"Welcome to my travel pages!" Herkbert's Profile

Staying on the move..

2013 is turning out to be a great travel year. We have two trips to France planned. First we'll be heading to Paris, Burgundy and Alsace for a couple weeks. Looking forward to a Paris return and then exploring new wine regions and tasting some great wines.

Later in the year, we're going to spend a couple weeks in Provence. Nice, Arles, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. Gotta make sure I brush up on my French!

Christmas dream come true....

Christmas time in Innsbruck

I've wanted to visit Vienna at Christmastime since I was a young boy and finally my dream has come true. We spent the first half of December traveling through Austria from Innsbruck to Salzburg to Vienna. It couldn't have been a more perfect trip.

There was just enough snow and cold to remind us it was winter, but the warmth of the people we met made it feel like summer. With so much to see, do and experience we could have stayed for the whole month. I've added pages for Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Filzmoos and Hallstatt. Take a look if you have a moment.

Favorite Places we've visited:

Un-mistakenly Paris

We have visited some terrific places and have brought home pictures and memories that will last a lifetime. While each place is different, they all have a connection - they are places to discover new people, customs, architecture and tastes. Some of our favorites follow:

Paris - was our first trip to Europe and it was amazing. The city was breath-taking and every time we saw one of the famous landmarks we were as thrilled as a child on Christmas morning. The second and third times we went were just as exciting. It is a city that we will return to whenever we can.

Venice - was a city that I've always wanted to visit. It held a certain air of romance and beauty that could only be found while traversing its many canals and back streets. Well, it was better then I would have ever expected. I can say that I fell in love with Venice. We will return.

Tuscany - was a place that we had high expectations of before leaving and it surpassed those expectations easily. I felt so relaxed and comfortable there, almost like I had been there before.

Napa Valley, CA - is a place that we could easily call home. We love wine and Napa Valley is the total wine experience. Any time of the year that you visit there are plenty of things to see and do. friendly people, beautiful scenery and lots of delicious wine.

Las Vegas - the lights, the energy, the people - we love it. Like to gamble - this is your place. Like to eat - this is your place. Like to lounge by a pool under the sun - this is your place. Add in fabulous entertainment and people watching and you have a great vacation.

Travel Wish List

The skies the limit

There are so many places that we would like to visit, and hopefully we will have the chance as time goes by. Among the places that are high on our list are:

Bourgogne
Alsace
Bordeaux
Belgium
Amsterdam
Amalfi Coast
Hawaii
China

My travel favorites:

Now that's Italian..

Countries: France and Italy
City: Paris
Landmark: Eiffel Tower
Church: Duomo (Milan)
Restaurant: L'Ambroisie (Paris)
Art Museum: Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
Museum: British Museum (London)
Monument: Lincoln Memorial (Washington DC)
Hotel: Hotel Metropole (Bellagio)
Venue: Vienna State Opera House (Vienna)

Some of our favorite sights so far:

The beach in Nice

Eiffel Tower - Paris
Michelangelo's David - Florence
The Last Supper - Milan
Gardens of Chateau Villandry
Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco
Town of Bellagio - Lake Como
Bellagio Fountains - Las Vegas
Charles Bridge - Prague
Promenade des Anglais - Nice
The Seine at sunset - Paris
Grande Canal - Venice
Tower Bridge - London
Chateau Chenonceau from a hot air balloon - Loire Valley

A little about me...

Sailboat in Narragansett Bay

Born and raised near Buffalo, NY in the US just over 50 years ago. Didn't travel much when I was a kid, but always thought about going to some really "cool" places someday. Met my wife back when we were teenagers and have been together ever since. I believe that this is the happily ever after part of life that I read about back in the old days!

My wife and I have been lucky enough in our thirty plus years together to travel and enjoy many different places - sometimes on our own and sometimes with friends.. We've been to romantic cities, sandy beaches, casinos, vineyards, castles, museums and some great restaurants.

We enjoy sight-seeing, the theatre, good food and wine, and everything about traveling - except for maybe the cramped airline seats. Visiting a new place and mixing with the locals to really get to know the location has always been a favorite activity - whether we know the language or not - we do try.

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you will enjoy my travel pages as much as I enjoyed building them ...

Our photos...

A view of the Viader Vineyards in Napa Valley.

I love taking pictures, and half the fun of taking them is sharing them with others. I hope you enjoy my pictures and show others if you'd like. All I ask is that if you are going to use them or publish them to let me know. (that way I can brag to my other photo friends.)

I promise to do the same when looking at your pictures!

Intro Updated May 3, 2013
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Personal Pages (2)

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Comments (182)

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jumpingnorman Apr 1, 2013 at 11:43 AM

Wonderful homepage and great plans for 2013 -- maybe December can be the Southwest USA, haha --- have fun :)
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gwened Apr 1, 2013 at 11:02 AM

ahh enjoying Napa you will love Burgundy in your trip. And be as you are no problems here. Cheers
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rudysmom626 Mar 5, 2013 at 10:03 AM

Hey Tom! Just wanted to let you know we featured one of your amazing photos of Vienna today on our VT Facebook page! You can check it out here: facebook.com/VirtualTourist?...

Can't wait to read more of your tips and see more of your amazing photos!

Cheers!
Blake aka Rudysmom626
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  Herkbert Mar 5, 2013 at 1:08 PM
  
  Thanks for the heads up, Blake. I do have some catching up to do with my Austria tips. Cheers!
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Parisforless Dec 26, 2012 at 4:32 AM

Happy birthday and many great travels!
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  Herkbert Dec 26, 2012 at 6:48 PM
  
  Thanks, Svetlana! Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2013 to you.
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  Parisforless Dec 28, 2012 at 2:52 PM
  
  Merry Christmas to you too. May 2013 be filled with joy, peace, happiness, success, prosperity and as many exceptional travels as possible.
  Svetlana Bellon - parisforless
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tere1 Dec 25, 2012 at 2:18 AM

Belated Happy Birthday!
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  Herkbert Dec 25, 2012 at 6:09 AM
  
  Thanks! I wish you all the best during the holiday season.
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rivambroza Dec 24, 2012 at 6:33 AM

Happy Birthday!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
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  Herkbert Dec 25, 2012 at 6:08 AM
  
  Thank you.. I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!
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thinking Dec 24, 2012 at 5:23 AM

Greetings! Happy Holidays! Will be in your city very soon for the ski season. Bisous xxx
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  Herkbert Dec 25, 2012 at 6:07 AM
  
  Happy Holidays! And we will be traveling through yours in the springtime.
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LadyRVG Dec 24, 2012 at 4:47 AM

Happy Birthday Tom! Hope you and the family have a Merry Christmas!
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  Herkbert Dec 25, 2012 at 6:05 AM
  
  Thanks Liz! I hope you and yours can find joy during the holidays. Merry Christmas!
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  LadyRVG Dec 27, 2012 at 6:34 AM
  
  Thanks Tom! It was a rough Christmas but we survived.
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rosata Dec 24, 2012 at 1:37 AM

Happy Birthday and Seasons Greetings from England!
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  Herkbert Dec 25, 2012 at 6:03 AM
  
  Thanks for the birthday wishes and Seasons Greetings from across the pond.
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nicolaitan Nov 22, 2012 at 5:45 PM

enjoy your trip. check the restaurants we found in vienna, far better than salzburg. and nice photo of bellagio btw.