My Virtual Vacation Day 17—Heidelberg

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is Heidelberg in Germany.

Another wonderful stop along the Rhine River in Germany. Fantastic architecture is everywhere and you could spend a whole day in the partially restored ruins of the castle that overlooks the river. The city has an amazing history, great museums and a nice shopping and restaurant area.

Heidelberg Sculpture

Heidelberg Ruins

Heidelberg Germany

My Virtual Vacation Day 12—Praha (Prague) Czech Republic

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is Praha (Prague) in the Czech Republic.

One of the most beautiful and historically important cities of Europe, Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic and was once the home of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the main residence of several Holy Roman Emperors, most notably of Charles IV (r. 1346–1378).[10] It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1989, after the riot police beat back a peaceful student demonstration, the Velvet Revolution forced the split up of Czechoslovakia and the current Czech Republic was formed.

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Color Guard

Praha CZE

Candidate #12…Prague Castle

Autumn in Praha

The Charles Bridge

My Virtual Vacation Day 3—Holland

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is The Nederland or Holland as Americans call it.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam View from Central Station

Kinderjik

Water Managment Canal

Smithsonian Candidate #6…Kinderjik

I am thinking of entering the Smithsonian Photo Contest even though I have zero chance of winning. I say that not to denigrate my ability as a photographer, but each category already has over 50,000 entries. Sure a lot of them are crap but some, well follow the link above and see for yourself. Also you can only submit work from 1/1/2016 until the present and all works with people must have a model release.

If you are familiar with any of my work (e.g. Moment and Souls) you probably realize I don’t have a lot of model releases.

Fortunately I do have some images that may qualify in other categories and will be publishing some here to see if you feel they quality. Please comment and let me know your thoughts.This one is in the Travel Category and is a view of a windmill of Kinderjik, Holland.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Kinderjik

Smithsonian Candidate #5…Amsterdam

I am thinking of entering the Smithsonian Photo Contest even though I have zero chance of winning. I say that not to denigrate my ability as a photographer, but each category already has over 50,000 entries. Sure a lot of them are crap but some, well follow the link above and see for yourself. Also you can only submit work from 1/1/2016 until the present and all works with people must have a model release.

If you are familiar with any of my work (e.g. Moment and Souls) you probably realize I don’t have a lot of model releases.

Fortunately I do have some images that may qualify in other categories and will be publishing some here to see if you feel they quality. Please comment and let me know your thoughts.This one is in the Travel Category and is a view of Amsterdam from outside Central Station.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Smithsonian Candidate #5…Amsterdam

Smithsonian Candidate #4…Praha, CZE

I am thinking of entering the Smithsonian Photo Contest even though I have zero chance of winning. I say that not to denigrate my ability as a photographer, but each category already has over 50,000 entries. Sure a lot of them are crap but some, well follow the link above and see for yourself. Also you can only submit work from 1/1/2016 until the present and all works with people must have a model release.

If you are familiar with any of my work (e.g. Moment and Souls) you probably realize I don’t have a lot of model releases.

Fortunately I do have some images that may qualify in other categories and will be publishing some here to see if you feel they quality. Please comment and let me know your thoughts. This was taken from one of the gardens at Prague Castle of the city below

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Praha CZE

Marksburg Castle Revisited

Last year I published an article on Marksburg Castle. Here are some additional views of the castle not in the original post.

Along the Rhine River is a stretch known as the Rhine Gorge which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Forty castles line both sides of this section of the river. Marksburg is the only castle that was never destroyed and sits above the town of Braubach. The fortress was used for protection rather than a residence for royal families.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Marksburg Castle Revisited

Marksburg Castle Revisited

Marksburg Castle Revisited

Marksburg Castle Revisited

Heidelberg Sculpture

I wish we had more time when we were in Heidelberg. I feel we only scratched the depth of the city and want to go back there in the Summer since it was cold,rainy and grey the whole time we were there. I did have time to stop to take this picture of the this unusual sculpture with the Heidelberg castle in the background.

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Heidelberg Sculpture

Heidelberg Sculpture

The Barrel Room at Marksburg Castle

Wine was really important in the 15th Century. Fresh water supply was not always available and this was especially true if a castle was under siege. Each castle we visited had a large wine cellar. At Marksburg Castle it was on the ground floor near the stable. While these barrels are huge they aret not as large as the one in Heidelberg Castle which is thought to be the largest wine barrel in the world and almost impossible to photograph.

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The Barrel Room at Marksburg Castle

The Barrel Room at Marksburg Castle

Marksburg Castle

Last month I published a post about Marksburg Castle. This post contains some more detailed information and additional images of this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Along the Rhine River is a stretch known as the Rhine Gorge which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Forty castles line both sides of this section of the river. Marksburg is the only castle that was never destroyed and sits above the town of Braubach. The fortress was used for protection rather than a residence for royal families.

Originally it was stone keep was built at the current location in 1100 by the Eppstein family and expanded into a castle around 1117 to protect the town of Braubach. When French emperor Napoleon seized the Holy Roman Empire in 1803 he gave the Marksburg to his ally the Duke of Nassau for his service. He used the castle as a prison and as a home for disabled soldiers. The castle has one of the first known indoor privies.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Marksburg Southern View

Marksburg Southern View

Marksburg Dinning Room

Marksburg Dinning Room

Marksburg Privy

Marksburg Privy

Braubach View

Braubach View