Central Park in New York City

On April 5, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn New York19 Comments

When visiting Manhattan in New York City, taking a stroll in Central Park is a must. Especially during the summer months, it is amazingly beautiful in the center of city of skyscrapers. You can take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, until they ban them, but we didn’t want to based upon reports we had heard about how the horses were treated. Until you actually see it from above, it is hard to believe how large Central Park actually is, which is over 843 acres. There are activities throughout the year, so it is worth checking out their official website before you come to New York to see what is happening when you are there.

View of Central Park from the Top of the Rock

In addition to special events and concerts, there is the Central Park Zoo and Belvedere Castle as well as a variety of statues located throughout the park. Renting a bike is a great way to get around and see even more of the park than just by walking its many paths. During the summer, there are many artists selling artwork or willing to paint your caricature if you have the time to sit for one. There are also ball parks and open spaces to toss a Frisbee or kick a soccer ball around. You can even rent a rowboat on the lake, which they have been doing for over 150 years, or take a ride on a gondola.

There are concession stands throughout the park as well, which is a great way to get an inexpensive meal, but there are restaurant choices as well. The most famous of which is probably Tavern on the Green, but we were warned that their reputation has fallen slightly in recent years. We enjoyed a Sunday brunch at the Loeb Boathouse, which has wonderful views of the lake and a delicious variety of food. If you are in the mood for some French food, there is Le Pain Quotidien, which features a variety of quiches, although we did not eat there.

Central Park is truly an oasis in the heart of Manhattan with so much to do that you can certainly spend a full day there. It is possible to get a walking tour of the park, which is a great way to learn more about the history of the park and see some its lesser known attractions.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – A City on the Rebound

On April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Pennsylvania7 Comments

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of those down-to-earth cities where the people work hard, play hard, and always have a kind word to say. They take pride in their sports teams and their city, even during times when the economy wasn’t as strong. Fortunately, things are on the rise at the moment and jobs are plentiful and the city is experiencing a revival. As one of our cab drivers told us, depending upon what you do, you can come to Pittsburgh now and probably find not one job, but three. As friendly and welcoming as the people were that we met, we are definitely happy to see things improving for them.

One thing that you notice immediately when you visit Pittsburgh is that it is an unpretentious city. Most buildings are unassuming and have the feel of the turn of the century, with the exception of one glass skyscraper which is shaped like a castle and looks very out of place compared to the rest of the city. The streets are very walkable and there are a variety of wonderful restaurants, especially in the Strip, which is on Penn Street in downtown Pittsburgh.

With the three rivers converging in Pittsburgh, the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers, yellow bridges can be found at almost every turn. It is certainly worth walking to Point State Park and taking a stroll along the river for a relaxing afternoon and enjoying the views of the iconic baseball stadium that sits across from it. With rolling hills all around the city, going up to Mount Washington will provide you with wonderful views of the downtown area as well as the park. Another sight not to be missed is the famous Heinz building with its ketchup bottle proudly pouring the condiment for all of the city to see.

We only had a short time to spend in Pittsburgh, but we expect to be back again to enjoy even more of the city’s hospitality. It was definitely warm and welcoming with a very casual and relaxed feeling. The city is a melting pot of a variety of central European cultures from Polish, German, Italian, and more, which makes it a very unique cultural city as well as culinary city to visit.

Prague Castle Complex

On February 5, 2018February 6, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Czech Republic14 Comments

One of the most amazing places we visited during our time in Europe was the Prague Castle Complex. There are many beautiful castles throughout Europe, but the sheer size and number of structures on the grounds of Prague Castle made it one of the most fascinating. Dating back to the 9th century with new additions being added throughout its history, the complex has the castle fortress, palaces, gardens, cathedrals and churches, a monastery, as well as several defense towers. This is definitely one of those places that you could visit several times and still see something new every time.

Seeing the castle complex from Charles Bridge is one of the most iconic sights that you will ever see while traveling around Europe. Once you cross the bridge, you enter a city of its own that surrounds the castle. We were on a walking tour, so we didn’t get to go inside of the Royal Palace, the St. Vitus Cathedral, or St. George’s Basilica, but there is so much to see just walking around the grounds. We were there during the off-season and the crowds were still very large and the lines to enter the palace were several hours long and the cathedral was closed during our visit. If you have the time and are willing to wait in the long lines, based on what we have heard, it is worth it to see the luxurious grandeur that awaits you when you enter.

St. Vitus Cathedral and the Prague Castle Complex, Czech Republic

Beautiful Building on the Complex Grounds

Walking through the complex, the spires of the St. Vitus Cathedral dominate the skyline and it is a wonderful example of a gothic cathedral. And yet, somehow, it felt unique compared to many of the other gothic cathedrals that we have seen in Europe. There are so many incredible details on the exterior of the cathedral that you are treated to something new around every corner. The colorful fresco above the doors of the cathedral was one of the more interesting features that we saw as we toured around the complex.

Classic Gothic Style of St. Vitus Cathedral

The views from the castle complex are amazing and you are treated to an incredible cityscape that overlooks the ancient red roofs with the modern city of Prague off in the distance. After leaving the palace and cathedral, you walk through the narrow streets of the Golden Lane as well as streets lined with shops and restaurants. Everywhere you look, your eyes are greeted with the fascinating architecture of Prague. There is so much to see in this wonderful city, but visiting the Prague Castle Complex is certainly one of the highlights of any visit. If you want to capture the memory forever, stop at the stand of one of the many artists that are on Charles Bridge and purchase an original piece of art at a reasonable price that captures the sights of Prague.