Trips posted in
Alfred O’Neill
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In 2018, where did OutspokenTraveler visit?
The Belvedere by the river Tejo Tague in Lisbon; a magnificent monument to the glorious history of Portuguese sailors and navigators who commanded the seas.
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Rotorua, New Zealand, and the Amazing Redwoods Treewalk.
New Zealand, and Rotorua…this time the unusual interpretation on redwoods with the Redwoods Treewalk. We are so used to standing on the bare ground in a sacred circle of redwoods, that to climb and walk among their heights was unique. Redwoods and the giant sequoia have a mystic comfort that no other tree provides. It…
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Hungarian National Parliament: ornate, haughty, imperious and the home of a shaky democracy.
Humankind has a proclivity to build massive, ornate, governmental buildings so the rulers can impress the ruled with their power. Such is the Hungarian Parliament building of Budapest. This is more than just another huge structure, it represents the painful dynamic of a country at odds with itself and its history. We entered the visitors…
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Cafe Boulud: In NY, French cuisine is not rare, but the authentic spirit is often lacking.
We love French food. (Do you know anyone who doesn’t?) In this world of bastardized menus with mashed-up cuisines, authentic French cuisine in a fine restaurant setting is rare. But when it happens? That means, at that moment, with that meal, things are right in the world. Such is Cafe’ Boulud, a Daniel NY restaurant,…
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Four Seasons Gresham Palace of Budapest: Art Nouveau gem where a drink in the bar calls
As you walk into the Gresham Palace, now a Four Seasons Hotel, take a moment to pause and draw in the entirety of the T-shaped entrance and lobby with its incredible Art Nouveau style and detail — a style evident everywhere in the hotel, from lobby to bathroom. Art Nouveau was a dominant architectural style…
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New Year’s day in Vienna: bring in the new year with a horse-drawn carriage ride!
New Year’s day and another incredible day on the Golden Eagle Danube Express. After the high-energy, royal Rathaus city hall Silvesterer Ball, New Year’s morning found us in the same place but a far different experience. They arranged a tour in 19th century, horse-drawn carriage through the quiet, Empire-strewn buildings and cobblestone streets of Vienna…transported…
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Holy Cross Monastery outside Vienna: The lure of the afterlife frames the actions of the living.
New Year’s Day on the Danube Express: After brunch, which we were taken to after a horse drawn carriage ride through Vienna, we boarded the usual large tour bus. Andrea, the excellent tour guide for the trip, set our expectations and handed the microphone over to our guide through the Cistercian Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz, translated…
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Tigris, restaurant of Budapest: gourmet yes, but perhaps the royalty of Foie Gras
Foie Gras draws on strong opinions: people either love it hate it. Yes, there are always those in-between, of which may be be one, but I definitely like it…a lot. We ate here on our last night in Budapest at the recommendation of the concierge. At Tigris, a block or two from the Gresham Palace,…
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Evora, Portugal: postcard of cathedrals, and an unforgettable local amazing lunch.
Lisbon is a great base for day trips. We took three: Sintra, and Obidos to the north; Evora to the west. All are highly recommended. This is about Evora and a restaurant and lunch that should not be missed. Hugo, my Lapa Palace concierge, one of the all-time best concierge’s, recommended renting a car for…
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An 7-day train tour of Budapest, Prague with magnificent Vienna for New Years: part 1
Let the journey begin! An seven day train trip called the Golden Eagle Danube Express touring the mighty and many UNESCO sites, cities, small and large, with great food, company and a amazing guide…but the train. That was something right from the 19th century. The journey begins in Budapest— never visited before but such classic…
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New Year’s in Vienna city hall!
The cornerstone of the 7-day train trip is celebrating New Year in the Vienna city hall, dancing waltzes under the roof of this massive Rathaus Neo gothic architecture complicated monster of a building. A monster of gilded opulence and beauty, holding true to an orchestra, waltzes, food and wine taken to the height of class.…
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