A few years back, my ex, Stephen, (long may he prosper) planned a deluxe trip to Europe, including spas and five-star hotels. Then work intervened, and he couldn't go, so he gave it to me! He told me about it on Friday and I left the following Monday. As I remarked at the time, this is a great testimonial for keeping one's passport and one's exes in order. So now it's my pleasure to share with you a few photos from my trip. All ready? Here we gooooo...!

First up: Budapest.

Here's some big 'ol building in Budapest.

As you see, I'm into architecture. Order, predictability, grandeur...?

 

I'm not kidding, this is the view from my hotel room,
looking across the Danube to the Buda side of Budapest.
For a full-size version, click on it.
(When you're done gawking, hit the "back" button.)

The view of the Imperial Palace is great in the early morning before the boats disturb the waters of the Danube.

Here's the view from the Palace, looking back to Pest.
That's the Parliament building across the Danube.

All righty then! Let's go to Wien! (that would be Vienna....)

Here's a little old-world charm.

This is a photo-collage of St. Peter's Church in Vienna, which just awed me with the intensity of its baroque decor. Click on it for a bigger view. (When you're done gawking, hit the "back" button.)

This is the Imperial Winter Palace of the Hapsburgs.

They apparently liked naked men. Big ones.

And lots of 'em. Doing manly things to lions.

This is Hercules and me on our first date.

Mike Piazza busts out the whuppin' stick.

And here we have the stunning baroque Jesuit church in Vienna.

Here's some Viennese nouveau.

We took a trip to the amazing rococo abbey of Melk outside Vienna.

Then we cruised back on the Danube.

Not much left of the castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held prisoner, from whence the legend of his rescue by his beloved troubador Blondel was born.

Okay! Let's rock on to Prague!

On the way to Prague, we visited the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov.

The view from my window in Prague -- maybe not quite as grand as in Budapest but still pretty good.

From St. Nicholas Church, we start our stroll...

...across the Charles Bridge.

I saw "Don Giovanni" here in the very theater where Mozart himself conducted it in 1787.

A view of Old Town Square.

The Powder Tower is part of the medieval city fortifications.

Climb the Powder Tower and get this great view.

The nouveau Symphony Hall is right next to the Powder Tower.

Prague-ers light up their world at night.
Here's a view of the Charles Bridge,
with the Palace and St. Vitus Cathedral above.

Same deal by day....

...and this would be the other end of Charles Bridge, wouldn't it?

Let's go up to the palace, and toy with the geek-tolerant guards.

After all that raging rococo, here's some good ol' gothic at St. Vitus Cathedral.

More gothic grandeur...

...inside St. Vitus.

Climb the tower for buttresses galore!

Everyone likes the view from the top.

And here it is: Prague from the tower of St. Vitus.
Click on it for a bigger view.
(When you're done gawking, hit the "back" button.)

So there you have it. Thanks a million, Stephen, and thank you for taking Jay's cyber-trip to Europe.

DavidTours was our host for my trip to Europe last summer. As you see from all these magnificent photos, David knows how to put together a tour. I never thought I would ever be interested in taking a group tour. I want to be free to explore without anyone telling me what to do and where to go; being gay and Catholic I have obvious authority issues. Was I ever wrong! My trip with David and his great group was the best traveling experience I've ever had. He knows how to put together a compatible yet diverse group, to pick the best sights and attractions to match everyone's interests, and to blend structure with flexibility to take advantage of everything the host country has to offer. It was great. Look at me -- I'm raving! Anyway, I can't recommend DavidTours highly enough. Whether you're an experienced traveler like me or an international virgin, call David. He'll give you a travel experience you'll be thrilled with. DavidTours gets Five Stars from me! Here's a link to DavidTours' website: www.davidtours.com Or just call toll-free 888-723-0699 or e-mail info@davidtours.com The above is an unsolicited and uncompensated testimonial! I mean it! If you want to ask me about it, e-mail me: jay@gayheroes.com.

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