I meant to do this as soon as we arrived back in Australia but suddenly had to spend two weeks in Wollongong awaiting the birth of a reluctant grandchild, so everything was put on hold for a while.
Paris: Although we have been to Paris before we saw it in a different light this time. Previously Geoff was working and resented spending precious holiday time in a city, so wasn't disposed to like it. Also we had children with us and that usually leads to a whole different scenario attempting to keep them occupied and happy. This time the perspective was different and we totally enjoyed everything about it. There is so much beauty to enjoy - even just in the streetscapes. Everywhere you turn there is something to look at, such is the genius of the city layout.
It is also a wonderful city to walk around and we found our apartment in Rue Saint Saveur just around the corner from the pedestrian Rue Montorgueil very convenient. We were particularly lucky with the weather - cold but fine and sunny every day - so we left with very happy memories.
Munich: This was a city we were looking forward to visiting and again one that is ideal for walking around. We enjoyed visiting the Christmas Markets and seeing all the decorations but our four days was enough. It was interesting how strong the beer culture is and it was also interesting to see that the men really do wear those funny little felt hats with feathers in them.
Maybe summer in Munich is altogether different but I doubt we'll be going back to find out.
Salzburg: Again, a place I had always wanted to visit and am glad to have done so. To be fair, a gloomy day in winter probably did not showcase it to its maximum potential - views of snowcapped peaks in the distance would have greatly added to its appeal, but otherwise it was just another pretty Austrian town.
Vienna: This to me was probably the biggest disappointment. I don't know what I had imagined but somehow it was just another city. Pretty? Yes. Elegant? Yes, but not to the same extent as Paris. All in all, it was, I am sorry to say, something of an anticlimax.
Budapest: Budapest on the other hand was a surprise. We found it to be a very elegant city with gracious streets and architecture. It must be beautiful on a sunny day when all the trees are in leaf. I would like to re-visit Budapest in Spring or Summer, but somehow doubt we will.
Uniworld Cruises: This was a cruise that lived up to all its promises. Everything was excellent - the food, the service, the entertainment and the excursions, all of which were included. You might think the complimentary wine at meals for example, might be inferior quality or limited to a glass or maybe two but it wasn't. It was always excellent quality and different each nights and the meals were all of a very high standard. The excursions too were very good. We were supplied with radio/walkie talkies which meant that as long as we had our earpiece in we could wander off and look in shop windows or whatever and still hear what our guide was telling us. And the guides were very interesting and informative so worth listening too, especially the erudite Helmut who regaled us with all sorts of interesting information about the EU and about the Schengen agreement.
We'd definitely choose Uniworld again if we did another river cruise.
Meribel: Despite having such fond memories of Meribel, it didn't disappoint. It was just as lovely as we remembered and having a big dump of snow the first night was a real bonus, as were the windless sunny days thereafter. No queues, no crowds, magnificent scenery - what more could anyone want!
The only comment worth making really concerns the huge influx of Russians who seem to have almost taken over the resort. At our hotel we were probably the only non-Russians.
This is not necessarily a change for the better.
Meribel was also great for after ski activity viz a viz Jack, with child friendly things like bowling, ice skating and pool close by. However if we went again we would probably look at staying in Mottaret for the betters ski-in ski-out accommodation.
As for skiing with a helmet - that lasted two days before I reverted to a beanie. It was simply too hot.
And so, that is the end for the time being.
We do have other wanderings planned later in the year at which stage I will resume the blog.
