Seattle True Foodies

[This is an informational message, not a meetup/meeting.] If you are interested in this trip, please write to me through Meetup (see links at the end) to set up a time to talk, as I have been to these places and can discuss more than I can write here.

These destinations can be as beautiful as a trip France or Italy (depending on the choice of sightseeing). This is a great travel opportunity for someone who enjoys European civilization and charming dining experiences, who would like the freedom and convenience of traveling mostly independently but also have someone there to share a few selected meals and some sightseeing. I am looking for a travel/dining companion or two during a trip to Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest in the first part of June. The meals are about half a dozen and are not formal (smart-casual or casual-elegant). As I have been to these cities before, I can provide guidance on flights, lodging, trains, sightseeing, which will be minimize research and work. Lodging will be separate lodging. You can determine costs through your choices. Being independent travel, not a commercial tour, there are many possibilities, including being there the entire time (June 1 to 13), or part of it, or extending the trip (see below for possibilities of extending the trip for those who have more time).

This trio of Eastern European cities offers many vacation possibilities: just experiencing living in Europe in walkable cities; visiting beautiful palaces, museums, churches, and synagogues; seeing a range of charming European architecture and interiors; hearing classical music in settings that match; being outdoors in picturesque areas; bathing in the thermal springs in Budapest; or enjoying international cuisine, French cheese, and Viennese pastries.

Vienna was an important center of European civilization, and has been voted the most livable city in the world for the past three years. It is known for its many museums (fine arts, decorative arts, furniture, jewelry & dress); its cafes and coffee drinks; and its pastries. Its art museum has a large and impressive collection of European art.

Mozart's hometown, Salzburg, surrounded by hills and on the banks of a river, is a charming smaller city, with its own set of attractions. Budapest boasts some gorgeous interiors, including what must be the most beautiful parliament interior in the world, a historic café that is named the most beautiful in the world, and thermal baths in Ottoman-Empire and Art Deco interiors. Many people enjoy the food in Budapest.

Time in the city can be balanced with time outdoors. Vienna has the Vienna Woods, Salzburg its riverside walk, and Budapest its City Park with a romantic, 19th century castle. There is also the option of taking a boat ride in the Wachau Valley from Vienna to Melk Abbey and its gardens.

From Salzburg, one can take a train into Germany, or return to Vienna. From Vienna, Prague (another Eastern European gem) is a three-hour train ride away. One can also fly back to Seattle with a free stopover in Istanbul, another traveler favorite. (I have been to Prague and Istanbul and can provide sightseeing guidance on either.)

If you are interested in this trip, please write to me through Meetup to discuss, either through this group or by visiting the profile page (link below) and sending a message:

https://www.meetup.com/members/9946965/

[This is an informational message, not a meetup/meeting, so please disregard the date/time.] I am visiting the lesser-known island of Java in Indonesia in the second half of July this year, 2025 (during the dry and cool season there). Java is a larger island next to the famous Bali, and you can begin or continue your trip in Bali, just a short flight away. Java was the seat of ancient and sophisticated Hindu and Buddhist empires that I plan to explore in reconstructed ruins, as well as sculpture at the National Museum. Prambanan is the second largest ancient Hindu temple in the world, after the more famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, built as a three dimensional mandala (like Tibetan mandalas) that can be climbed.

Java is culturally very rich. There are richly dressed dance performances of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, against the backdrop of Prambanan; musical performances by gamelan orchestra; and the most beautiful and intricate resist-dyed textiles in the world--batik and ikat.

I also plan to explore the food, not just of Indonesia, but also of other Southeast Asian countries plus Java's colonial Dutch heritage. Southeast Asia often has atmospheric restaurant dining experiences.

I have been to Bali in Indonesia twice, but not to Java, and I have been to four other Southeast Asian countries, also twice. If you are interested in joining this trip, please contact me via Meetup to discuss, either through this group, or by going to the profile page (link below) to send a message:

https://www.meetup.com/members/9946965/