Aquincum

Budapest has a rich history which is pretty much why such a large area of it is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site stretches along the Danube up to Aquincum, which is the ruins of the ancient Roman settlement.

While the Roman town was rather large, the archaeological park is located at the remains of the civil town (the legionary fortress was further down the river).

Its quite a fascinating park with the excavated ruins of buildings and artifacts...even an amphitheater.
Check it out.

 

Schönbrunn

Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens is located within Vienna.

At one point it was the residence of the Habsburg emporers.

Its now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Its also the location of the oldest zoo in the world...

...which has Pandas.

Pandas are awesome.

Check out Schönbrunn

Vienna

Getting to Vienna was supposed to be a short high-speed train ride away from Budapest, so we booked a night's hotel and decided to make a short visit.

Of course, when we were actually in Budapest, it was the peak of the flooding this past June, so the trip was actually a low-speed train to a slow bus to a high-speed train ride away.

Still Vienna was worth it.

Its so rich in culture and art, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

I could spend months there and still be exploring.

The two days we did spend there was enough to convince me that I would like to return in the future for an extended stay.

Pictures of Vienna are up in the galleries.

Check them out.

Toronto in the Summer

One of the great things about living in Toronto is that there is so much to see and photograph. 

This summer has been no exception.

Between High Park, Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Gairlock Gardens, Muskoka and Mountsberg, I've managed to find Cherry blossoms, foxes, beavers, wolf cubs, goslings, raptors and other interesting aves.

Check them out. 

The layover

One of the great things about traveling to Europe is that most destinations have options as to what airline you pick.
And if booked with a little foresight, you can add a mini-trip to your planned trip.
In 2010 I had a vacation in Finland, but I flew Air France and scheduled a layover in Paris.
I had enough time to see the main sights, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame...
...I even had time to go out and see the Palace of Versailles.
This past June, I journeyed to Budapest.
By flying Finnair, I was able to schedule a layover in Helsinki.
As I had already been to Helsinki in 2010, I didn't feel any pressure to see all the sights, and instead had time to just enjoy being in the city.

Pictures of Helsinki have been added to the galleries.
Check them out.