Germany - Prague. Final chapter

Two days in Prague. What an experience to be here. Such amalgamation of textures, architecture, cultures and massive quantities of tourists from all over the world. 

Enjoy a few images of this showcase city. 

A quite memorable time was had by all. 

Thank you for traveling with us. 

Check back for future adventures 

Cheers!

Germany-Prague Day 9

We said goodbye to our bikes ( some people sad, some happy ) and to our most excellent guides, Corinne and Milan. Now on to play tourist. The plan is for a full day in Dresden today. In the morning we bus transfer to our final stop on this tour, Prague! 

Exploration of Dresden in the city central, old town, an area dating back to the 12-1300's. An area of the city that was devastated by the American and British bombing on February 13-15, 1945. 25,000 people lost their lives most of which were civilian. Historic buildings were destroyed or sustained severe damage. Today, visiting this city you will find amazing and meticulous restorations of many of the structures.  Note the light and dark stones, what old stone could be salvaged, was reused.

Enjoy some visuals of Dresden. 

Frauenkirche - Church of our Lady

Swinger Palace

Furstenzug. 

King August the Great 

The opera house. 

On to Prague tomorrow and our last entry for this adventure!

Stay with us... 

Germany - Prague Day 8. Saved the best for the last

A little rain, a couple of bike route detours, was in no way to deter us from the planned days' adventure. Loaded up in a bus and off we went to visit the Bastei Rock formations in the Swiss-Saxony National Park. Wow! Was that awesome. The rain and low clouds drifting through made for an even more magical experience.  Amazingly centuries ago, tribes inhabited these high crevices. Carved into the rocks were niches and steps that can still be seen today. 

The rain had abated some but still persisted by the time was were to set out for our last days' ride. It was not enough to dissuade many of the group. Off we went through absolutely beautiful forests, past interesting homes, livestock, and castles all along the Elbe River on our way back to Dresden. 

There were cows, goats, sheep, chickens, quail, pheasants, and even a peacock. Not only farm house that were immaculate, estate like homes, manors, churches, and castles. Scloss Pillnitz, Frauenkirche, the Blue Wonder (1893 cantilever bridge), 1850 castles - Eckberg, Villa Stockhausen, and Albrechtberg.

Our modes of transportation today were a bus, bicycle, and boat. Trusting our Gramins, and not the multiple signs, we only missed one turn today to catch our ferry boat to cross the Elbe. Poked into Pirna old town for a little lunch and libation. 

Here are some views from today:

Our farewell dinner in a restored palace. Very cool!! 

Tomorrow, using our feet for transportation, we tour Dresden. 

Germany - Prague. Day 7 all you have to do is follow the river...

Today we said goodbye to Spreewald continuing this Germany adventure.  A coach bus transported us to Meissen. What a fascinating centuries old village. See photo below. 

First order of business was what happens in most all tours.... A visit to some sort of craft and shopping opportunity. Porcelain! was the choice.  This company began in 1710 creating amazingly beautiful items with quite healthy prices.  All hand painted and created. Dishes of all sizes for all conceivable uses and more. 

Good thing we wore walking shoes in stead of biking shoes. Off we went to our lunch destination... Right next to the castle and church.... Up hill ( the elevator was under refurbishment ). Oh yea.  It really was not too taxing and certainly was character building.  :D

2:00 we saddled up and off we rode down the Elbe River to Dresden. Our shortest ride of the week. Turned out to have handed out some of our most challenging navigational efforts. Who knew?!?!?  How hard is it to follow a river?  There are so many bike paths and narrow roads that truly can be a little confusing.  Except for a few of the bikers in the lead and our most capable sweep, Corrina, there were a number of creative side excursions.  No worries, all bikers made it to the hotel. More happily, in time for happy hour!! Yeah!! 

Here are some visuals:

Dresden from down river. 

Our new friend Jan

Dresden opera house 

Is Julie lost in the catacombs....?

Tomorrow, our last day of biking. 😔   We stay 3 nights in Dresden, 2 nights in Prague, then our journey home. 

Stay tuned, so much more to come. 

Germany-Prague. Day 6 pickles, it's all about pickles

Our first full day staying in Spreewald. Pronounced spray vald to non natives of Germany. 

After a hearty breakfast, off we rode into country of former eastern Germany. The absolute treat of the day was the more than 5k through the Spree Forest. Oh was that really beautiful. Dense forest like right out of some movie. The trail was shadowed by canal that was most times on both sides. Many bridges to cross as the water meandered from side to side. (Probably the easiest segment to date for us to follow the directions.... :D)

The highlight of the day, of which were many, was our visit to the Hentschels's pickle and juice factory. This business began in the 1890's and is continuing today. This is in despite of the GDR.  German Democratic Republic. From 1972 to 1989 the government controlled all production. After the wall came down and the unification happened, the government assumed ownership of all businesses. As a result, if a business owner wished to remain in business by themselves, they had to buy their business back from the government. In the case of Hentschels's, it took our guide's father 20 years to pay what he owed, to keep this business. This also affected the farmers and anyone who was producing anything for sale.  As an USA citizen, this is difficult to relate to....  Our tour of the factory was fascinating. They process some of the tastiest pickles you could ever imagine ( never could you prove that by me...) make apple, quince and pear juice, and probably more stuff. 

Finished out the longest ride to date today at 62.2k.  The evening was a quite pleasant flat boat ride on the channels of the Spree River. Of course, the afterglow was to retreat back to the hotel for a night cap. 

Here are a few visuals from today:

Tomorrow, Dresden, a short day of biking and no doubt, MORE FUN!!  Somewhat hoping to be pickle free....  

Germany-Prague day 5 what a nice ride!

Early to rise, early to get breakfast and out to meet the bus.  Yee haaaa, another days' adventure!  After a short bus ride, to which it was most tempting to take a snooze, we arrived in a small village to find out bikes awaiting for us. Who knew they would be having a city celebration just for us. How fun!  

We mounted our two wheeler steeds and off we rode to begin day 3 of 6 of biking. What a great day to experience just a small sampling of former Eastern Germany. The architecture and people and forests and burroughs were just fascinating.   Glad to report only a few quandaries around, "are we going the right way or not" ,,, :D 

The evening was to begin with a river boat ride which was scuttled by a passing shower. Our spirits were not to be doused! Our leaders broke out the schnapps and a guitar to which many songs followed. Who knew such talents lurked within the ranks of this tour group!!  We laughed, sang our hearts out and nearly cleared the restaurant. Oh what fun!! 

Here are a few visual memories of the day:

Almost forgot to mention a fabulous lunch near a bond fide wind mill.  Very cool! and awesome food!!

One of our direction land marks...

Singing, laughter, good food, new and old friends, who could ask for more. Oh yeah, ... What was I thinking.... Of course beer 

Tune in for more fun tomorrow !