Exploring Prague...no wait. Exploring Austria (again?!)
In my last post I was writing about how we had nothing left to plan for this trip. I should know better than to write something like that. Life will always be sure to make it more interesting than expected.
After Italy we drove back north for a couple of weeks in Vienna to visit with my Family from Canada. (After a few amazing days in Lake Bled, Slovenia). Vienna is such a great city - TRULY! I know it's not exactly on the big tourist list, but I suppose that is exactly why we love it. It's a town of grand music, beautiful art, incredible theater, and even better FOOD!
And I suppose the same could be said for Prague too.
Prague is the kind of place that doesn't even look real when you're staring right at it! It's easy to see the Austrian influence on the grand architecture (the Austrian Empire did rule there for about 400 years) and, when the sun comes out, the city really shines!
Prague was to be our 'special' last week before heading back to Canada. Starting next week, we get back into 'work mode' prepping the truck, dogs, and ourselves for our return to Vancouver Island. Well, Prague certainly made our visit memorable all right...but not for the rest and relaxation.
Truth be told, it was anything but.
We got to an AirBnB that was unsanitary, didn't provide a refund, and didn't offer to find us alternative accommodations (I'm not one to publicly vent, so that's all I'll say about that.) In the end, we held up in a hotel for two nights (on our own dime) while we tried to figure out next steps (Note to dog owners: In the EU Hilton Hotels are pet friendly and are totally cool with 2 dogs in a single room, which is #AWESOME).
After 24 hours of being frustrated, we left Prague.
Which was a shame because it's such a lovely city, and we would have loved to explored it more. But we just couldn't shake the bad first impression. We've traveled enough to know that when things start to go wrong, don't wait around for more to follow.
We realize just how lucky we are that we can move around when things start to go south. For something like this to happen to travelers who have only a week or two of vacation...that would just be terrible! So, please always try to expect the unexpected.
However, now - at this moment - we are now in Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) staying in the National Park Kalkalpen. Which is STUNNING!!! How did we not know this part of Austria existed??! We are hiking and playing in the snow - this place is very much heaven on Earth! And if Prague hadn't gone sour, we would have never had the opportunity to explore this glorious slice of adventure!
So, in the words of a particularly famous Austrian...
"I'll be back"
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