Disney Travel Agent San Antonio

Day 9 on our trip we were in Brussels.  Brussels is a larger city and very spread out. We decided to take a hop on hop off tour on a bus.  So glad we did this!  We got to see a lot while we sat on the top of an open double decker bus. We never hopped off... I think we were tired! It was about 2 hrs and was very informative.  Next, we walked to the train station where we hoped on to a train to head back to Amsterdam to pick up our luggage and head to the airport for an early night. Mark and I have loved our awesome anniversary trip!!! I can’t wait to start to plan the next one!

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Day 8 on our trip we got up early and had to take our lugage to Bounce ( it’s a place that you can store your luggage while you travel around ) It’s pretty cool €5 per luggage per day. It’s like a hotel for your luggage ! Next, we caught a train to Bruges in Belgium .  OMG!!!!  this is a beautiful town!  It is like you go back in time to the midevil Europe!  It is a well preserved town of cobblestones and amazing gothic architecture! This is a must see place if you are even close! It is absolutely incredible to see the entire historical district!  Then it was time to head to the train station, but we stopped by a liquor store and I found my favorite Belgium beer!  Lindemans Framboise !!!  Mark picked up a couple that he liked too. Next,  we caught the train to Brussels. We loved Bruges!. I will be honest this was the most tiring day, it was a lot of walking and it’s all on coblestones. It is worth the trip, but I would have spent the night and made it a 2 day experience!

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Day 7 of our trip we explored all over Amsterdam!  Went to a little house in the old Jewish area that had an antique store in the front. Then we made our way across town to the Anne Frank (Annex)House. We had Dutch Pancakes.  I like the poffertjes better!  Next, on to a bead /jewelry shop where I made my own earrings!!! Then we went to the Anne Frank House. WOW!!! It was so cool! This is an incredible sobering experience! To see where she wrote in her diary and spent her nights and days while in hiding is hard to put in words to the  feelings and emotions that you feel while going through the Annex! Finally we had dinner at the Amsterdam Bistro. It was deliosius! ( This is a must when in Amsterdam!)

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Day 6 of our trip we ate breakfast at the hotel and then headed off on the tram to see our first Amsterdam Market. Wow! This was so enjoyable!  Next, off to our tour at Heineken. There was a lot of people and it was hot... We continued our exploration of the city, stumbled upon a flower market and took part in some local flavors. Had to venture into the “Red Light” district, just to see for myself if it was true/real !!!!  Everything you have heard...It’s all true!  We had a great day and enjoyed the city!  I love Amsterdam!

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Day 5 we traveled to Amsterdam.  KLM was fantastic!  Our flight was just over an hour.  We had to board the plane on the Tarmac.  Once on board we had so much leg room in our regular coach seats (more space than our long trip with AA) they served sandwiches …. Impressed with KLM!  Next, we took a cab to our Hotel De Roode Leeuw.  Nice Hotel, our room is literally the attic... The elevators only go to the 4 th floor! We are 1 of 2 unique rooms on the 5th floor. The room is nice and clean and so comfy! Next, we went on a dinner cruise.  The food was fantastic, and the river cruise was awesome!  Then we walked around and explored the area close to our hotel. It was a long but fun day!   Loving our trip, so much fun to see and experience other cultures!

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Days 3 & 4 were my favorite so far! First, we traveled by train to Kilkenny.  It was great to get to see the country side,as it quickly passed by.  We dropped off our luggage and then we had lunch at the most delicious pub called Kyteler”s Inn ! (This is a must !!!) this was such an interesting place with so much history! Next, to the Kilkenny castle, which was called the Butler Castle from 1391 - 1967. It was really spectacular! I can’t imagine living like they didway back then.  On to Smitheicks brewery tour.  It was informative and tasty!  I actually liked this tour better than Guinness! It was very interactive. Then we explored some of the town and had dinner at our least favorite place, “The Left Bank”.  It was in an old bank which was beautiful, but not so impressed with the food. I had Shepards Pie and they didn’t have HP or Brown Sauce (if you know me this is my sauce...) and Mark had Fish & Chips and they didn’t have Malt Vinegar ??? They did have a killer Vanila Crème Brûlée!  We stayed @ The Hibernian Hotel .  Nice accommodations, very friendly staff, but no AC so it was a little warm.  The next morning we had breakfast then went to see St Mary’s Cathedral.  Cathedrals / Abbeys of Europe are always Amazing!  Did a little shopping, and then it was time to catch the train back to Dublin.  (We left our personalized glasses from Smithewicks in the lobby and they were so gracious to send them via mail to the states to our house (I paid postage... ),  but they took the time to go to ther post office and send them!!!)  I loved Kilkenny , it is cute and quaint with a lot of history!  Back to Dublin where we stayed the night @ Hilton. Had fantastic Indian take away! We have enjoyed our trip to Ireland, but wish we had at least one more day to see some of the sights on our list that we didn’t get to... I guess we will just have to come back!

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Day 2: Started out early to catch our train to Belfast. Well to keep with the theme … our train was canceled! ... something about the lines over the tracks and trains unable to get through??? We are on vacation/holiday so no worries! We rented a car and drove to Belfast! This was a FUN and beautiful experience! (I wasn’t driving...lol) Mark did great! We did a Black Taxi Tour and we had to hit the Continental Market in the City Center. The tour was super cool and the murals were informative ! To think within the last 30 years of the fighting and division of the this community is incredible (so sad) ! The festivities at the market were a nice surprise.We never tire of seeing the age old  beautiful buildings ! Mark threatened to bring home a souvenir Tattoo!... He did! Then we drove back to Dublin and turned in the car.  Grabed a bite to eat at a yummy little Italian place.  Had a Great day!

Flights delayed on Friday, missed out seeing Dublin on Saturday and finally arrived on Sunday !. We hit the ground running! Okay at our age, we don’t run anywhere! We started our day with expresso shots?  No sleep... why not!  Next off to Trinity College to see The Book of Kells and the Long Hall. So cool! Then took a Power Nap and headed to The Guinness Storehouse Tour.  Enjoyed the our tasting and the the Stoutie experience. So cool!  We had our picture  put on the top of our brew... Next, time for some sustenance, so we headed to the oldest pub in Dublin, “The BrazenHead”. I had the Beef Stew made with Guinness, &  Mark had fish & chips. Wonderful food and fun atmosphere! The brazen head did not disappoint!  Finally, we made it to the Temple Bar area....Crazy fun but very crowded! We had a fun day!