Feb 14 – Feb 23, 2026

Last leg... almost there!

Tour of Warsaw, Poland this morning (Part 1). Got to see many famous monuments, statues, and tributes to the city. Wondering if it’s cold here by the way we have dressed? Yes, it’s a little on the cold side, even for Warsaw. They had a cold snap come through yesterday and the temperature ranged between -4 and -1 Celsius today. Glad we brought our coats!

Tour of Warsaw, Poland this morning (Part 2). Second stop of the city tour was in Old Town Warsaw. Cute area still set up with the Christmas Market decorations. It was a Sunday, so many shops were closed but Michael was able to pick up a much-needed hat that he forgot back home. Many people were ice skating on the rink in the middle of the square. In Polish tradition, Michael and I had grzane vino (Polish mulled wine) and goraca czekolada (hot chocolate) to help keep us warm for a bit. Delicious!!!

Kind of random but I thought it was pretty neat. Red lights turn yellow before they turn green in Poland.

Part 1 of our tour of the kings palace. Wilanów Palace is a former royal palace located in the Wilanów district of Warsaw, Poland. It was built between 1677 and 1696 for the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania John III Sobieski according to a design by architect Augustyn Wincenty Locci. Wilanów Palace survived Poland's partitions and both World Wars, and so serves as one of the most remarkable examples of Baroque architecture in the country.

Part 2 of our tour of the kings palace.

Jasna Gora Monestary visit on the way to Krakow from Warsaw. Part 1.

The Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland, is a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary and one of the country's places of pilgrimage. The image of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, also known as Our Lady of Częstochowa, to which miraculous powers are attributed, is one of Jasna Góra's most precious treasures.

Jasna Gora Monestary visit on the way to Krakow from Warsaw. Part 2.

Heading to the salt mine.

Wielikcska Salt Mines outside of Krakow. Part 1.

Good Lord that's rich...

I know a few alkoholes...

Walking tour of Old Town Krakow.

Wawel Castle as part of our walking tour of Old Town Krakow this morning.

Snagged a few snapshots of Orava Castle as we drove past it in Slovakia. Sorry if they're blurry but we were moving and the window is a little dirty.

We stopped at a ski resort in Donovaly, Slovakia for lunch. I had the sheep cheese and bacon soup. Julie had the dumplings (it was more like German spaetzle) and bacon. Both were delicious.

Side Note: The soda bottle says "No Sugar. Because your life is sweet already."

So true soda... So true. I had no idea I'd be getting my positive affirmations from a soda bottle in Slovakia today, but here I am.

Made it to Budapest. Don't get excited... That building is a spa LOL..gotcha.

These are random pictures I took today in Budapest. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them. Great experience in this city.

First stop this morning was Hero's Square.

Sandor Palace changing of the guard.

Visited Matthias Church and the surrounding area. The real test was that we were treated to a short organ concert. Great experience and nice little bonus.

St Stephen's Basilica was on the agenda. Beautiful place. I didn't have 'mummified hand' on my bingo card but there it was.

Last stop on today's tour was the Parlament Building.

Had a little time for lunch and shopping at the Central Market. This is a great place not just for eating and shopping for souvenirs but a full fledged farmers market as well. Lots of butchers, fruit and veggie stands. Lots to experience here.

Preview of our dinner cruise on the Danube tonight...

If you've been to Budapest but haven't seen it from the river at night you haven't really seen it. Great food. Good wine. Beautiful views. Great company. Couldn't ask for more.

Passing from Hungary into Austria on the way to Vienna. New adventures. That building used to be the checkpoint between the Eastern block and the free West.

Schonnbrunn Palace was our first tour spot in Vienna, Austria this afternoon. This is part 1.

Schonnbrunn Palace was our first tour spot in Vienna, Austria this afternoon. This is part 2.

Walking tour of Bratislava, Slovakia this morning.

Walking in Vienna/St Stephen's Cathedral.

Lucky us! LOL

Goodbye Vienna, you are beautiful! On to Prague!

Got some free time to wander around in Prague. Raj tagged along for some wine stops. All of these cities are beautifully lit at night. Krásný!

St Vitus Cathedral Part 1

St Vitus Cathedral Part 2

Czech pizza ain't too shabby...

Our last little excursion. The Franz Kafka Museum. This is part 1.

The Franz Kafka Museum part 2.