Travel Roger - photos of Europe

Bad Aussee, Altaussee area - Austria

2008-10-27T00:45:00.022+09:00

The Bad Aussee area of Austria has a lot of sightseeing for mountain lovers. Not far from Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut region it is serviced with train and bus services which make it eas to get around. One of the sights is the interesting mountain which sits near the Salzwelten Altaussee salt mine where a tour of the mine can be taken.
Bad Aussee station in the Austrian Salzkammergut.

The photos above show the rural setting Bad Ausseee sits in with a river running by the station and beautiful houses.
A unique mountain in the Altaussee mountain area.
A typical Austrian mountain house near Bad Aussee in the Altaussee mountain area.
A sign above showing the way to the salt mine.

The Altaussee salt mines.

Bad Aussee station and the local train below.

Madrid to Segovia by train.

2008-10-22T12:48:00.011+09:00

Madrid to Segovia in Spain is a nice little train trip worth taking if you have time to spare in Madrid. Segovia is a day trip destination for visitors to Madrid and it is even better as an overnight stop. The countryside is green in Spring and snow can be seen on the mountains in the distance.

There are some interesting old looking stations on the line from Madrid to Segovia.

Outside the old town in Segovia.

The Tagus River - Toledo Spain

2008-10-21T23:47:00.022+09:00

The Tagus river runs around Toledo's old town but through the greater city area. It is a good place to take a walk which can be started from one side othe old town and finished on the other side in an almost coverage of the old town area.

Toledo in Spain is one of the best places to visit and is surrounded by remains from Roman times and from the morish. Some parts of the river have ruins that can be viewed from the old town or from the side of the river which give different perspectives. The photos below are of different parts of the Tagus river taken from different angles.

Buildings line the edge of the cliffs and the Tagus river in Toledo.

One of the historic bridges that cross the Tagus river in Toledo.

One of the other historic bridges crossing the Tagus river, above.

The Toledo Alcazar as seen from the Tagus river.

Some ruins by, and in, the Tagus river in Toledo.

Neuswanstein Castle - Bavaria Germany

2008-10-13T21:01:00.016+09:00

Neuswanstein Castle in southern Bavaria, Germany is a fairytale styled castle that is just awesome!

Neuswanstein caslte in Bavaria can be seen from a distance on a good day but when it is raining it is not a good place to visit. The mountains behind the castle are quite steep and worth exploring if you have hiking time and are not there just on a bus tour. There is a bridge behind the castle which is a good place to take photos from and to fully appreciate the Neuswanstein Caslte!

At the front entrance of the Neuswanstein Castle.

There are beautiful views from the Neuswanstein Castle in many directions.

Photos taken from the bridge behind Neuswanstein bridge offering a good view.

Digital Photography Secrets

French trains and the Paris metro

2008-10-06T23:34:00.016+09:00

Paris and France have an extensive rail network which is good for travelling around on. The photos below show a selection of different trains which we rode on.

A double decker suburban commter train at Versailles station south of Paris.

The Paris Metro trains are small and quite noisy. Some have tires to quieten them down which gives off an interesting sound when they are running.

The French TGV high speed trains at a Paris station.

Electric intercity trains such as above and below run to Chartres from Paris and are a quick transport option.

The photos below are of Chartres station France which shows some different trains at the platforms.

Toledo Cathedral - Spain

2008-10-06T00:05:00.021+09:00

The photos below are of the Toledo cathedral in Toledo Spain. The tower of the Toledo cathedral can be seen from many different parts of the old town city and is a good guide post for getting around the little tight streets that are everywhere.

Below, the visitors center building that sits opposite the cathedral and provides information for travellers.

Some of the carvings on the Toledo cathedral building.

The Toledo cathedral as seen from other parts of the old town.

The visitors centre and cathedral as seen at night.

Sunset at Vienna airport

2008-10-05T01:14:00.003+09:00

Sometimes waiting for planes gives you the opportunity to do a lot of looking. We were lucky to see this sunset from Vienna airport while waiting for our flight to Madrid and enjoyed it for a few minutes.
Digital photography secrets

Toledo in Spain from above

2008-10-04T02:13:00.007+09:00

Toledo in Spain which lies south of Madrid is probably one of the best places to visit in Spain if you are stopping in Madrid. Better still staying in Toledo would be a better option primarily to see the empty streets at night out of peak season. This gives a real sense of what Toledo may have been like in the past. I'll post more photos later about Toledo.

The Alcazar of Toledo stands to the left and the Cathedral of Toledo stands to the right.
A church rooftop taken from the viewing platform near the bell tower.

Toledo Cathedral in an overcast and misty day.

Paris street photos

2008-10-03T02:05:00.020+09:00

Paris is the city of cities in Europe. Even if you do not like it you can't refute the fact that Paris is world class and has all that one would like to see in a visit there. The following photos show different views from some different areas in the city center area.

Some political posters on the side of a rail bridge near the river Seine in Paris.

A Paris Metro train crossing the river.

A Paris Metro train from a distance crossing the river.

The Pont Notre Dame area.

Segovia's old town - Spain

2008-10-02T02:49:00.028+09:00

The winding and long streets of Segovia's old town center in Spain provide an insight into the history of the old town. There are many things to see and a few days spent walking the streets can be an enlightening experience. The old town of Segovia is long and narrow at one end and wider at the other end near the Roman aquaduct. If you are looking for a peaceful town to stay in and explore for a few days then Segovias's old town has a lot to discover. The photos below are of street scenes at various places within the old town, and there will be more coming later...

Munich Germany - Odeonsplatz area

2008-10-01T23:57:00.021+09:00

In the Odeonsplatz area of Munich in Germany there are some interesting sights to visit. First there is the platform like stage area called Feldherrnhalle, with two lion statues on either side where Hitler and the Nazis stood to preach from. There is also the Theatine church, or, in German (Theatinekirche) which is a yellowy colour and quite impressive inside. Finally you can see the Hofgarten or HofGarden and the Hofgarten temple which are in the photos below. It is a nice park and garden area that allows one to enjoy the flowers and grass.

Bad Ischl - spa town in Austria

2008-10-01T02:41:00.014+09:00

Bad Ischl lies in the Salzkammergut area of Austria. The photos below of Bad Ischl town were taken in April which showed a good spring setting throughout the town.

The town of Bad Ischl can be walked around by foot and has some attractions to see if based there for a few days. It is close to the scenic village of Halstadt and other sights near large lakes, and mountains. There will be more posts later on the area...

One of the main shopping streets in Bad Ischl town with the church tower in the background.

The post office building in Bad Ischl town.

Kongresshaus in the centre of Bad Ischl.

The river runs through the centre of Bad Ischl which is surrounded by mountains.

Austrian countryside and mountains

2008-09-28T16:19:00.012+09:00

The Austrian countryside has beautiful scenery such as big mountains and in spring flowers in the fields. The photos below are from a train taken from Vienna to Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut area of Austria.

Austria definitely has some of the best countryside in the world and is suitable for many different adventures like hiking, mountain biking and other sports. There is much similarity to Bavaria in Germany and the scenery is just awesome!

Old town Chartres - France

2008-09-25T01:31:00.007+09:00

The old town area of Chartres in France is a beautiful example of an historic French village. Below the Chartres cathedral there are some small streets that are quiet and devoid of many people with interesting architecture such as half timbered houses - as you can see in the photos.

Looking towards the rear of the Chartres cathedral with a building in the background through the arch.

Half timbered house in the old town of Chartres France.

The Eure river that runs through the old town of Chartres providing a beautiful scene.

Quiet streets in the old town of Chartres France.

More on Chartres Cathedral area - France

2008-09-23T00:39:00.011+09:00

The entrances to Chartres cathedral in Chartres France have amazing carved images on all sides as can be seen in the photos. Inside the cathedral in Chartres there are many coloured windows which have all sorts of themes and images on them such as the star signs which is in one of the photos. Standing in the cathedral is a great experience and it dwarves anything close in style.

At the back of Chartres cathedral you can see typical french styles garden areas. In Spring it was nice to view them and the photos shown just don't give the same effect as real life.

Chartres Cathedral area - France

2008-09-22T00:56:00.008+09:00

Chartres cathedral in Chartres France is a very good example of European christian architecture. At about an hour from Paris by train it is easy to reach and the cathedral is a short walk from Chartres station. The photos below are of the view on the way from Chartres station.

Segovia Cathedral - Spain

2008-09-18T01:40:00.009+09:00

The Segovia cathedral in Spain stands tall in the heart of the old town area of the city of Segovia. Just over an hour from Mardrid by train, Segovia is a very historic place to visit. The first sight I remember seeing was the tower of the Segovia cathedral only as the train got closer to Segovia and well before I saw another building in the town. It really does dominate the skyline as the photos show.

At night the Segovia cathedral is lit up and is a nice sight indeed. Inside it it is quite cool and even in a hot April a light jacket was worth wearing. I wasn't able to take photos inside but it is worth seeing if you haven't seen a big Spanish style cathedral before.

A view of the Segovia cathedral from a hotel window.

A view of the Segovia cathedral tower from the Alcazar.

The Segovia cathedral as seen from the east near dusk.

Views of the Segovia cathedral from the east near the old wall.

A night view of the Segovia cathedral from the west.

Gargoyles on a Munich church

2008-09-18T01:40:00.008+09:00

Munich is a nice city with a lot of history to see as far as taking photos is concerned. I'll be posting more photos of Munich later but thought I would start posting on Munich with these photos of some gargoyles a little similar to those on Notre Dame in Paris - probably the most famous.

The trams of Vienna

2008-09-16T00:57:00.013+09:00

The trams in Vienna provide good transport for the tourist wanting to get around the city centre. Along with the metro or subway system, the trams of Vienna are part of a very good public transportation system.

Some of Vienna's trams are old and have character, while other trams are new and modern. As the photos show mostly the older versions of Vienna trams in two colours, there are nice modern trams that are more comfortable which I haven't taken photos of.

Notre Dame Cathedral and the Moon at dusk

2008-09-15T00:18:00.012+09:00

Paris at dusk is a beautiful place especially near Notre Dame Cathedral and the river running past it. We were lucky enough to get a full moon rising behind the cathedral which provided a good backdrop for taking a few photos.

Notre Dame cathedral gets many visitors daily and is a major attraction for tourists. I recommend viewing the outside of Notre dame around dusk for the romantic views before eating at a restaurant nearby.

The Eiffel tower - Paris

2008-09-09T01:59:00.010+09:00

The Eiffel tower in Paris France is a sight to remember the first time you see it. I remember seeing it from a train and thinking,"wow".

As the photos show, it can be viewed in the day or at night and each time of day gives a different impression. At night the light show is interesting and worth the wait to see it. I watched from a distance from a bridge which gave a good view and allowed me to take some photos.

In the air from Madrid to Vienna

2008-09-07T00:14:00.012+09:00

In the air over the alps of Switzerland and Austria provides good views of the alps and other planes at high altitude, and luckily at a distance.

It's a short flight from Madrid in Spain to Vienna Austria, and you are met with two very different cultures and languages which adds to the interest, or difficulty, whichever way you look at it. At least there is one currency to work with!

Vienna - Austria

2008-09-06T01:27:00.017+09:00

Vienna has a lot to see and do. Central Vienna is cute, historic, cosmopolitan and exciting all in one. I hope my Vienna photos do Vienna justice. Oh, and the trams in Vienna are good too!

There will be more Vienna photos and commentary coming...

Digital photography secrets

The palace gardens of Versailles

2008-09-05T11:31:00.012+09:00

The gardens of Versaiiles palace are very impressive!

We were fortunate enough to see them for free because the palace was closed and the gardens were open to the public. This allowed us to walk around and view the different areas which was also enjoyed by many others.

There are many little walkways throughout the gardens of Versaiiles which can confuse you but there is always something to see at the end or in the next walkway. Parts of the gardens are maze like in constuction with hedges etc blocking your view. The many statues of Versaiiles palace are impressive and the white color looks good with the green of the gardens.

Before you visit the Palace of Versaiiles in Paris be sure to check their website to see what days it is closed to save you any troubles. Otherwise you will not see the inside of the palace which is just awesome. More on that later.....

Madrid Spain - Near the Prado museum

2008-09-03T12:20:00.011+09:00

The Prado Museum in Madrid has some of the best art in the world as collections go. The Prado museum is near the Retiro Park so after seeing the park it is possible to go to the museum and spend a few hours there. The photo below is not the main museum building. Just go left of it and then take the first street down beside it and the main building is down to the left.

Madrid Spain - El Retiro Park area

2008-09-02T12:54:00.012+09:00

Madrid is a lively and interesting city, however it has its quiet places and El Retiro park is a place where you can find people relaxing, enjoying the large pond in small boats, and just walking the gardens.