Herkbert's VirtualTourist Home Page

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 twenty-nine plus years together to travel and enjoy many different places - sometimes on our own and sometimes with friends.. We've been to romantic cities, tropical islands, 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 ...

2008 was an amazing travel year for us. In the spring we visited Italy, spending time making our way through the beautiful towns and countryside in Tuscany. Then, in December, we spent Christmas week in Paris celebrating my 50th birthday.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think of the places we've seen in our travels. I can't wait to see where the future will take us. It's an awfully big world, and there are so many places to see.

In 2009, we decided to stay in the US. We travelled to Rhode Island and the Hudson River Valley in June, and then took a short trip to Chicago in September. Just a time to see a little more of the US before we head back to Europe next year.

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.

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.

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:

Paris - anytime we can get there
Northern Italy - Piedmont - Spring 2010
Switzerland
Bordeaux and the Loire Valley
Australia

Eiffel Tower - Paris
Michelangelo's David - Florence
Tower Bridge - London
Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco
Bellagio Fountains - Las Vegas
Charles Bridge - Prague
Promenade des Anglais - Nice
The Seine at sunset - Paris
Napa Valley from a hot air balloon at sunrise

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!