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Overnight in Linz

Hauptplatz (Main Square) It was a pleasant day in May as I strolled around the third biggest city in Austria. But I found few people in the streets and the commercial district was quiet. I guess people go home when the shops are closed. Trinity Column You’ll find a Trinity column in many cities in Europe. This 20-meter high plague column is made of Unsterberg marble and is an offering of gratitude from the Emperor Charles VI and the townspeople for having evaded the worst of the plaque in the 17th century, the attacks of the Ottoman Empire and the War of the Spanish succession. Hauptplatz Pastel painted buildings and terrace restaurants surround the main square of Linz. Hauptlatz Newly planted spring flowers are a sight for sore eyes.  Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (New Cathedral) The Immaculate Conception is the largest church in all of Austria. It can accommodate 20,000 people. Completed in 1924, it has been undergoing restoration to replace its “crumbling sandstone” and oth

What to do in Kotor on a rainy day

Not all travel days go as planned. We can choose to be miserable or we can go with the flow even if that means we have to walk in the rain and take poor resolution photos. So it was on the day I went to Montenegro last May. It started to shower early in the morning and lingered till we got to Kotor when the sky decided to let go and rain came down in buckets as I entered the gate to the old town. I was wearing  a raincoat and my clothes were dry but my spirit was broken and all I wanted to do was go back to Cavtat where the sun was shining and the sea was so blue and calm. Whining aside, there’s so much to appreciate in Kotor and seeing this store with the colorful lamps made me think of Morocco and the bazaars of the Orient. It lifted my spirit.   What is striking about Kotor are the little Orthodox churches that are tucked into tiny alleys. I wondered how many people could fit in there at one time. Everything about the architecture, the cobble stone alleys, the passages that lead you

A Visual Guide to Herzegovina

Pelješac Bridge Our first stop in Herzegovina was at Neum where we had a beautiful view of the channel leading to the Adriatic Sea and the new Pelješac bridge which links Southern Croatia to the mainland of Croatia. This 1.5 mile long bridge cuts travel to the mainland by 37 minutes and bypasses the two border crossings between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina. Traffic at the borders can be frustrating especially when there are big tour buses waiting to get through.  Neum Kravica wildflowers in May Kravica Falls Kravica Falls is 25 miles south of Mostar. It’s a popular destination especially in the summer months. There’s an entrance fee. There are also restaurants, souvenir stalls and a huge parking lot for which there is a small fee.  Medjugorje My pilgrimage to Medjugorje story here:  https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2022/05/the-medjugorje-pilgrimage-trail.html Apparition Hill, Medjugorje Stari Most For more information about Stare Most, check my travel article here:  https://www.trav

Bratislava - On the border with 3 countries

St. Elizabeth Church or Blue Church The Blue Church was built between 1909-1913 in the Hungarian-Secessionist art nouveau style. It is a Roman Catholic church consecrated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. The steeple is 36.8 meters (120.8 ft.) high and capped with an Apostolic cross (double cross). The roof is made of blue cover plates. Blue Church Note the mosaic medallion with St. Elizabeth over  the main door. Above that is the cup and host, a symbol of Eucharistic sacrifice. The Church is located   on Bezručova Street, a short walk from the city center. Interior of Blue Church Hlavné Námestie (Main Square) with Old Town Hall and Roland Fountain The Old Town Hall is now home to the Bratislava City Museum with an exhibit of torture devices, among others. The Roland fountain was initiated in 1572 to supply water to the public with the support of Maximilian II of Hungary. The statue on top of the column is of the knight, Roland, the protector of Bratislava, but may also be a representation