Road trip: 2014

In retrospect, it sounds like a crazy road trip: six countries in 12 days but in actuality it was very leisurely and doable with driving times between destinations averaging 2 1/2 hours (minimum 2 and maximum 3 1/2 hours).

We flew into Amsterdam, Netherlands and flew out of Paris, France and in between traveled by rented car and stopped at Brussels, Belgium; Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Karlsruhe, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland; and Dijon, France.

The 2- and 3-star hotels were all more than adequate although the wifi in Paris was nonfunctional and 6 CHF charge for a cup of tea in Zurich along with the 5 CHF per 3 hours of wifi was excessive. The airbnb accommodations just outside of Amsterdam (but an easy train ride in) were delightful. The airbnb location in Brussels was very convenient but the host's claim that it was non-smoking apartment was a little deceitful as she smoked like a chimney on her balcony.

Favorite city? Back-to-back-to-back made for easy, albeit superficial, comparisons. Dijon was most unexpectedly delightful. Of course, it benefited from being right after Zurich (the most expensive). In Zurich, like Amsterdam, locals were not very helpful in giving directions as they pointed vaguely in the direction of where we were supposed to go. Dijon was an all-around lovely town.

Naughtiest city? Amsterdam, hands down. Where women (and, apparently, men too) rent street-side windows and show off their wares (and underwears, of course). We also walked though the porno/sex shop area of Paris (near Moulin Rouge). But, Amsterdam also has the pot shops and funky culture scenes.

Friendliest city? Probably not fair to judge on such a small sample of interactions but why not?! In Karlsruhe, the locals were very helpful in giving directions and also very politely corrected my German.

But, overall, none of the cities disappointed at all. Each has amazing and very well-preserved architecture, good food, and wonderful markets.

Enjoy the photos in the posts below. Here are a few highlights:

Amsterdam

Brussels, Belgium

Luxembourg 

Karlsruhe, Germany

Zurich, Switzerland

Dijon, France

Paris, France

Days 10-12: Paris

After a wonderful stay in Dijon, alas, it was time to move on to Paris. Internet access at the 2-star Parisienne Republique Hotel was not existent although they provided user ID and passwords and a lot of excuses. But, truthfully, there are worse fates than being without access in Paris. So, these notes are made after our return.

But, first, yes, as advertised the elevator at the Republique is the narrowest one imaginable and not much more than a person with a couple of bags could fit.

 

But, like all of our housing choices, this was well located for easy access to the city sights.

 

The Louvre was overwhelmingly impressive outside and inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful city; wonderful vacation.

Day 9: Djon

What a wonderful surprise! We chose Dijon as a destination just because it fit our criterion of not driving more than 3 1/2 hours on each leg of our road trip (we generally drove 2 1/2 hours). After leaving the very expensive Zurich, it was so nice not to be nickled-and-dimed and even tourist souvenirs were charming and well-priced.

But, most of all the sights were wonderful and the people very friendly.

 

 

There is a wonderful walking tour laid out with excellent trail markers through the town.

 
The markets and artisanal shops are beautiful and enticing. The cheese store had a glass window on the floor into their aging cellar.

 

 

 

A lovely jewel of a town!

Days 7 and 8: Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland is beautiful and scenic. Zurich is lovely. However, the high prices definitely take a lot away from the charm. Not being part of the EU means changing currency for this two-day stop. But, the currency conversion 1.12 CHF (Swiss Franc) to a dollar only served to emphasize the high cost of everything here.

If the high prices weren't enough, they find a way to nickel-and-dime the cost even more. Our reasonable hotel suddenly became very expensive when the added on the a parking charge for parking next to the hotel, costly breakfast and 5 CHF for 3.5 hours of Internet usage. I could barely upload my photos and check my e-mails so this is a delayed posting for the two days in Zurich.

 

 

 
The trams are very convenient for getting around.

There were two lines that stopped just a block away from the hotel and took us directly to the center of the old town.

 

Surprisingly, there are still phone booths to be found in Europe.

The Kunsthaus Museum has a very impressive collection of the classics and modern art.

With the tram pass, we were also able to take a funicular up the mountain for a great view.