Vacation Recap part 1
Jasmine and me standing under an allee of trees in the gardens of the Residenz in Wurzburg
I’ve been a little overwhelmed with editing photos and trying to write a compact synopsis of our European vacation to share with anyone who happens to read my blog. We saw so much – it was like a whirlwind of culture and I cannot possibly begin to do our trip justice. So, I decided to break it up and share a little at a time.
1/2 of our trip was spent in Germany and was more of a reunion with my step-mother and sisters and their families accompanied by leisurely site seeing trips in and around Bravaria. My step mother lives in a little town outside of Wurzburg, which served as our base during our tenure in Germany. One of the places we visited was the Baroque “Residenz” Palace which was the seat of the Prince Bishop of Wurzburg. It was an amazing palace which was heavily damaged in World War II – now restored. Interesting to see the before and after photos of the restoration.
As a future landscape architect, I took a keen interest in the gardens of the palace – trying hard to remember the terms and features of the garden from my landscape history class.
The interior of the palace featured frescoes including this painted ceiling by Tiepolo
Nearly every room in the Residenz featured elaborate finishes and frescoes painted by Italian artist, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Can you imagine waking up to this every day?
In the gardens of the Residenz in Wurzburg looking towards the Festung Marienburg
The same day that we visited the Residenz, we had intended to make it to the Festung Marienburg which overlooks the city of Wurzburg, but were sidetracked. By what you ask? The wonderful tradition of “kaffee und kuchen” mid-afternoon. Luckily I kept up my running schedule in Germany and we walked our buns off in Paris, otherwise I would have gained more than the 2 lbs that I carried back with me. 
Meanwhile, today really marks the end of vacation. My husband returned to work and to be a good sport, I got up at the same time so that he wouldn’t feel quite so bad. I have cleaned my studio since my return, but not much else has happened in the way of clay. Hopefully today….
Speaking of running, I must sign off and head out before it gets too hot -
Cynthia
Linda Starr
July 8, 2009 at 7:44 am //
What a wonderful trip that looks to be, all those frescos and castles, and the allee, bet there were some beautiful gardens too. You look real relaxed in the photos too. Thanks for the mini tour, look forward to the others.
Cynthia
July 8, 2009 at 6:47 pm //
I was pretty relaxed – in fact too relaxed, Linda because I can’t seem to muster much energy these days. Even worse than before going on vacay.
meredith
July 8, 2009 at 9:58 am //
Welcome home and you do look as if it was a great trip!
You and Jasmine are such a happy pair.
Look forward to seeing more.
Work will wait!
Cynthia
July 8, 2009 at 6:47 pm //
Mary T.
July 8, 2009 at 2:47 pm //
It does sound beautiful. I was surprised as a teen when living in the city that I did so much walking. This was in Denver in the middle to late 1950′s and the town was much smaller and the valley highway was just being talked about being built. We don’t walk so much in the burbs, so I truly appreciate how much walking you did in Europe. It look very grand!
Cynthia
July 8, 2009 at 6:49 pm //
When we got to Paris, I was reminded how much I walked and I thought I was in shape! (I kept telling myself that running and walking are 2 totally different types of movement….) Needless to say, walking and taking public transportation is de rigour in Europe, not so much in car centric USA. It really felt like having a car in Europe is a luxury not a necessity.
jim
July 9, 2009 at 5:57 am //
i’m envious of the trip… need to go there someday, sofia’s almost 5, how old is jasmine? love tiepolo, would have been nice to see in person.
Cynthia
July 9, 2009 at 6:09 am //
Jasmine is 11 1/2 – we had held off taking a trip like this till she was old enough to appreciate and handle the sites. But, I have friends who have been taking their daughters all over the world since birth and consequently have kids who love to travel and are very worldly now.