YEAR 4
The year started out with a day visit to Strasbourgh, France for Lisa's birthday. A full day with the train ride down to Strasbourgh, lots of shopping (for Lisa, Sara and Jacob), touring around Petite France and a great meal with a view at the Art Cafe and a late night train ride home.
Malta - The island of Malta is a wonderful place to vacation. First, do not do the math to convert to Euro or Dollars - IT IS EXPENSIVE. But for the money you get: a lot of sunshine, nice people, the crystal clear Mediterranean, English, the Order of the Knights of St. John and lots of rabbit to eat.
The first day was a ferry trip to Gozo. We took a cab to Victoria and toured the Citadal and had a wonder meal (I had rabbit and potatoes). Day two and three were hang around the pool. Day three we toured the island of Malta and saw: the Mosta Dome, the walled city of Mdina and finally Valletta. Day four it was back to the pool. Day five was the big birthday celibration - a wonderful dinner at the hotel resturant. Day six was the powerboat tour of the istland: we toured the coast, went to the island of Comino where we snorkeled in the blue water. The final day was a beach day at Golden Bay with a horse trail ride.
A lot to see and do. We will return someday.
Next up Roma! Whats better then a 4 day guided tour around Rome with Leo, our own Italian guide, driver do it all guy. We stayed at The Grand Hotel Plaza just blocks from the Spanish Steps. We saw all the expected sights: The Colusium, Pantheon, St. Peters, Vatican Museum, Arch of Constintine and the Trevi Fountain. On a rainy Saturday we traveled to Orvieto, where you immediately go to the Zeppelin Restorante and have the greatest dinning experience ever. In Rome you learn that there is great joy in bread and olive oil. Great Food, Great sights and a Great experience.
Warsaw - Lisa and I followed Jake's basketball team to the American School of Warsaw. First the people of Warsaw are wonderful! Everyone was nice and helpful. We used points to stay at the Westin (we were upgraded). We ate a wonderful dinner at the Bibiloteka located in the University library. If you need Polish pottery to to Kim's Center - www.kimscenter.pl. A couple of hours in the Old Town made the two days in Warsaw.
I will fill in when I get the chance.
February break saw the trip of a life time to Egypt. 10 days of wonderus sights, long bus rides, cold nights, the Egyptian people both the good and the bad. As soon as I find the box with the travel stuff there will be more details.
Easter weekend saw our ski trip to Zurs, Austria. We arrived in a blizzard, pleanty of snow, more details to come.
Quick trips to follow Jacob and Sara's spring sports teams: Zurich, Switzerland for Sara's softball tournament. There has never been a better location to play softball. The Alps on one side of the ball field and Lake Zurich on the other. We won't mention there are no baseball fields in Zurich and the games took place on a football pitch. Jacob's track meet took us to Eaton, outside of London.
June saw us visit Turkey for 6 days at the All Inclusive Blue Waters Club near Side (See-day), Turkey. There were exactly 14 Americans at this resort and we came with them all. The people staying at the resort were German and Russian.
Our last trip was to San Sebastain, Spain. Sara played in and Jacob coached football (soccer) in the Donosti Cup.