I love that you started with commentary on the ferries. Of course you did.
Also: another reason to enjoy Vienna is the integrated public transit system that is so simple to understand that even a visitor can make the most of it.
Love these check-ins and am always looking forward to the next one.
You are completely right "So long as it doesn’t involve a private jet or ivory tusks, the best way of travelling is whatever brings someone the most joy." Travel the way you want and that pleases you most. You travel differently than me, but are visiting some of my favourite places. Europe has so much to offer.
The missing caution signs and barriers were something I also found missing in Copenhagen as a couple of friends drank beer sitting on a pier legs dangling off the edge. In so many ways this memory is seared as "huh we're not at home."
I hope you publish these all in a book. And spend the rest of your life traversing the world, while coming back now and again to ensure our aspiring world class city is kept to task.
“So long as it doesn’t involve a private jet or ivory tusks, the best way of travelling is whatever brings someone the most joy.” - what a perfect description
Love your travel blog, Justin! My only complaint is, I want more! Your blogs are insightful, informative, crisp and best of all, funny. Keep ‘em coming!
@justin - One thing I don't recall you mentioning about Europe as compared to North America, is the almost total lack of warning signage or safety barriers in places that would have plenty of both in North America. I'm guessing it has to do with the litigious climate in North America, where signage and barriers are protecting property owners from being sued as much as they are protecting the public. But it is definitely something that is conspicuous by it's absence, to me anyway. It was your mention of Ghent that made me think of it. We toured Gravensteen Castle on a day when a medieval festival was taking place and the castle was packed with families. Very small children were running along the wall-walks with nary a railing or rope in sight. Not even a "Caution - it's a long way down" sign. I just thought that was another interesting difference. Anyway, I'm very much enjoying your blog. It's a treat to follow along on your adventures.
Justin, thanks for visiting my corner of the world! I appreciate you taking the time to stray off the well-known tracks in the south of Europe! :) also, thanks for adding the perspective about the past Europe inevitably lived through. I had similar (but reversed) emotions when I spent some time in Vancouver. I felt the trauma and historic challenges there are of a very different nature (wrt First Nations), and to this day the society feels younger and less burdened to me (likely an illusion, again wrt First Nations!). I appreciate you remarking on it in any case.
My parents lived in countries in Europe directly impacted by WW2, so they like millions of others, were happy to leave for the ‘new’ world, less affected by all that destruction. Most European countries have done a good job of memorializing their history, including the 20th century part. It is interesting that there are few left who lived through those periods and the generations that have followed are charting new approaches to the social democrat promise of the late 20th century which is why many of the cities you visited recently show up on various ‘best’ lists. Canada has a tough time straddling the influences of the US and Europe when each entity is quite different. I often feel we have one foot in one world and one in the either and as a result, we miss out on some important societal goals as it is hard to find compromises between the two.
I am really enjoying your perspective on what you see and experience as you explore!
I love that you started with commentary on the ferries. Of course you did.
Also: another reason to enjoy Vienna is the integrated public transit system that is so simple to understand that even a visitor can make the most of it.
Love these check-ins and am always looking forward to the next one.
You are completely right "So long as it doesn’t involve a private jet or ivory tusks, the best way of travelling is whatever brings someone the most joy." Travel the way you want and that pleases you most. You travel differently than me, but are visiting some of my favourite places. Europe has so much to offer.
The missing caution signs and barriers were something I also found missing in Copenhagen as a couple of friends drank beer sitting on a pier legs dangling off the edge. In so many ways this memory is seared as "huh we're not at home."
I hope you publish these all in a book. And spend the rest of your life traversing the world, while coming back now and again to ensure our aspiring world class city is kept to task.
“So long as it doesn’t involve a private jet or ivory tusks, the best way of travelling is whatever brings someone the most joy.” - what a perfect description
Book deal is already signed! Coming either late 2025 or early 2026!
Wonderful! Please keep us posted.
Yes! excellent news
Love your travel blog, Justin! My only complaint is, I want more! Your blogs are insightful, informative, crisp and best of all, funny. Keep ‘em coming!
@justin - One thing I don't recall you mentioning about Europe as compared to North America, is the almost total lack of warning signage or safety barriers in places that would have plenty of both in North America. I'm guessing it has to do with the litigious climate in North America, where signage and barriers are protecting property owners from being sued as much as they are protecting the public. But it is definitely something that is conspicuous by it's absence, to me anyway. It was your mention of Ghent that made me think of it. We toured Gravensteen Castle on a day when a medieval festival was taking place and the castle was packed with families. Very small children were running along the wall-walks with nary a railing or rope in sight. Not even a "Caution - it's a long way down" sign. I just thought that was another interesting difference. Anyway, I'm very much enjoying your blog. It's a treat to follow along on your adventures.
I was at Gravensteen and noticed that too!
Justin, thanks for visiting my corner of the world! I appreciate you taking the time to stray off the well-known tracks in the south of Europe! :) also, thanks for adding the perspective about the past Europe inevitably lived through. I had similar (but reversed) emotions when I spent some time in Vancouver. I felt the trauma and historic challenges there are of a very different nature (wrt First Nations), and to this day the society feels younger and less burdened to me (likely an illusion, again wrt First Nations!). I appreciate you remarking on it in any case.
My parents lived in countries in Europe directly impacted by WW2, so they like millions of others, were happy to leave for the ‘new’ world, less affected by all that destruction. Most European countries have done a good job of memorializing their history, including the 20th century part. It is interesting that there are few left who lived through those periods and the generations that have followed are charting new approaches to the social democrat promise of the late 20th century which is why many of the cities you visited recently show up on various ‘best’ lists. Canada has a tough time straddling the influences of the US and Europe when each entity is quite different. I often feel we have one foot in one world and one in the either and as a result, we miss out on some important societal goals as it is hard to find compromises between the two.
I am really enjoying your perspective on what you see and experience as you explore!