A WHITE XMAS & THE GAMBLES EPIC EURO ADVENTURE

Welcome to another (overdue) instalment of the Wee Scottish Blog! This time however it is justified, as Carly's parents Alan & Sheryl came to visit us for 3 whole weeks. During this time we visited no less than 4 countries (5 if you'd like to separate Scotland from England!?) and crammed our schedule with sightseeing, eating and of course, a little drinking. Also included in this post is the white lead up to their visit, including some pics from Glasgow and our White Christmas in Edinburgh. So, altogether it adds up to a lot to report and subsequently - the biggest blogpost we've attempted!

So, we hope you have a few minutes to scroll through it entirely and if so, enjoy!

White lion in front of the Council Chambers, George Square..

James Watt in front of Sir Walter Scott, beside the Helter Skelter..

John Street in the Merchant City..

Back in the Ramshorn Cemetery..

Snow Bench..

Our apartment is up there somewhere..

Spooky..

The path out..

The exit..

Preparing for Alan's visit..

Christmas morning in Edinburgh - Carly in front of the castle..

The Old Town..

The Balmoral..

Looking across the rooftops of the Old Town to Arthurs Seat and the Salisbury Crags..

The Royal Mile almost completely deserted, a sight we had never seen before. In summer, particularly during the festival month of August, it can take you 10 minutes to walk this far along the famous street..

At the bottom of the Royal Mile in the gardens of the Scottish Parliament Building, looking towards Arthurs Seat..

A few days later and we were back in Glasgow, walking in the sunshine along the Clyde River with Alan & Sheryl..

Glasgow Green, white this day..

Inside the People's Palace on Glasgow Green..

Out of the city and up onto Rannoch Moor. Looking across the frozen Loch Moor..

Carly & Sheryl, Rannoch Moor..

From Rannoch Moor we continued onwards into Glencoe. The snow in here was deep, looking more like the French Alps..

The frozen waterfall at the bottom of the glen..

Looking north into Glencoe from the visitor's centre. From here we continued into Fort William where we spent the night..

The next morning we woke in our B&B to this view from the breakfast room. How good is that!?..

They had 2 cats. This guy (Elmo) was actually the smaller of the two..

Our first stop this day was the Glenfinnan Monument, about 30 minutes drive west of Fort William. Erected in 1815 on the spot where Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) raised his standard after returning from France, reclaiming the thrones of Scotland and England in the name of his father, James Stuart. This was the beginning of a rebellion that was to end in bloodshed at the Battle of Culloden, 8 months later..

On the shores of Loch Shiel..

A short walk from the monument is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, built between 1897 and 1901 to connect Fort William with Mallaig, on the West Highland Line. It has 21 arches, stands 30 metres at it's highest point and today is synonymous with Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Express..

The Nevis Range at Fort William, home to Ben Nevis which at 1,344 metres is the highest point in the British Isles. Although not overly high the Scottish mountains are still extremely dangerous, with 2 climbers killed on the mountian the same day this photo was taken, buried in an avalanche..

The WWII Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, just north of Fort William, in tribute to the men who trained in the area..

Continuing north we made it to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness..

The Gambles in the tower..

From the castle it was a short drive to our next overnight destination, Inverness. This is the view along the River Ness as we walked into town for a few ales..

Next morning, before continuing our journey, we stoppped at Inverness Castle for a short stroll. Although the weather in Inverness was OK, as we began our drive onto the Cairngorm Plateau it quickly deteriorated. Although we have some video of the blizzard we drove through, it just doesn't do the conditions justice, so it's been omitted. But just ask Carly - it was pretty nervewracking..

After a few hours and with perfect timing the skies cleared as we drove off the plateau and when we stopped in Dunkeld we were greeted with perfect blue skies and sunshine! Evidently though, it had snowed in Dunkeld a little before we arrived..

Evans' attempt at making a snowangel!..

Dunkeld Cathedral, begun in 1260 but not completed until 1501. Today - an amazing place to hang out on a sunny winter afternoon..

Carly amongst the ruins of the old cathedral..

Impressive ruins. Similar to those of Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh..

Heading down to the river - how beautiful is this spot!?..

Down on the banks of the River Tay, looking towards the stone bridge (c.1809)..

Alan in a white trench..

With some of the locals on the banks of the Tay..

From Dunkeld we continued heading south into Edinburgh where we dropped off the car, checked into our hotel, had a few beers and some dinner then joined the masses on Princes Street for the Hogmanay (NYE) Street Party..

And with the temperature below zero we had to rely on the warming qualities of the local brew to keep us comfortable. Alan, having a wee dram..

Sheryl too!..

The next morning, after a sleep-in and a full Scottish breakfast on the Royal Mile (haggis included) we headed to Calton Hill to take in the 360 degree views of the city and surrounds. Unfortunately the hill was a complete ice block this morning making even the slowest and shortest steps risky. But, we made it to the top! Sheryl and Alan in front of the view to Leith and the Firth of Forth..

Nelson's Monument..

From Calton Hill we headed to Edinburgh Castle. We found ourselves at the top of the castle just in time to witness the 1 O'clock Gun being fired. Installed in 1861 it has been fired every day except Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day as a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth, 2 miles (3.2kms) north..

After the castle we headed to the Sir Walter Scott Monument in Princes Street to climb the claustrophobic, dark and winding staircase to the top to take in one of the best views of the city. This is the view from the top balcony, about 55 metres above the street, looking down on the carnival and skating rink..

Looking west down Princes Street..

The brooding profile of Edinburgh Castle..

Old Town skyline..

Walking through the German Market in the Princes St. Gardens..

After 2 nights in Edinburgh and another in Glasgow we flew down to London to explore the capital for a few days. Look kids - Big Ben!..

Houses of Parliament!..

Westminster Abbey..

Looking over one of Lord Nelsons' popular lions in Trafalgar Square to Big Ben in the distance..

The view from near Leicester Square, looking south to Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament beyond..

Next morning we started the day with a brisk walk in Hyde Park..

Past the Serpentine Lake..

Which was partially frozen, offering a unique perspective of the local gulls..

As we left the park we happened past a procession of the Household Cavalry Life Guard on the outskirts of the park. This regiment of the armed forces provides personal protection to the Queen..

We left Hyde Park not far from Hyde Park Corner, so wandered in to take a look. This is the Australian War Memorial, commemorating 102,000 killed in the 1st and 2nd World Wars..

Adjacent to the Australian Memorial is the Wellington Arch, constructed between 1826 and 1830 to commemorate Britain's victories in the Napoleonic Wars..

The crowd making their way onto Constitution Hill from the Wellington Arch, past another memorial to war..

Buckingham Palace, where 'whatshername' lives! This is the crowd gathering to watch the changing of the guards..

And here they come..

After the ridiculous pomp and pageantry of the changing of the guard we retreated to the sanctity of the Imperial War Museum. Evans' guidebook suggested 1-2hrs to view the museums' collections - we spent twice that long just in the Holocaust exhibit..

After the museum we hailed a cab and were dropped off just south of Tower Bridge as the sun finally began to set (in winter here the sun stays low enough to feel like it's permanently setting)..

We walked across Tower Bridge just as the sky began to darken and the lights were turned on..

After crossing the bridge we walked around the Tower of London (always bigger than you think it is) and down to the banks of the Thames for this glorious view of the bridge. Later we walked north into Aldgate and had a few pints in the Ten Bells, apparently one of Jack the Rippers 'old haunts.' Here we caught up with our friend Tanya then joined her husband James in Brick Lane for dinner (should have taken a photo I know!). After that it was back to our hotel in Mayfair (no less) for a nightcap then bed - ready for the Eurostar to France the next morning..

Our journey from London to Lille then onto Rennes in Brittany ran smoothly even though we travelled through the trouble-plagued 'chunnel.' Thus, we found ourselves in Rennes by early afternoon and after a short tour we stopped into a little Breton cafe/bar near the centre of town. Sheryl was in heaven..

From the cafe we wandered down the road to our favourite pizza restaurant in town - La Tomate! Here we caught up with some old friends including Carly's former colleague Noella, her children Eloise & Sarah and her husband Michel (in the mirror!)..

We also caught up with Devon & Yoann, some more great friends we made during our time in Rennes..

The next morning, after a breakfast of coffee, OJ and croissants we took a stroll around town to take in the sights of Rennes. This is the Palais St Georges, as we had never seen it - white!..

Footprints in the snow. Clockwise from top left - Evan, Carly, Alan & Sheryl..

Rennes Hotel de Ville..

The 15th century city gate, the Portes Mordelaises. Alan & Sheryl's first look at a real drawbridge (not that we've seen many either!)..

Traditional Breton houses at Champ Jacquet, c.1600AD..

Sheryl at the monumental stair overlooking the western entrance to the Parc Thabor, the largest park in Rennes centre..

Avenue of trees..

Afternoon tea - French style! Perrier, Cafe Viennois, Chocolate Viennois, Eclair, Tarte Framboise et Galette de Pomme. C'est formidable!. For some reason we did this before having dinner at our favourite creperie!?..

The next morning, thanks to Yoann, we picked up a van for the day and headed north to le Mont St Michel. This was our first clear view of 'the mont' following a longer than usual drive on smaller local roads, due to diversions because of the snow and ice. We weren't complaining though, as the sun was shining as we saw places we wouldn't normally have seen. This is truly one of the most amazing sights we've ever seen and even after 3 visits, including an overnight stay, it still draws us back..

The view from the southeastern ramparts, looking at the fresh snow settled on a sand bank..

Inside the refrectory of the abbey. This is a reproduction of a shot we took on our first visit to the mont, back in June 2007 - when it was a little warmer..

The Cloister, covered in snow..

An empty view. One of the best things about travelling during winter is the distinct lack of crowds at the major tourist attractions. Le Mont St Michel is in the top 4 of the most visited attractions in France and in the warmer months it can be a nightmare to navigate, with each passage, staircase and laneway filled with tourists. This day though - we had it almost to ourselves..

Window view from high above the ramparts and polders..

Inside the Great Pillared Crypt..

Looking south to the mainland, along the mouth of the River Couesnon..

The giant human/mouse wheel, installed and used during the monts' tenure as a prison to pull a supply-laden sleigh up the almost vertical walls of the abbey..

Out on the ramparts, soaking up the warming rays..

The Partridge Family!? Evan, Carly, Yoann, Devon, Sheryl & Alan in the sunshine at le Mont St Michel. It's an odd photo but we love it!..

The fam again, soaking up the rays..

Local residents..

Le Mont St Michel in all its glory, radiating on a perfect winters day! This was the view as we left and headed back to Rennes. Dropping everyone off in the centre of town Evan & Yoann then took the van back to the dealer and stopped in to say hello to another friend, Pitou (should have taken a photo!) A few beers flowed but soon it was time to leave, to head back to Devon & Yoanns place for a home-cooked meal of raclette with meats and vegetables - so good! Again, should have taken a photo! The next morning we were back on a TGV and heading to our next destination - Paris..

We arrived in Paris to some of the coldest daylight temperatures we had experienced, around -5. But, the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky so it was off again on foot to explore the city. Not far from our hotel was Place de la Bastille and the July Column, the spot where the Bastille Prison stood until it was stormed and destroyed between 14th July 1789 and 14th July 1790 - during the French Revolution. Although standing in the middle of what was the Bastille, the July Column actually commemorates the July Revolution of 1830 which saw the overthrow of King Charles X..

Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. Originally known as the Place Royale it was built by King Henry IV between 1605 and 1612..

Enjoying the sun on a cold and clear Parisian afternoon..

One of the 4 fountains in the park..

The River Seine seen from the Ponte d'Arcole, looking eastwards..

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris..

The amazing southern window in the transept. "What do you mean there's no photos allowed!? Where'd you read that!?"..

Beneath the square at the entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral is an often overlooked museum and crypt - housing some of the earliest structures built in Paris. We would never have known it was there if it wasn't for a tip from Pitou in Rennes. Thanks mate!..

Called the Crypte Archeologique de Parvis de Notre Dame it is an amazing snapshot of life long before now. The remains in this museum date from the Gallo-Roman period up to the 18th Century..

Our first view of the Eiffel Tower, shrouded in fog on this truly freezing afternoon..

The Obelisk of Luxor at Place de la Concord, the largest square in Paris, situated at the eastern end of the Champs-Elysees. The Obelisk is 3,300 years old and was offered to France as a gift from Egypt in 1829. It finally arrived in 1833 and was placed in the square in 1836. Rising 23 metres and weighing over 250 tons it stands on the same spot occupied by the guillotine during the Revolution. That's some proper history right there!..

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, with the Champs-Elysees in the background..

Crowd at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier..

Le Arc de Triomphe..

Next morning we headed to the underground labyrinth that is the Catacombs for a different perspective of the city. This and the photo below are the amazing sculptures of Port Mahon in the Belearic Islands, created by a former Quarry Inspector who was at one time imprisoned in the town of Minorque..

Amazing detail..

20 metres below the city streets the walk to the actual catacombs is long, passing through a number of straight, low ceiling passages and larger open spaces. This is Carly, walking towards the entrance to the giant ossuary..

A memorial alter inside the ossuary..

Some of the 6 million skulls and 12 million femurs interred here..

After touring the catacombs we returned to street level then jumped on the metro and headed to a more well-known attraction. Unfortunately on this day, due to the ice and snow, the tower was closed! Sheryl did not seem as disappointed as Alan though?..

From the tower we walked the Champ de Mars then onto Les Invalides, a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments, all dedicated to the military history of France. The first time we were here was Bastille Day 2007 when it was 30 degrees!..

A snow-carpeted path at Les Invalides..

When you're in the centre of Paris the tower is never far away..

From Les Invalides we walked down Esplanade des Invalides towards the Pont Alexandre III and the Grand Palais..

La Pont Alexandre III and the dome of Les Invalides. The bridge was built ibetween 1896 and 1900 and is named after Tsar Alexander III who concluded the Franco - Russian Alliance in 1892. It's widely regarded as the most ornate and extravagent of Paris' bridges..

We continued along the Seine on foot eventually reaching a little musuem known as the Louvre..

Inside, among many, many, many other things, we visited The Venus de Milo (in Greek - Aphrodite of Milos). The sculpture is believed to be of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans) - the god of love and beauty. It's a marble statue created sometime between 130-100 BC!..

You can't visit the Louvre and not stand in awe at The Winged Victory of Samathrace. Discovered in 1863 but believed to have been sculpted around 190BC it's a marble statue of the Greek Goddess Nike (Victory) and is situated at the top of an amazing, sunlight-filled staircase..

After a few hours traversing the massive halls of the museum we left via the glass pyramid and headed for the hills of Montmarte..

After a steep uphill walk from the metro we entered the beautiful little streets of Montmarte just behind the Sacre Couer. Time for some souvenir shopping!..

After that it was time for dinner, with Evan opting for a traditional dish. It was then time to head back to the hotel and pack our bags ready to move on the next morning. Next stop - Bruges!..

After a TGV journey and an (unexpected) connection with a local train we arrived in the northern Belgian town of Bruges - one of our favourite places and the spot where we spent Christmas 2007. Here's Alan & Evan, enjoying another traditional dish - Belgian chocolate. So good!..

Then, powered up by cocoa and sugar, it was time to explore this ridiculously beautiful small city. In the background here is the 13th century belfry, seen from the frozen Canal Rozenhoedkaai..

Postcard Perfect..

Wouldn't be Belgium without a good beer wall!..

So, so many to choose from..

The icy view from the bar we stopped at for a couple of quiet ones..

The quiet ones. Our first beers in Belgium!..

The view from our table..

After we left the pub we headed to the Markt (the town centre) where we took a few photos of the Belfry. This is Carly hijacking Alan's camera..

The subject of the photo - the 83 metre, 13th century Bruges Belfry, or Belfort. Inside the top of the tower is a carillon of 47 bells with a combined weight of 27 tonnes, and the tower itself now has a lean of around 1 metre to the east!..

Dinner that was night was had at Brasserie Cambrinus, just around the corner from our B&B. The best thing about Cambrinus? The 400 beers on the menu! Unfortunately, Carly managed to choose one that no-one liked - Cantillon Lambic - with absolutely no sugar it was the sourest beer we've ever had..

The next morning we climbed the 366 old wooden stairs to the the top of the Belfry to garner a better view of the city. This is the northwest view over the Markt..

Looking southwest from the belfry along the Steenstraat towards Saint Salvator's Cathedral and the Concertgebouw (Concert Building) beyond..

Then we headed off on foot to tour this ancient town, following the canals northeast towards its outskirts. Along the way we came upon this sight - a man playing with his dog, on a frozen canal, as you do..

Subsequently, Alan had to try if for himself. Alan - on ice!..

Bruges is often referred to as the Venice of the North with tourist-laden, gondola-type boats plying the canals during the summer months. During the grip of the coldest winter in 20 years (apparently) it's a different story..

Carly woz 'ere..

Along the northeastern edge of the town are a bank of windmills that have been on this spot since the construction of the outer city walls in the 13th century..

The Kruisport - one of the old city's preserved gateways. Now a UNESCO World Heritage sight it is driven through by hundreds of motorists each day..

In the Astridpark..

Like a kid in a candy store..

Swans and bridges - it's a f*@&! fairytale!..

Inside the Church of Our Lady - Michelangelo's 'Madonna & Child'. Said to be the only one of his works that left Italy during his lifetime. Above the church the spire reaches a height of over 122 metres, making it one of the highest brick buildings in the world..

One of the oldest parts of the city, just behind the Church or Our Lady..

More beer! Back at Cambrinus, where we stoppped in for a nightcap, or 2..

The next morning we rose early (some of us with foggy heads..) and jumped in a car to begin the drive to Brussels to catch our flight to Berlin. However, as we had most of the day free we decided a whirlwind tour of the Ypres Salient and some of its WWI memorials, monuments and cemeteries was in order. This was our first stop, the Buttes New British Cemetery and Australian 5th Division Memorial in Polygon Wood..

Looking across the cemetery and the New Zealand Memorial from atop the butte..

The Australian 5th Division Memorial and the Stone of Remembrance (present in all cemeteries and memorials that commemorate more than 10,000 war dead or missing). This Australian memorial is the most easterly and the only one found in Belgium, the other 4 are in France..

The graves of 5 soldiers found in the nearby area in 2008. Last time we were here these graves had been dug but the bodies had not yet been interred..

There was so little colour this day due to the low cloud, fog and mist that sepia seemed like a fitting shade..

From Polygon Wood we drove through Passendale to the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world, Tyne Cot. This headstone is only one of over 8,000 in Tyne Cot that commemorate an unknown soldier..

In the middle of the cemetery, on top of an old German Pillbox, is the Cross of Sacrifice. This is the view from there, looking across some of the 11,954 graves..

Carly in front of (a small part of) the Memorial to the Missing..

Some personal tributes beside the memorial..

A better view of the Memorial to the Missing, inscribed with the names of 33,783 UK missing along with an additonal 1,176 New Zealanders..

Headstones in the original part of the cemetery, next to the former German pillbox. The headstone in the middle (left) commemorates 8 unknown soldiers buried below it, the one at right, 4 (Australian) soldiers..

Ypres town centre, looking at the Cloth Hall and St Martins Church. Both were destroyed during The Great War and completely rebuilt..

Inside the huge mausoleum that is the Menin Gate, which was actually discovered to be too small to include the names of all the missing. Subsequently, an arbitrary cut-off date of August 15th 1917 was decided upon. All those missing after this date are inscribed on the Memorial to the Missing at Tyne Cot..

One of the external memorial walls..

Beside the Menin Gate, looking north along the canal, over the memorial crosses.
From Ypres we proceeded onwards to Brussels to catch our evening flight to Berlin. Allowing enough time to cruise into the Belgian capital was a good idea as we subsequently got completely lost in the middle of the city, in some of the heaviest peak-hour traffic any of us had seen. The lack of airport signs only compunded the problem and it was only by asking fellow motorists that we eventually found our way out of the confusion of traffic and tunnels. Negotiating the still lacklustre signage we found the airport, threw the car keys at the Avis lady and made our flight with a few minutes to spare. Of all the places we could have been stuck in during this trip, Brussels would have been our least desireable!
Berlin was worth the hassle however, particularly when we arrived at the Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome right in the middle of the city and sunk into the luxury of its perfect service, beautiful rooms and delicious bar 'snacks..'

The next morning we rose early, ate from the ridiculously good breakfast buffet and began our walking tour of the city. This was our first stop - The Brandenburg Gate. The only one remaining of what was a series surrounding Berlin. Commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a sign of peace it was built between 1788 and 1791 and was fully restored between 2000 and 2002..

The Quadriga atop the gate. A chariot drawn by 4 horses is driven by Victoria - the Roman Goddess of Victory. The gate is based on the gateway to the Acropolis in Greece..

The amazing building that is the Marie-Elisabeth-Lueders-Haus, one of the buildings that make up the Bundestag (German Parliament) Complex..

It's a stunning building. Very stiking, modern and impressive with massive, clean lines ("I don't know much about architecture, but I know what I like!" Evan)..

Carly outside the Reichstag Building..

The White Crosses Memorial. Now situated on the banks of the River Spree next to the Reichstag, the memorial commemorates all those who died during the Cold War. Originally located further east, directly in front of the Berlin Wall, it contains the names of 13 victims, inscribed on both sides of 7 of the crosses. The 8th cross is devoted to the unknown victims of the Wall..

Although not completely frozen like the canals of Bruges the River Spree still contained a massive amount of ice..

The Reichstag Building, built in 1893 to house the parliament of the German Empire it was used as the parliament building until 1933 when it was (allegedly) burnt by a Dutch Communist. During the Nazi years it was abandoned and was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing during WWII. Partially refurbished in the 1960's it wasn't until the reunification of Germany in 1990 that it was reconstructed. Today it's the meeting place of the modern German parliament, the Bundestag..

The modern dome atop the Reichstag is a must see. The German tricolour seen from inside..

The Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (background right)..

At the top of the dome, designed by Sir Norman Foster using some simple but amazing designs to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the building..

The view from the dome to the Carillon (tower) and the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in the Tiergarten Park..

The interior of the Reichstag Dome, looking at the mirrored central cone which directs sunlight down into the debating chamber of the Bundestag..

On the roof, outside the dome..

Carly in the Tiergarten..

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, just to the south of the Brandenburg Gate..

Inaugurated in 2005 the memorial consists of 2,711 'steales' made of high-quality, treated concrete. The tallest standing 4.7 metres high. All of them can be walked around completely..

Below the memorial is the information complex. This is the Room of Dimensions containing 15 personal accounts written by Jewish men and women during the Nazi's extermination policy between 1933 and 1945. As you would expect, all of them are harrowing..

It's a strange but powerful memorial..

The snow makes each of the steales look like a coffin, was that deliberate? In the background is one corner of the Reichstag Building..

A remant of the Berlin Wall near Checkpoint Charlie..

The concrete piping along the top of the wall was a late addition, designed to make it impossible to climb over..

Quirky Berlin - cars to rent!..

One of the hundreds of ground markers indicating where the wall once stood..

Some of the info boards and the ground marker, near Checkpoint Charlie..

Checkpoint Charlie..

Probably the most famous of all the checkpoints that led into West Berlin, its name derives from the NATO phonetic alphabet. It was the single access point for foreigners and Allied officials..

The view from the 'American' side looking into what was Soviet controlled East Berlin. It was on this spot in October 1961 that Soviet and American tanks faced off for over 12 hours, near the end of the Berlin Crisis (4th June - 9th November)..

The replica sign. The checkpoint was a little disappointing, having evolved into a tacky feeling tourist trap. Its role in the history of the city, and the world, cannot be admonished though..

Not far from the Hotel de Rome was this amazing square called the Gendarmenmarkt. The building at left is the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) built in 1708 but today used as a museum of German history. At right is the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, a concert hall built in 1821..

The Deutscher Dom and the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) built by Huegenots (French Protestants) between 1701-1705 when they made up approximately 25% of the Berlin population. All 3 buildings of the Gendarmenmarkt were badly destroyed during WWII and subsequently rebuilt..

The Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome - the best hotel we've ever stayed in? Almost certainly. In the background left is St Hedwigs Cathedral. The buildings in this area of Berlin, known as the Mitte, were incredible - classical and grand in every sense..

Not far from the hotel is an island in the Spree River called the Spreeinsel, the northern part of which is known as Museum Island. This is an amazing (UNESCO World Heritage) area full of monumental buildings such as this - the Berlin Cathedral. Completed in 1905 it is built on the same sight as an earlier church..

The Alte (Old) Museum, next to Berlin Cathedral..

The Alte Nationalgalerie..

Snowbush..

Neoclassical architecture(?) outside the Alte Nationalgalerie..

The Fernsehturm (Television Tower) to the east of Museum Island. Built by the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) between 1965 and 1969 it stands 368 metres tall..

The Berlin Cathedral and the River Spree by day..

And by night..

Spree River neon view..

The Cathedral and the Fernsehturm..

The restaurant courtyard at the Hotel de Rome. This photo was taken as we enjoyed our last amazing breakfast before heading to the airport and flying back to Glasgow. Alan & Sheryl joined us for one last night before themselves flying home, thus completing the Gambles Epic Euro Adventure! It was an absolutely amazing 3 weeks. So good! So thank you for coming..
And if you're still reading this epic entry into the Wee Scottish Blog then you'll be happy to know you've made it to the end as well - thanks for looking!
Next up? We're still not sure. We can tell you though that the "I's" appear to be the focus of our wishlist now - Iceland, Italy and Ireland. Stay tuned..