Prague for the weekend.

Had to decide between Prague or Vienna- went for the former after our Austria fix in Innsbruck. 

We try to avoid tourist towns on the weekend- oops! 

Visited the old town on day 1 of 3- it is next to Lesser Town (not sure if that translates direct...) 

Most speak English here, although first language is Czech, and we hear some German too. 

Most interesting experience so far, the old town. Feels a lot like San Marco square in Venice, and is very humid. People flocked around the old clock on the hour-just 5 mins earlier it was relatively empty. 

The miniature cobblestones are gorgeous, although JM has trouble sleeping on them.  

We were ushered in from the main square inside the restaurant, and the prices were half inside. What a tourist tax. 

Also interesting, many of the old buildings are being restored and they sell the scaffolding as advertising space to subsidise the building expense. A great idea! Beer companies love it! 

Toured the old Jewish quarter, some amazing detail in the buildings there. 

Amazing detail when you look up- this their equivalent of 5th avenue. 

A huge day for the little fella- fell asleep with mum after bath and bottle. He faught his arvo nap with all his might.  

Austria

It is so easy to let the day get away from you just gazing at the mountains, how the clouds come and go, here in Innsbruck. 

Our hotel room overlooks the river at the foot of the mountain. The mountains, in front of us, range from about 2-3000m. The clouds are drawn to the peaks, and the way the light reflects changes from moment to moment. 

Food has been fantastic here, especially at a little modern Austrian place Die Wilderin. 

Back on the horse at Die Wilderin. Have tried Zweigelt for the first time- just when you think you have tried most wine styles! 

View from our room. We went to the top of that one with two cable cars, very busy including 2 dogs and our baby. It was a very windy on the way down. Driver took out the instruction book at one point. Hmmm. 

View almost at the top- like the moon! 

View down to our hotel- people ski down this slope and many hike up. Crazy. 

Mountains line the City. 

The water is so green it is opaque. 

A great stay, probably our best stop yet. Off to Praha/Prague tomorrow morning. A big drive ahead. 

konstanz

Visited the lake town of Konstanz (Contance) in Germany. A pretty little university town, where bikes rule and home to some very old buildings as it was not touched in the war. 

Initially we chose this place as we could not afford the swiss hotels a walk away. We walked to the border. 

A few things we love about Germany: Trav sized portions, pork, 89 cent Ritter chocolate, and 250ml glasses of wine for 4€. 

Monorail?? 

Porn star lighting in our room in Konstanz. 

JM can now sit, and almost brush his teeth! 

This one was hard to miss! 

Walk to Switzerland. 

Konstanz at night. 

Achtung! Make sure you are in the right lane! 

You call that a pork knuckle? Great little restaurant in Konstanz. 

Have just arrived at our home for 3 days- Innsbruck in Austrian Tyrol. The mountain pass, 10km+ tunnels and ever changing speed limits were a challenge in the wrong side of road and car. 

Our room overlooks the river, mountains, and about to go and explore the old town. 

John travelling well en route to Vienna and Prague. 

Food baby.

We are all feeling like we are carrying a food baby the last couple of days. 

We spent a few great days with our Belgian family, Les Jordans, in and around the Cote D'Or, Burgundy's golden slope- now especially so as the leaves slowly turn red to brown. 

Weather has been magnificent for touring and all things food. Above is the view from Chateau Gris, the only white white in the red dominant Nuits Saint Georges. The last day it went from 26ish and sunny, to pouring rain and low clouds. 

Same shot, one day apart, from our gite/b&b in the hills behind Corton. 

We were very fortunate to try some great wines in some very special spots. Thank you Roh for an unbelievable itinerary. 

Chateau Gris provided an opportunity to try some 13' grands and premiers crus from some of Trav and John's fave vineyards. Charmbolle Musigny,Clos Vougeot and Grands Échezeaux/ Échezeaux highlights. 

A couple of great food firsts this trip. A fantastic double cream cheese from Gevrey-Chambertain, escargots, pigeon, and an interesting sausage made of the private parts of pigs (thanks Roh for not telling be beforehand;) also, a fish that tastes a lot like Cray- called Lotte.  Stringy, sweet, white flesh. 

Finished up our Burgundy adventure with our Dijon family for a whistlestop before we head to our next location. Have not decided yet, better quickly! 

Rach climbing the Mont D'Or after jo's fantastic Beef Burgundy. 

See you guys soon!! 

Our ideal house?

On the Rue Des Grands Crus, next to La Tache and Romanee St Vivant. Come on! Ridiculous! 

Aubert De Villaine drove past the vineyard while we were sitting on his fence. Happy for us to do so!

Yet to see a day this clear and sunny in a French vineyard. Easy to see why they call these vineyards the 'Golden Slope'. 

From the best red zone (Vosne Romanee) to the mid point to try some Corton Charlemagne and to finish at the best white zone- Montrachet. 

Where the Cotes meet- Clos Des Longres with Lina. 

John at Montrachet- downed an entire tub of mash pumpkin in a heartbeat. A big day of touring! 

Chateau Chalon

A tiny little village that time forgot. Amazing that it is still functional. Stone houses overlooking the valley of vineyards. 

Yellow wine fermenting fills the air, tourists, restaurants, and we are eating in the middle of the road- car just passed us. 

Visited the waterfalls yesterday, and the Coq au vin was so good we arranged it takeaway for a night in. 

Such a focussed little fella- dessert at la balance. 

At the Herisson falls. A lady said 'courage' as we walked past her with John in the stroller. Others were lacing up their hiking boots. lightweights. 

JM has figured out light switches. And he is using his tongue to think a lot more. :-p

South facing patchwork of Chateau Chalon- famous for the Vin Jaune. 

If you ever become a wino...

I take full responsibility. 

The Coq Au Vin Jaune, with morels, would give the famous Coq Conidi a run for its money!