Another day trip to consider is to the Meissen Factory to see how their porcelain is created and decorated. I now understand why they charge what they charge, because it is labor intensive, and all done by hand. Remarkably, we came away from the museum store with nothing but pictures and no tzotchkes. From there we went to Maritzburg, an old hunting palace built by none other than August II. It is known for its many mounted stag heads (no comment), a bed that was decorated by

If you haven't seen any WWII films, Dresden was completely destroyed by the Allies in 1945. Known as the jewel of Germany, it wasn't particularly significant from a military standpoint, but I believe it was targeted to pressure Germany into surrendering and to prevent leaving an undamaged Dresden for the Russians. Our guide, who grew up in the GDR (East Germany) under communism, wasn't overly critical of it but appreciates now having six parties to vote for now, compared to j

Another highlight is walking the grounds of the palace and enjoying the various gardens leading up to it. Lots of blooming chestnut trees and white lilacs along with a variety of perennials. There has been no royalty in Czechia for hundreds of years, but the palace remains the center of their government. The dungeon had some very clever instruments of torture!!! Prague Castle was most likely founded in around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty (Přemyslovci). Acco

Exploring the old Jewish ghetto, synagogues, and cemetery was profoundly moving and likely the most impactful tour. Census data from the 1930s indicates there were about 300,000 Jews in Czechoslovakia before WWII; today, it's estimated that currently only 2,300 Jews reside in the country. Around 86,000 Jews were killed by the Nazis, while a significant number escaped and never returned. The Jubilee Synagogue is also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue. It was built in 1906, de

We toured Prague with a wonderful ToursByLocals guide, Eva, for three days. We did not overdo the usual churches but hit a couple. One delightful pitstop was at a sculptural installation of Franz Kaftka. What was fun about it was that the piece had multiple layers that would swivel the head around on a regular basis. There are many gothic cathedrals, Romanesque and Baroque palaces. In addition, there are interesting examples of Cubist architecture from the 1920’s. It’s only

On our first morning after arriving, I woke up early due to jet lag and decided to take a stroll around the town to witness the sunrise over the Charles Bridge , constructed in the 1300s. I was treated to a stunning view of the river, dotted with numerous bridges linking the new and old sections of the city. What I didn't fully realize during my morning walk was that all the tourists were still asleep, which allowed me to enjoy the charm of the quiet streets and the birds sin

Istanbul, home to 16 million residents (compared to NYC's 8.4 million), is the most populous city in Europe, bridging the Bosporus Strait between Europe and Asia. Established as Byzantium in the 7th century BCE, it became the imperial capital under Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, initially named New Rome and later, in 330 AD, Constantinople. In 1930, the city was renamed Istanbul. Regardless of its name, the city boasts a rich history as an imperial capital, particularl

The final significant site we toured was the Kariyee Mosque, originally constructed as a church in the 6th century. Following the conquest of Istanbul, it was converted into a mosque in 1511. The site is renowned for its frescoes and mosaics, which were created between 1310 and 1317. These Byzantine frescoes are remarkable and naturally religious, depicting scenes from the Old Testament, New Testament, and the Gospels.

The Süleymaniye Mosque is a magnificent hilltop structure built in the 16th century at the behest of, and named after, Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in Istanbul , Turkey . It was designed by Sinan , one of the foremost architects of his era and the chief architect to Süleyman for nearly 28 years. Sinan's portfolio is extensive—79 mosques, 34 palaces, 33 public baths, 19 tombs, 55 schools, 16 poorhouses, 7 madrasahs (religious schools), and 12 caravansaries, along with gr

For a completely different experience, venture down to the Basilica Cistern. Constructed in the 6th century using surplus columns from the Hagia Sophia and other locations, it served as an underground reservoir to supply water to the Topkapi Palace. The diverse columns (spare parts from other building sites) are highlighted by a display of colored lights, and a few inches of water still cover the floor, creating a perfect backdrop for capturing photos with reflections of the