Bruce & Katies Travels

We flew to Munich in late Sept 2007 and stayed just outside the city limits to avoid the huge Octoberfest crowds(went to Octoberfest for a total of 15 minutes). Took the local train that evening and saw some of the historical Munich sites. The next morning we made our way to Pilsen in the Czech Republic. Pilsen had to be on the list-it was my uncles last town he liberated during WW2. Pilsen is very much as it was during the 1940's. We toured the Pilsner Urquell Brewery(highly recommend that one)and since we did not have a place to stay we asked the guide for some ideas. She recommended the Continental Hotel-it was very cheap and was in a great central location. Katie was reading the brochure as we were checking in and found out this is the hotel where my uncle would have stayed-It was his divisions HQ-unbelievable! The next day we headed towards Prague and on the way visited some great castles in the countryside. Outside of Prague there was a small town called Lidice. During WW2 is was completely destroyed by the Nazis. They killed most of its citizens to make them an example to what will happen to you and your town when you kill one of their own ie. SS Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich. Its a very moving place-use this website to learn more. http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/holocaust/h-lidice.htm Prague is a very beautiful city and a must see even if you only get a day. We stayed in a 600+ year old windmill that had our dog fix of the trip(Andy the 180 lb Saint Bernard). Other places we visited during our 2000 mile driving trip were Flossenburg Concentration Camp in Germany right next to the Czech border, also went to Mauthhausen Concentration Camp on the Austrian/Czech border. People often ask us why we visit the concentration camps on our travels. I always tell them that you have to see at least one in your lifetime(also a WW1 and 2 cemetery) and when you do you will never complain about anything EVER again! Nothing will ever seem so HUGE in your life. I often think about the places I've seen when I start to complain about something - it will change how you look at things. Europe can be expensive if you don't know how to do it on the cheap. There are many great places to stay(cheap) if you get them on the fly. Maybe book your first night and wing it the rest. Traveling by train is cheaper but if you like to explore around the towns I recommend a car. Driving is not that tough once you get used to it - gas yes its expensive but the MPG is pretty good on the average car. The Czech Republic is really cheap right now since they are still on their own currency-hurry that won't last long. If you are waiting to go because of our dollar decline-don't-go asap you will love every minute of it. You will be overwhelmed at first so take some credit card sized language cheat sheets, get the local currency at the local ATM's(cheapest way- check with your banks fees before you go), book your car/train by internet before you go ie AutoEurope- and use those frequent flier miles if you have them. Just Go!

Hi, planning a Sept 08 trip that for will include cycling two stages of the Tour de France that they will tour in July 08 the Alps and Pyrenees by Bruce only, Katie will follow by car(doesn't like the Indiana mountains). We are also going to meet up with some friends in Normandy - Bruce will tour them for the day to many of the WW2 sites in the area - If anyone is ever going over to France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany or Austria let Bruce plan a GPS tour for you. You will see many historical WW2 sites even if you are time constrained. Still in the planning stages for the rest of the trip.