Travel with Julie

What Does A Wanderlust Do When She Can't Travel?

In January, one of my precious yellow Labradors, Maddie, was diagnosed with heart disease.  Our veterinarian told us there was no way of knowing exactly how much longer she had to live, but that she would definitely pass within the year.  Devastating news.

Maddie is nearly 12 years old--old for a Labrador. We knew our days were numbered with her, but not with such conviction.

After two weeks of crying and pity, we made a decision.  We were going to make whatever time we had left with Maddie count! We made the decision to put our biannual European travel on hold this year. While my heart longs to be somewhere far away where I don't understand the language, and my feet itch to walk ancient lands, I would never forgive myself if Maddie's time came while I was away.

Commitment is something I take seriously.  Nearly 12 years ago, I committed to a fluffy little yellow puppy and her sister, Millie, to be the best doggie mommie I could be to them.  These girls--and their now adopted sister Mocha (a chocolate Labrador) and brother (our adopted Rottweiller)--have travelled with us, hiked in the Colorado mountains, swam in beautiful rivers, enjoyed pool days each summer, eaten the best food, played with the best toys, and lived a life of doggy luxury.  Maddie and her siblings (including the latest additions: Rosie, our adopted Daschund, and Macie, our adopted Border Collie mix) have a good life! Hubs and I will continue to honor our commitment till the time they are wagging their tails in doggie heaven.

So what do I do with this aching desire to travel? Fortunately for me, planning client vacations is my business.  On one hand, it makes the ache stronger as I'm designing exciting itineraries in some of my favorite European destinations.  On the other, it keeps me connected to them until I can return again.

Being in the 'business,' I try to stay on top of the latest in travel news through news sources and travel blogs. This, too, often fuels my travel cravings, but it also gives me a little feeling of being there.  One of the things I enjoy is stumbling in StumbleUpon.  Here, you type in your interest (in my case, I type in a destination) and this search engine finds the best websites, photos and videos on that topic.  Not only does it allow me revisit beloved places, it introduces me to new ones.  My "Must Go There" list is growing exponentially.  Pinterest, the virtual pinboard, is another great way I stave off my travel thirst through the great World Wide Web.  Of course, Facebook and Twitter play a big role in keeping me in touch with friends abroad.

It's been five months since that dreaded diagnosis.  Maddie is doing well.  She has slowed down considerably, but she has moments when she still romps about like the little puppy we brought home 12 years ago.  Saddly, we've learned that her sister, Millie, has heart disease as well.  And recently, Mocha, who is 11, had a cancerous tumor removed.  We have chosen not to run further diagnostic tests on either dog to determine their fate.  It doesn't matter.  We will be here to love them, care for them and make their senior days the best any ol' dog could ever wish for!

To all my cherished European friends and places:  I may not be with you this year, but until I the time I do return, my heart is with you all!

Old Town Square, Prague

As with most European cities, Prague is centered around a square.  As early as 1091, a market existed at this site.  Today, the square is filled with outdoor cafes . . .

surrounded by colorful Renaissance and Baroque houses . . .

home to the 18th-century St. Nicholas Church . . .

Photo courtesy of City Pictures

and the magnificent 14th-century Tyn Church . . .

as well as Old Town Hall with its famous astronomical clock.  The square is a hub of activities.  During the World Cup, large screens have lined the square while thousands of viewers pack inside to watch the game. Large stages are erected for summer concerts.  And often, this is the starting and ending place for festival activities like the one occuring during my last visit:

Nonetheless, one of my favorite things to do is grab a chair under the trees behind Old Town Hall and people watch.  The scene seems to change with every chime of the clock!

 

Planning a trip to Prague?  Click here to find out how I can help make your experience a unique postcard in your travel scrapbook!

The Powder Tower, Prague

There I was, walking along a considerably more modern and commercial street when, BAM! I was staring straight at this gorgeous medieval tower.  The Powder Tower's origins date back to the 11th century when the original gate was one of the 13 entrances to Prague's Old Town.

It was an important gate as it was used as the beginning and ending point for royal processions.  It has changed names a few times over the years. Originally, the tower was known as the Mountain Tower.  Later in the 17th century, the name changed to the Powder Tower when it was used to store gunpowder.

Today, the tower houses an exhibition.  But the real surprise comes when you climb the 186 steps inside to reach the viewing platform for amazing views of the city like this one:

 

Planning a trip to Prague?  Click here to find out how I can help make your experience a unique postcard in your travel scrapbook!

Wenceslas Square, Prague

          Photo courtesy of Prague Experience

Without a tourist map or guidebook, you would never know this long pedestrian-friendly street is actually the world-famous Wenceslas Square.  It is the commercial and cultural hub of Prague.  The street is lined with beautiful buildings and houses.  Sandwiched in between runs beautiful gardens and green space.  It's equally hard to believe that in the Middle Ages, this area was primarily a horse market and venue for public celebrations.

The square began to gain notoriety when in 1969, a student named Jan Palach set himself on fire in the square in protest of the Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia.  A memorial bronze cross lies outside the National Museum embedded at the spot where he fell.

Nevertheless, it was the event that took place in 1989 that Wenceslas Square is most remembered for. It was here that more than 500,000 students and citizens gathered to protest the policies of the former Communist regime.  The government surrendered after only a week of demonstrations.  Amazement fell on everyone watching the events unfold when not a single shot was fired or a single person died.  The first democratic government in 40 years was led into office.  The non-violent transfer of power became known as the "Velvet Revolution."

At one end of the square sits Prague's National Museum, housing over 14 million works of art, music, books and other works.

A stroll down this long boulevard is a great way to pay homage to those who courageously changed the history of Prague.

 

Planning a trip to Prague?  Click here to find out how I can help make your experience a unique postcard in your travel scrapbook!

 

Karluv Most - Prague's Charles Bridge

The first time I visited Charles Bridge, I felt certain I was walking into a medieval fairy tale.  Of course, I failed to pack my ball gown and glass slippers.  I had stepped into this fairy tale wearing jeans and walking shoes! Thankfully, I wasn't alone.  The bridge is a popular site in Prague; and everyone who crosses it seems to be equally as captivated!

Besides being beautiful and magical to look at, there are other reasons that make this bridge seem like it popped out of the pages of a fairy tale book.  It was built by a king (of course!) -- King Charles IV.  It is really old, built in 1357. It is flanked with towers (seriously, what fairy tale doesn't involve at least one tower?).  And, as you walk across the bridge toward Old Town, there is a beautiful palace in the background.

Not convinced that this is a fairy tale bridge?  Then take a look at it at night:

It screams "fairy tale," doesn't it?

The bridge is not only a means of getting from one side of the river to the other.  In the 17th-century, it became a symbol of Catholicization rebirth after much religious conflict with the Protestants. Statues of saints were added, each with a story or legend of their own.  For example, the eighth one on the right as you're walking toward Old Town is St. John of Nepomuk.  According to legend, he was wrapped in chains and thrown to his death from this bridge.  Touching the statue is suppose to bring good luck and the promise of a return trip to Prague.  From the looks of the worn spots on the statue's base, people galore have put those fairy-tale wishes to the test.  I admit, I did, too!

For the best views of the Charles Bridge, head to the bridge just north of it; and of course, a visit at night is a must!  Climb the tower at the entrance of Old Town for spectacular views of the city.

 

Planning a trip to Prague?  Click here to find out how I can help make your experience a unique postcard in your travel scrapbook!