Bonn - Germany

Bonn – Germany

Post published:29 October 2011
Post category:Europe Germany

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The Federal City of Bonn

Once more, another weekend spent in Dusseldorf, hence travelling around the whole region in search of new places and cities to visit. This is the time for the elegant city of Bonn. Founded as a Roman settlement in the 1st century BC, it is still to date the largest Roman fort known from the ancient world, although minimal archaeological remain from that period. It’s therefore one of the oldest city in Germany; the once de-facto capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990. It was this fact why it holds the title of Federal City in recognition for it.

With the fall of Rome, it became the Kingdom of the Franks well into the Middle Ages, when the Romanesque Bonn Minster was built between the 11 and 13th centuries, leading to a strong growth of population and expansion only accelerated in the 17th century and onwards with several grand constructions in Baroque style for what it is still famous the city. It was at this time, year 1770 that Ludwig van Beethoven was born here in Bonn, where he would study before leaving for Vienna as the composer’s first journey.

With such a rich history, you can expect to see many monuments and grand buildings, palaces, tree-lined boulevards and what I consider without to be one of the most elegant cities in Germany. While visiting it is quite straightforward. Distances are not big and you can enjoy the mix of the old town core narrow streets in contrast with broad boulevards, tree-lined avenues and gardens.

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Monschau - Germany

Monschau – Germany

Post published:13 August 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Montjoie

Monschau, a very little village on a valley where absolutely every house is worth a picture. Colorful timber-framed houses just everywhere, a small river splitting the city in two and multiple little bridges where to enjoy different perspectives. This village was part of our plan for today after spending the morning and part of the afternoon in Liege, Belgium, and while already heading back towards Dusseldorf, the main base we used for this weekend trip, like plenty others during these days.

It’s one of these places we have in mind when thinking about Germany, with such cute little houses, the nature surrounding it and the rather relaxed and quiet ambient, perfect to enjoy a nice beer at one of the many terraces you will see in summer. But other than that there is not much more to describe about it. Being such a small place, you will not need any longer than 2 hours, and that is already giving quite a lot.

For more information about the village visit Wikipedia site. Germany’s currency is the Euro (EUR). Please note that any price reference is true as from when this guide was created, therefore check prices in advance as with the time they change. (more…)

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Liege - Belgium

Liege – Belgium

Post published:13 August 2011
Post category:Belgium Europe Western Europe

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Leodium

Another weekend and another new destination. Although this was a similar case in which I flew into Dusseldorf to visit my friends and made the base there. The fact is that driving to France, the Netherlands or Belgium is very easy and quick, and these cities in the area are not big at all hence perfect for a day trip, or staying overnight to include more cities on the route. After all, there are so many places anyone could go, it does not really matter.

The city has not much to see or do and will not take you longer than half a day to visit, giving you enough time if you have a car to include and plan the visit of another city, either on the way into Liege or way back to wherever you are staying or coming from. In our case, we included this time the small village of Monschau in Germany, 66km away from Liege. Both places made it a perfect summer day out.

Because of my background studies (technical architecture) and my ongoing passion for architecture, I keep searching wherever I travel for great landmarks, and Liege is a good example. It’s home to one of the spectacular creations by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava; the train station. To myself, the highlight of this trip without hesitation. (more…)

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The Hague - Netherlands

The Hague – Netherlands

Post published:29 May 2011
Post category:Europe Netherlands Western Europe

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The Court City

Continuing on to our final point of the trip in this area of the Netherlands; we arrive to the capital of South Holland, The Hague. Seat of the government of Netherlands, one of the major cities hosting the United Nations and third largest city in the country after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, it is also one of the most historical and nicest where the old and new architecture blends perfectly. You can see the historical centre surrounded in the background by an ongoing rising of towers. I can imagine how this all will look in few years time when the full projects are completed.

The city is the largest on the country’s North Sea coast and it’s the twin brother of Rotterdam at just few kilometres away. In fact, they are so close to each other that they even share the airport and a light rail system. Right by the coast you have the Scheveningen district, where to find the long beach and the longest pier in the Netherlands.

You definitely can, and should, combine both cities in your visit, and consider as we did, some other small villages and places nearby, notoriously both Delft and the windmills of Kinderdijk. Indeed, this was a fully packed weekend, non stop, but again, it was really enough time for enjoying absolutely everything without any rush but of course only manageable if you have a car as depending on public transports, although great as they are, will consume the precious time you depend on.

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Delft and Kinderdijk - Netherlands

Delft and Kinderdijk – Netherlands

Post published:29 May 2011
Post category:Europe Netherlands Western Europe

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The Windmills of Holland

Moving on to our next step of this trip after visiting Rotterdam the day before, it’s the time for a much more relaxing walk around the streets of the little village of Delft and around the world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site listed windmills of Kinderdijk. Definitely very much worthy stops on this trip as we head towards The Hague, our final destination. A perfect weekend you and anyone can plan on the same way as we did and you will be greatly satisfied; but perhaps the main highlight after all to my memory, the windmills. Now gladly to repeat as of the most recent trip in 2019 as part of a weekend in Eindhoven and Antwerp.

These are what we have in our minds when talking about Holland. Canals and windmills, and plains of grass and fields of tulips. Here you have that picture, but this time for real. Built in 1740 as part of the canal system for agriculture, there are lots of them, as many as 19, perfectly restored along a beautiful path and the canals surrounding it all. Overall, one of the key tourist destinations in the country.

As of Delft, it also hosts many canals and a very rich and historic old town. Located only half way between Rotterdam and The Hague, it is therefore very good and easily accessible to each of them by public transport in just a short time. Certainly it is the case you do not need to rent a car for instance. (more…)

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Rotterdam - Netherlands

Rotterdam – Netherlands

Post published:28 May 2011
Post category:Europe Netherlands Western Europe

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Rotown, Roffa, Rotjeknor

Another weekend and another destination. This time to some places not been before, starting with Rotterdam on the first day, and moving to The Hague, Delft and Kinderdijk on the following day. Considering how easy was to come here on this occasion where the night before I flew into Dusseldorf and the following morning drove to Rotterdam. In around 2 hours we were there and ready to start with the sightseeing after leaving our staff at the hotel and so the car behind. Definitely there is no need at all for a car in the city since distances are not big and the city centre very compact with friendly walking distances.

Your first impressions will be of a very modern city with extremely well designed sky-rises. The forms, colours, shapes and heights; this is something unique to The Netherlands and specially to Rotterdam where there are many already built and many others on the way. Construction is quite frenetic everywhere but in few years time the skyline will become one of the most impressive in Europe, not for the height itself but for the incredible collection of buildings, some of which from world renown architects.

So why is that it is possible to build that much, so fast and without obvious restrictions? Well, the city was almost entirely razed to the ground during the WWII raids, therefore, much of what was built in replacement to what once stood to accommodate the population fast and cheap did not have any value aesthetically talking. Slowly, those ugly buildings are being demolished and replaced for the post-modern ones you get to see today. (more…)

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Cologne – Germany

Post published:9 April 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium

Again, another of these destinations I have been so many times like neighbouring Dusseldorf but never created the guide for it. Although honestly, since the first couple of times or so I came to the city, took all the pictures around and did almost every tourist sight, all the later occasions I returned is mainly to go to some favourite restaurants, meeting friends there and going out. The choice here for going out, say discos, pubs and general entertainment, is definitely greater than in Dusseldorf.

Cologne is without any hesitation one of the most historical and oldest cities in Germany. Back in the Roman days, it was the largest city in what was known the province of Germania. Currently ranks the 4th largest in the country in terms of population and of course importance, and because it did not suffer as badly as Dusseldorf the raids during WWII, it managed to retain a cute historic medieval old town. Not everything is “real” let’s be honest here, but the reconstruction and restoration thereafter was quite a success. It is therefore here you will find many more places of interest and sights than bigger brother Dusseldorf.

Still, the scars from the war are visible even right in the middle of a major landmark, the Cathedral Square. Notice the horrible brutalist and socialist hideous buildings scattered around. However with the latest projects trying to restore absolutely everything, gentrification to the maximum through the old town and construction of great cultural centres, museums and entire new districts with spectacular striking architecture have translated in even more tourism coming year after year.

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Gothenburg - Sweden

Gothenburg – Sweden

Post published:2 April 2011
Post category:Europe Northern Europe Sweden

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The second largest city in Sweden

A quick trip this time, just go and back in the same day to the second largest city in Sweden, Gothenburg. I know this was way too short time to enjoy such a beautiful city with so much to see and do, but hey! why to stay home if for merely £20 return flights you can get to at least enjoy other culture, other places, some nice food and a first time contact to a city for sure worth the return for longer the next time. After all, sounds crazy that sometimes it’s cheaper to go abroad than staying in London where you will spend certainly more going out for some drinks and dinner with friends. So why not to take the friends with you and travel together then?

This is a very elegant city. Full of tree-lined boulevards and avenues, canals, squares and impressive buildings everywhere, especially these along the canals. But it’s not only the architecture what makes the city special, it is also about the people. So polite, friendly, educated and so well dressed overall! We felt quite out of place as our outfit was definitely more casual.

Walking around and trying to get lost is the best way to explore the city. Since it is not too big you don’t need to worry about “getting lost”. You will always find your way and come to see those not so main streets everyone aims for, avoiding the rest of the usual tourists. Don’t get me wrong here, of course visiting the major thoroughfares is part of the mandatory sightseeing.

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