Best thing that we did for ourselves after a while.
The Plan:
Making the whole plan the entry and exit points and internal destinations to cover was quite an exercise. Considering air fare, points of interest and number of days we decided on entry at Paris and Exit at Zurich.
Now that Paris and Zurich were on the list, we had to plan for intermediate stops. Speaking to friends and through some google Mapping we zeroed in on the following
Mumbai- Paris- Budapest- Vienna- Prague- Amsterdam- Munich- Zurich- Mumbai
Having finalized the destinations I resorted to GoIbibo ( since I could book hotels in INR) and Google Maps to finalize the hotels. Primary criteria was high guest ratings and easy accessibility through public transport. This strategy worked out well since we saved huge chunk on our Taxi bill.
The final itinerary and full plan looked something like this:
Some pre-planning included purchases of cold weather clothes and extras. We drove straight to Decathlon Mumbai, it had all the skiing gear and heavy jackets and discounts too. Managed to get great stuff at 10-20% discount.
Since we were going to be on move for next 17 days we preferred backpacks.She had a Quechua 20 Lt and I had a Blue Backpack 25 Lt, just sufficient for our stuff.
The Voyage:
After the ceremonial immigration at Paris Airport, we rushed to figure out the public transport system and how to buy tickets. Using the Forex card to buy metro tickets at the Ticket Kiosk was quite an experience. Out of the Airport, Paris was quite welcoming with a bright sunny day and chilly weather. On such a day we were at our confused best and eventually ended up walking almost a mile before we reached our hotel. Not that our plan was flawed, we missed to follow the plan on first day of landing only.
Paris:
Our hotel was a stone's throw away from Gare Du Nord ( train station) and our room was in the Attic of this hotel building. Charming hotel with one of the smallest working lifts I had ever seen. This lift could accommodate only 2 adults, that too without luggage.
View from our Room, An full bright French Sky with Gare Du Nord seen on the right side.
Hotel near the coffee shop
Arch the Triomphe and Eiffel tower at a distance.
On the way to Eiffel we encountered this statuette
Guess Who?
This is George Washington, first president of USA on the way to Eiffel tower from Arc the triomphe. This statue was a gift by the American Women to the French.
After some snacking and munching by the Eiffel Tower we sat on the Seine River. The boulevard is full of tourists and bustles with energy. Best thing that we did in Paris was to take a night river cruise by the Seine. The cruise took us through the major monuments lit up under a moonlit sky. The map below shows the overall view of major attractions in Paris. All by the side of this mighty River.
Pics will do the talking
Nostradamus Church seen from the Seine River.
Arch near Louvre
Louvre under full moon, lucky shot.
Morning glory at a Public Fountain
The Fighter lady, Eiffel tower silhouette
The Marvelous Eiffel tower. You sure will be amazed at the scale of this epic monument.
Museum as seen from the river
Day ended with a lovely nap in our tiny hotel. Next morning we woke up for a chilly morning walk.
Armed with hot cup of Cappuccino, next Stop Budapest ..
Budapest:
You might have heard the song Budapest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHrLPs3_1Fs.
More recently You could see glimpse of Budapest in the trailers of this Movie Raabta starring Sushant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXjYfpqg8Z0
Budapest is Capital of Hungary, a country with high German and Russian influence, greatly because of its political engagements post the world wars. During the second world war Hungary was one of the Axis powers and later when Axis Powers crumbled under the Hungary was subjected to Russian occupation through the Cold war period. The city of Budapest was destroyed during the tumultuous time of wars and rebuilt mostly during Russian Occupation and later times.
We arrived by Air and just out of the Airport the city of Budapest welcomed us with really chilly gush of cold air. We managed to board the bus to nearest metro station because Metro does not operate from the Airport.
Budapest had an eerie charm to it, sparsely occupied localities, cold weather, creaky underground, and a different socialistic feeling, Budapest had all of it with its own flavor. And the people were really beautiful and helpful in this part of Europe. The metro or underground was really deep, made for a possible use as bunker in event of an attack during the cold war era..
Danube Promenade:
Danube is the river that divides the Buda and pest side of Budapest, and most of the amazing buildings and monuments are found along both sides of the river. A grand walkway along the sides of this river is called Danube Promenade. I have till date not seen something as mesmerizing and grand as this place . The moment we stepped in this area we were amazed, and mesmerized by the beauty and grandeur. In fact definition of the word mesmerized is in a way imprinted in my memory forever by this promenade.
Danube Promenade as seen from Nehru port
Mary’s Bridge over the serene Danube river
Shopping complex under the moonlight
Marrys bridge, against the backdrop Budapest university.
Budapest university has given the world many noted physicists and scientists. The alumni list includes few Nobel Laureates as well.
Dedicated to the architect of chains bridge
Funicular or a trolley car. it was constructed during the early 19th century primarily to trasport labourers for the palace construction, today it is a tourist attraction. Later the hill was dug through to make way for Buda side directly connected through the Chains Bridge.
Chains Bridge: Main attraction of the city The beautiful St. Stephen's Basilica seen on the other side.
Amazing sculpture of kids struggling with fresh catch at the gate of Budapest Palace.
Eagle on the gate, holding a sword in its claws.
Raven with a golden ring in its beak.
The mighty dome of Budapest palace
Saint Gellért sculpture over Gellert hill.
Apparently he was thrown from this hill into the Danube river during one political turmoil. A mighty waterfall flows beneath this monument. A sight worth all you efforts to travel to Buda.
Hero’s square:
Monument constructed as a celebration on completion of 1000 years of Austro-Hungarian empire. The pillars hold kings of Hungary through these ages. On top of the central pillar is an angel descending from heaven above, it holds the holy cross in one hand and the royal Hungarian crown in its other hand.
The left side of the Hero’s Square leads to monument of 1956 Revolution. This square was once flanked with a huge statue of Stalin,
The communist times were marked with larger than life communist monuments, Stalin and Lenin being most prominent ones. The huge Stalin statue was later pulled down during 1956 revolution and a contemporary sculpture adorns this square as of today.
The communist times were marked with larger than life communist monuments, Stalin and Lenin being most prominent ones. The huge Stalin statue was later pulled down during 1956 revolution and a contemporary sculpture adorns this square as of today.
Current monument at the square where one a giant statue of Stalin stood. In memory of the communist time Boots of Stalin are erected in Statues Park.
This monument is made up of wooden logs stacked together and rising and focussing into a single point, possibly representing the combined strength of the ordinary. The Monument Square connects on the Boulevard of Nobel Prize. The Fasor Lutheran Secondary School of Budapest which is distinguished for producing many scientists and a number of Nobel Prizes as well. We hopped back in our HOHO Bus to absorb some more breathtaking views.
The statue of Liberty:
commemorating those who lost their lives for the country.
Hungarian Parliament.
This picture is nothing compared the actual grandeur of this structure. This Building is so huge that you have to stand on the other side of Danube river to see the building in its entirety.
Budapest definitely must on your travel list if you are planning to make it to Eurpoe.
I miss this place already and will be back again…
Vienna:
Known for musical wizards like Mozart ,Beethoven, Joseph Strauss who once composed their finest compositions in this City. This city has seen political upheaval during the two wars and beyond. Capital of Austria, Vienna was destroyed through the wars and later occupied by Communist regime for some time. Today however is a different story; It is amazingly modern and cosmopolitan.
This city welcomed us with huge traffic Jams and another chilly day.
Our hotel had an amazing spread for Breakfast and we ate to our heart's content in the heated restaurant.
Vienna today is known to be one of the best cities of Europe to live and work. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Sigmund Freud once lived in this city within walkable distance.
Enter the Belvedere palace
Beautiful Belvedere palace.
Tiny subway station.
Hero’s Square Vienna, in respect of the fallen during the great wars
Closeup of the soviet soldier.
The soviet liberated Vienna from German occupation during WWII.
The magnificent St. Peter’s Church.
The state Opera House, Vienna.
A modern tram running seen in front of the Opera house a beautiful amalgamation of cultural identity with modern practicality.
The expensive street leading the the Hofburg Palace.
If you are expensive brand conscious shopper, this lane is the place to be.
Silhouette of Maria-Theresien
She was the only female of this region. She had 16 children in all 10 of them survived to rule the region further. This monument shows her giving direction to her sons at Maria-Theresien platz.
The weary porter and a happy tourist.
Prague:
Prague was another charmer for me. Capital of Czech Republic, they have their own currency called as Czech Koruna. Our hotel was situated in a building that had survived the Second world war. The whole architecture had a different charm.
Lets continue to our photologue
National Museum currently being under renovation was covered into wood and still had an impressive silhouette. 
The Wenceslas Squares overlooking the National Museum had been a witness to major Historical events of this Region. The Square is adorned with Statue of St. Wenceslas.
Walk through Wenceslas square leads to the old town square. We loved this place for the energy and exuberance, there were street performers, tour groups following their guide, Musicians playing on the street, Couples clicking their post nuptial memories. This place just bustled with life.
Old town square Prague
A band of Musicians performing at the Old Town Square.
A moment to appreciate the serenading music at Old town square.
Church at the Prague Castle. Yes that is gold!!
Another amazing building at 11 16
Artwork on sale at the flea market at old town square
Some more exotic work by local artists.
World's oldest working astronomical clock.
Beautiful Bride and the lucky groom.
P.S.: Guys in the picture if you come across this blog do write to me for another high resolution picture.
Pink Umbrella man.
On the lookout for tourists out for sightseeing with his company.
The majestic Valtava River, Prague Castle, And Church are seen in the background.
Charles Bridge seen at a distance over the Vltava River
Prague Metronome,
This place once had an enormous Statue of Joseph Stalin during the Soviet Occupation time. Later it was pulled down and a huge metronome was erected in its place. For some reason we found pair of shoes hanging from overhead cables at this place.
The hill has a very beautiful cafe, view from this include the complete panoramic view of Prague and Vltava river flowing in between.
Panoramic View of the city from Prague Castle.
Another couple enjoying their day. :)
Mighty entrance to the Castle. Observe the sculptures of the violent men adorning the gate flank.
If here do drink their beer pilsner urquell.
Amsterdam:
You probably have heard of Amsterdam, famous for the coffee shops and the space cakes and many more different reasons.
But surprisingly Amsterdam is much more than that.
The city loves cycle and Cycles love this city
Sculpture at the National Opera House. Artists love this place.. Told you..
City of canals and pretty houses.
Indeed prostitution is legal and respectable profession in this city.
As a tourist you can even attend an information session about the culture.
The Main Station of Amsterdam.
From this place you can take trains, metro/underground, trams, bus, water taxi. The whole integration of all possible public transport means is in itself a modern marvel.
The fresh air of Amsterdam
RijksMuseum overlooking the much loved I amsterdam spot.
The beautiful canal flowing behind our hotel.
City of cycles and canals .
IF you happen to arrive in Amsterdam during summer months May- July rent a bicycle to explore the city.
You might have heard of Anne Frank, yes she spent her last years in this city.
Our Tourist trying to pickup the church dome.
Munich:Probably you have heard of Munich through a massacre which shook the sporting world. Munich is another one on the list of best cities to live and work in.
Pilgrimage for me @ BMW Museum
Wannabe and the lineup. @ BMW Museum
Engineering marvel on 4 wheels @ BMW Museum
St. Peters Church
One of the many prosperous streets of Munich
Dinner at BnB, yes we cooked/assembled these lovely things.
Detour-Olten
Olten was an unplanned stop, thanks Swagat Bhai.. my brothers friend, he invited us for dinner and stay at their place and we obliged.
Olten is one of those small towns that you would have seen in some bollywood song sequences.
Us with our Bus (in green)
Our double decker Bus boarded this cruze and we crossed the international border of Germany and Switzerland.
Evidence we are sailing to Swiss world
The wooden bridge over the serene Aare river presents a wonderful site for pictures.
Zurich:
Zurich our last destination in Euro Trip.
Zurich seen on backdrop of Limmat river
Park by the enormous Zurich Lake.
All in all we had a wonderful time in the world of Europe. Sure we will come back to you, remember us and keep your charm.
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