Planes, trains and Automobiles

France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary in 4 days. How not to travel! I'm on one of those reconnaissance missions right now and I have done all 4 countries so far in 3 days. But really, spent most of my time in planes, trains, and automobiles; as well as a few hotels. Good thing for constant companion this laptop and the godsend WIFI networks.

So, to reach Hungary I took the train from Provence to Geneve where I went against my own advice and took an Easyjet flight to Budapest. After about a 2 hour delay I got there; very late; but then spent some awesome time going along the Danube and our cycling tour from Budapest to Vienna. Some notes below. A flight from Vienna to Zurich and then trains to Grindelwald where I now sit, under cloudy and rainy skies. If it wasn't raining I wouldn't be working! Not that rain will make me melt or anything, I'm not equipped for hiking; only for meetings!

Some nice notes and info - really some high points to share from Hungary:

After a whirlwind trip through Hungary along the Danube and our cycling tour from Budapest to Sopron/Vienna; I’m reminded how much there is to see along this route! Of course Budapest is a great site and city and one worthy of many days of visit, but beyond that are some important but perhaps less well know places such as Gyor, Pannonhalma, Sopron, Esztergom, and many small villages and towns along the Danube.

Some pictures will be posted on Pure Adventures shortly.

The basilica in Esztergom – massive construction on the hill overlooking the Danube and well into current day Slovakia. Built between 1822 and 1869, the cupola stands at 71.5 meters above the ground. (over 210 feet). The crypt is also worth visiting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esztergom_Basilica

Pannonhalma – http://www.pannonhalma.hu/ for full info; site of the UNESCO world heritage site Benedictine Abbey has even today continuously operated as a monastic community and monastery for more than 1000 years and as such is a significant part of Hungarian culture.

Gyor – city of Baroque architecture, it is also the convergence point of 3 three rivers including the Danube. Since Roman times and after as a “Episcopal See” for almost 1000 years, the city is also an important university town.