunk of Romania. So, yes, you can tour Bran Castle which is supposedly where Dracula hung out. But that’s just a small part of what this fabulous country has to offer. If you’re interested in Romania, the travel advisors at GetAway Travel can help plan your trip, but we’ll leave that whole Dracula search up to you. 

Haystacks in rural Romania

Beautiful Bucharest has much to offer 

 Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is the largest city in the country and it sits on the Dambovita River. It is nicknamed the “Paris of the East” because it has buildings similar to the ones you see in Paris including Art Nouveau palaces. Bucharest even has its own Arch d’Triomphe.  

Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest

The Palace of Parliament, with 1,000 rooms, is the largest parliament building in the world. 

Lovely Bucharest

The National History Museum of Romania has 60 exhibition rooms that have artifacts from prehistoric to modern times. 

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Bucharest

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is a lovely church that looks like a fairy tale castle. Rebuilt in stone in 1495, it reflects both Baroque and Byzantine influences. The interior frescoes were done by Misu Popp in 1856 and subsequently covered to avoid damage by the Communists. They were uncovered, intact, in 2004. 

The most beautiful bookstore in the world is in Bucharest! 

Cărturești  Carusel Bookstore is in a building constructed for wealthy Greek bankers in 1903. It was seized by the Communist government in the 1950s and transformed into a general store. After the revolution, descendants of the bankers took it back and make it into a 10,000 square foot multi-level bookstore. Fantastic lighting illuminates the interior and a tea shop is on the top floor where you can read through your purchases and have a cup of tea. 

Revolution Square, Bucharest

The revolution is commemorated in the heart of Bucharest in Revolution Square. It is the site of the riot that ended the reign of Ceausescu in 1989. Sculptures of the event dot the square. 

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Landlocked Umbria: Italy’s fascinating “green heart”

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Italy’s Umbria region is bordered by the regions of Tuscany, Lazio and LeMerche. It has lovely medieval towns perched on hills, dense forests, vineyards and olive groves, and fabulous truffle dishes. St. Francis was born and lived in the Umbria region. Perugina Chocolates calls the region home, there’s a festival that involves a town carpeting the streets with flowers, pork is king and it’s the only place in the world where you find natively grown sagrantino grapes. GetAway Travel advisors are ready to plan your adventure to Italy’s Umbria region. 

 Perugia, Spello and Assisi 

 Perugia, the capital of Umbria, has some fabulous examples of Renaissance architecture and Baci chocolates. Stop by the National Gallery of Umbria where the largest collection of Umbrian artworks, including paintings by Pinturicchio and Perugino are on display. Collections include artwork from the 13th to the 19th centuries. 

Perugia is 100 miles north of Rome and 90 miles southeastt of Florence

The National Archeological Museum of Umbria is located in San Domenico in Perugia. It is the largest church in Umbria and in addition to having lots of interesting artifacts on display, it has enormous Gothic-style stained glass windows. 

The Casa del Cioccolato Perugina is a factory that also features a museum dedicated to the history of chocolate manufacturing as well as a school that offers classes. A raised area around the factory allows visitors to see the Baci workshop and production line. Since 1922 the Italian Baci (or kisses) has been recognized around the world as an iconic chocolate bite. It is rich chocolate with a hazelnut filling, a whole hazelnut on top covered with a double coating of chocolate. Yum! 

Italian Baci

Perugia is home to EuroChocolate, one of the world’s largest and most assorted chocolate exhibitions. The annual festival draws upwards of a million tourists. 

Spello built from stone retains it’s medieval aspect

Spello is a walled city that offers gorgeous views of the countryside. Many of the town buildings are constructed of subasio marble. At sunrise and sunset the marble takes on a pinkish hue which makes for fabulous pictures. Aficionados of Renaissance art should visit the Baglioni Chapel and the Collegiate di Santa Maria Maggiore.  

Alley with gorgeous flowers in Spello

Spello is the host of the Inflorata Festival. The centuries-old festival is for the flower obsessed. Groups of villagers band together and create fabulous floral carpets that are laid out on the streets the 9th Sunday after Easter. The groups spend much of the year collecting and growing specific flowers for their carpet designs. 

Try the local floral gelato specialties including the lavender flavor. The lavender is used with a deft hand and it is considered quite tasty. 

Assisi is the birthplace of St Francis

Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the city of Assisi. St. Clare is the patron saint of television and computer screens. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies. 

Walking up to the Basilica of St Francis Assisi

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Assisi is regarded as one of the world’s most important artistic, cultural and religious destinations. The Basilica di San Francesco is where St. Francis was laid to rest. The outside might seem a little pedestrian, but the interior is stunning. There are striking frescoes across the walls and ceiling. Many think the interior is nicer than the Sistine Chapel. 

 Historic sites, wine and tasty options 

 The medieval bridge in Spoleto offers great views of the countryside. It is home to several historic churches including the Church of Sant’ Eufemia. Constructed in Romanesque style, the interior has beautiful stone mosaics and reliefs. The National Museum of the Ducato di Spoleto illustrates the history of the region with frescoes, artwork and sculptures. 

Exterior of St Eufemia church

Bevagna is thought to be one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Settlements in the area date back to the Iron Age, and it became a town during the Roman Empire. There is an old Roman temple and theater in town.

Bevagna, Italy

 Orvieto is an Etruscan town perched on a soft limestone hill in Umbria. There are underground rooms and tunnels that were built under the city throughout the centuries. Talk to your travel advisor because tours must be booked in advance. 

Walkway in Orvieto

Orvieto Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Golden mosaics decorate the facade which is why it is nicknamed the Golden Lily. Inside you can see masterpieces by Luca Signorelli and Francesco Mochi. Nearby vineyards produce Classico wines.The fresh, aromatic white wines are made from Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes.  

Stunning facade of the Orvieto Cathedral

The landscape around Montefalco is blanketed with vineyards because it is the only place in the world where sagrantino grapes are grown natively. Azienda Agricola produced here is thought to be an extraordinary red wine. The famous La Strada Del Sagrantino winery is just outside of Montefalco. There are wine trails and wine routes for visitors to follow and horse-drawn carriage tasting tours of the various wineries are also offered. 

Vineyards in autumn near Montefalco

The regions of Italy lay claim to some fabulous regional dishes and Umbria is no exception. This region is responsible for more truffle production than any other region in Italy. Enjoy gnocchi or strangozzi pasta with truffles. But remember, pretty much anything, except maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, benefits with the addition of truffles. 

strangozzi pasta with truffles

Try a porchetta sandwich. The pork is heavily seasoned and garnished to bring out the flavor and since the pigs help themselves to wild fennel, acorns and chestnuts, their meat has a unique flavor. You’ll also find boar, deer and pigeon on the menu. The area’s most famous meat product is prosciutto. It is a protected product which means there is a minimum of a years worth of effort put into making it including salting and seasoning. Then it is certified by Prosciutto di Norcia. 

prosciutto crudo

Scafata is a traditional Italian stew with fava beans, Swiss chard, tomatoes, white wine, olive oil, chili peppers, pancetta, carrots, onions, celery and rosemary. Legumes and lentils grow well in the area and are featured in many dishes. 

Porchetta sandwiches ready for sale

Is a visit to the Umbria region on your wish list? GetAway Travel is here to make travel wishes come true. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

 

 

 

 

 

And… Finland happiest country again!

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With apologies to the theme parks featuring that character with the mouse ears, Finland is the happiest place on earth. This is the sixth year the UN World Happiness report has given the country top marks for health, income and social support. The country, famous for reindeer, saunas, licorice (yes, really!), Santa and Northern Lights has low income inequality, low levels of corruption, great public transit and publicly funded health care. So ditch the mouse ears for now, and let GetAway Travel plan you an adventure in happy Finland. 

 Unique history, architecture in Helsinki 

 Finland’s capital is on a peninsula and it boasts one of the world’s largest sea fortresses as well as, museums, a fashionable design district and the Helsinki churches. Turku, the oldest city in Finland, is near Helsinki. The Turku Archipelago (archipelago — a string of islands in the sea or a stretch of water) is nearly 155 miles long and you can travel from island to island with the help of bridges, ferries and cable ferries. 

Helsinki showing cathedral and market square

The city of Helsinki is surrounded by lovely wooden-house neighborhoods like Provoo, Rauma, Loviisa and Naantali. Walk down gravel or cobblestone thoroughfares and marvel at the quaint homes as well as small shops and museums that feature unique products. 

A short trip from Helsinki, either by ferry or by water bus in the summer, takes visitors to Suomenlinna, one of the world’s largest sea fortresses. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built in the 18th century. It’s built on eight islands and there’s a total of 290 buildings including six museums at the fortress. 

Suomenlinna

The Suomenlinna Museum showcases the history of the 270-year-old fortress. Ehrensvärd chronicles the history of the Swedish control of the fortress. One hundred years of war and peace is detailed in exhibits in the Military Museum’s Menege. There are two buildings in this museum because Finland fought for independence in four wars. A WWII restored Russian submarine, the Vesikko, is in one museum and visitors can see where the 20-member crew lived and worked.  

Susisaari Island

The history of customs and smuggling is on view in the Customs Museum on the fortress’s Susisaari Island. 

Young at heart, or a youngster, there’s something for everyone at the Toy Museum. Browse collections of old dolls, antique teddy bears and toys from the 19th century to the 1960s. There are special collections of wartime toys and games.  

Turku Archipelago

You can shop for nostalgic souvenirs and have a pastry with a cup of coffee or tea at the Café Samovarbar. 

Helsinki Market Square and Presidential Palace – and bonus swimming pools!

Speaking of shopping, Market Square, also known as Kauppatori in Helsinki has a huge range of products from produce, flowers, baked good and there’s also an arts and crafts market. It is one of the most popular markets in northern Europe. 

The Helsinki Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and there are more than 150 different animal species and 1,000 different kinds of plants on the zoo’s 52 acres. 

Uspensky Cathedral

Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral is on the East side of the harbor and you can’t miss the 13 green-topped spires. It is western Europe’s largest Orthodox Church and the interior is a marvel of gold icons, crosses, altars and lavishly decorated arches. Temppeliaukio Church is an architectural marvel. It is carved into solid rock.  

Temppeliaukio Church – stunning!

Visit the Turku Castle in nearby Turku. Also known as Turun Linna, it is famous for its ornate banquet halls and two dungeons. 

Turku Castle

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Elegant, historic, quaint Madrid

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Madrid is one of the oldest and most beautiful of the European capital cities. A city of elegant boulevards, manicured and maintained parks and fabulous museums, Madrid is also one of the greenest cities in Europe. There are examples of great architecture everywhere and the taverns, restaurants and cafés offer cuisine from all regions of the country including vegan options. Travel advisors from GetAway Travel are ready to plan your trip so you can make memories in Madrid where Hemingway and Dali once walked. 

 Architecture and green space 

 There’s a rich range of architectural variety throughout the city. The pedestrian-friendly Plaza Mayor is an open area surrounded by gorgeous building facades each with a balcony or portico facing the square. More than 230 balconies jut out from the fronts of the buildings and there are stunning frescoes between the balconies. 

Plaza Major, Madrid

The Templo de Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple gifted to Spain in gratitude for the country’s help in restoring the temples of Abu Simpel in Southern Egypt. It was dedicated to the goddess Isis and the god Amun and rebuilt stone by stone in Madrid’s Cartel de la Montaña Park.  

Templo de Debod, Madrid

Inspired by the design of the Louvre, the Royal Palace in Madrid is the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain, although they don’t live there. It’s the largest functioning royal palace in Europe. Visitors to the city on the first Wednesday of the month can see the Solemn Changing of the Guard at the palace which includes a parade of horses and the Spanish Royal Guard. 

Royal Palace of Madrid – It is one of the few official seat of a Head of State that is open to the public. Almost 2 million visitors come every year to discover its rooms, works of art and treasures that are unique in the world.

The city has the highest number of trees and green space per resident of any European city. Retiro Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 292-acre park is Madrid’s most famous park and was once reserved for Spanish royalty and aristocracy.  

Retiro Park, Madrid

Admire the manicured gardens, ornate fountains, statues of Spanish writers and heroes, cute gazebos, and open-air cafés. If La Roseleda Rose Garden is in bloom, the 4,000 roses are a stunning sight! 

Retiro Park, Madrid

Check out the Madrid Atocha, the first major rail station that opened in Madrid in 1851. In 1992 service at the original building was moved to an adjacent site and the old station with its fabulous architecture was repurposed into shops, cafés, a nightclub and a tropical garden. 

Madrid Atocha Station

 Museums feature the masters 

 Prada Museum has works by Goya, Veláquez, Zubarán and other Spanish masters. It has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings as well as by works by other European masters with an emphasis on Italian and Flemish artists. The Reina Sofia museum has collectionis from 20th century artists including works from the Surrealist and Cubist masters such as Salvador Dali and Picasso. Picasso’s huge anti-war masterpiece, Guernica hangs here. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisca houses what were the private art collections of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisca and his son, Hans. There are about 1,000 paintings from some of the world’s most famous European and American artists from the 13th to the 20th century. 

Momument to Francisco Goya – He is considered the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

There’s the National Archeological Museum, the Railway Museum and the fascinatingly different Sweet Space. 

Picasso’s Guernica. It is one of his best-known works, regarded as the most moving and powerful anti-war painting ever created.

The Sweet Space features rooms created by modern artists with an emphasis on sweets as well as a shop that allows tasting. Who can resist cotton candy palm trees, a candy forest and an ice cream laboratory? 

 So many quaint places to see! 

We would be remiss from discussing art if there wasn’t a mention of flamenco. Referred to as a dance, it is actually a celebrated art form. Indeed, it is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. The world’s first flamenco theatre is in Madrid. Catch a performance at a theatre, bar or restaurant. 

Take an evening or daytime Hemingway tour. You can explore some of the places mentioned in his books and see where he ate, wrote, drank and watched the bullfights while he covered the Spanish Civil War. One of his favorite places was La Venencia, a sherry bar that seems preserved from the era. 

Sopa de ajo – Soup with egg

El Sobrino de Botin is the world’s oldest continuous operation restaurant and the roast suckling pig there was one of Hemingway’s favorite dishes. He was also a fan of sopa de ajo which is an egg poached in chicken broth flavored with sherry and garlic. De Goya was a waiter here while he waited to get accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts. 

Spanish sherry and some snacks

Visitors to Madrid can get tastes of local dishes and pick their favorites by taking advantage of the tapas offered at bars and some bodegas.  

Wineries around Madrid offer tours and tastings, some of the most popular are Bodegas Y Viñedos Valleyglesias, Bodega Del Nero and Solera Bodegas. 

Cibeles fountain on the Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid

Is a visit to Madrid in your travel plans? GetAway Travel can help you plan a memorable adventure to this most fascinating city! Contact a travel advisor at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Sagrada Familia: A ‘wonder’ in progress

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Epic, as an adjective, is often over-used. Epic is defined as grand, impressive, remarkable. But when you are talking about the Basilica de La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, epic doesn’t seem to do it justice. It really is something you need to see in person. Your travel advisors at GetAway Travel have been there and we can truly attest to the fact that it is grand, impressive, remarkable and, yes, an epic example of architecture and spirituality. We can help you plan your adventure to Spain with a stop at Sagrada Familia. 

 Construction began in 1882 

 Architect Francisco de Paula del Villar was the original architect and he resigned in 1883 and Antonio Gaudi took over. It is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world, one of the oldest buildings in the world still under construction and the tallest religious building in Europe. It is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic examples of Gaudi’s work. It combines architectural elements that pay homage to nature, Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism and Spanish Late Gothic. It draws more than four million visitors each year. 

Gaudi wanted to make Sagrada Familia the tallest building in Barcelona. He believed nothing made by man should eclipse what God created in nature, so the finished center tower is about 558 feet tall, a little less than three feet shorter than Montjuïc Mountain in Barcelona. Sagrada Familia started off as a church, became a cathedral but is now a basilica. A cathedral is the seat of a bishop, but a basilica is a church recognized by the pope as being highly important based on cultural or historical significance. 

In the early years of construction, Gaudi built a school for the children of construction workers. He also honored construction workers by embedding their faces in sculptures and carvings around the basilica. And, Gaudi’s face is in at least two areas that were completed before his death. He is portrayed as St. Joseph in the Nativity façade and St. John in the Passion façade. 

UNESCO, despite it being a work in progress, designated it a World Heritage site in 1984 and in 2005, the Nativity façade and Sagrada Familia crypt were also declared World Heritage sites. 

 All design aspects serve a purpose 

 Gaudi’s designs, inspired by nature, contain no completely straight lines or 90-degree angles. His style is fluid and each detail of the basilica is highly symbolic, including the set-up of the outside area. His plans indicate he was inspired by tales from architects of medieval times who saw churches as central figures of a population area. Churches were meeting places and meant to be a guide to those who were arriving.  

But Gaudi didn’t want just one spire pointing to the sky, he wanted 18! Eleven spires are done The hollow spires with their accent holes are meant to resemble a bee hive and they illuminate the basilica with sunlight and moonlight. 

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Rich history, vibrant culture await visitors to Poland

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Stunning architecture, rich and haunting history, picturesque cities, lovely seaside beaches, breathtaking mountain ranges, birthplace of vodka, all those phrases and more describe Poland.  If pierogis and Poland are in your travel plans, GetAway Travel is happy to plan your adventure. 

Speaking of Pierogis…

 Warsaw: a thriving capital city 

 With 1,000 years of history behind it, Warsaw boast unique architecture, culture and museums. 

Warsaw was the last residence of Polish royalty and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural significance. 

Warsaw Royal Castle and Old Town

The scars and legacy of World War II are visible around the city. 

A 15-or so minute walk from the city’s Old Town to the Monument of Ghetto Heroes at the site of the Warsaw Ghetto. It is near the Warsaw Rising Museum which offers a fascinating personal glimpse into the Polish underground that took a stand against the Nazis as they sought to destroy the ghetto where they had herded the Jewish population. 

Rappaport memorial to Jewish uprising in Warsaw ghetto during World War II

It is not the same as the POLIN Museum which is about the same distance in a different direction from Old Town. The POLIN Museum covers the broader aspects of the history of Polish Jews through exhibits and collections.  

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Krakowskie Przedmieście is the mile-long avenue that links Old Town and the Royal Castle. Along the avenue is some lovely Baroque churches, Warsaw University and the Copernicus Science Centre. The famous scientist and mathematician was born in Poland and he formulated the theory that the earth revolved around the sun. In the middle of the centre is a planetarium devoted to space and how it impacts our lives. 

Christmas Decorations on Krakowskie Przedmieście

The Royal Castle was the official residence of Polish rulers for centuries. It dates back to the 14th century. It’s a pretty spectacular building with a tower in the center and it has served as a design inspiration for other buildings in Warsaw. 

The Royal Castle and Sigismund’s Column – called the Kolumna Zygmunta

Wilanow Pałace is one of Poland’s most important monuments. Originally built as a residence for King John III Sobieski, it “survived” WWII because its furnishings and art were removed and then reinstalled after the war. It now functions as a museum which showcases the country’s artistic and royal heritage. 

Wilanow Palace

 The National Museum in Warsaw has seven permanent galleries with a great collection of works from European artists including Botticelli, Tintoretto, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. The galleries have artifacts from ancient civilizations as well, including from Egypt. 

Yes, the Vodka Museum in Warsaw which chronicles the history of the beverage DOES have tastings at the end of the tour! 

Traditional Polish appetizer – Pickled herring, cucumber and vodka shots

 Picturesque, quaint Krakow 

 In medieval times Krakow was the national capital, now it is second to Warsaw. But it has one of the first Old Towns in the world to be honored by being designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Krakow is a fabulous blend of architectural styles, from Gothic churches to Renaissance palaces to Baroque style buildings. 

Krakow, Poland

Just outside of Krakow is the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a UNESCO site because it’s the only mining facility that has operated continuously for 700 years. There are 2,350 chambers and almost 150 underground miles of tunnels. The two miles open to the public have statues, chandeliers, chapels, floors and artwork carved or entirely made of salt. The grand chapel is dedicated to Princess Kuga whom miners believed brought them good fortune. The chapel is still used for weddings and concerts. 

Wieliczka Salt Mine – a must see!

Another UNESCO site near Krakow is Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the Nazi death camps. A stop there is thought-provoking, somber and emotional. The camps are a heart-wrenching piece of history. Schindler’s factory is open to the public. Oskar Schindler is credited with saving more than 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories. His main factory is now a fascinating interactive museum which chronicles the history of the city from 1939 to 1945.  Continue reading →