2024 Trip to Europe!

[JerryPH]

I had dropped a few hints but basically 2024 is very much turning in to a very awesome year for me and the accordion.

I still work full time and tend to my family, but things worked out pretty well.

It starts off with a trip in May to the New England Accordion Connection & Museum. A couple days of fooling around with my Gola 459 and Roland FR-8X.

There is a trip coming in June to visit a very special personality, I am keeping that one under wraps until after that happens.

In September comes the big trip… Europe!
I land in Frankfurt, drive 3 hours sout to Trossingen where I spend a couple of night across the street from the Hohner Accordion Museum and a 15 minute walk away from the Hohner factory where the certificates for 4 Hohner accordions wait for me.

Next comes a short drive to either Munich or Saltzburg (still undecided but both have strong musical history). The following stop for several days in Vienna and several choice locations doing the tourist thing and enjoying locations with musical connotations like a restaurant where they have Zither music.

Next on the list, Prague, CZ to spend several days there and a stop in at the Delicia factory and get a tour there to see what they do.

Final stop back to Frankfurt a day before our departure and the flight back home.

Even though we are months away, the Europe trip is all booked and readied. I was really waiting and setting up for my 2025 trip to Castelfidardo, but thanks to the deals and lower costs of flying, this popped up and we dove in with both feet. Italy will happen next year for me, but this trip ticks off several items on my bucket list and catch up with a few family members.

All very exciting!

 

[Tom]

I had dropped a few hints but basically 2024 is very much turning in to a very awesome year for me and the accordion.

I still work full time and tend to my family, but things worked out pretty well.

It starts off with a trip in May to the New England Accordion Connection & Museum. A couple days of fooling around with my Gola 459 and Roland FR-8X.

There is a trip coming in June to visit a very special personality, I am keeping that one under wraps until after that happens.

In September comes the big trip… Europe!
I land in Frankfurt, drive 3 hours sout to Trossingen where I spend a couple of night across the street from the Hohner Accordion Museum and a 15 minute walk away from the Hohner factory where the certificates for 4 Hohner accordions wait for me.

Next comes a short drive to either Munich or Saltzburg (still undecided but both have strong musical history). The following stop for several days in Vienna and several choice locations doing the tourist thing and enjoying locations with musical connotations like a restaurant where they have Zither music.

Next on the list, Prague, CZ to spend several days there and a stop in at the Delicia factory and get a tour there to see what they do.

Final stop back to Frankfurt a day before our departure and the flight back home.

Even though we are months away, the Europe trip is all booked and readied. I was really waiting and setting up for my 2025 trip to Castelfidardo, but thanks to the deals and lower costs of flying, this popped up and we dove in with both feet. Italy will happen next year for me, but this trip ticks off several items on my bucket list and catch up with a few family members.

All very exciting!

That’s awesome Jerry! I’m thinking also of Europe in 2025. When will you plan to be in Castelfidardo? Maybe a stop in Scotland…..

 

[JerryPH]

That’s awesome Jerry! I’m thinking also of Europe in 2025. When will you plan to be in Castelfidardo? Maybe a stop in Scotland…..

Uhhmmmm, somewhere in the Scottish highlands, perhaps???
2025 is a long ways away, but honestly, if there was a thought about arranging an amazing adventure, Castelfidardo for a few days and a 3-4 hour fright to Scotland for a period of time is a possibility indeed!!

 

[cestjeffici]

I'm very interested in if and how you will be accompanied by an accordion on your trip.
I'll be in Paris from October to January and would like to my FR4 with me instead what i usually do: rent an accordion. This year will be the third time I've rented the same Hohner Bravo III 96 bass.

 

[JerryPH]

This is a pleasure trip and only 2 weeks in duration, I won’t be bringing along an accordion, but if I see a chance to play one, I will.

Jeff, per the words of Cory P, a 4x may be just small enough to fit on the overhead of an international flight, and if not there is always that closet that they wanted to place my Gola in to.

 

[Tom]

Uhhmmmm, somewhere in the Scottish highlands, perhaps???
2025 is a long ways away, but honestly, if there was a thought about arranging an amazing adventure, Castelfidardo for a few days and a 3-4 hour fright to Scotland for a period of time is a possibility indeed!!

Let’s see what occurs after your trips this year. I think the Highlands sounds like a great destination!

 

[Tom]

I'm very interested in if and how you will be accompanied by an accordion on your trip.
I'll be in Paris from October to January and would like to my FR4 with me instead what i usually do: rent an accordion. This year will be the third time I've rented the same Hohner Bravo III 96 bass.

Likewise I would not bring an accordion for a vacation length trip. Maybe I need to get an accordiana…. On other trips I have either checked an accordion (not my “good one”) with no problem, or taken an organetto/melodeon/squeezebox that fits above.

 

[JeffJetton]

Next comes a short drive to either Munich or Saltzburg (still undecided but both have strong musical history). The following stop for several days in Vienna and several choice locations doing the tourist thing and enjoying locations with musical connotations like a restaurant where they have Zither music.

Sounds like a great trip! You pass through Salzburg on the way to Vienna, so at the very least you could stop for lunch and an afternoon stroll around. That said, if I were going music-focused, I'd probably pick a stay in Salzburg over Munich.

Which restaurant in Vienna? Griechenbeisl?

 

[JerryPH]

Sounds like a great trip! You pass through Salzburg on the way to Vienna, so at the very least you could stop for lunch and an afternoon stroll around. That said, if I were going music-focused, I'd probably pick a stay in Salzburg over Munich.

Which restaurant in Vienna? Griechenbeisl?

Yes! It’s not hard to find or figure out, not many places boast zither players… lol
It’s still a hard decision… Octoberfest starts on… Sept 13 (well not really but I know a few people and places that would be ramping up for it… lol), right around the time we would be there, but I’ve been to Salzburg as well… totally awesome music and scenery too!

 

[debra]

I had dropped a few hints but basically 2024 is very much turning in to a very awesome year for me and the accordion.

...

Sounds like you will most certainly have a good time!
Probably not as exciting as your 2025 plans for Castelfidardo (which you should really do during the September events, but you probably already know that). Too bad you cannot go there this year as the Coupe Mondiale will be in Castelfidardo this year.

 

[jozz]

nice!
have a good trip

 

[JerryPH]

Sounds like you will most certainly have a good time!
Probably not as exciting as your 2025 plans for Castelfidardo (which you should really do during the September events, but you probably already know that). Too bad you cannot go there this year as the Coupe Mondiale will be in Castelfidardo this year.

Thanks Paul, yes, I am a bit torn about that but, along with all the fun, this trip looks to be my mother’s last trip to Europe, so besides her trying to push me to go to interesting places for me, it has to be about her too, that’s the Vienna and Prague parts.

nice!
have a good trip

Jozz, thanks! Don’t be surprised if I suddenly end up somewhere near Amsterdam too sometime in the future!

 

[JeffJetton]

Yes! It’s not hard to find or figure out, not many places boast zither players… lol
It’s still a hard decision… Octoberfest starts on… Sept 13 (well not really but I know a few people and places that would be ramping up for it… lol), right around the time we would be there, but I’ve been to Salzburg as well… totally awesome music and scenery too!

We popped into Griechenbeisl once on the spur-of-the-moment (we were staying at a hotel across the street) and they put us at a table in the corner of a lovely room.

The rest of the room was apparently booked for a tour group, who soon all shuffled in and were fed their set tour group menu of schnitzel and all that. A guy showed up and provided some wonderful background music on the piano in the room, but the group paid him absolutely no attention. We did though, making a point to clap now and then and comment when he played something we really liked. He was great.

After he was done and the tour group shuffled back out, we chatted for a bit. He then grabbed an instrument case that he had brought with him, tucked it under his arm, and told us he was off to play in another room in the restaurant. Turns out he was the zither player that night too!

Anyway, yeah, if you've already done Salzburg, then a quick stop on the way from Munich should do the trick. That's what we did last time we were out that way. We took the train from Munich to Vienna, and at the time (not sure if it's still the case?), you could book a ticket from point A to point B and plan a stopover a point C along the way at no extra charge. So we spent a few hours soaking up some Salzburg ambiance, picked up some schnapps at Sporer, and then went on our way.

We absolutely love Vienna. I look forward to a full report of your trip so I can live vicariously.

 

[brna]

Lucky us, who live in the heart of Europe and have only a couple of hours drive to the most beautiful cities.

 

[JerryPH]

Schnapps in Salzburg sounds perfect. There was this great little bar with an accordionist just outside Sigmund-Freud park that was great for ambience… it may be a touch too far but we will see!

t’s months away, but I plan to do just that…. Maybe even make a small video… time will tell.

 

[debra]

Schnapps in Salzburg sounds perfect. There was this great little bar with an accordionist just outside Sigmund-Freud park that was great for ambience… it may be a touch too far but we will see!
...

I have been to both Vienna and Salzburg, and also Innsbruck. I would not visit Vienna again (too large, busy city...) but will happily revisit Salzburg and Innsbruck. (The region around Salzburg also offers a defunct salt mine open for visitors, and also a fabulous ice cave, which unfortunately may be a bit hard for your mother to reach (as it is still a bit of an uphill walk from the end of the steam-train ride).

 

[jozz]

On your way from Frankfurt to Munchen maybe a stop-over in Rothenburg?

Rothenburg ob der Tauber · 91541, Germany

91541, Germany

www.google.com

 

[JeffJetton]

Lucky us, who live in the heart of Europe and have only a couple of hours drive to the most beautiful cities.

I gave this post a "like" only because there's no "jealous" button.

 

[JeffJetton]

On your way from Frankfurt to Munchen maybe a stop-over in Rothenburg?

Oooh, not a bad idea. Although IMHO, the best way to experience Rothenburg ob der Tauber is to stay the night. It's mighty touristy during the day, but in the mornings and late evenings, when he tour busses are gone, it can be like you have the place to yourself.

And hey, as long as we're on the subject of stop-overs at touristy towns, Paul's mention of salt mines reminded me of Hallstatt. It would be an extra hour-and-a-half or so of driving, but might be worth a stop if you could fit it in. A Google image search will show why: https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=Hallstatt

Don't worry, Jerry! This forum will have your whole trip planned and figured out for you in no time!

 

[dak]

In September comes the big trip… Europe!
I land in Frankfurt, drive 3 hours sout to Trossingen where I spend a couple of night across the street from the Hohner Accordion Museum and a 15 minute walk away from the Hohner factory where the certificates for 4 Hohner accordions wait for me.

Next comes a short drive to either Munich or Saltzburg (still undecided but both have strong musical history). The following stop for several days in Vienna and several choice locations doing the tourist thing and enjoying locations with musical connotations like a restaurant where they have Zither music.

Next on the list, Prague, CZ to spend several days there and a stop in at the Delicia factory and get a tour there to see what they do.

Final stop back to Frankfurt a day before our departure and the flight back home.

Even though we are months away, the Europe trip is all booked and readied. I was really waiting and setting up for my 2025 trip to Castelfidardo, but thanks to the deals and lower costs of flying, this popped up and we dove in with both feet. Italy will happen next year for me, but this trip ticks off several items on my bucket list and catch up with a few family members.

All very exciting!

Well, we won't meet then, and 2 weeks and numerous scintillating targets (and the Czech Republic in particular should be close to your heart) would make the attempt silly. And of course, no piano accordions in this house to be played... I've actually discovered one while moving that I had forgotten about, but it's a silly small one in appalling shape that someone knew not what to do other than give it to the "accordion guy".

Sounds like you'll have a blast, and indeed it would seem that taking an accordion along would end with it seeing little if any action given your schedule.