Vals Switzerland

After frolicking the hills of Salzburg we decided to treat ourselves to a spa day in the little Swiss mountain village of Vals.

Driving through the Arlberg tunnel, Austria's longest tunnel (9 miles).

On our way up to the thermal baths we spotted this billboard we have heard so much about.
It is a political ad that says "Expulsion initiative YES, Propose an alternative NO". I think the picture speaks for itself.

Built in 8756...or was that the address?

Easy to find me, good luck finding Em.

Looking out over Vals, and ready to jump in the thermal pools.

This spa has won many architectural awards and has pools that purposely cater to all your senses.

The outdoor bath with the snow falling.

The lava cauldron where the water is heated.

Just kidding it is just an orange light.

Relaxing on a lounge chair, watching the snow fall and trying not to think about the drive home.

Salzburg Austria

Having just bought a car, Emily and I decided to take a road trip to Salzburg for Thanksgiving break and meet up with another group from TASIS.

The winter scene outside our B and B room.

Great way to start the day.

It wasn't turkey and stuffing, but it was good.

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Salzburg is the Sound of Music Tour.

Lauren, we wish you could have joined us.

They are 16 going on 17.

The church in Mondsee where the wedding of Maria and the Baron was filmed.

Inside the church.

The Pegasus Fountain = Do-Re- try and find -Me

Nothing like hot Gluewine (spiced wine) when the cold starts to set in.

One of the many Christmas markets around town.

Goodies.

The fellas snuck off to the Augustiner beer house while the ladies shopped.

This guy is about to hammer the tap into the new keg old school style.

We headed to the top floor of this hotel for a drink and a great view of the old town.

Things got a little out of hand and I ended up accidentally throwing my glove off the roof while chucking a snowball into the river below.

No worries, I found it on the street 10 stories below.

Our last day Em and I headed to the lakes region for a beautiful view of Lake Wolfgang (Salzburg is Mozart's birthplace) and its surroundings.

Our new (1996) Opel Astra.

Just passing Innsbruck on our way to the Therme Baths in Vals Switzerland.

Amsterdam Netherlands

The canal view from our apartment. (click to enlarge)

Settling into our home for the weekend.

Ready to hit the town on Friday night.

It just so happened that everyone was in blue and black except me, so I had to take the picture. I feel like Brody is pulling the old Mary Poppins trick on the right.

Emily and Kelly chased down this beer-cycle and were handsomely rewarded with beer.

One of the many serene canal scenes.

Next stop... Van Go...gh museum.

This city has any type of food you want which means a nice break from Italian food.

Check out the U-neck on the guy on the right.

Last day to soak it in.

Starting off with some more Dutch pancakes.

Riding bikes is a must in this city.

Our biker gang.

We are Amsterdam

The best place to cruise on bikes in Amsterdam.

Elena and Brody enjoying the ride.

Emily's favorite quote " Oh this could be our Christmas card"

Trying out or Dirty Dancing moves...although, wasn't Swayze catching the girl?

Seconds later we ran over a dog!

Just Kidding.....it was a child.

My super slow-mo 1st place finish.

Last pic before catching our plane.

Athens Greece

For our fall break Emily and I set our sights on Greece.

As we walked the streets under the Acropolis it seemed everywhere you turned there were ancient ruins.

Listening to some classic Greek music on the Lute (Greek guitar).

The first day we spent touring the sights of Athens which included the new Acropolis Museum. As they built the museum they kept running into ruins as they dug, so they strategically built the supports on the not so important ruins. The entire floor of the museum is glass to see what they have uncovered so far.

The most impressive part of the museum is the statues recovered from the Acropolis area.

Looking at the Acropolis with the Parthenon on top from the Museum.

The gateway to the Acropolis.

Looking North from the Parthenon.

Where the Sanctuary of Pandion once stood.

The Parthenon in the background.

The sprawl of Athens in the background.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus was a theatre built at the foot of the Acropolis in 161 AD and still hosts musicians such as Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and Sting.

We headed to the coast for a nice dinner and decided to pass on the restaurant invaded by cats

Sunset dinner.

Emily before tasting the Ouzo.

After a few days in Athens we hopped this hydro-foil boat to the island of Poros.

Exactly what Emily pictured for a Greek island.

Emily enjoying our hotel balcony.

This fried feta dish was one of the best things we've tasted in a while. (fried feta and peppers covered with honey and sesame seeds)

Just like we imagined.

Emily thought this guy was collecting nets from the ocean. I told her that is exactly what he was doing, but the fish were just making it harder to pull in.

Looking East from Poseidon's Temple.

"The water is fine...come on in"

Mediterranean swimming in early November. The water was so clear you could see the bottom 50 feet below.

Sunset from our balcony.

Emily got crazy on account of the baklava.

Soak'n it in.

Stretching our last few hours on the island with one more scooter ride.