2025 Vacation

For 2025 Dan went off to visit Europe again, actually his 73rd and 74th trip across the Atlantic!

Unlike our last European visit, the weather was perfect every day, both nice and warm and not a drop of rain. So over a couple of weeks, Dan got in several mini-visits...

Ireland

The first being to visit brother Andrew, sister-in-law Liz and nephew Josh in Ireland. It was a fun visit focused around Dungarvan and Youghal. We also got a private tour of Cahir Castle thanks to Andrew's friend who works for the OPW.

On the last day we visited Waterford which has a new museum quarter, with several excellent attractions, Vikings in VR, a fine clock museum, a beautiful silver collection, the Bishop's palace and the new Waterford glass showroom, though sadly most of the manufacturing is now done in eastern Europe.

Hamburg

From there Dan paid a flying visit to Hamburg, specifically to visit Minatur Wunderland, which is widely considered to be one of the world's greatest model railways. He also got in a city tour and in the evening a visit to the premier of the immersive exhibtion based on the works of Gustav Klimt.

England

Back in England for a couple of days and staying at Heathrow with a lovely view of the runway (thank goodness for sound proofing), Dan was able to catch up with several old friends and take a lovely morning stroll around central London. A visit with Mark followed and then the next day, it was time to head off to Oxfordshire, for lunch with Neil and Alison.

Holland

The last leg of the trip was a weekend in Amsterdam. Another good long walk around the city, was combined with a visit to the Willet-Holthuysen house, a wealthy 19th century merchant's home and after that the house of Rembrandt, where we got to see the great man's studio. I also had an opportunity for a bit of train spotting at Central Station and even a swift run down to The Hauge where the Dutch parliament sits.

The trip wrapped up with a visit to the gardens of Keukenoff. These are only open to the public for a couple of months in the spring, where the huge Dutch flower industry gets to show off it's world beating talents. Sight and smell are completely overwhelming and it should definitely be on everyone's must see list.

What a great way to wrap up my European trip.

Ireland

Cahir Castle

Dungarvan

Waterford

Youghal

Hamburg

Minatur Wunderland

City Tour

Klimt Exhibition

England

Heathrow Hotel

City Walk

Oxfordshire

Holland

Around the City

Merchant's House

Rembrandt's House

Central Station

Keukenhof Gardens