This week, Lindy LeCoq posed a challenge in Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #175: Follow Your Bliss: find and describe something that makes us blissfully happy. Without a doubt, the two of us agree: Travel in or out of the U.S. has become a passion for us. With an upcoming trip later this week (our first one out of the country in two years) to Prague and Germany on Viking’s Christmas Along the Elbe, we’re celebrating the joy of seeing new people, places and things.
Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.
Gustave Flaubert
The bliss of taking a cruise with Viking comes in many forms — from the delightful guides who share some of the best a city has to offer to group tours showcasing famous art and architecture.
Although we’ve visited Prague before, this trip will certainly be different. First, it will be a colder journey. But from the photo below advertising the trip, we’re hoping that we, too, will see Prague in the snow while enjoying hot chocolate or mulled wine along the way.
We’ll be searching Old Town for familiar churches, stately buildings, and commemorative statues.
And revisiting the Jewish Cemetery for another glimpse of markers all askance.
Our eyes will be searching for other sites like the view of red roofs so typical of the area — maybe with a dusting of snow this time.
Or another shot at the Astronomical Clock in Prague’s Old Town Square, shown in the photo at the top.
It’s also a time to see something new: Germany. As advertised, the cruise along the Elbe promised Christmas markets in the towns of Dresden, Meissen, Wittenberg, Potsdam, and Berlin. But recent shutdowns due to outbreaks of Covid-19 have us re-routed. We’re now scheduled to see Decin, Dessau, and Magdeburg.
If those of us with a passion for travel have learned anything, it’s how to pivot (a favorite word now popularized by the pandemic) and follow our bliss in new ways. So we’re on to new towns, new adventures.
Pivoting isn’t Plan B; it’s part of the process.
Jeff Goins
We’re packed and ready for anything. If the Christmas markets in Germany are unavailable, we’ll just take more pictures. And maybe hang out on the veranda looking at new ports, new sites, and blissfully colorful ways of life wherever our cruise takes us.
As we follow our passion for travel, we hope to snap new photos to share in the coming winter months. May each of you find your bliss and make it your own — even with modifications.
Travel blissfully,
Rusha & Bert
For more entries and what makes bloggers feel blissful, head to Lindy Low LeCoq’s post. You’ll find lots to love there.
pam@ichoosethis
I should have started a few posts in! How much fun to have an international trip to look forward to!!
Oh, the Places We See
It was a last-minute decision, but a good one. What we didn’t see coming was the Omicron strain. A lot of people cancelled, leaving us with just 53 folks on board. But a little more personal attention can’t be all bad, right?
pam@ichoosethis
Totally!!! I can’t lie, I miss the lack of traffic during the pandemic. Lol
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WanderingCanadians
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I visited Prague a few years ago during the spring and had such an amazing time. I bet it looks absolutely beautiful covered in a light dusting of snow too. Safe travels.
Oh, the Places We See
Here’s hoping we get there, stay safe, and return with Christmas presents from the markets, if there are any!
Rebecca Cuningham
I adore the look of the Astronomical Clock! If my experience in the Nuremberg Christmas market is any example, you will have a wonderful time in the the German markets. I still have the hand crafted straw ornaments (from the late 1980s) that we put on our tree every year.
Oh, the Places We See
I’m definitely looking for ornaments and Santa’s. Hope some of the markets are open!
Rebecca Cuningham
Since they are open air, hopefully they will be allowed.
Edwardstokes
Hello Rabecca
Leya
Wonderful images and plans – hopefully you will get there. Europe has got rising virus levels now though – so we will stay at home.
Oh, the Places We See
I am worried. In fact, I thought Viking might just cancel the trip. We only have a couple more hours at home before departing, but we’re ready to go or stay. I’ll be so glad when we’re all relatively healthy again.
Leya
❤
Leya
Crossing fingers…
Leya
Fingers crossed for your trip.
Edwardstokes
Hello
Ana
Prague and Berlin are on my to-do list. In my city this year the Christmas market is already prepared, I think they will open it next week, if all goes well. Enjoy and take care of yourself a lot.
Oh, the Places We See
I’ve hear the Christmas markets in Prague & Germany may be limited or canceled altogether. So sad. But we’ll enjoy touring anyway.
Wandering Dawgs
So happy you are going on your trip! I love your outlook about what to do if the Christmas markets are closed. Have a wonderful time!
Oh, the Places We See
You won’t believe this: tonight the WHO recommended no travel to Czech Republic. We’ll decide what to do tomorrow. Yikes!!!
Wandering Dawgs
Oh no! Good luck! Maybe Viking will change the itinerary. We are booked on a Viking Ocean ship in January. They made major changes to our itinerary two weeks ago.
Oh, the Places We See
It should be an adventure!!!
Anne Sandler
Travel safe and have fun!
Oh, the Places We See
We may jut be going!!!! Tonight we read that WHO has recommended no travel to Czech Republic! Oh, what to do, what to do!!!
Lindy Le Coq
Your excitement at the upcoming adventure shines through your words and photos. I love the red roofs of Prague photo and hope you see some snow on this during this journey. Your healthy attitude about pivoting and embracing whatever comes your way is a lesson for all of us! Cheers.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Lindy. Would you believe we are re-evaluating this trip after the WHO has recommended no travel to the Czech Republic? S ray tuned. We may be shopping the Christmas markets in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Edwardstokes
Hello
justbluedutch
Your photos ae wonderful, so inviting.
Goodluck on your journey. Too bad Christmas mabrkets are cancelled over here in the south Germany due to rising infections. I hope you still have a fabulous time despite the changes.
Oh, the Places We See
I also hope we stay safe. A bit worried but taking all precautions.
I. J. Khanewala
Wonderful photos. Prague is beautiful, snow or not.
kzmcb
Oh that sounds wonderful. I hope to get a slice of your bliss through your posts while there.
Oh, the Places We See
I’ll post soon after, but I’m not coordinated enough to write and jnclude photos while traveling. Wish I could. But I just enjoy. Then write later. You’re sweet to look forward to the series!
Teresa
Oh Rusha…so happy for you. There’s something more magical at going to a place for the second time around. What more if it’s Prague. I am jealous. Enjoy the Christmas markets.
Oh, the Places We See
Would you believe I’m taking an extra suitcase. Christmas shopping, you know!
Teresa
Oh sure, better be prepared 👌 I am so excited for you, will be waiting for your post.
Tina Schell
Well of course I’m insanely jealous that you’re off again Rusha – we are not quite there yet. We loved Prague as I know you did so I have no doubt your journey will be wonderful. I do so hope you get some lovely snow on those red roofs and I hear the Christmas Bazaars are marvelous. I look forward to seeing your post-trip images!
Oh, the Places We See
Here’s hoping we’re out and about and fingers don’t freeze. We’re also searching for a place to secure Covid tests!!! (Required). Travel is a bit different now, but wanderlust is winning out!!!
Edwardstokes
Hello beautiful
thehungrytravellers.blog
ENJOY!!!
Oh, the Places We See
Will do our best!!
travelgarb
Happy and safe travels. Prague is stunningly beautiful, perhaps more so in midwinter.
Oh, the Places We See
Looking forward to seeing Christmas magic there. Pray for safety and no Covid exposure!!! Different times, you know.
Sue
Safe travels! And I’ve had to do a few pivots in my time
Oh, the Places We See
I guess we’ll be pivoting for a while!!!
Sue
I think so
tappjeanne
Safe travels – can’t wait to see the photos and hear all about your trip!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Jeanne. It’s gonna be a cold one. Packing thermals!!!
Pit
I like your quotation from Flaubert very much. Very apt to a travel blog. It reminds me of Mark Twain’s quote I have on my “Bilderbuch Blog” [https://pitsbilderbuch.wordpress.com/about/]: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”
Oh, the Places We See
I’ve always loved this one by Twain. Travel really has opened our eyes, and we’re much more understanding and tolerant of differences. Maybe we just need to encourage others to travel more as well!
Pit
I totally agree. All the more it’s really a pity that Covid now limits travelling so much. We become more and more ensconced in our personal bubble.
Toonsarah
I’m happy you have a trip coming up to look forward to! We’re just back from Seville, it was super to be able to fly again at last 😀 I love your quote about pivoting – I think it’s always been important while travelling and now more than ever!
Oh, the Places We See
Congrats on making there and back. There are more hoops to jump through, but travel is worth it. Thanks for taking a look!