Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Wertheim am Main, Germany, 2024.
Wurzburg, Germany, 2024.
On Wednesday morning, May 22, 2024, I drove 70 miles from Nürenberg, to Würzburg, Germany in a little over an hour. This was my first stop along The Romantic Road, (Romantische Straße). Romantic Road derivation is from the German Romanticism (Romantic Era).
As a postscript; Wednesday evening I stopped at a cafe along the River Main for a typical German dinner. I was told I was in an Italian Restaurant! I had a nice Italian pasta dinner with an Aperol Sritz dessert cocktail made with Italian Prosecco!
Early Thursday afternoon I drove to a hotel I already had booked reservations, in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Dresden, Germany, 2024.
“Napoleon-stone” in the Schlossplatz. This paving stone marked with an N indicates the spot where Napoleon Bonaparte paraded his troops and set off for the Battle of Dresden on August 26, 1813, in which he was victorious.
I did not find stone. Photo by Henry Mühlpfordt.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Saxon & Bohemian Switzerland National Park – 2024.
This is basically one region with two national parks. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park on the Czech Republic’s side and the Saxon Switzerland National Park on the Germany side of their border. The whole park has many touristic trails. (My friend Hermann, has done technical rock climbing in the park.) Our tour covered the main highlights along sandstone formations and the Pravčická gate, the only European rock bridge.
I purchased this small group tour from Dresden, German and was picked up Monday, May 20, 2024 at my hotel, for a 40 minute ride into the park. We picked up Geoffrey and Anita at the train station. The other five in our group came in another van from Prague, Czech Republic.
If your wondering why it’s called Saxon & Bohemian Switzerland. The name is derived from the neighboring region on the German side, called Saxon Switzerland. Swiss artists from Bohemian Dresden painted landscapes along the Elbe river, and nature which strongly reminded them of their home. The name Bohemian Switzerland became so popular that it turned into the areas official name.
Click on the below link for more information on the other medieval cities and villages Uncle Jack visited in 2024.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Former Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Nürnberg, Germany – 2024.
And, on a lighter note, did you know – Sandra Bullock was born in Nüremberg in 1964. Yes, the film actress and producer!
Click on the below link for more information on the other medieval cities and villages Uncle Jack visited in 2024.
Uncle Jack’s 2024 Medieval European adventure.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Colditz, Germany, 2024.
Colditz, Germany: This small town in the district of Leipzig, in the state of Saxony, Germany. It is best known for the Renaissance Castle Colditz (five minute uphill walk from my hotel) which held allied prisoners during World War II.
I read a couple books written by Castle Colditz prisoners when in High School. Making this the first item on my Bucket List!
During 1158, the major building works began. By 1200, the town around the market and castle was established. It was in this era the castle was a magnificent hunting lodge.
Old Marketplace – There are several houses built in the 1500s along the walk to the Castle. In 1829, the castle became a mental hospital for the “incurably insane.”
During World War I, the castle was also used as a Prisoner of War camp.
When the Nazis came to power in 1933, they turned the castle into a political prison for communists, homosexuals, Jews, and other “undesirables.”
It was not until 1939 that allied prisoners were housed here. This thousand-year-old fortress was in the heart of Hitler’s Reich, four hundred miles from any frontier not under Nazi control. Its outer walls were seven feet thick and the cliff on which it was built had a sheer drop of two hundred and fifty feet to the River Mulde below, making it “un-escapable.”
The Castle gained its international infamy as the site of Allied airforce officers prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. These Allied airforce officers were considered “incorrigible” for repeatedly attempted to escape from other POW camps.
In April, 1945, US troops entered the town of Colditz, and, after a two-day fight, conquered the castle.
In May, 1945, the Soviet occupation of Colditz began as Colditz was controlled by East Germany. The Soviets used the castle as a nursing home for the aged, as well as a hospital with a psychiatric clinic.
During 2006 and 2007, the castle underwent a significant amount of refurbishment and restoration. The castle walls were repainted to recreate the appearance of the castle before World War II. Repairmen and archeologists continued to find forgotten hiding spots and tunnels. And, I’m sure thr castle still holds many secrets not yet found!
Twenty years after the war investigators found the radio used by prisoners which they used to communicate with England.
In 2024 the Castle Colditz offered an amazing HistoPad Tablet which allows one to view what happened in an area of the castle over the years. As you move in and around the castle you can view what happened in that area. Some areas have a slider which lets you view different eras of what went on in that room!
Below is an amature video of the Colditz Cock flying just as designed in 1945!
If you want a detailed description and videos about the Colditz Cock Glider click the below link.
https://unclejackstravel.travel.blog/the-colditz-cock-glider/
Click on the below link for more information on the other medieval cities and villages Uncle Jack visited in 2024.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Halle (Saale), Germany, 2024.
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, I flew into Lepzig, Germany on Turkish Airlines. Then I rented a car and drove to Halle (Saale).
Halle has a historic and largely intact city centre Markplatz. There were only two World War II bombing raids carried out against this town, both in March 1945. Restoration work lasted from 1946 to 1948.
Halle (Saale) was part of East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic, from October 1949 until its reunification with West Germany in 1990.
This is the town where cousin Jerry Lohöefener and our ancestors walked and shopped. This is the reason for Halle being on my list of medieval towns to visit. I can now say Uncle Jack has walked in the same area as my maternal Great-Great-Grandmother, Katharine Marie L. Lohöefener (born in Halle (Saale) in 1850). And, cousin Jerry and are other ancestors have walked and shopped!
Plus my ancestors; George Frideric Handel, was born in Halle (Saale) on February 24, 1685. And, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710–1784). The composer eldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach, lived there during part of his career.
Halle’s early history is connected with the harvesting of salt from brine springs. The name of the river Saale has the Germanic root for word salt. Salt-harvesting has taken place in Halle since at least the Bronze Age (2300–600 BC). The earliest documented mention of Halle dates from AD 806.
The Halle (Saale) population in 1800 was 15,159, 52,639 by 1871 and 239,257 in 2019.
Halle (Saale) was an important location for Martin Luther’s Reformation in the 16th century. The Church of St. Mary, has a copy of the death mask of Martin Luther, in a crypt.
The sovereign of the city of Halle (Saale), wanted a representative church in a central location corresponded to his ideas to push back the increasing influences of the Reformation, because such a new building would enable far more magnificent masses and services to be celebrated under the sole patronage of the Catholic Church. It was decided to tear down the two existing parish churches except for the two pairs of towers. The four towers were connected to a single nave in the same place. At the same time as the two market parish churches were merged, it was decided to close the two cemeteries surrounding the churches. A new burial site was chosen. The Composanto Cemetery is located outside the town, it is considered the most beautiful cemetery in Germany. A a masterpiece of the Renaissance.
When I learned about this cemetery it was too late for me to visit and look for ancestors graves.
In 1713, Johann Sebastian Bach played an Organ here. The front of the great organ is in the western gallery, from 1716. The current organ work was installed in 1984. It is composed of 4,170 vocal pipes, the largest of whose measures five meters and the smallest pipe onlya tiny 6 millimeters. Below is a 46-second video of a student learning how to play this organ!
The Red Tower is part of the landmark of the city of Halle (Saale), together with the four towers of the Market Church. Halle (Saale) is often referred to as the City of Five Towers because of the striking silhouette of these two buildings. The tower burned in 1945 due to artillery fire during World War II and lost its characteristic spire. It has since been restored. Below is a link to 21-seconds of the Red Tower bells.
I walked about 3½ miles around Halle on a self-guided walking tour, on Friday. I don’t believe I could ever have gotten lost back to the city center Markplatz. All had to do was look for one of the five towers.
The Tourist Info Shop had very helpful attendants who spoke excellent English.
Since 1891 Halle (Saale) has up to twelve (12), 750 Volt DC Electric Tram/Trolley lines up to 88 km (54 miles) long on a 1 m (3 ft, 3⅜ in) gauge track. Below is a 36-ssecond video of a couple of these Trams.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
MEDIEVAL CASTLES, PALACES & CITY WALLS with MOATS & GATES.
Uncle Jack arrived in Halle, Germany on May 16, 2024, and started taking photos of Castles and Palaces. With the last Palace photographed in Budapest, Hungry on June 12. I visited 50 cities, in ten European countries, taking almost 2,800 photos and videos. Don’t worry, I know how to use my PC delete button!
I drove a route through Eastern Germany including the Romantic Road, and Vienna, Austria with several side adventures.
Click on the below link for more information on some of the cities and villages where these Castles and Palaces are located.
Copyright © 2024 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
3-day, Galatic Starcruiser Cruise – 2023.
On Monday, September 18, 2023, Peg dropped Jordan and Uncle Jack at the Galactic Starcruiser’s Ground Terminal Spaceport, located just outside Orlando, Florida for a 3-day, 2-night Galatic cruise.
If you love Star Wars and you wanted to commit to a full experience by wearing very authentic costumes and interacting with your favorite Star Wars characters —you would have enjoyed Jordan’s and Uncle Jack’s experience!
We then embarked on the Halcyon Galactic Starcruiser, which is the jewel of the Chandrila Star Line. This is a 100-cabin (500 passengers, max) Corellian MPO-1400 model, 980 foot long Galactic Starcruiser. Our ship had the legendary 5-star comfort (but with no pool or spa) and style, expected of the Chandrila Star Line. It was recently refurbished and retrofitted, combining modern conveniences with the romance of the age of Galactic exploration.
The ship contains thirteen decks, with only four being available to us passengers, which are numbers: 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Deck 1: Hangar Bay, Engine Systems Access, Carbon-freezing Chamber.
Deck 2: Escape Pods, Trash Compactors, Creature Holding Bays.
Deck 3: Lower Airlock, Droid Maintenance, Crew Offices.
Deck 4A: Crown of Corellia Galley with dinner show entertainment, the Lightsaber Training dojo, the Climate Simulator, the Transport Dock to and from the ship, the Cargo Hold, the Brig, and the Engineering Room.
Deck 4B: Passenger Cabins, where Jedi Jordan and Uncle Jack’s cabin was located.
Deck 5: Passenger Cabins.
Deck 6: Atrium Lobby, which leads to the obsolete Bridge, the Sublight Lounge, the Chandrila Collection Boutique, the Passenger Services’ Desk and the Launch Pod Dock.
Deck 7: Atrium Mezzanine, and Passenger Cabins.
Deck 8: Crew Quarters, Airlock Turbolifts, Loader Cargo Bays, Weapon Systems.
Deck 9: Upper Airlock, Crew Turbolifts, Service Access.
Deck 10-13: Communication Systems, Equipment Access, Operational Navigation Bridge.
This Galactic Starcruiser was built in the shipyards of Corellia City, of the Core Worlds, 275 years ago, by the Anzellan founder of Chandrila Star Line, Shug Drabor, who originally used the massive ship for chartered voyages. Within its tenth year of operation, the ship was rescued from Nihil pirates by Nib Assek (a human female Jedi) and her Padawan, Burry. The ship’s Lightsaber Training dojo was built and named in their honor.
Photo to the left shows Blast Doors in the Atrium Lobby, Deck 6. This is also where the Sublight Lounge and the Passenger Services’ Desk are located.
The Atrium is the central location on board the Halcyon where both crew and passengers mingled together and where most of the hubbub happens with the First Order!
The Atrium also features holographic displays and view screens, as well as seating for multiple individuals.
The round seating were originally Holo-Sabacc gambling tables when the ship was controlled by Jabba the Hutt. The tables were repurposed by the Chandrila Star Line in the recent retrofit.
Behind the Scenes: – 3-Day, 2-Night Cruise on a Galatic Starcruiser.
If you love Star Wars and you wanted to commit to a full experience by wearing very authentic costumes and interacting with your favorite Star Wars characters —— you would have enjoyed Jordan’s and Uncle Jack’s experience!
Passengers are encouraged to interact with characters, eavesdrop on them, and see what the commotion is in a passageway. This is because different stories develop simultaneously to fight the First Order. A Starcruiser’s passengers “full experience” relied on passengers getting involved in the story themselves. We only spent time in our cabin to sleep at night!
FYI: Initially I wore a generic Resistant shirt and Jordan wore a Millennium Falcon vest. The second day I wore a Senator Bail Organa Security Aide Tunic, and Jordan wore a generic Formal Tunic.
An experience may be wildly different from someone else’s on the ship doing another mission where they were granted access to the engineering room or cargo hold, because access to either is typically restricted.
Jordan and I believe way-over half the passengers had previous been on this cruise before! I saw one passanger’s blog who had taken this cruise three times!
Senator Bail Prestor Organa, also known as the “Father of the Rebellion,” was a human male Alderaanian politician and revolutionary leader who was one of the Alliance to Restore the Republic’s founding members. Organa, a longtime ally of the Jedi Order, assisted in helping Grand Master Yoda and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi go into hiding.
View a 35 second video of Jedi Jordan’s experience with a Fiery Mustafar.
Harman Croy:
He is a human male lieutenant who served in the military of the First Order. An ambitious officer who is eager to climb in rank. The lieutenant took charge of an investigation of the Halcyon, which was suspected of containing Resistance sympathizers among its crew and passengers. The lieutenant saw no issue in abusing his power aboard the ship.
His home world, is Kuat which is a vital shipbuilding and industrial planet located in the Kuat system of the galaxy’s Core Worlds region.
Captain Riyola Keevan: She is a blue-skinned female near-human Pantoran from the moon Pantora, which orbits the planet Orto Plutonia,
Strong, charismatic, and worldly, she has dedicated her duty as captain of the Starcruiser Halcyon which has earned her deep respect from the crew.
Twenty-five years ago she became Captain of the ship, shortly after handling a pirate raid by Crimson Jack.
She captained the Halcyon during the war between the First Order and the Resistance (which Jordan and I were in the middle of). And, captain during the Halcyon’s 275th anniversary voyage to Batuu, which we were on.
Riyola Keevan previously served as quartermaster on the Halcyon, and was assigned as Leia Organa’s personal attaché during her honeymoon voyage with her husband Han Solo.
Pantorans are a sentient species that look very similar to humans. Pantorans have blue skin and yellow eyes. However, at least one Pantoran was known to have blue eyes. Some Pantoran’s also display simple golden facial tattoos as a status symbol or to represent their clan and family.
See the plated Smokin’ Blue Shrimp for 27 seconds, by clicking the above block.
Photos, videos and drawings are from Jordan, Jack and Disney Artists.
Copyright © 2023 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
AI proposed upgraded next Starcruiser.
Disneyland Paris – Walt Disney Studios Park – 2023.
Disneyland Paris: After landing at the Charles de Gaulle Airport at noon and getting through immigration around 1:00 PM. We then Ubered East out of Paris for an hour to the Villages Nature Paris and checked in. We then got on a public bus for a 30 minute ride to Disneyland Paris on Monday, June 19, 2023.
During the following two and a half days we visited the parks together and/or separately. Disneyland Paris is separated into two theme parks; Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Walt Disney Studios Park, is divided into: Marvel Avengers Campus ● Production Courtyard ● Toon Studio ● Toy Story Playland ● Worlds of Pixar.
Rendez-Vous Gourmand was scheduled to be at the Walt Disney Studio Park for 2022. It was so popular the chalets were still there in June, 2023 when we visited the park! There are a lot of terrific food and beverage items to choose from among the themed chalets. The booths feature flavors from different regions of Europe. I really enjoyed this experience and could have eaten every meal there!
Click to view other blogs on London, 2023, by way of Disneyland Paris.
Copyright © 2023 JACK L. WINEGAR All Rights Reserve.
Jack's Travel Blog 