Hungary

Went to Hungary with my father in 1997, as part of a 12 day GATE 1 tour through Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, and also visited this lovely city in 2009 with my MBA classmates from the University of Tennessee.

Dad and me in 1997 from high up on Fisherman’s Bastion overlooking Budapest, Hungary

“The historic capital of Hungary was formerly two cities, Buda and Pest, divided by the Danube River. Budapest abounds in architectural diversity: from ancient Roman structures, streets of the Middle Ages, monuments from Turkish times, and Renaissance masterpieces. Drive via motorcoach over some of the elegant bridges over the Danube and then to the Parliament building, and the Royal Palace. Drive on the People’s Republic Avenue and visit the magnificent Castle District in Buda. Take in the wonderful view across the Danube from high up on Fisherman’s Bastion, see St. Mathia’s Coronation Church (13th Century) and stop at the Heroes’ Square and Gellert Hill.”

Fisherman’s Bastion looking towards the Danube in Budapest

Ukraine

In the Ukraine in front of a Soviet ICBM, 2015 Many types of ICBMs in the Ukraine During my time in Ukraine in 2015, I drove hundreds of miles across the countryside in order to see a Soviet nuclear missile silo, which in the region, had 7-8 ICBMs stationed there. It...

Iceland

At the Blue Lagoon Spa, 2015 Spectacular scene of waterfall on the Golden Triangle tour Jim's Perspectives: The highlight of any trip to Iceland happens right after you land at the airport and are heading toward Reykjavik: visiting the Blue Lagoon spa and enjoying the...

Benin

Note the yellow shirt ... this is what the motorcycle taxi drivers wear here Country Background: The capital of Benin is Porto Novo. There are approximately 11 million people living in this beautiful coastal country. The official language of Benin is French, but Fon...