Canyon Lakers enjoy first visit to Europe

Randy and Mavis pose for a photo in front of a gazebo that was used during the filming of the famous 1965 musical “The Sound of Music.” Photo provided by Mavis Schutz

When a longtime friend invited Canyon Lakers Randy and Mavis Schutz to join him, his wife and six other couples to travel to Prague, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna and Budapest, they jumped at the chance to experience this once in a lifetime trip. It was the first time the couple traveled to Central Europe.

“Although we’ve traveled many places in the world, Australia, New Zealand, China, Southeast Asia, South America, etc, we’ve never been to Europe!,” said Mavis.

The couple spent two weeks visiting three countries, including a visit to the impeccably preserved medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. They enjoyed walking tours during their visit to Prague and Budapest. On the last night in Budapest, the group enjoyed a magical feast at a fairytale castle overlooking the city. It also happened to be Randy’s birthday, which was celebrated with firework candles, an elegant dessert and a special painting signed by all the members of the group.

In Salzburg, Austria, the highlight was “The Sound of Music” tour where they relived the scenes and places made famous in the 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. That evening, Mavis and Randy were treated to an elegant dinner at the oldest restaurant in Europe (803 AD), St. Peter Stiftskulinarium. Hallstatt, known for its salt mines dating back 8,000 years, was a fairytale locale that afforded them terrific views of the Austrian Alps.

Now that they’ve experienced a taste of Europe, it’s on to the Baltic countries with fellow Canyon Lakers.

Randy and Mavis visit a gingerbread shop in Prague. Photo provided by Mavis Schutz