Europe Visits
The Netherlands
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The site is the actual house where she hid from the Nazi occupation. The walk-through tells the story, which is quite incredible. The museum broadened its message to discuss discrimination in various forms.
August 2007
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August 2007
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Fantastic collection of Dutch Masters. You also get a history of the Netherlands and of Amsterdam through the art. Very close to Van Gogh Museum. |
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Van
Gogh Museum http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?lang=en
August 2007
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This must be the best Van Gogh collection anywhere. What a joy to see in person pieces made famous around the world. The museum is large and airy. There is much more walking that you might expect. The museum houses a great many pieces through his varied career. |
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European Space Agency Research and Technology Centre Keplerlaan
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http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMOMQ374OD_index_0.html
The centre is the design and assembly center for ESA spacecraft. One can get tours through the windowed observation area for the assembly area. The Centre also has a museum with European, Soviet and US hardware and mock-ups.
June 2008 |
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Dublin, Ireland
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St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin, Ireland
The Dublin city centre is the location of many interesting monuments and structures. Of particular interest is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The building itself is interesting, but as is the case with most European cathedrals, the ornamentation and plaques inside tell many stories. St. Patrick’s includes a memorial to Boy Scouts who were killed in “The Great War”. This one touched our hearts.
August 2007 |
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Scotland
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National Museum of Flight East Fortune Airfield Tel: 0131 247 4238
The museum houses many aircraft of importance, not the least of which is a Concorde supersonic transport The museum is located on the grounds of a World War 2-era airbase, and preserves some of the facilities, though they are not a major aspect of the museum. . August 2007
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Edinburgh Castle Castle Hill The Royal Mile Edinburgh
A must-see stop for its dominance of the region, but up close, one can see the technology embedded in its construction. It is a prime example of medieval defense technology.
August 2007
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National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street Edinburgh, EH1 1JF 0131 247 4422
The museum has a wonderful exhibit on science and technology, including Dolly, the cloned sheep. We particularly liked the collection of antique scientific instruments. These were from the heyday of Brass and Rosewood. The photo is an enormous mechanical orrey, modeling the movements of the planets of the solar system,.
August 2007 |
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The Palace at Holyroodhouse Edinburgh
Here you can see how royalty lives. It is opulent, but not as cozy as one might think. A walk from the front door to at TV room might be longer than your walk to the drugstore. The palace tour includes bits of history and royal intrigue, unfolded from room to room.
August 2007
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
This is an impressive garden. Perhaps the most impressive are the palm trees housed in a huge greenhouse.
August 2007
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Real Mary Kings Close 2 Warriston’s Close High Street Edinburgh EH1 1PG
August 2007
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This is a walk-through of the underground old, old city of Edinburgh. It is interesting for historical background. |
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Loch Ness 3D Experience
August 2007
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If you can’t get all the way out to Loch Ness, you can see the 3D movie and get the tourist version of what’s out there. Of course, it is credulous. Otherwise, the movie would be ten seconds with Sean Connery intoning “There is no monster in Loch Ness.” |
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Royal Yacht Britannia Edinburgh Dock
When not required elsewhere, the Britannia is on display here. The tour includes a description of the operations of the vessel, including
August 2007 |
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