Greetings from Lake Bled, Slovenia

European Vacation - May 24, 2014

We've spent the last few days in and around Lake Bled - exploring some small villages, enjoying the resort town, biking, and boating out to the church in the middle of the lake.  

I would have taken some pictures from the bike trip, but during the first part of the trip, I was dodging pedestrians that had no idea what I was saying when I called out, "On your left," and the second part of the trip I was praying not to get run over when bikes had to share the road with cars, motorcycles, tour buses and logging trucks.   I was glad to get back to the bike rental shop still alive.

We rented a efficiency apartment in the little village of Bohinjska Bela.  It is in, what I think was the original barn behind the house pictured.  Bohinskja Bela is just a few miles outside of Lake Bled and the rental prices are so much cheaper - this place was only $51 a night including the airbnb charges.

My husband went on a hike in the mountains this morning - he is still a Boy Scout at heart.  I relaxed and did a little blogging under the pergola.  

Greetings from Slovenia

European Vacation - May 22, 2014

In Venice, we rented a car and drove to Slovenia.  To make our trip more affordable, we chose to bypass the "Biggies" - London, Paris & Rome.  We're not going to see Windsor Castle, the Louvre, or the Sistine Chapel, but there are museums, castles and churches to be seen in every country, and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to see them.

The last few days we've spent in Ljubljana.  It has all the flavor of a big European capital, but without the expense, huge population or tourist crowds.   We've spent our time exploring the pedestrian/bike-only city center, visiting the castle, churches, market, and sitting in sidewalk cafes enjoying beverages.  I could stay forever!

Sidewalk cafes are everywhere.

Cappuccino: 1 Euro = $1.40
A lot cheaper then St Louis Bread

The strawberries tasted even better than they looked. 

The street market sure beats Home Depot for my annuals shopping. 

Today, we are off to Lake Bled - Slovenia's Alpine resort area.

Na svidenje!

Images of Venice

May 19, 2014

Everyone has seen pictures of Venice, so I thought I would post a few that the travel magazines don't include.

Too Much Luggage

A common sight in Venice is people with way too much luggage.  I don't know how they get their luggage up and down the cobblestone paths and up and over steps on the bridges.  I brought ONE carry-on bag.  Not only did I save luggage fees, but my baggage ended up in Venice with me.  I would never have made my connection at JFK if I had to collect my luggage and then re-check it.

I don't know how this poor woman is going anywhere with her three bags.

Beggars

Begging must be a Monday-Friday job - we didn't see any over the weekend.

This beggar woman ran away when I tried to take her picture, but there is more to the story.  While we were in line to see the Doge's Palace, this woman came up to us all hunched up and crippled-looking, asking for money.  My husband poked me and said, "I need to tell you more about that woman."

Earlier, he had seen the woman stroll by at a good clip with no sign of a disability.  She then started to get into character, by putting on her ragged scarf and walking hunched over.

Two hours later when we came out of the Palace's back door, there she was again.  At lightning pace, she fled from my attempted photo.

Gondola Traffic Jam

I thought for sure I couldn't go to Venice without taking a gondola ride, even if it was a little expensive.  From what I've seen, it doesn't look romantic or fun.  I'll do without.

Tomorrow we're off to Slovenia.

Greetings From Venice

May 18, 2014

I had three connecting flights to get to Venice with fairly short layovers.  Something was up at JFK, so we were an hour late getting out of Saint Louis, and an hour late getting out of JFK.  To say the least, I missed my connection to Venice in Rome, but arrived only about two and one-half hours late.

We booked a room through AirBnB.com.  It's on the fourth floor (no elevator), but the room cost less than half of what a hotel room would have cost us.

It even has a view!

I never dreamed there was so much retail in Venice - Gucci, Versace, Prada... and all the other designers ending in a vowel.

No, I didn't purchase a purse.

I didn't find a Walgreen's, but I did find the local grocery store.  And, I had to check out some prices.

Nutella (400g) - €2.89 (euros)
= $4.05

Not a great deal - I'll wait for a sale.

Long Overdue Vacation

May 15, 2014

My husband and I are taking a long overdue vacation to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary - a year late.  Last May, with two kids graduating, it wasn't an option to get away by ourselves.

It's been years since "vacation time" has been used for something besides visiting relatives spread out across the county,  chaperoning scout camp, visiting colleges, or hauling kids across the county moving them in and out of college.  To say the least we are looking forward to our getaway.

In the next couple of weeks, hopefully I will find time to post some pictures and a few money saving travel trips.  We travel almost as as cheap as I shop at the grocery store.

On the 21st (or maybe 22nd) I will  post the winner of the Shop 'n Save $100 Gift Card Giveaway  and a few Shop 'n Save deals.

Check out a Rick Steve's video video of where we are starting, on our little getaway.